Isuzu Trucks has extended its reign at the top of the Australian truck market to 21 consecutive years.

It follows on the back of a strong sales performance in the midst of extremely demanding economic conditions in 2009.
According to official industry figures, Isuzu Trucks finished 2009 with a total of 7480 units, eclipsing its nearest competitor by 3221 units.
Despite a 24.3 per cent decline in the total Australian truck market largely due to the effects of the global financial crisis, Isuzu Trucks extended its hold on top spot, increasing its December ‘year-to-date’ market share from 28.7 to 30.8 per cent.
Isuzu N Series models continued to dominate the light market with an impressive 40.7 per cent market share for a total of 3544 units, placing Isuzu 1647 trucks ahead of its nearest competitor.

In the hotly contested medium segment, Isuzu Trucks also made an impact delivering 3113 units and extending its market share to 42.4 per cent to comfortably claim top place.
In recent years Isuzu has made inroads into the heavy duty market with its FV models, FX range and expanded Giga line-up.
The trend continued in 2009 with Isuzu securing fourth place with 9.9 per cent market share, a performance that saw it placed ahead of a number of European and American heavy duty manufacturers.
According to Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) director and chief operating officer Phil Taylor, Isuzu Trucks’ sales results in 2009 were extremely pleasing.
“Achieving 21 consecutive years of Australian truck market sales leadership is very rewarding for IAL, particularly in light of the demanding market conditions,” Mr Taylor said.
“Despite a fall in overall sales volume, securing a total market share of almost 31 per cent is a satisfying effort in the face of difficult economic conditions.
“It means that approximately one in three new trucks sold in Australia in 2009 was an Isuzu.
“We thank all our loyal customers for their continued support throughout last year.”
Mr Taylor said that Isuzu’s recent introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, coupled with constant evolution of its expansive high-tech diesel truck ranges, positioned the manufacturer well for the future.

Preparations are being putting in place around Australia as the trucking industry gets ready to celebrate TruckWeek 2010 from Sunday 21 to Saturday 27 February.
The week brings all sectors of the industry together to inform the community and politicians about the importance of the trucking industry, the issues the industry will face in the coming years, how to drive safely around trucks, and the great careers that are now available in trucking.

Across Australia, trucking companies, both large and small, have organised events as diverse as inviting local politicians to participate in on-road trials, to organising a stall at the local market day to promote sharing the road safely with trucks.

In Canberra, the ATA has organised a parliamentary delegation program, inviting politicians to meet with industry leaders to discuss the key issues facing the industry.

In Sydney, ATA NSW will welcome Members of the NSW Parliament and the Sydney Ports CEO, Grant Gilfillan, to a series of barbecue breakfasts at the port with local truck drivers, while in Melbourne the VTA will give local politicians the chance to see the latest developments in truck safety in conjunction with Linfox.

Meanwhile, in Brisbane, Simon National Carriers will open their doors to local and state politicians to explain how technology can be used to make the roads safer for all road users.

It’s not just in the capital cities where events are being held. Dozens of small operators have taken the time to introduce the trucking industry to the wider community, such as in Leongatha, Victoria, where Ryan’s Transport will take The Nationals’ state leader Peter Ryan for a drive, or in Newcastle, where Daracon has invited its local state member of parliament for a tour.

TruckWeek 2010 is a great opportunity for our industry to showcase today’s trucking industry and where we are heading” To check out the full range of TruckWeek events, go to www.truckweek.com.au.

The future of the Australian trucking industry is in safe hands with new talent entering the industry.

Michael York at 20 years of age has had 2 years experience in the industry and has accomplished many goals that many truckies only dream of. When he was 19 yoa, he purchased a removal business 13 year old “All About Removals” and turned it into a roaring success.

His family owned business moves household and business furniture around Australia weekly, while his Flex Removals business covers the local Brisbane area daily.

Truckiesonline caught up with Michael as he was heading for Sydney with a full load and then back loading to Brisbane. Young brother, Tim, as his offsider, had earlier prepared their meals for the trip south.

