MAN (Maschinenfabrik Augsburg Nürnberg AG) is one of the two leading German truck manufacturers, along with Mercedes-Benz. It produces on-road vehicles from 7.5-tonne rigid trucks to 44-tonne-plus articulated tractors, as well as a range of military trucks.
On 2 April 2009 MAN hosted an event for leading industry editors; Des Evans (chief executive officer of MAN Truck & Bus UK) and other executives spoke about their plans for the future.
On this page Commercial Motor editor Brian Weatherley and Motor Transport editor Justin Stanton share news and their thoughts live (via Twitter) from the event:
Brian Weatherley:
- Cussans: "We've set up a highly specialised network of 'hazchem dealers' supporting hazchem operators---we intend to stay as market leaders."
- Dave Cussans: "Private capital dealers partners have recently made £24m investments in UK service infrastructure."
- Dave Cussans Ops director for MAN T&B UK up now: "Mission to earn ourselves reputation as best service provider in the UK truck industry."
- Green news! MAN is going straight to EEV as standard beyond Euro-5 on all its MAN and Neoplan buses and coaches built after April.
- Market is tough but we're not downbeat--during this time we will innovate and help our operators come through this--Des Evans MAN T&B UK CEO
- MAN has launched 'TGA Challenge' used truck scheme, with finance offered, at typically £195 a week for a used good quality 3-year-old TGA.
- Des Evans: Truck market development remains weak. but it will come back. MAN target to retain 11% share.
- MAN forecast for 2009 is around 28,000 new trucks above six-tonnes compared with 48,000 last year.
- Des Evans: "Nearly 80% of all fuel in the UK is delivered by an MAN."
- Des Evans: 2008 Best year ever for MAN Truck & Bus 12.2% share trucks turned over £700m for the first time, 5,530 new, 2,065 used trucks.
- Des Evans: Many operators too technophobic to try telematics--we'll come up with new exciting products to make them think again."
- Des Evans: "We need to do things differently we're going to do things differently. You have to use telematics in a better way."
- Des Evans CEO MAN Truck & Bus---after long delivery delays 18 months ago "Today it's a very different story".
- Des Evans now up at the mike. 'We've shaken ourselves down and have a very clear view for this year!"
- MAN will further enhance it's MAN TopUsed offerings in 2009 and make more enhancements to its financial services in the UK.
- MAN's Geoff du Plessis says company will continue to focus on 'transport efficiency' 'It's essential we add value' to customers.
- 38% of sales now outside the EU (as just 26% in 2005) in 2005--major expansion in CIS (Russian) states and Near East.
- MAN recorded its 6th record year-on-year growth in 2008 to gain 16.6% European market share in trucks above 6 tonnes.
- Geoff du Plessis--head of MAN region north and Iberia says 'It's one of the most 'interesting' times in the world's history!'
- 2008 another good year for MAN---despite market decline in the 2nd half. Over MAN 100,000 trucks and buses sold...
- The music's playing (Fleetwood Mac obviously) the hacks and hackettes are shuffling in..eyes down for the MAN press briefing!
Justin Stanton:
- MAN promoting 3-year-old TGAs to operators who can't or won't afford a new truck.
- MAN promises to revolutionise used truck market.
- MAN plans "expansion of aftersales business to support customer viability".
- MAN expects 2009 truck market (over 6t) to be circa 28,000 units.
And here are the latest entries from BigLorryBlog on MAN.
Roadtransport.com pages on MAN truck models:
MAN: Manufacturer's Website
MAN: Wikipedia entry
Other Truck Manufacturers:
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