NZ TRUCK & DRIVER
| October 2026
October 2026 $10.90 incl. GST
BIG TEST Curtain Call | FLEET FOCUS A different kind of horsepower | FEATURE: Making the big moves
n i a t r Cu
l l a C
The Official Magazine of
FLEET FOCUS Issue 305
A different kind of horsepower
FEATURE Making the big moves
ISSN 2703-6278
The Isuzu N Series.
Right Truck. Right Tools.
Performance, capability and legendary reliability. That’s why more New Zealand businesses choose Isuzu. For a limited time, purchase any new model N Series and receive a bonus SP Tools package, including a premium toolbox and power tools. To find out more, visit your nearest Isuzu Trucks Dealer or visit isuzu.co.nz
Visit www.isuzu.co.nz/sptools or your local authorised Isuzu Trucks Dealership for full SP Tools Toolbox Promotion Terms and Conditions, promotion ends 31/10/2026
CONTENTS Issue 305 – October 2026
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News
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The latest from the world of road transport including… Major reveals at the IAA Transportation expo in Hannover, Germany… Springtime is truck show time around New Zealand… New Mackays Crossing CVSC opens… Dunedin turns out for Special Rigs for Special Kids… A new look for the Mack Trident and Super-Liner… Truck racing updates from NZ and Europe.
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FEATURES: 66 Southpac Legend Legacy and Legend, Kenworth SAR Legend 699: One day Kenworth Legend number 699 will have a place in a special collection at Brett Marsh Transport. But for the meantime the truck is hard at work with a dedicated and passionate driver behind the wheel.
Giti Tyres Big Test Curtain Call: The new generation Isuzu F Series went on sale last year. The first FVY variant with the new 6.7-litre engine has gone to work for Bascik Transport. We look at the Christchurch metro delivery work the new middleweight is doing each day on the city streets.
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MANAGEMENT
Bygone Days – Mobil Memories Rod Simmonds and Vic Hungerford look back to the 1960s and some of the trucks driven by Vic during his time with the Mobil Oil NZ fleet.
Transporting New Zealand CEO Dom Kalasih looks at election issues, fuel excise duties and road user charges. And there’s a look at how AI may be a valuable opportunity for the transport industry along with an update of permit reforms.
Advantage Tyre Solutions Fleet Focus
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A different kind of horsepower: Roddy Wood’s passion and sporting talent is polo, and it has taken him around the world. Now he operates a diverse transport company serving the Canterbury region with a range of specialised services.
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Making the big moves Greg Sheehan reports on the discussions, elections, speaker presentations, and awards at the 2026 NZ Heavy Haulage Association conference held in Christchurch.
A Good Keen Man Recently retired Mike Dowd worked for Tirau Earthmovers for 49 years - driving trucks, machinery, and drainlaying for the South Waikato company.
REGULARS: 80/ Double Coin Tyres NZ Transport 81 Imaging Awards Recognising NZ’s best-looking trucks… including a giant pull-out poster of this month’s finalist.
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CrediFlex Recently Registered Another month of consistency from the 2026 market with August data confirming truck sales remain slow while the slight lift in trailer registrations continues.
COLUMNS: 63 National Road Carriers Association This month compliance priorities and driver health are the subjects covered by NRC Commercial Transport Specialist Paula Rogers.
ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
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Hayden Woolston 027 448 8768 hayden@trucker.co.nz
Trudy Woolston
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General freight and refrigerated goods make up the majority of the goods our audience move. NZ Truck & Driver has a strong following in Liverstock and forestry covering 92% of forestry operators and 80% of livestock transporting businesses.
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EDITORIAL Editor
Colin Smith 021 510319 colin@trucker.co.nz
Associate Editor
Brian Cowan
CONTRIBUTORS
Olivia Beauchamp Gerald Shacklock Rod Simmonds David Kinch Simon Vincent Bruce Taylor Greg Sheehan
ART DEPARTMENT Design & Production Luca Bempensante Zarko Mihic EQUIPMENT GUIDE AUCKLAND, NORTHLAND, BOP, WAIKATO, CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND Advertising Hayden Woolston 027 448 8768 hayden@trucker.co.nz
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NEWS Volvo has developed FH Electric models capable of working as an 80t truck and trailer combination.
