Flagship Trucks

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
101

switchlogic:
You’re just quibbling over the use of the word loyalty. You may have a loyal marriage but does that mean to you then that you would remain married to them no matter what they did? Loyalty is earned and can easily be lost. Using the phrase brand loyalty in this case is perfectly correct and lots of companies exercise brand loyalty.

I’m not quibbling. I just disagree point blank.

If I treated my misses like buying an expensive business product from a manufacturer, the minute she started being an arss, or looks went slightly down from film star, I’d switch due to failing returns and better options in the market.

Yes. Loyalty can be tested and have its limits but ultimately the premis is you start with standing by something through ups and downs and that is what separates it from just hop scotching around for the next best thing the minute what you get out of the situation falls short of expectation. A premis which, unless emotionally attached a business would not do when acquiring expensive assets.

Perhaps your boss used the phrase with misplaced judgement. Given its a piece to project to customers surely every word and projection counts? Just a thought that occurred to me and some others.

102

It’s not for our customers, our customers probably won’t see it or care, it’s a Volvo promo film and I agree with what he said. If you were a truck buyer and moved brand every time a minor issue cropped up you’d be dealing with half a dozen dealers none of whom would really have any incentive to go above and beyond for you. Look at Commercial Motor each week, they always ask operators why they run the brands they do and every time dealer service is close to top of the list. The actual truck itself is only a part of it, dealers can make or break a truck

103

switchlogic:
It’s not for our customers, our customers probably won’t see it or care, it’s a Volvo promo film and I agree with what he said. If you were a truck buyer and moved brand every time a minor issue cropped up you’d be dealing with half a dozen dealers none of whom would really have any incentive to go above and beyond for you. Look at Commercial Motor each week, they always ask operators why they run the brands they do and every time dealer service is close to top of the list. The actual truck itself is only a part of it, dealers can make or break a truck

Well that’s a fair point. A bit of give and take. If you trust the local dealer to go above and beyond then I can see developing some trust there. I wouldn’t personally ever say I was loyal to someone selling me things, but there you go. Local dealer aside, I certainly wouldn’t ever say I had loyalty to multi national, billion pound manufacturer selling me a product.

Those apple prats with iPhones used words like apple loyalty and apple culture until Steve jobs pegged it and they realised apple neither gave two stuffs about them and they were being milked on their loyalty with every over hyped iPhone realease.

104

Switchlogic… Your edit noted.

105

James the cat:

switchlogic:
It’s not for our customers, our customers probably won’t see it or care, it’s a Volvo promo film and I agree with what he said. If you were a truck buyer and moved brand every time a minor issue cropped up you’d be dealing with half a dozen dealers none of whom would really have any incentive to go above and beyond for you. Look at Commercial Motor each week, they always ask operators why they run the brands they do and every time dealer service is close to top of the list. The actual truck itself is only a part of it, dealers can make or break a truck

Well that’s a fair point. A bit of give and take. If you trust the local dealer to go above and beyond then I can see developing some trust there. I wouldn’t personally ever say I was loyal to someone selling me things, but there you go. Local dealer aside, I certainly wouldn’t ever say I had loyalty to multi national, billion pound manufacturer selling me a product.

Those apple prats with iPhones used words like apple loyalty and apple culture until Steve jobs pegged it and they realised apple neither gave two stuffs about them and they were being milked on their loyalty with every over hyped iPhone realease.

I seem to remember summat about Apple marketing itself towards the “creative type” of person. Bet that ad copy writer got a big bonus… Who doesn`t wanna be a “creative type”?

106

Any driver who pimps a truck that does not belong to him needs his head testing LOL

107

mrginge:
It was mentioned in all my firms media when we had our new Volvo’s delivered. Maybe it’s because our British Superbike team is sponsored by Volvo Truck & Bus Wales & West and they give us a new unit each year to drag the bike trailer. :stuck_out_tongue:

I think you hit your own nail on there head their mrginge :smiley: . It never pays to not chuck a few words around with a sponsor who gives you money rather than takes yours :laughing:

108

I’m a loyal Volvo customer now, I’ve been a loyal IVECO customer in the past, I had good service from some older lorries and the first lorry I bought new from IVECO was a good lorry and I bought some more, that made me a loyal customer.

I now cannot get IVECO so I have Volvos and the next one I buy will be a Volvo too, again a loyal customer, why? Because they’re good lorries, are they the best? Probably not, but I’m pleased with them, they do what I want them to do, so they deserve my loyalty.

