In the big top! - MAN inmotion

Evans sees as MAN’s way of easing the financial burdens on
operators. MAN Rental now offers 1000 trucks on 6, 12, 18
and 24 month rental periods, for those not wanting to buy
outright at the moment. It’s an operation aimed primarily at
producing stocks of good quality Euro
5 used trucks, rather than a
competitive foray into the rental
sector. As Evans points out, “We are
keeping right away from short-term
rentals. These are the traditional
preserve of the mainstream rental companies, most of which
are among our key customers anyway!”
Finally, once those used trucks become available, they go
to MAN TopUsed. This is yet another MAN route to easing
the burdens of capital outlay, and has been drawing
increasing following as it sets new standards in used truck
quality, while also adding MAN finance and R&M packages
normally available only on new vehicles.
...and Compliance
With legislation bearing down on the industry ever more
heavily, managing compliance costs operators increasing
time and money, prompting Evans to ask another of his ‘big’
questions: “Can the operating industry afford the costs of
compliance.”
The simple truth, as he was quick to point out, is that
operators cannot afford not to meet those costs. The
alternative is unthinkable, involving not only massive fines
but possible imprisonment of directors.
MAN has invested millions into the UK development of
MAN EcoStyle, which, alongside driver and vehicle
monitoring, is part of a wider fleet management system that
helps operators avoid accidental compliance infringements
with a security-enabled, web-based facility that manages all
vehicle paperwork and routine inspection timetabling.
VOSA approved, it cuts time and management activity in
the operator’s office, improving accuracy and availability of
all necessary paperwork. Alongside MAN’s UK network of
e-workshops it helps protect O Licences and deliver timely
R&M. All of this is underpinned with MAN’s standard
three-year UK Warranty and a range of service contracts
delivered through what is arguably the best service
network in the UK today.
Conclusion...
So, in answer to his own question as to whether the
UK transport industry can survive its three big challenges
of Cost, Credit and Compliance, Des Evans is very
hopeful it can. “I don’t want to appear to trivialise the
“...compliance costs
operators increasing
time and money...”
problems by singling out just these three issues,’ he said,
‘but, in truth, the industry itself has singled them out.
“Cost, especially fuel, is unlikely ever to get any better,
so we need the right trucks on the road, driven well and
carefully monitored – and we can
manage all of those. As to Credit, I
don’t know what the banks will do,
but I do know MAN operators have
very attractive alternatives in their
ways of acquiring and running trucks.
And, in the face of growing legislation, MAN is certainly
cutting the costs of Compliance – that’s a fact. These are the
major issues facing the operating industry, and it is only
right that innovative and dynamic manufacturers such as
MAN give everything they can in the battle to help
operators rise to the challenges.” ■
Alongside MAN’s UK
network of e-workshops, it
helps protect O Licenses
and deliver timely R&M.
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