Volvo scores Truck of the Year crown VOLVO TRUCKS HAS CLAIMED AN EIGHTH WIN IN THE International Truck of the Year competition. The ITOTY 2027 winner – announced at the IAA Transportation expo in Hanover, Germany – is Volvo’s new full electric range of eight models. Offering a driving range of up to 700km, the Volvo Trucks heavy-duty electric line-up includes Volvo FH, FM, FMX Electric, and FH Aero Electric models. The new electric range offers increased range, improved payload, and reduced charging time compared to previous models. It is designed for regional and long-haul transport, city distribution, construction, and utility work. The jury praised Volvo for developing its electric portfolio beyond a single vehicle or application, with a combination of longer range, different cab and chassis configurations, which can be tailored to a variety of transport assignments. “The Volvo Trucks winning range represents a major evolution of their battery-electric heavy-duty offering. With the new electric range, the company demonstrates how quickly battery-electric heavy-duty transport is moving from individual applications towards a comprehensive transport solution,” says Florian Engel, Chairman, International Truck of the Year. This is the company’s ITOTY eighth win, and the second time Volvo FH Electric has won the International Truck of the Year. The International Truck of the Year organisation was launched in 1977 and is made up of 24 commercial vehicle journalists from major trucking
The International Truck of Year award-winning Volvo electric range. 2 | Truck & Driver
magazines throughout Europe. The annual award is given to the truck introduced in the market in the previous 12 months that has made the most significant contribution to road transport efficiency. Several key criteria are evaluated, including technological innovation, comfort, safety, drivability, energy efficiency, environmental ‘footprint’, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). The Hannover show opening on September 14 also saw Volvo unveil new FH Electric and FH Aero Electric variants capable of working at total weights of up to 80 tonnes – a new benchmark for heavy electric truck transport. The new versions are purpose-built for truck and trailer combinations operating in markets that allow heavier transport loads than the European average. At a 64t GCM the range is up to 450km on a single charge. At a total weight of 74t and 76t, allowed in Sweden and Finland respectively, the range is up to 420km. Deliveries will begin in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland from early 2027. The truck features the powertrain found in the new generation of electric FH, FM, and FMX trucks launched in April this year. It can be charged with 680 kW megawatt charging (MCS) from 20–80% in approx. 36 minutes. With 360 kW CCS2 (Combined Charging System) the 20–80% charge time is approx. 70 minutes. The updated, longer-life batteries provide 640kWh of usable energy. Volvo has developed an updated battery monitoring system as well as improved insulation suitable for colder climates. This allows the batteries to operate more efficiently and retain more energy. An electric power take-off (e-PTO) eliminates the need for a separate diesel generator for refrigeration units. With this new combination, Volvo is also introducing hub-reduction axles. This means the rigid truck and trailer combination can handle assignments requiring increased ground clearance under the axles, while also offering improved startability for higher gross combination weights – suitable for applications such as on-road timber transport or lighter construction work. The 80t capability is available with all Volvo FH and FH Aero cabs except the XXL cab.
NEWS The new BYD ETT 44 has already achieved a 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating.
BYD takes aim at Europe CHINA’S BYD BRAND, WHICH IS making major inroads in the automotive sector, gained some of the big headlines at the IAA Transportation 2026 expo in Hannover, Germany by unveiling its new challenger for long-haul trucking. The BYD ETT 44 premiered at Hannover with its debut coinciding with a 5-star EuroNCAP safety assessment and a CitySafe award for vision. The ETT 44 is specifically targeted at Europe markets, with a 4x2 tractor configuration capable at working at 44t GCM., It uses a 651kWh version of BYD’s `Blade’ battery and the truck operates on a 851-volt architecture with a rated power output of 743PS and a peak output of 1,000PS. BYD says the ETT 44 has a range of about 600km and employs the “Flash Charging” rapid charge technology from its automotive range. “We have already put Flash Charging into practice in passenger vehicles. Today, we are bringing
this technology to commercial vehicles, starting with our trucks. With 1.5 Megawatts of charging power, it can charge from 20% to 80% in about 20 minutes – delivering up to 248 miles (400km) of range ,” says Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD. Using a 420kW charger the 20-80% charge time is about an hour and provides an additional 400km of range. The Blade battery (LFP) has a 10-year, 1.2 million kilometre warranty. The ETT 44 has been developed with a full suite of active safety and driver assist technologies and was confirmed with the EuroNCAP 5-star rating as the European safety authority announced its latest round of test results on the opening day of the Hannover show. As the first long-haul heavy electric truck evaluated under Euro NCAP’s truck safety regime, the ETT 44 demonstrates how new market entrants are prioritising safety just as much as the performance of new electric powertrains. Tested as a 4x2 tractor unit, the ETT achieved
89% in Safe Driving, driven by excellent direct vision from its low cab mounting height, lower door vision window, and digital eMirrors which use a camera-based monitoring system (CMS). However, Euro NCAP’s testing highlighted areas where BYD’s active safety functions still have room for improvement. With a 73% Crash Avoidance score, performance fell slightly behind leading competitors in relation to frontal vehicle-to-vehicle and lane departure collision prevention, indicating that several driver assistance systems require further refinement. “Euro NCAP welcomes BYD as a new challenger to the European heavy vehicle market,” says Matthew Avery, Director of Strategic Development Euro NCAP. “This long-haul electric truck will cause a stir, with a strong focus on safety and a five-star rating. We look forward to working with BYD on further developing the company’s safety strategy in commercial vehicles.”
