Bright star on transport horizon

AUSTRALIA’S busy transport industry still has space for more competitive entrants with Sitrak Trucks showing how success has little to do with having a publicly-recognised name.

Sitrak is the truck brand of Chinese manufacturer Sinotruck which started building its trucks in 1956.

The company has expanded globally and its quality and technology grown so that in 2009, German truck-maker MAN bought a 25 per cent share of Sinotruck and started sharing MAN engineering, including drivetrains.

It also led to Sinotruck forging relationships with other European transport component makers, including using parts from brands including transmission manufacturer ZF and chassis equipment supplier Wabco.

In Australia, Sitrak is imported, distributed, retailed and fully supported by the BCI Group trading as Truck Sales Pty Ltd through a company-owned dealer network in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Truck Sales sells three main models under the Sitrak brand — C7H forward cab; T5G 6x4 rigid; and T5G Agitator that is available as a cab-chassis or turnkey model with a 7.6 sq.m agitator.

The C7H is available as a G-Cab high-roof, long-haul version or as the P-Cab with low roof. Both are 6x4 trucks that share a MAN 12.4-litre 540hp/2500Nm engine and 12-speed ZF TraXon transmission.

Equipment includes a Jost turntable, ISRI suspension seats, Wabco EBC disc brakes with radar system and quadrangle camera.

They are fully ADR compliant with EBS, ACC, AEBS, HAS and FCFW.

The C7H has a GVM of 25,000kg and GCM of 75,000kg, optional up to 90,000kg.

Sitrak’s T5G rigid has a 330hp/1250Nm MAN 6.87-litre engine and 10-speed AMT gearbox with Wabco technology. It has a GVM of 25,000kg and GCM of 42,000kg.

But it’s not limited to these models. From the factory, buyers in international markets can select light, medium, heavy and special-purpose models to suit individual needs. This includes customising drivetrains, chassis parts, and other components through Sinotruck’s Automotive Engineering Technology Research Centre.

Since its establishment, Sinotruk strategy have included the cooperation with international manufacturers such as Steyr, ZF, Continental, Voith, Wabco, Bosch, Alcoa, Allison, Denso, Michelin, Volvo, MAN and other, in order to match customers’ more demanding requirements in every country.

The 25 per cent share invested by MAN also gave Sinotruck the funds to upgrade its production facilities, build new production lines and share engine, chassis and axle technology.

The key to the brand’s success and its growth through major delivery businesses and transport companies, has been the technical advancement of the trucks, the high level of performance, comfort and reliability that Truck Sales delivers at affordable prices.

The trucks are also fully homologated and compliant with Australian rules, adapted to the demanding conditions on our roads. Backing up its position in the Australian market is Sitrak Australia’s support for customers, with its experienced team, trained in after sales support for commercial vehicles, operating from the company-owned workshops in the Australian network.

This ensures clients get the highest-quality advice, maintenance and parts supply when and where it’s needed.

Sitrak Australia’s after-sales network provides a range of services to customers, including maintenance, repairs and parts replacement from the certified service centres in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne.

This means a team of technicians, trained and certified by Sinotruk ensure customer trucks are appropriately serviced as per the manufacturer’s standards.

The service centres also offer a variety of services, such as routine maintenance, technical advice, diagnostic services, engine repairs and bodywork repairs. In addition, it supplies genuine parts and accessories for the Sitrak vehicles and assistance on call to identify any problem, finding a solution and informing approximately how long it will take.

When operating in regional areas, Sitrak Australia said it is flexible to deal with local repairers to ensure customers have the appropriate backup in instances when bringing the truck to Sitrak premises isn’t practical for you.

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