Heralding a complete change-over to AMT, Eicher has launched its Pro 3016 and that too with the blessings of at least 250 seasoned drivers who tried out the new baby on the track. Our own expert’s test drive last month marked it a success in his verdict. And why not? Mr. A.S. Rama Rao, Executive Vice President – Sales, Marketing & Aftermarket, VE Commercial Vehicles, himself was the direct recipient of the testing truckers’ high praise for the vehicle owing to its drive ability, high average speeds, high torque, ease of manoeuvrability.
He shares: “This marks the big shift in terms of technology. And we want to completely move over to AMT. It is only a matter of time because we have to look at the manufacturing situation but our ambition is clear. And we are also clear that we begin the switch-over with the 3016 platform. And then spread it to other platforms.”
And, in the next six months or so, Eicher Trucks & Buses will switch over to AMT 100 per cent.
Across the globe, the developed markets and economies have long since shifted to AMT even though the same is in its infancy in India and a bit expensive. Mr. Rao explains: “AMT offers the best of both worlds. So from the cost angle, it works out well for the manufacturers. Moreover, Pro 3016 has next-generation technology features being offered to our customers, which include advanced telematics that we call as Eicher Live and Intelligent Driver Information System or IDIS along with fuel coaching. And it is equipped with the E494 high performance engine.”
Manufactured at their Pithampur facility in Madhya Pradesh, the Pro 3016 is equipped with an intelligent shift control actuator that performs clutch and shift operations intuitively. Mr. Rao shares: “The Pro 3016 AMT comes with auto and manual modes along with transmission drivability features, which means power mode for time-bound deliveries and eco mode for fuel efficient operations.” The model can operate in crawler mode, hill start assistance and manual override, besides launching and running kick down.
Deciding factor – Driver or Fleet Owner?
But who is the deciding factor in the uptake of the new AMT model of Eicher on the ground – the driver or the fleet owner? According to Mr. Rao, it is both in equal measures. The driver is naturally expected to vote in favour of it going by the reduced number of challenges while plying it and also if he looks at the ‘cabin comfort’ factor and reduced fatigue. On the other hand, the fleet owner will be mostly attracted to the point of how fuel efficient the truck would be and how robust his ROI will be.
Mr. Rao offers insights: “The driver response has been phenomenal. The ones who test-drove the truck are from our existing customers and also those who have been driving different brands of trucks. The AMT technology offers a level-playing field for the not so skilled drivers bringing them on par with the best of them. When the fleet owner witnesses the overall fleet fuel efficiency he realises that it may be the not so skilled driver whose vehicle has given better efficiency owing to the AMT technology because the best driver will always work up to the best of his ability. Even globally, those brands that have moved to AMTs have seen dramatic shifts. And that is why we feel that this concept will help the industry in going forward in India.”
First mover advantage
Upfront, the advantage for Eicher is creating a niche for the brand and driving modernization in India. He adds: “It is a modern truck already when it comes to 3000 platform with a fantastic cabin from the driver’s point of view and the added advantage of stress-free driving. Improving fuel efficiency requires intense simulation efforts and data collation to fix various parameters. And this exercise is typically time consuming, especially when it is being done for more than one application even though it is only one product and that is because we are trying to cater to different parameters like intra city, intercity, different terrain, and varied loads among others.”
Today, data collation is higher owing to the addition of more and more electronics in the big commercial vehicles, and any change in the transmission by way of any component will naturally require a revisit to the software.
Welcoming more feedback, Mr. Rao says that it makes perfect business case for the fleet owners even if they have to pay a little more for the technology. He says: “Our belief is that the fuel efficiency delta in this technology is what is the differentiator. We believe that fuel efficiency will be even better when it comes to a fleet because even if the fleet owner is saving five per cent on his fleet, it translates into a lot of money saved. And we help our customers overcome their dilemma – if at all they harbor any – by giving them our trucks for use, say, for a week or so, and then they get back to us with the benefits. Also the most important point here is that we are not talking about huge cost difference because we are not changing the transmission itself which actually calls for a huge investment.”
Buttressing sales with training
At Eicher, each truck sold is always coupled with the customer’s driver training in the initial phase while simultaneously training their own technicians to deliver on the new technology. Mr. Rao shares: “When a customer takes a delivery, our driver trainer goes on a couple of initial trips with the customer’s driver so that he can explain the nuances of working it to the best advantage.”
The industry, on the other hand, too recognizes and acknowledges that steps taken to mitigate safety hazards using fatigue-lessening technology, it is definitely encouraging. If driver-fatigue related accidents can be lessened, the direct benefit is reaped by all the stakeholders involved. And that is a welcome move!