The Nissan UD, with 409,000+ klms on the clock, is the truck of his choice, along with an Isuzu NPR 200 as a feeder truck.

Michael graduated from QUT with a degree in business and entered the trucking industry with a real commitment to the industry and a passion for future growth and success.

The Australian trucking industry needs enthusiastic owner drivers like Michael York….he’s a truckie young gun on the move.


If you need a reliable removalist, contact Michael on
1300 389 599 or visit his website www.flexremovals.com.au

The Slim Dusty Foundation, invites Aussie truckies to be part of the Slim Dusty Centre, Kempsey, NSW. Here is an opportunity for Aussie truckies, to participate in a unique project.

As a traveller around Australia for some 40 years, Slim shared a bond with Australian truckies and wrote many truckie’s songs. It’s important we share this story with the new Slim Dusty Museum to be built in Kempsey opening the end of 2010.Truckies are wanted to star in tribute to Slim Dusty:
Wanted, one male truckie and one female truckie, to be interviewed by a professional oral historian who works with the National Library of Australia, with the end result that we create a short film using voice over, film footage ‘on the road’ and Slim’s songs, to be shown in the museum. The oral histories will eventually be stored in the NLA.

If you are a truckie and like listening to Slim Dusty’s songs, here’s your chance to be part of Australian history and be part of the Truckies Tribute Programme and donate a Truckie Paver.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Truckiesonline supports the Slim Dusty Foundation

Truckies can do anything.

After a hard days work in a Big Rig there’s nothing like it to settle your nerves!

With the Queensland road toll continuing to increase, it has been decided to introduce Zero Tolerance Speed Cameras on all major highways in 2010.

The new cameras look a bit different than normal speed surveillance cameras and the above photo shows you what you will need to look out for when travelling around the great state of Queensland.

Just make sure you do not speed when approaching one as these new devices offer no warnings or second chances.
There is no truth to the rumour that Qld Police are having these devices fitted to their highway patrol high speed pursuit vehicles………
Happy trucking!

Watch the Road, under the guidance and development of Rob Nielsen, is set to revolutionise the way we see ourselves and others, driving any kind of motor vehicle.
With the spate of accidents involving trucks on our roads, Rob decided to do something about it because it is not always the truckies fault. As a professional truck driver, Rob was concerned at the number of incidents that occurred during a typical driver’s work day.

You cannot rely on human memory when involved in a traffic accident. The friendly, in cabin “black box,” records the road ahead and the video recording can clearly show who might be at fault.

Video evidence, with time stamps, password protected, time and date is admissable in a court of law.

The “unit” can act as an alarm system for the truck and its’ load, providing an extra set of eyes and ears for the driver.
Rob sees many advantages for the use of the black box video recorder, not only in trucks but government vehicles (federal, state and regional), taxis, buses and the everyday sedans. Insurance companies no doubt would look kindly on the black box along with fleet owners because you get in-cabin visual proof of a road accident outcome.

Jimmy Goldsmith at the wheel of his big rig with the roof fitted “black box” third eye.

A recent segment broadcast on the TV programme, A Current Affair, shows footage of a mini bus crashing into a tree. The video recording was from Jimmy Goldsmith’s in-cabin black box recorder. Jimmy is an owner driver running general cargo from Brisbane to Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands and is a 30 year truckie veteran. The black box recorder is 3 years old, still working well and has been a unit that Rob Nielsen is proud of because it was the first unit supplied for truckie usage.

Truckies have noticed a considerable change to driving habits when traffic following trucks with a rear sign displayed on the truck in front of them clearly says “This Vehicle Is Under Constant Video Surveillance”

It never ceases to amaze me that when you go on holidays you always catch up with a “truckie”. Maybe the addage the trucking industry uses “Australia stops without truckies” could change to “Wherever you go in Australia you will meet a friendly truckie”.
On a recent holiday to Hervey Bay, truckiesonline had the pleasure of meeting “Errol” taking a well deserved lunch break under the cool shading trees at Craignish. Errol was working locally on a real estate land development site.
He drives a 2002 Nissan UD T64 with 550,000kms. on the clock and Errol, like all genuine truckies is proud of his rig.
Great meeting with you Errol, have a great year.