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NEWS The new Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre on State Highway 1 at Mackays Crossing.
Mackays Crossing CVSC now open THE LATEST PART OF A NATIONWIDE NETWORK aimed at improving road safety and regulatory compliance for heavy vehicles is up and running. The new Mackays Crossing Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre (CVSC), located on State Highway 59, between the Mackays Crossing and Paekākāriki interchanges, is the eighth of 12 planned CVSC facilities around the country to become operational. The cost of the new Mackays Crossing CVSC is approximately $13.3 million and the facility enables vehicle screening with weigh-in-motion (in-road) scales, automatic number plate recognition cameras and electronic signs working together to identify potentially overweight vehicles. The combined information from the scales and cameras is assessed by a vehicle screening system to see if a vehicle complies with its permitted weight. If the system identifies that a heavy vehicle is potentially overweight, its number plate will be displayed on an electronic sign along with a message to stop at the CVSC. Approximately 13,300 vehicles travel in each direction along the adjacent section of SH1 per day, with around 6.5% of them being heavy vehicles. The Mackays Crossing CVSC inspection bays can fit a maximum of eight trucks at a time. Tara Macmillan, Head of Commercial Transport Regulation, says the facility is a significant advancement in the way NZTA/Waka Kotahi targets unsafe heavy vehicles and supports safer freight movement. “The new approach for CVSCs allows us to identify potentially unsafe heavy vehicles in real time and intervene quickly when needed. That means safer roads for everyone. “It is also good news for the vast majority of freight operators who do the right thing every day. Targeting those that flout the rules or try to short-cut the system means operators doing the right thing are not being undercut by those who choose not to. This creates a more level playing field when it comes to doing business,” Ms Macmillan says. The centres are already proving their worth. Ms Macmillan says where CVSCs are operating, compliance is improving. “Even when physical centres are not open, vehicle screening is occurring 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing valuable data for compliance follow up. “We have seen decreases in the numbers of overloaded vehicles and trucks
with expired Certificates of Fitness. That is great news for road safety,” Ms Macmillan says Ms Macmillan thanks the Kāpiti community for their understanding as the local CVSC has been built and highway infrastructure put in place. “The work required at State Highway 1 at Mackays Crossing has not been without its challenges. We know the lane closures and night works needed for getting the gantries and in-road weigh stations in place did affect road users. “We appreciate the patience and understanding they showed at the time. We know this new facility will deliver significant benefits for the wider Wellington region,” Ms Macmillan says. As well as supporting compliance activity, the Mackays CVSC will provide valuable information about heavy vehicle movements on the Kāpiti Coast. This will help NZTA/Waka Kotahi identify emerging risks and make betterinformed safety decisions.
