Al-Futtaim Auto & Machinery Company (FAMCO) has named Pakistan national Younis Khan as the best truck driver in the UAE in the 2018 Volvo Trucks Driver Challenge.
“The global competition, hosted by Volvo Trucks, is a bold new initiative which sees truck drivers put their skills to the test in a challenge of fuel efficiency, safety and productivity. The UAE part of the Driver Challenge saw 35 drivers from across the Emirates participate over four days, showcasing their driving capabilities,” FAMCO explained in a statement adding that Khan was crowned as the winner after he completed a 50km course. Behind Khan, who represented a RAK-based company, was Khalil Hamza from Sharjah in second place with Fujairah-based Marcello Penamante coming in third.
FAMCO explained that the Driver Challenge allows drivers to demonstrate the professional skills required to handle a truck efficiently and safely using the drivers aids and safety technology available on Volvo Trucks. Using Dynafleet, Volvo Trucks fleet management system, drivers can measure fuel efficiency accurately based on four key aspects braking, speed adaptation, engine and gear utilisation and standstill.
FAMCO will soon fly Khan to the live final of the global competition at the Volvo Trucks Experience Centre in Gothenburg, Sweden in September. During the event he will compete alongside the top drivers from 42 countries for the world title, said the Volvo distributor.
“Hosting the Driver Challenge here in the UAE gives us a fantastic opportunity to show our customers that, together with Volvos range of cutting edge products and services, these highly skilled drivers can make a very positive impact on safety and productivity,” said Vladimir Knezevic, managing director of FAMCO UAE, said. Were pleased to be able to put drivers in the spotlight and allow them to showcase their specialist driving skills which are helping to keep roads safe and minimise impact on the environment.
Jan-Erik Thorén, managing director of Volvo Trucks Middle East, added: The Volvo Driver Challenge brings to life our core values of zero accidents, zero emissions and maximum profitability for our customers. It allows us to showcase the benefits we offer in a real-world scenario, whether thats the cost benefits for our customers, the positive impact on the environment or the safety levels were bringing to all road users. We will continue to help our customers and their drivers excel and get the most out of our trucks.
Volvo estimates that using optimised truck specifications and vehicle maintenance schedules – paired with the driver skills learnt through Volvos on-board coaching systems – operators can save up to 10% in fuel across a fleet of 50 trucks which offer annual savings of around with 530,000AED ($145,000).