109

I would love a showpiece motor if only just to observe the ■■■■■■■■ from some of the other drivers, it would not bother me one jot, I would love all that jealousy back biting and pettiness, combined with the friendliness to my face. …bring it on. :smiley:

(Maybe some psychologist on here could explain that odd trait to my character …but be nice. :smiley: )

We also have the ■■■■ whits who spend literally thousands :open_mouth: blinging up their firm’s truck. (Psychologists also try and explain that one while you are on :unamused: )

I will NEVER understand that as long as I have a hole in my arse. I thought the concept of working was to make money for yourself, not re.invest it in your firm with no returns.

(My Mrs works in an office that could do with air con, I haven’t heard her volunteer to pay for it yet. :bulb: )

So as long as these somewhat naive and stupid individuals continue to practice this phenomenon in trucking (that does not exist afaik in any other industry) of financing expensive extras for their boss’s assets, thus increasing his co image for him free of charge, (unlike these drivers my boss aint stupid)
so it looks as if I’m stuck with my bog standard Actros. :neutral_face:

However got all the in cab extras and comforts for MY benefit, but no plans to open an account with Kelsa and Hella just yet. :

110

How has this turned from a post about flagship trucks to YET ANOTHER tirade against drivers who use the money they earnt buying stuff for the truck they drive? Thing about flagship is they often need less bought for them as they come with the bells and whistles usually! I’ve not bought anything at all for my FH16 as me and the boss are big fans of the fresh out the factory look but even if I did how I spend MY money is no one’s business.

111

Muckaway:
I drove what the regular driver dubbed the “company flagship.” It came with poncey overpriced air fresheners, an all ride steering wheel cover and strangely enough a Jack Daniels mirror on the wall. He was rather animated the following day when I got to work, almost crying that I’d binned the air freshener, left the mirror in the yard (I’m not having that hitting me in a rollover), and that I never put the steering wheel cover back on. Oh and left footprints on the dashboard despite there being a note saying “no feet on dash.” I only did it because of the note. :smiling_imp: :smiling_imp:

I’d also remove the steering wheel cover. Same with those jobs designed the fork lift drivers or disabled folk.

Air fresheners. I always remove these. They mess with my sinuses and give me a headache. I’ll put them in a bag in the side locker. In the off chance i use a unit which has a forest of magic trees, then i harvest them using scissors. I don’t really care if the regular smelly driver gets upset.

Yep I’d also probably remove the mirror too.

Feet on dash? No. Don’t do it in my own wagon. Or car. Or put my boots on the coffee table at home. Also i can’t understand the feet on the dash thing, i find it awkward and uncomfortable.

All in all i suppose I’m a bit of a muckaway type of person. I’m a miserable ■■■■ who gets dirty at work.

112

Muckaway:
I drove what the regular driver dubbed the “company flagship.” It came with poncey overpriced air fresheners, an all ride steering wheel cover and strangely enough a Jack Daniels mirror on the wall. He was rather animated the following day when I got to work, almost crying that I’d binned the air freshener, left the mirror in the yard (I’m not having that hitting me in a rollover), and that I never put the steering wheel cover back on. Oh and left footprints on the dashboard despite there being a note saying “no feet on dash.” I only did it because of the note. :smiling_imp: :smiling_imp:

What an absolute pleasure you must be to work with, ■■■■■■■■, no wonder you go through employers like a revolving door.

113

I’d say it’s more about loyalty to the dealer than the manufacturer. All brand new trucks are of a similar quality now. You can’t really look at any brand new truck and say that’s a ■■■■■■. As stated, the dealer makes or breaks the sale. We were using a specific dealer, and they were slightly over priced, but we were “loyal” as they were our home dealer. Then as it became apparent that the early euro 6 volvos were woefully unreliable, the dealer showed its colours. And despite the fact they’ve shot more money than any other new Volvo we’ve run, my boss loves them. So he’s changed dealers to the one in Ipswich, and he can’t fault them. Excellent service at a reasonable price compared to our local one. So far, in 9 months, they’ve delivered on every promise they’ve stated. So I’m guessing that the Bulls had Wales and west in mind when they ordered a top of the range truck, as I’m guessing, more than likely, only kings heavy haulage have ordered a more expensive truck from them.

114

switchlogic:

Muckaway:
I drove what the regular driver dubbed the “company flagship.” It came with poncey overpriced air fresheners, an all ride steering wheel cover and strangely enough a Jack Daniels mirror on the wall. He was rather animated the following day when I got to work, almost crying that I’d binned the air freshener, left the mirror in the yard (I’m not having that hitting me in a rollover), and that I never put the steering wheel cover back on. Oh and left footprints on the dashboard despite there being a note saying “no feet on dash.” I only did it because of the note. :smiling_imp: :smiling_imp:

Your lack of respect for other people’s stuff just because it’s not your thing really paints you in a horrible light. Gloating about upsetting people just because you can says more about you than that stuff in that lorry says about its driver.

