Doosan: New trucks, new management, new dealers
January 26th 2006

With a new range of AC trucks, improved gas and diesel IC trucks and a new management team in place, Doosan-Daewoo hopes 2006 will be another record breaking year.

Rolling off the production line in early Spring the AC trucks will be available in six different options – B15T, B18T and B20T, as 48 volt three-wheel and B16X, B18X and B20X, as 48 volt four-wheel machines.

Five years in development, the new electric models will form the first batch of the new Pro-5 Series, the most advanced trucks the company has manufactured since it first began production in the 1960s.

Shipping at the same time, the 2006 IC models have a number of ergonomic and performance improvements:

• New mid-point tilt mechanism for accurate fork levelling
• New high visibility overhead guards
• Re-designed front cockpit unit, including new instrumentation panel and direction levers
• Advanced creep speed control
• Re-styled strut tubing, increased strength and cab customisation

The new IC models also share the same enhancement found n the new electric range, including reduced vibration and increased adjustability of the steering column, improved parking braking and advanced accelerator pedals.

UK general manager Kun H Lee says product reliability is, as ever, the trucks most important feature. “It is a key facet of our forklifts and the key to our success in Europe,” he says. “These latest models allow us to continue that trend whilst improving comfort and productivity.”

With 25 dealers now forming the Doosan-Daewoo network, 2006 will also see increased investment into R&D, planning and marketing, with significant funds earmarked by the Doosan Group (the oldest corporation in Korea) following its purchase of the former Daewoo Heavy Industries business early last year.

The next phase in Doosan-Daewoo’s development will be spearheaded by WB Kim, who takes control of Industrial Vehicles, replacing DJ Ra, who retires after over 30 years with the company.

In a New Year’s message to dealers, Kim said his priorities are to develop Doosan Industrial Vehicle BG into a global leader and be ranked among the world’s top five forklift manufacturers.

The company now has over 80 models available in the UK ranging from 1.5 to 3.0 tonne electric models and 1.5 to 15 tonnes for IC trucks. Doosan Infracore has promised to revamp its entire range by 2007.

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