Saviem's Middle East rover
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A MOBILE breakdown service, backed up by base service centres in six countries, has been set up on the Middle East run by Saviem.
This scheme is the latest move in the battle between manufacturers to win a bigger slice of the growing market for TIR trucks operating on this long haul.
It covers the route from from Paris-Baghdad and ParisTehran and aims to put a Saviem back on the road and able to complete its journey as quickly as possible.
Some 20 base centres will service vehicles in Italy, Austria, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran, These centres assure help and spare parts within a radius of 300km (186 miles).
The mobile service is provided by five vehicles. On call to their base they will patrol the route ready to assist in case of breakdown. Three of these vehicles are Saviem SM 8s specially fitted with workshop units.
One of these will be based in Italy and the two others in Turkey where they will serve roads to Iraq and Iran. Mobile service in Austria and Yugoslavia is provided by a unit from the OAF company.
The SM8 assistance vehicles are equipped with a sixcylinder 150bhp diesel engine and six-speed gearbox. They have power steering and a forward electric winch.
The van body is made up of two parts : a living area and a workshop. The living area has bunks, shower, table, hot plate, refrigerator, heating and a radio cassette unit.
The workshop has a hoist on a telescopic rail, a generating set, a slide rest drill, oxyacetylene welding equipment jacks and spotlights. It alsc carries a full compliment of tools and parts.