Thing is if he wasn’t such a tart, there’d be no inspiration to wind him up. He complained about the state of my cab previously (as his was older and looked better because I hadn’t shopped at Lymm), when he never actually drove it.

115

I think loyalty in buying a brand is common in the haulage industry.
In general most of the modern truck are reasonable equal in quality, there is a lot similairty in price, so there must be another influence why companies own a fleet of the same vehicles.

Of course the dealer plays a part in there (not so much in larger fleets, with maintenance in house)
But look around many companies that have a lot vehicles of the same brand.
The word loyalty is correctly used there.

Of course you see fleets of every make, every model, and every age, most of these companies buy second hand, and have no interest whatsoever name is on the front.
Mostimes these companies have no interest either what name is on the seat.

I personally think the companies with a uniform fleet, are more presentable, than “buy whatever is cheap” companies.

You see a lot loyalty in Scania buyers, I don’t know why, it’s the most horrible truck to drive, it’s not more reliable (anymore) than other trucks.
And their V8 is the wrong engine (Americans only use V8’s in pick-ups and cars, not in trucks, nothing beat a large volume straight six)
But people pay astronomical second hand prices for them.

Regarding putting your own money on your truck, why not?
I am not a lover of bull bars, Kelsa bars and spot lights, but in the past spend a lot of money on trucks to make them comfortable.
I use to do 40+ weekends a year away, mostimes 5-6 weeks stints, so was more with my truck than ever in my house.
Why shouldn’t I have the best sound system, tv, fridge and seat, money could buy in there?

I laugh about these people who comment on people spending money on their truck.
But have an expensive car, they park up for week at the time in the yard while their away.

Have a look in most company car parks, their stand a lot of drivers money, depreciationing away.
But is that’s not waste of money.
Heho, live and let live, far to many people on here who worry the whole day how other people spend their money, one advice: Get a life!!!

116

OVLOV JAY:
as I’m guessing, more than likely, only kings heavy haulage have ordered a more expensive truck from them.

I reckon they liked us a little more when these were ordered: commercialmotor.com/news/smi … -fh16-750s

117

switchlogic:
How has this turned from a post about flagship trucks to YET ANOTHER tirade against drivers who use the money they earnt buying stuff for the truck they drive? Thing about flagship is they often need less bought for them as they come with the bells and whistles usually! I’ve not bought anything at all for my FH16 as me and the boss are big fans of the fresh out the factory look but even if I did how I spend MY money is no one’s business.

Not a ‘tirade’ as such from me Luke, and yeh, you are absolutely right, it is none of my business in real terms, how some spend their money, however I am entitled to my opinion on it and I stand by it.
However, when it does affect me directly that is different,.
Ì’ll explain my point. The same guys ■■■■■, moan, and bellyache about not getting regular and/or sufficient pay raises…(.not making that up to back up my point they do at my firm …end of)
So how can they, and the rest of us make a case when the boss looks out of his window and sees his standard spec trucks bulled up to the nuts with 4 or 5 grands (latter figure is estimate of one of our drivers) worth of extras on, that are not specifically aimed at tramper lifestyle improvement, but more just a ‘‘look at me’’ excercise.
It is interpreted as a display of far too much disposable income after necessities, thus swaying a negative decision about MY pay raise. :bulb:

We can argue all day about it’s up to the driver, and none of your business etc etc, but that is almost invariably the effect from most companies…again not a general made up point, I know a local haulier who has admitted just that.
I have had bulled up to the eyeballs motors in the past, and yeh some did look the part, but I still uphold the point it is up to the owner not the driver., and that is my opinion for what it is worth.

118

Ive never driven a flagship motor, I do however have a personalised plate on my current steed; all I had to do want get on to deed poll and change my name to GL64 ERA. Simple.

119

I can see why mrginges company are buying 750 Volvos. Seems like a suitable tool for the job in hand. There are (some of you will have noticed) mobile hardware shops doing the rounds in France; they use some premium trucks as a publicity tool to gain some kudos with the everyday country folk, kids dragging grandad to see the Kenworth. I can see the sense in that.
But Lukes sterling efforts at the keyboard still leave me unconvinced. Im more with Rob as Id like my companys income to be spent on a pay rise for me, not a “flag ship” motor to impress the neighbours. Show that a 750 will give more mpg? Better productivity? Great, good if it does, buy a fleet of em! But surely by definition "flag ship" implies a one-off, out of the ordinary, so it cant really apply can it?

120

What constitutes a flagship though? The newest? The biggest? Best earner? Our newest truck is the smallest, an Izuzu Urban. We specced a complete alloy body instead of the standard all steel so is that customisation? The biggest truck is the oldest and is the only one with signwriting so is that the flagship? Or we have the best earner, a nearly five year old MAN poverty (ex rental) spec with a grab crane which internally, is the dirtiest, due to the nature of its’ work.