“ We constantly develop to go the extra mile on profitability.”
Toshi Odawara, VP – UD Trucks Heavy Duty Product Line Management, talks about what makes the Quester the right choice for construction.
Can you tell us about your role?
“I am responsible for creating a product plan for the Quester and bringing it to markets across the globe. I have been working at UD Trucks for 20 years.
Overall this role is about capturing our customers’ essential needs. It is important to make sure that the Quester can create profitable business. It’s key for me to constantly visit markets, customers and our dealer network, to get an understanding of real situations and challenges in customers’ lives. Their feedback drives the development of the Quester, the truck they need today.”
What makes the Quester essential for the construction market?
Construction assignments are diverse. The truck has to handle multi tasks and must be simple and robust. It operates in different conditions such as hilly and rough muddy roads to smooth highways. Sometimes at slow speeds for a long time or high speeds to minimise trip time. At the same time they need to carry high loads to increase productivity. Quester specifications can operate in these various conditions. The truck has been tested in various markets for long distances, so that we make sure customers will be satisfied with the toughness and robustness. We have also ensured Quester has high ground clearance that can cope in construction and mining.For this, we have prepared a three-piece steel bumper, high mounted brake chamber and hub reduction as an option.
With Quester you get a truck designed to go the extra mile that boasts a real heavyduty cab, chassis and engine, with modern and smart design.”
What are the most important considerations in today’s markets?
“To focus on what customers’ essential needs are, and to provide the kind of truck that can fulfil those needs. Simple and robust, easy to maintain, keeps working, and low downtime. We don’t want customers to suffer with maintenance or downtime due to complex technology or systems, but to keep their asset up and running. We want customers to profit and be successful in their business by investing in our products. For drivers it’s all about ease of driving and a comfortable spacious cabin. The Quester excels on the essentials such as fuel efficiency and uptime. We have developed a wide range of offers and adaptations that ensure our customers get exactly the right truck for the right job. Today we see a solid growth in demand for the Quester. The feedback from our customers makes me really proud to be part of this journey.”