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NEWS
Log transport celebrates honorary members THE LOG TRANSPORT SAFETY COUNCIL CONTINUES to celebrate the contributions of individuals who have worked for and alongside the organisation for much of its 30-year history. At the 2026 LSTC annual meeting in at Rotorua’s Distinction Hotel on August 20, the council added Mark Chapman and the late Martin Hyde as honorary members. Martin Hyde was the former general manager of Rotorua Forest Haulage and Paul Chapman is a retired NZTA senior transport officer who had a 46-year career with NZTA and VTNZ. Mark McCarthy paid tribute to the many years of cooperation and
Former LTSC chairman Warwick Wilshier (left) was honoured at the council’s 2026 AGM while honorary members was awarded to the late Martin Hyde (accepted by his daughter Claudia) and Paul Chapman (right).
expertise which Mark has offered to the log transport industry, pursuing a collaborative approach between regulators and the industry to raise safety levels. Mark still plays an observational role for the LTSC and continues to contribute advice on vehicle issues. Martin Hyde passed away in 2016, and his honorary membership was presented to his daughter Claudia. Martin worked at Rotorua Forest Haulage for more than 20 years and played a lead role in the approval of longer (and lower) 22m log truck combinations and had a strong focus on driver health and welfare initiatives. A special award was presented to former council chairman Warwick Wilshier who stepped down at the 2025 annual meeting after chairing the council for 26 years. The LTSC executive has two new members for 2026-27 with Glen Heyborn and Darren Turner both stepping down and being thanked for their contribution. Following a ballot for the Northland region, Shelley Newey received the highest number of votes and was appointed to the executive for four years while Sean Sparksman was co-opted onto the Executive for two years. The LTSC Executive for the coming year is Campbell Gilmour (chairman), Warwick Wilshier, Mark McCrathy, Mike Spiers, Chris Murphy, Stephen Borlase, Mark Pittar, Sam Sargison, Mathew Sheldrake, Shelley Newey and Sean Sparksman. During the annual meeting LTSC members received updates from NZTA, the police Commercial Vehicle Safety Team, and forest owner representatives.
SH1 average speed camera NEW AVER AGE SPEED SAFETY CAMER AS ON SH1 between Sanson and Foxton will be active from midOctober. The site is one of 17 locations around the country where average speed safety cameras are being installed. It is the first average speed camera location in the ManawatuWhanganui region. The two camera positions are just south of the SH1/SH3 junction at Sanson and near Motuiti Rd, about 2km north of Foxton. The average speed safety cameras measure how long it takes a vehicle to travel between the two cameras. The expected “live” date from when fines will be issued to drivers travelling above the speed limit is expected to be October 13 (subject to change) In a July 2025 baseline survey it was estimated that 85% of traffic on this section of SH1 was travelling at or below the posted speed limit. The safety cameras measure the average speed of vehicles travelling between two locations and employ Number Plate Recognition technology. The cameras record the time a vehicle passes and the system calculates 6 | Truck & Driver
how long it took to travel between the cameras (the average speed). Drivers can expect to be fined if their average speed is over the speed limit – in other words, if they have travelled between the cameras too quickly. Signs are installed before the camera area, giving drivers time to check they are travelling at a legal speed.
NEWS The Hino Team Sugawara race truck in action at the 2026 Dakar Rally.
Hino returns to Dakar Rally HINO WILL CONTINUE ITS QUEST FOR DAKAR RALLY success with the 2027 event being its 36th participation in the gruelling rally raid marathon. Hino Team Sugawara will contest the January 1-15 rally in Saudi Arabia which covers approximately 8,000km of rough roads over 14 days. For the 2027 event, the team will compete with a truck based on the Hino 600 Series it campaigned in 2026. Further refinement of the suspension upgrades that proved successful last year will stabilise the vehicle to allow the driver to confidently apply the throttle on rough terrain, with the aim of achieving higher average speeds throughout the rally. Hino Team Sugawara is also continuing its tradition of providing Japanese dealership mechanics an opportunity to join the team supporting the race truck. Since 1995 the team has brought 67 mechanics from 32 companies to
participate in the event and has selected three applicants from domestic dealerships across the country to join the team in 2027. The team was delayed by a rollover and transfer case problems during the 2026 event and finished 14th in the Truck category. “While the team was able to feel a sense of promise in the 2025 and 2026 events, we were unable to achieve the results we desired due to troubles in the final stages of both races,” says Team Director and driver Teruhito Sugawara. “The 2027 event will be Hino’s first race as a member of the Archion Group. We aim to compete with an improved truck with enhanced durability and reliability, leveraging the team unity we have built over the years, and to achieve even higher rankings.” The route through Saudi Arabia sees the start and finish venue based at the new King Abdullah Economic City, about 100km north of Jeddah on the Red Sea.
