In the not-so-distant past, Sarawak was a vibrant market for MAN Trucks. From 2005 till 2013, nearly 190 MAN Trucks were sold by the appointed dealer. Recently, MAN Malaysia visited the Sarawak market with a trip to Kuching, Bintulu and Sibu.
In Kuching, the MAN Malaysia team paid a courtesy call to a customer whose fleet of MAN CLA medium/heavy duty trucks has been largely decommissioned after serving with distinction for more than a decade. One of the drivers who was assigned a MAN CLA shared his amazement at the impressive pulling power of the truck on hilly roads despite its tiny 6.8-litre engine.
The team also managed to check in on the Malaysian Civil Defence Force’s MAN TGM 18.280 4×4 that was used primarily for rescue missions. In the evening, they hosted a dinner for members of the 40-year-old Sarawak Lorries Transport Association. The cordial gathering provided valuable insights into the needs of transporters there who are currently operating mainly Japanese and Chinese trucks.
The next day saw the team fly to Bintulu where it had the opportunity to reconnect with ex-customers. They also had the opportunity to meet with the current president of the Federation of Sarawak Lorry Association.
On the third day, the MAN Malaysia team went on a three-hour drive on the new Pan Borneo Highway from Bintulu to Sibu. A stop at the coastal town of Mukah enabled the team to check in on several decade-old MAN TGA 33.400 6×4 and MAN TGS 33.440 6×4 that were still being used to transport coal from an underground mine to a power station in the same district.
In Sibu, just before flying back to Kuala Lumpur, the team paid a courtesy call to a customer whose team had visited the MAN Pavilion at the 2024 MCVE.
“We are encouraged by the feedback from the Sarawak market. Those that had operated MAN Trucks before had a lot of positive experiences with the power and durability of our products. Some also expressed interest in the class-leading features of our new Euro V-powered MAN Trucks,” said MAN Malaysia Managing Director Andrew O’Brooks.
