EUROPE TRUCK MARKET

INTRODUCTION

Unlike barge or rail, road transport provides door-to-door service to virtually every site via a high-density network. Rail and barge are used by logistic service providers when transportation is neither affordable or practical: over long distances (700 km and higher) and huge volumes.

Trucks are still utilised to cover the pre- and post-legs of such transportation services, that is, between intermodal terminals and producers or customers (warehouses, shops, consumers).

Many of the consumer products imported by industrialized countries are of low weight and high value. Overland transportation is mostly done by road. The increasing final energy (fuel) consumption by transportation is the consequence of increased demand for transportation, which is only partially offset by improved fuel economy due to energy-saving technological advancements in cars and fuels.

As a result, transportation has become the EU's greatest final energy user. Given the clear link between fossil fuel usage and CO2-emissions, this is cause for severe worry.

In the most recent truck generation, technological innovation permitted a significant reduction in pollutants and increased fuel efficiency (through new engines, tyres, lighter materials, and so on).

Euro 6 applies to new trucks, not the previous Euro classes, which are less efficient and pollute the environment. There is also no assurance that the earlier Euro criteria will be met in the long run.

With Euro 6, this is required, however expertise with the most recent standards is obviously limited. Because of the rate of truck fleet turnover, it may take at least a decade to have a meaningful influence on the truck fleet utilizing key highways. However, truck emissions in cities continue to be a major issue.

EUROPE TRUCK MARKET DYNAMICS

As original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) attempt to restart production by bringing heavy investments to the market, a significant number of factors are being implemented, including an increase in demand for powerful vehicles with higher carrying capacity to handle weights and strong suspension systems, an increase in demand for fuel-efficient trucks, and strict laws and regulations related to carbon dioxide emissions.

The Europe Vehicle Control and Safety Administration established new fuel efficiency criteria for heavy-duty vehicle engines powered by diesel, natural gas, and other fuels.

The severe emission regulations imposed by governments would fuel the significant market development in the hybrid electric category. The European Commission (EC) is also working on new software to calculate fuel usage and CO2 emissions.

As a result of these regulatory changes across Europe, market participants are releasing new models of hybrid electric and completely electric heavy-duty trucks. For example, in October 2019, Volvo announced two new electric truck models, the Volvo FL and Volvo FE Electric.

These models are predicted to have a large and favourable impact on air quality in cities with a high number of active building projects. Mining and e-commerce are two examples of businesses.

The Russian truck market is dominated by domestic players, with a limited presence of foreign truck manufacturers and few registrations of their products•  Whereas the dominant manufacturer, GAZ, boasts a wide range of models, Kamaz portfolio is relatively limited wherein the Daimler owns a 10 percent stake in Kamaz.

The European and Japanese OEMs such as Daimler, Volkswagen and Isuzu aim to harness strong market growth by leveraging a diverse model portfolio.  VW has a small advantage in market presence due to their joint venture with local MAZ.

Modern Mercedes-Benz technology, according to Daimler, is what enabled the record-breaking performance. 

The new BlueTec selective catalytic reduction emissions technology, which has demonstrated two to five percent lower fuel usage, was installed in the standard commercial vehicle diesel engine. 

With the standard Mercedes PowerShift automated transmission, a computer-controlled air compressor, and a guided coolant pump, an improved driving system promises significant potential savings.

The new Mercedes-Benz Actros' fuel efficiency test, which was conducted under perfect circumstances, was intended to demonstrate the potential of cutting-edge automotive technology. 

At the same time, measurements were made using a similar truck to demonstrate the many causes of the disparity between the test fuel consumption and the fuel used in regular travel on European motorways.

The fuel consumption comparison showed the consequences of poor traffic management and infrastructure, improper vehicle architecture, poor vehicle maintenance, and actual driving behaviour.

EUROPE TRUCK MARKET DEVELOPMENTS AND INNOVATIONS

EUROPE TRUCK MARKET SEGMENTATION

The Europe Truck Market can be segmented into following categories for further analysis.