Bridge building underway on SH25 CONSTRUCTION IS SET TO BEGIN ON A NEW two-lane bridge on State Highway 25 (SH25), just north of Whiritoa, to replace the current single-lane Ramarama Stream Bridge. “Carrying more than 2,500 vehicles per day, 13% of that heavy vehicles, the current single lane bridge is nearly a century old and has reached the end of its serviceable life,” Transport Minister Mr Bishop says. “Replacing it with a modern two-lane bridge will ensure that SH25 remains safe and reliable for road users who rely on it every day.” Brian Perry Civil will deliver the new two-lane bridge with the project expected to cost around $10 million. The new bridge will be built immediately east of the existing bridge, allowing traffic to continue using the current crossing to minimise disruption during construction. “Traffic is expected to begin using at least one lane of the new bridge by August next year, with the remaining work expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and final landscaping completed in autumn 2028,” says Mr Bishop. “The work to repair or upgrade nine priority bridges and culverts was given the green light in July 2024 as part of the 2024-27 National Land 8 | Truck & Driver
Transport Programme (NLTP). Since then, a further five priority locations have been added, and NZTA is progressing design, consenting, and contracting so work can start. “Replacement of the Ramarama Stream Bridge is also part of wider efforts to increase the resilience of state highways around the Coromandel Peninsula. “This includes replacement of the SH25 Pepe Stream Bridge in Tairua which began last month, a full deck replacement for the SH25 Boundary Creek Bridge north of Thames which was completed late last year, and replacement of the SH26 Onetai Stream Bridge north of Paeroa which was completed in early 2025. “This work is further supported by Crown investment in the Budget 2026 resilience package, including replacement of SH26 Kirikiri Stream Bridge, upgrading the SH25/SH25A intersection, and wider SH25 corridor targeted resilience including retaining works, drainage upgrades, slope stabilisation and road protection works.” Mr Bishop says replacing the SH25 Ramarama Stream Bridge will help improve resilience of the wider Coromandel state highway network and keep local communities, freight and emergency services moving.
NEWS
DAF is partnering with Einride to build Level 4 autonomous technology into its Next Generation models.
DAF drives towards Level 4 technology DAF AND TECHNOLOGY COMPANY EINRIDE AB ARE partnering to bring autonomous trucking to DAF’s next-generation vehicles. The collaboration will integrate Einride’s autonomous driving system, Einride Driver, into DAF’s premium vehicle platform. It marks a significant step toward the large-scale commercialisation of SAE Level 4 autonomous electric freight transportation in response to industry challenges such as driver shortages and rising operating costs. Level 4 refers to a high level of driving automation in which the vehicle can independently perform repetitive driving tasks under predefined conditions, without any need for human intervention. In this way, available drivers can focus on activities in logistic operations where their expertise and judgement add the most value. As a first step, Einride and DAF, together with experts from the Dutch independent research institute for applied science and innovation, TNO, will collaborate on defining and testing the integration of Einride’s autonomous drive system within DAF’s ‘International Truck of the Year 2026’ electric truck platform. This includes establishing the required interfaces to enable safe and scalable autonomous operations. With the assistance of TNO, Einride and DAF are working closely with type approval authorities to ensure the platform is compliant for future
expansion onto public roads. Initial tests and validation of key interfaces will be conducted during 2026, followed in 2027 by the integration and commissioning of Einride’s autonomous driving software, with all subsequent interface validation and functional testing performed on a DAF truck. This initiative builds on PACCAR’s automated driving activities, where significant experience has already been gained through the North American Autonomous Vehicle Platform (AVP) programme. In parallel, PACCAR is advancing developments within the broader autonomous trucking ecosystem in collaboration with emerging full stack technology providers. This reflects the rapid evolution of scalable, software defined autonomy solutions for heavy duty transport. Insights from these programmes provide additional opportunities to accelerate the development of autonomous capabilities within the DAF platform. “By leveraging DAF’s decades of manufacturing excellence and market strength, we can expedite the global scale-up of Einride’s autonomous technology,” says Henkrik Green, Chief Technology Officer at Einride. “This collaboration validates our vehicle-agnostic approach to autonomy and brings us one step closer to deploying safe, scalable Level 4 autonomy at commercial scale.”
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