'Manufacturers should be challenged over parts prices by operators.'
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4 aerators have to rely on truck
manufacturers and main dealers to supply parts when they need replacement. Most franchised dealerships in the UK do a reasonable job backing up the sales of trucks, although we have been close to being ripped Off when told by one main dealer that a new splitter box would be required, costing around £3,000.
We told the driver to limp home in low range, only to find that a shim costing a few pence righted the situation, and has kept that vehicle on the road for four years since with no problems. This type of incident seems to be more common now than in the earlier part of the
t.= 23 years that I have been operating trucks. With truck manufacturers there are Lt< different grounds For complaint—one ;T. being parts prices and availability. There's no doubt that the manufacturers will try to 1-, justify the extortionate prices that they i charge for some parts.
Operators are well aware of the amount ..
8 research can cost pre-production of a new ,(5 model, but in some cases the same parts E could be used on newer models—a recent
front bumper for one of our trucks was quoted to us for over £700 (ex-VAT) without fitting. The part in question is made from cast aluminium: it is not strong, practical or pretty. IF it needs to break or bend on impact why is it not made from re-inforced fibreglass or pressed steel costing much less? Commercial vehicle drivers have to deliver to some awkward sites. Inevitably knocks will occur on corners, so where is the thinking truck designer and manufacturer?
Operators should be able to challenge manufacturers regarding parts prices and availability. Trucks should be designed by the people that drive them, service them and operate them, and do the job as economically and safely as practical. It is ludicrous to charge hauliers £34 (exVAT) for a packet of piston liner seals containing three rubber rings, or £51 For an air-filter element.
I recently bought a child's bicycle with pneumatic tyres, chrome spoked wheels, tubular steel frame, cable brakes, chrome handlebars and an audible sound warning device for less than £50 inc VAT— manufactured in the UK for less
than a stop cable for an old Scania. IF the manufacturers want operators to stay in business, enabling them in turn to do the same, it's time they were more realistic with the prices of parts. It's also time for them to stop complaining about factors who can sometimes produce a far superior product for less than half price without compromising safety. With ever increasing and sometimes unfair legislation upon the transport industry; some haulage rates lower than six years ago; fuel, vehicle excise licence and insurance rates spiralling; why are manufacturers hammering us? We are their bread and butter.
Perhaps one day truck manufacturers will realize that their livelihood depends upon operators' pockets and not how fancy the goods may appear. One small
exo e is the cost involved making large pos!I adges that clutter the front panel— the operator might prefer the space left for his own firm's name or logo!
• If you want to sound off about a road transport issue write to features editor Patric Cunnane.