Bridge heights, weights, OD routes and hazardous goods routes concern all professional drivers. Complexity of signage, changes to legislation and of course changes out on the road make it harder for trucks to navigate.

ProNav, a leading GPS brand used by professional intercity and cross country long haul drivers throughout Europe and the US, is now the first GPS navigation system specifically designed for truck drivers in Australia. Developed by Navevo, the UK’s leading specialist GPS software developer, and distributed exclusively by long time GPS advocate Travroute, it provides turn-by-turn street navigation for large vehicles including Trucks, RV’s, Trailers, Buses, Vans, & Caravans featuring the latest Navteq Transport data for Australia.

ProNav allows a driver to enter the vehicles’ vital statistics, including weight, axle weight, height, length and width, as well as the load being carried to calculate the best route to ensure drivers are not confronted with roads or obstacles not suitable for the vehicle or goods.

The easy to use interface of ProNav’s GPS devices, feature a 5″ wide touchscreen, Bluetooth hands free calling and an FM transmitter so that you can hear the navigation instructions via your in-dash vehicle radio, which ideal in a truck environment. The system also includes text to speech, providing clear voice instructions including road names. They also provide an audible and visual warning of fixed safety cameras and provides easy to read icons on the mapping to clearly see which obstacles are being avoided along the truck route. Also includes a Navteq map and transport data upgrade in the first year, ensuring that drivers are always up to date and not worrying about changing maps and transport data.

With safety features that are second to none, ProNav will guide you on your way, ensuring a safe and smooth journey. Safety features include; potential hazard warnings; including steep hills, crosswinds, risk of grounding, and sharp bends, dynamic navigation based on vehicles dimensions and safety camera alerts. Other brands of GPS are simply not designed for professional drivers. ProNav is your only choice for GPS.

Travroute is the exclusive distributor of ProNav GPS products in Australia. ProNav’s PNN-300 GPS model will be available in-store from selected retailers from November 2009, with a srrp of $799.

For more information please go to www.pronav.com.au or call 1300 586 709

THE NSW Police force’s Traffic Technology Section (TTS) is to protect citizens from drivers under the influence of alcohol and illegal substances.

The TTS is a special unit within the NSW Police force (NSWPol) and uses trained specialists to support local and state wide operations targeting events, holiday periods and special operations and also assists local area police commanders with drug and alcohol testing equipment for regional areas.

To help in their state wide role, NSWPol’s TTS has taken delivery of two Isuzu NPR 400 Long Premium trucks.
They are both fitted with Winnebago bodies and a myriad of electronic equipment to aid in breath analysis, drug testing and communications.

“We have a total of eight trucks in the TTS fleet for drug and alcohol testing and the two Isuzu NPR 400s were considered the appropriate medium sized truck for operating in metropolitan areas, as we needed the manoeuvrability to navigate city streets,” NSW Police Force TTS’s Senior Sergeant Mark Stevens said. “We have had the Isuzu NPR 400s since January 2008 and have never had any issues with the trucks which operate on cycles ranging from 24 hours to nine days.

Isuzu’s SiTEC Series II 155 engine coupled with the automated manual transmissions (AMT) has also given the trucks added user friendliness along with drivability.

“One of the noticeable features in the Isuzu NPR 400 is its six-speed AMT,” Snr. Sgt. Stevens said. “It makes driving in heavy traffic easier, enhancing driver comfort as well as enabling the driver to concentrate on the road, reducing driver fatigue and improving safety. Combined with the power that the SiTEC Series II 155 engines offer, the Isuzu truck overall is a comfortable and easy truck to operate, which met the requirements of the TSS, as the truck is driven by over 20 different staff.”