Victorian Government supports local manufacturing with Iveco fleet purchase

[kscarbel2]

Iveco Trucks Australia Press Release  /  November 18, 2016

Victorian Government supports local manufacturing with Iveco fleet purchase

The Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, this week attended Iveco’s Dandenong (Melbourne) manufacturing facility, to inspect four locally-built Iveco trucks that will shortly begin service as transport vehicles for the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).

The Minister was accompanied on her visit by State Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams and DELWP personnel.

The trucks consisting of three Powerstar 6400 prime movers and a Stralis 8x4 rigid (still in build) will be configured as ‘first attack’ transport vehicles, mobilising bulldozers to bushfire hotspots, where they’re typically one of the first responders to an emergency.

Outside of the bushfire season the equipment will be used as part of planned burning and land management activities.

Developed by Iveco Australia exclusively for the local market, the Powerstar features 60 per cent local content while the Stralis 8x4 boasts 55 per cent local content.

Both the Minister and Member for Dandenong stressed the importance of supporting Australian manufacturing as well as equipping DELWP with the best equipment possible.

“We’re putting people first by ensuring that these world-class vehicles are built right here in Victoria,” the Minister said.

“We’re supporting local manufacturing workers and providing the best equipment available for our forest firefightrers,” the Member for Dandenong said.

Equipment ‘nuts and bolts’

Iveco Australia was selected as a vehicle supplier after an exhaustive evaluation process that included in-field trials in which DELWP operators drove and experienced the vehicles in real-world conditions.

DELWP Manager – Mobile Plant & Equipment, Nigel Robertson, says there were many considerations in making the purchase decision.

“At the top of our list was engine braking capability, it’s a very important factor for our drivers especially when fully loaded and operating in steep and difficult conditions,” Mr Robertson said.

“Strong horsepower was also up there – we don’t speed but in an emergency we need to get there as fast and safely as possible, we can’t have the driver struggling up hills and getting worked-up before even reaching the fire site.

“When the operators of these trucks arrive on site they have to unload the bulldozers and then they can spend hours at the controls so it’s essential that their travel to the fire site is as easy and stress-free as possible, we can’t have drivers arriving fatigued. The Iveco cabin is very spacious and comfortable especially with driver and passenger ISRI air-suspended seats and extensive stowage areas,” he said.

All four trucks feature identical drivelines consisting of 500hp Cursor 13 engine and Eurotronic 16-speed automated manual transmission (AMT).

Mr Robertson says that although the original intent had been to specify the vehicles with manual transmissions, following the first trial where his operators were able to drive the AMT, there was an overwhelming change of decision.

“Our previous vehicles were manuals and at the start of the evaluation process the drivers were steadfast on again getting manuals, but after trialing the AMT it was almost unanimous that this was the way to go,” he said.

“The trucks were much easier to drive with the AMT and allowed the driver to better concentrate on the road conditions. Specifying an AMT also provides peace of mind for the less experienced drivers. We have selected the same engine and transmission combination in all vehicles, this along with commonality of interior will allow drivers to move from one truck to another seamlessly.”

OEM specification aside, Iveco is also assisting DEWLP with aftermarket accessories for the application, to deliver the organisation with turn-key and fit-for-purpose end products.

Iveco Powerstar - https://www.iveco.com.au/product/powerstar
.