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Hartmut Mueller, Managing Director of MAN Truck and Bus (M) Sdn Bhd (MTBS), said: "A key objective of MAN is to supply fuel- efficient trucks that significantly lower total cost of ownership and it is encouraging to know that the LTS Group has found the MAN TGS more than capable of meeting its stringent requirement in this area."
The 12-speed MAN TipMatic semi-automatic gearbox of the ve- hicle takes the pressure off the driver as it can be operated effort- lessly, either fully automatically or manually using a touch-action lever on the steering wheel. With the single sleeper cab in the MAN TGS, the driver can also enjoy a high level of comfort, a generous amount of space and a clear view, with a full standing height.
Lee added that having MAN’s service centre located close by in Prai was another advantage as this made it easier to schedule upcoming maintenance and response time was swift. It enabled the company to maximise the truck’s lifespan and get them back on the road as soon as possible.
“This showed that we have made the right decision to set up a service centre in Penang. We will continue to expand our network in other parts of Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur, to be closer to our customers so that we can provide them better support,” said Mueller during the press conference.
To make driving safer, more economical and environment friendly, he said MAN had a special department called MAN ProfiDrive to provide a qualified training system that focused on the needs of the driver while taking into account the needs of business own- ers. “We have different educational programmes, including driv- ing safety training course, hazard perception, emergency training course, intensive training course, just to name a few.”
In regard to the weakening of the ringgit and whether there would be a hike in price for its trucks, he replied that normally there would be a price increase. However, he said the management decided to offer a helping hand to the Malaysian market by main- taining more or less the old pricing for the time being to cushion the currency’s decline and hoped that the ringgit’s depreciation was temporary.
“We have a very good start in 2016 to have LTS Group as our partner. If our partner is growing, we have to grow together with them. We believe that their plan to enhance safety and the signifi- cant investment that they made in purchasing new vehicles will influence other buyers in this region as well; they are certainly our flagship customer,” he concluded
8 truck & bus news 2016/1
向盘的操作杆，都可毫不费力地操作。曼TGS的单床 驾驶室，让司机能享有高度的舒适性，宽敞的空间 及清晰的视野，人在内部可以直立站着。
他也补充说，有了曼位于北海，邻近该公司的服务 中心是另一个优势，因为这更方便公司安排车子进 行固定维护，服务中心的反应也更迅速。它使公司 得以将卡车寿命做最大化提升，并让车子在最快和 最短的时间里回到路上。
“这显示我们做了一个正确的决定，在槟城设立一 个服务中心。我们将继续在全马各地扩展我们的网 络，包括吉隆坡，以便更接近客户并为他们提供更 好的服务。”米勒在记者会上表示。
为了确保更安全、更经济及环保的驾驶，他说，曼 有一个称为曼ProfiDrive的特别部门，在提供聚焦 于司机需求的合格培训系统的同时，也将业主的需 求考虑在内。“我们拥有不同的教育计划，包括驾 驶安全培训、危险警觉性(hazard perception)、 紧急培训课程、密集培训课程等。”
询及马币疲弱和曼卡车会否调涨价格时，他回答 说，一般都会调涨价格。不过，公司管理层决定为 马来西亚市场伸出援手，大体上暂且保持旧价格， 以缓冲货币下跌所带来的冲击，并希望令吉只是暂 时性下跌。
“拥有LTS集团作为我们的伙伴，让我们在2016年有 了个相当好的开始，如果我们的伙伴成长，我们也 要和他们一同成长。我们相信他们加强安全性的计 划和购买新车子方面所投入的巨大投资，会影响这 个区域的买家，而他们肯定是我们的旗舰客户。”