Global Ford Cargo versus JMC “Weylong” - What's the difference?

kscarbel2 · November 22, 2017

360 Truck / November 21, 2017

On November 3, the Jiangling Motors/Ford Motor Company truckmaking joint venture JMC Heavy-Duty Vehicle Company introduced the Weilong heavy truck at its Taiyuan City headquarters in the Chinese province of Shanxi.

The result of five years of preparation, the truckmaker says the Weilong (Powerful Dragon) is a high-end product offering superb value, quality and operating efficiency.

We interviewed the company’s Turkish senior engineer Ozgur Ozfurat to develop a deeper understanding of this new truck.

Discerning people can see that the key advantage of the JMC Weilong is the use of Ford Cargo heavy truck core technology. This ensures the Weilong has a proven technology foundation to provide users with a very competitive product.

In terms of the driving experience, the JMC Weilong enjoys unparalleled superiority in all aspects.

From the dynamic performance, the Ford-licensed JMC engine delivers high torque output at low RPMs. At 900 rpm, torque outputs of up to 2000Nm are available. High engine torque output, accurate shift selection, a variety of “downspeeding” oriented rear axle ratios and tyre sizes resulting in the Weilong having very low fuel consumption.

People who have test-driven the 420 horsepower Weilong come away thinking the engine is more like 460 or 480 horsepower.

After inheriting the Ford Cargo heavy truck lineage sold on four continents, the Weilong's driving, operability, steering and braking characteristics are optimized to provide excellent driving performance. After a variety of road input testing and high damping modulation, the Weilong's driving comfort is very good and accurate, and excellent steering characteristics result in superior driver control and confidence. Driving in a straight line or a turn, the truck’s electronic braking delivers steady performance.

The Weilong’s NVH (Noise/Vibration/Harshness) levels are also excellent. Firstly, engine noise is very low, as if one was not sitting atop a 9 or 13-litre engine. Sound absorbing cab interior materials do their job, and there are no squeaks or rattles owing to high quality fitment of interior trim. At high driving speeds, there is no need to raise one’s voice in conversation.

At the same time, JMC’s Weilong also delivers superior stability owing to a well-tuned frame and suspension.

In terms of comfort, Weilong offers passenger car-like comfort with supportive 12-position high-back seating, ergonomically-located controls including switches, levers and shift lever. With long-distance journeys in mind, the truck’s interior is a harmonious execution of impressive styling and high quality materials.

"In the Weilong’s price range, it has no competition in China’s heavy truck market. There’s simply no other truck on the market like the Weilong, which offers such a high level of standard equipment," Ozfurat said with confidence.

At a time when a number of advanced technologies are now common place in heavy trucks, Ozfurat says the JMC Weilong is up to speed offering remote data tracking for individual users and team managers, real-time inspection of location on vehicle maps, maintenance requirements and maintenance cycles, vehicle diagnostic details, driving characteristics, fuel management and remote vehicle control, to assist individual customers and fleets better manage their trucks and operations. Whenever and wherever, team managers can click on a mobile phone or computer to get information about the vehicles they want to know, saving time and reducing costs.

In addition, JMC provides customers with a color touch-screen multimedia device, which allows them to view real-time traffic information and determine the shortest and quickest route to delivery.

"Furthermore, we are the first truckmaker in China to offer a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which greatly prolongs the service life of tyres, reduces fuel consumption and enhances truck safety," says Ozfurat.

The JMC Weilong is based on the third generation global market Ford Cargo.

Many truck industry journalists had a chance last September, at Ford’s invitation, to visit its main global heavy truck production base in Turkey and witness the truckmaker’s advanced technology and manufacturing processes.

At the same time, Jiangling Motors and Ford Motor Company signed a technical licensing agreement and engineering services contract, providing advanced Ford heavy truck technologies to Jiangling, thus installing a foundation for R&D cooperation and a future product pipeline.

"In fact, taking advantage of Ford’s sophisticated global technologies, we are in a position to provide world class truck engineering, development and manufacturing, and implement rigorous project processes," said Ozfurat.

He said the JMC Weilong and current global market Ford Cargo share a common vehicle platform and engine platform, and future technology advancements at Ford can also be incorporated into China production at the Jiangling-Ford JMC truckmaking joint venture.

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