Singapore, May 21, 2015 – In celebration of its 80th anniversary this year, Japanese transportation

solutions provider UD Trucks has opened a new 3,000 sq ft UD Experience Centre in Ageo, Japan.

Meanwhile, the company re-affirms its commitment to Southeast Asia (SEA) with the enhanced UD

Quester, which was designed specifically for growth markets.

Mr Christophe Martin, President of UD Trucks in Asia Oceania, reflected: “At UD Trucks, we’ve always

thrived on delivering what our customers need. When infrastructure projects escalated rapidly across

Southeast Asia in the 1990s, the CWM proved to be the workhorse of choice, winning many loyal fans.

Built with a heavy-duty chassis, it was very popular as it serves a wide array of applications and its

success enhanced the UD brand in the region.”

He added: “Recently, with our customers in growth markets in Southeast Asia facing challenges such as

increasing fuel prices and high operational costs, we launched Quester, designed specifically for such

markets. It’s the first in a new generation of cost-effective UD Trucks, specially developed for the world

of heavy-duty transportation.”

Durable, reliable and fuel-efficient, Quester is designed to go the extra mile, according to Mr Ian Sinclair,

Product Director of UD Trucks (watch video @ https://youtu.be/0NbLV3I8FuI). Compared to its

predecessor in Southeast Asia, the CWM, Quester’s cab size is much bigger, offering better all-round

visibility. With a high torque engine which operates in the low rev range, it also uses less fuel. Drivability

is easy and smooth, offering the driver an almost car-like feel.

With axle configurations ranging from 4x2 to 8x4, Quester can be customized to whatever the customer’s

requirements are, for a wide range of applications including long-haul, distribution, construction and

mining. Available with two engine alternatives, Quester with the 11-litre engine has an extra engine brake

which provides more effective braking and longer life on the wheel brakes.

Based on feedback from its first customers, Quester was recently enhanced with an easier gear shift; the

extra engine brake adjusted to lower speed; and a new application category – Dangerous Goods.

“The Quester is designed such that we can ‘spec’ it according to what the customer requires for his

business. At UD Trucks, we’re willing to improve or enhance our products if it would make our customer’s

business better or smoother. That is what we call the UD Gemba spirit – making things happen,” Mr

Martin affirmed.

Founded in 1935 as Nihon Diesel Industries (later Nissan Diesel) by Mr Kenzo Adachi, UD Trucks

established itself in the Southeast Asia region in 1978 - first in Malaysia, followed by Indonesia and

Thailand. The company has grown steadily and today, UD Trucks is globally present in 64 countries.

Always quick to respond to the demands and needs of the logistics and construction industries in the past

eight decades, the trucking pioneer has achieved many firsts including developing the first Japanese- made

diesel truck engine in 1938; the first Japanese-made diesel truck, LD1, in 1939; the groundbreaking

engine with pioneering ‘uniflow scavenging diesel engine’ (UD for short) technology in 1955 that inspired

the name the company is carrying today; and, of course, Quester, the first Japanese heavy-duty truck

developed uniquely for growth markets, in 2013.

The company thrives by its brand promise of “Going the Extra Mile” for its customers, from offering

products with cutting-edge technologies, to purposeful aftermarket service and support.

UD excels at providing cost-effective solutions to transportation challenges, with products that offer

durability, reliability and drivability. At the same time, cutting-edge engineering and design ensure that UD

trucks perform with high levels of fuel efficiency and uptime, while meeting today’s demanding safety and

environmental standards. The legacy of the venerable 80 year old brand rolls on.

See a video of the enhanced Quester, the next generation of UD Trucks in Southeast Asia, at:

Using class leading systems and processes coupled with Japanese build quality the Quester has over 1.5million engineering hours and 65000 hours of road testing during its 3.5 year span from the start of development to its launch. The focus on the vehicle's uptime and fuel efficiency are key ingredients during its development.

On the fuel economy front, the Quester offers first rate technology that, if coupled with driver know-how will show fuel savings of between 5 to 30% compared to a vehicle without such technology. The UD Quester has something that is unlike a video game – a real time Fuel Coach that basically shows and guides the driver to improved driving efficiency. The display shows real-time driving tips for the best fuel economy. It shows the driver when to shift, brake or accelerate in order to reach the engines most fuel-efficient rev range. Two thumbs up signals that you are running perfect. Actually this is unlike what those who are familiar with energy efficient cars like the Honda Hybrids and Mercedes Benz BlueEfficiency vehicles who have efficiency meters that actually help the driver drive as economically as possible. Now we have the same technology in trucks. And truck drivers can be entertained a little more on those long haul trips. Now how much fun is that? 

The second important ingredient that most truck owners look at is a vehicle's uptime. Transportation companies face rising fuel prices and increasing customer demands. The successful companies are the ones who keep on running. Consistently and reliably, mile after mile, year after year. Uptime has become a key for successful companies and is something that the UD Quester excels at. UD Trucks offers features and service agreements that give you peace of mind. The owners can focus on their core business without worrying about when to service, how to service, what to service – and most importantly how much it will costs. And a 58degree cab tilt offers an easy reach for the mechanics. Important for ease of maintenance.

For those into specification the UD Quester has a chassis made from cold-formed steel with extended strength and flexibility, providing steadiness when rolling and pitching happen together. For instance on uneven road surfaces, loads with high center of gravity or unevenly distributed loads. If the driver needs extra power for hills and rough roads the UD Quester has 6x4T, 6x4R and 8x4R configurations (out of 7 configurations) have optional hub reduction, where the stresses are split between the hub and the axle, giving better grip and traction.

The 11-liter engine is available with the optional UD Extra Engine Brake (see, truck drivers get to play with 11,000cc worth of engine). This provides powerful braking that is quick to engage. Improved braking safety gives you higher average speeds especially in hilly landscapes. The 13000Kg load capacity comes out of have loads of torque. This engine comes with various HP ratings depending on specification – 370/390/420HP running through a 9 or 12 speed gearbox. There is also a base 8.0liter engine with 220/250/280/330HP running through a 6, 9 or 12 speed gearbox. Torque figures aren't stated. But would be massive. Obviously.

In this small trucker's mind, he'll have 11,000cc, 420bhp and 12 gears please.  

More information available at UD Trucks.