By Truck Application

• Light Duty Trucks
• Medium Duty trucks
• Heavy Duty Trucks

By Truck Haulage Type

• Long Haulage Trucks
• Short Haulage Trucks

By Type of Consumption

• Materialised Cargo based Movement
• Vehicular Cargo Based Movement
• Packaging Cargo Movement

RECENT TECHNOLOGICAL TRENDS IN EUROPE TRUCK MARKET

Internet of Technology has been integrated into the systems of enhancement for the trucks moving across in Europe. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of gadgets, vehicles, and appliances that can actively communicate data.

Networks of sensors installed throughout the vehicle, for example, may monitor anything from tyre pressure to load stability. Truck systems that are semi-autonomous or platooned. This will result in even more data for carriers and shippers to handle and make choices with.

This communication may significantly enhance supply chain management and reduce the amount of human interaction required in any given circumstance. Sensors and a cloud-based platform will be used to give shippers with real-time information on the location and status of vital freight in transit.

Their system includes freight tracking and gives users with data. The Their solution brings Internet of Things integrated as part of freight monitoring, provides users with alerts based on temperature, humidity, pressure intrusion detection, shock and tilt at the pallet or parcel level.

In addition to these technologies, Self-Driving Autonomous Trucks and ADAS Systems would be one of the most enhanced trucking technologies in the market. Autonomous and electric vehicles, platooning, big data, integrated tech: innovation in trucking is sure moving the industry forward.

Smart solutions have inherently changed the way goods are transported around the world with analytics creating a more efficient supply chain

EUROPE TRUCK MARKET NEW ACQUISITION

Uber's UBER.N European freight division has been purchased by German startup Sennder in an all-stock deal, making the American ride-hailing company a minority shareholder.

Sennder, a digital freight forwarder located in Berlin that specialises in full-truck loads, has made two acquisitions so far this year as it looks to increase its market share in Europe. The position as the top provider of digital logistics in Europe is strengthened by this purchase.

The partnership with Sennder will allow Uber, which has only recently entered the German freight industry, to expand its presence in Europe while also providing cutting-edge freight logistics services in the US and Canada.

Sennder is one of many logistics-focused startups attempting to modernise an industry dominated by family-owned trucking companies that are still accustomed to using a phone, pen, and paper in the vibrant Berlin tech environment.

By lowering the number of trips in which trucks make a return journey empty, its owners believe there is a significant opportunity to increase efficiency in the full-load market, where sender matches 50,000 cargoes per month.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Several companies have developed and implemented camera monitor systems to provide the drivers with additional FOV. These systems can reach from simple rear or front view cameras to 360 degrees bird view images to facilitate drivers awareness of the surroundings. Continental, Volkswagen, and Stoneridge have developed concepts for digital rear-view mirrors with displays mounted inside the truck cab.

MAN Trucks has been rolling out the latest technologies and advancements to have better levels of compliance to latest requirements. The most recent developments has been on the MAN TGX, which saves up to 3.7 % fuel. This is due to its economic Euro 6 engines and other efficiency-enhancing innovations, which is the MAN Tip Matic shift system.

This semi-automatic gearbox has twelve forward and two reverse gears and offers significant added value compared to comparable gearboxes with more gears: Less fuel consumption as well as around 70 kilograms less unladen weight and thus correspondingly higher payload.

The presence of dynamic torque adjustment and speed reduction with MAN Efficient Roll ensure even more economical driving. This reduces fuel consumption in long-haul transport with very low average speed decline.

Volvo Trucks Group has brought in the latest Electric based truck propulsion system, which is focused on better levels of emission and efficiency control. Volvo Trucks is currently testing the electric heavy-duty Volvo FH, Volvo FM, and Volvo FMX trucks, which will be utilised for regional transportation and urban development throughout Europe.

The gross combined weight of these vehicles will be up to 44 tonnes. The range may be up to 300 kilometres depending on the battery arrangement.

The trucks have been integrated with Two or three electric motors, in combination with an I-Shift gearbox, give a very smooth driving experience. Six battery packs produce 490 kWh or corresponding 666 hp of total energy. The massive power is handled by an electromobility traction control system, mastering also slippery surfaces. Different drive modes are available to set the desired performance, comfort, and energy usage levels.

COMPANIES PROFILED

• Daimler AG
• Volvo AB
• MAN Truck & Bus AG
• Scania AB
• Iveco S.p.A.
• DAF N.V.
• Belarus
• Mercedes Benz
• MAZ
• KrAZ