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| Image Courtesy: www.mahindratruckandbus.com/about-us.html |
Truck is a major means of transport. Every day, trucks carry
goods from one part of our country to another, giving us conveniences. When the
whole world these days has grown to be smart in every field, be it in terms of
communication, telecom, infrastructure support, factories, manufacturing,
logistics, how can trucks be behind. And even the need to preserve our
environment, to keep it safe, we need smart trucks.
When I sat back to write this post on smart truck, I remembered
my plight when I was relocating to Delhi from Jamshedpur. The household goods
were packed well and loaded into the container a week before our travel to
Delhi. We were assured that the goods would reach Delhi by the time we reach
there. But to our dismay, the truck with goods did not reach even after our
arrival in the city. On enquiring with the logistic company, which was taking
care of this, we came to understand that the truck had very unexpected and
unlikely breakdown. The authorities were not able to tell us that how much
time, it would further take for the vehicle to be repaired. They were also
trying to do an alternate arrangement for offloading the goods into another
vehicle and send to us. But either of the process could have taken minimum 7-8
days. Relocating to a new city and not knowing anyone made this delay a bit
painful. Managing to be in the new place and settling for the initial few days
without having the basic necessary goods made the days a bit tough. Took a sigh
of relief on receiving the goods after a week’s time. This could have very well
been avoided if the breakdown of the truck could have been taken care off.
Recently, when I got an opportunity to be part of the launch of Mahindra’s
Smart Truck BLAZO during recently concluded Auto Expo 2016, the statement from
the authorities regarding the service guarantee seemed so much of value
proposition: “Get back on road in 48 hours, or get Rs. 1000/- a day”.
This statement really shows the confidence of the brand Mahindra and it indeed
is a great service promise. Mahindra says that in the unlikely event of a
breakdown, they claim to get the truck working in 48 hours or they will pay Rs.
1000 per day till the truck is back on road. On being asked Mr. Nalin Mehta
(MD & CEO, M & M Trucks & Bus Division) that why a brand like
Mahindra need to give such a strong service guarantee, he said that it marks
how confident they are as a brand and they promise to deliver these guarantees
to their customers.
I feel, this service guarantee is a great commitment from the
brand to its consumers. We can feel safe that our goods will be taken care off
and also we can be sure that delivery commitment made by the logistics company
can be fulfilled with the support of the truck manufacturers. Since trucks ply
on roads for longer durations, such service guarantees come as bliss and that
is what Mahindra has come forward with the recently launched BLAZO range, India’s
first Smart Truck. These smart trucks are supposed to have lesser breakdowns
and in case of unlikely breakdowns, the brand promises service guarantee at the
breakdown point.
Now the question arises, how these smart trucks are going to be
different from the regular trucks which we see on road (Information courtesy: www.mahindratruckandbus.com and a few of these details are also mentioned
in my post “Mahindra BLAZO: India’s First Smart truck” - http://moviereviewsbybinduc.blogspot.in/2016/02/mahindra-blazo-indias-first-smart-truck.html).
Smart look: Ah! This is so important.
Gone are the days, when we would see the regular conventional looking trucks on
road. Mahindra’s smart trucks are designed in bright colours which are indeed
giving the trucks very smart look.
Ergonomics: This is such an important
factor from the perspectives of the drivers. Often, truck drivers need to go
for long-distance travels, and so, driving comfort becomes a major parameter.
Mahindra’s smart truck does assure of more safety and more comforts. The
4-point suspended cabin truly enhances driving comfort. The controls are
ergonomically located to reduce effort within the cabin. 4-vent AC system
along with factory-fitted fans ensures cool comfort at all times. The
tilt and telescopic steering allows drivers to adjust the steering to the
drivers’ convenience.
Avoid accidents: A Wide
windshield and large rear view mirrors provide greater visibility to the
drivers. Indeed, Mahindra’s smart trucks have this feature. The anti-lock
braking systems ensure greater braking control even at higher speeds.
Timely Maintenance: Being a
heavy duty vehicle, the trucks do demand maintenance as well. How good it would
be if the drivers get the critical information in real time and that is what
Mahindra’s smart truck promises through its Driver-Information System (DIS),
which would give critical information to the driver in real time. Apart from
the engine RPM, temperature, speed and fuel levels, it has tyre pressure, trip
kilometer, diesel consumption per kilometer, battery voltage, service reminders
and other important details.
Better Mileage: Mostly
trucks carry goods for long distance, and it plies on all types of roads. It at
times runs with full load and at times without any load. FuelSmart switches of
Mahindra’s smart truck is automotive technology at its best. The FuelSmart
switches lets you choose between superior mileage and unmatched power as and
when your business demands. Turn on the ‘Heavy /mode’ when carrying full loads.
Use the ‘Turbo Mode’ when transporting big loads over steep inclines. Or simply
switch on the ‘Light Mode’ when running without load. Each mode squeezes the
maximum efficiency from the mPower Fuel smart engine and gives you unbeatable
mileage.
Better Turnaround Times: Mahindra
BLAZO is a smart truck built for safe, fatigue-free driving which means fewer
stoppages by drivers, more distance covered in less time and improved
turnaround times.
I am sure these smart trucks are going to evolve
further during the coming years to give more conveniences to its users as well
as consumers.
I am writing this blog post for the MTBD#SmartTrucking activity at BlogAdda.
Mahindra’s recently launched Smart truck and an
engineering marvel BLAZO appears to be in sync with their punchline for this
range: The Smart Truck with a Solid Guarantee.
