SHAH ALAM: MAN Truck & Bus (M) Sdn Bhd (MAN Malaysia) sees its MANTAP (MAN Test and Prove) trucker appreciation and test drive event as key to winning the hearts and minds of a very important target audience – truckers.
The event allows truckers who have not had the opportunity to test drive the new Euro V-powered MAN TGS prime movers, to have an up-close and personal experience with the German marque and understand what the MAN brand stands for.
“At MAN, we believe that truckers play an important role in a truck purchase decision by a business organisation. That is why, we always believe in engaging with them and ensuring that they are well looked after. Truckers who bring their trucks in to our service centres can always look forward to a comfortable and welcoming environment with plush sofas, an assortment of refreshments and large screen televisions for entertainment,” said MAN Malaysia managing director Andrew O’Brooks.
At the recent year-ending MANTAP 2023 at MAN Port Klang, more than 60 truckers, fleet owners and truck enthusiasts attended the fun-filled event.
Aside from test-drives, the participants had the opportunity to take part in various challenges such as parallel parking, cab-tilting and spare tyre release.
Those who completed the tasks in the fastest time took home attractive prizes.
There was also a free-flow of local favourites such as pasembor, ice kacang, putu mayam, char koay teow and lok-lok to keep everyone happy.
Abdul Rahim Kodir, his twin brother and two friends drove all the way from Jerantut, Pahang specifically for the event. All four are truck enthusiasts who plan to take their commercial driving licenses this year and embark on new careers as truckers.
“We have been following MAN Malaysia’s activities for the past year on social media and were delighted to know about MANTAP. It is good that we are able to see and experience the new MAN TGS up-close. All of us love the design and the simple but spacious cabin,” he said.
Trucker Zulbari Awang, 51, who had never driven a MAN Truck before and took the opportunity to do so at MANTAP 2023.
“I like the powerful engine and smooth transmission. The suspension of the new MAN TGS is very comfortable and you won’t feel aches and pains after long drives,” he said.
A city bus driver, Wan Mohd Adib Wan Hussein, 43, was also aiming to transition to a new career as a trucker and grabbed the opportunity to check out the new MAN TGS.
“I like that the MAN Truck has very good pick-up and torque with quick throttle response. Very nice and powerful drive. I intend to apply to companies that have the new MAN TGS in their fleets,” he said.
Marrapan Kandasamy who has been driving trucks for the past 32 years, came directly from Bentong for the MANTAP event.
“I own and drive the previous generation MAN TGS 6x4 and carry timber from the interiors in the East Coast. It is powerful and reliable, allowing me to cross rivers and the toughest terrains even in the worst weather conditions. Fuel consumption and maintenance cost are low. The advanced retarder system means that I use the brakes only 5% of the time!,” said the sprightly seventy-year-old, who finished second fastest in the parallel parking challenge.
MAN Malaysia is planning to organise more MANTAP events this year.
MAN Trucks with Euro V engines as standard leads the way in driver orientation, fuel efficiency, assistance systems, digital networking and above all, sustainability.
