PRESS RELEASE

CAT GUARANTEES CONTINUAL SUPPORT FOR ITS ON-HIGHWAY ENGINES

Across Southern Africa, some of the most famous names in the on-highway truck industry have Cat engines under their hoods and fleet customers have come to depend on the reliability of these engines to help maintain and grow their businesses.

In this respect nothing should change and Caterpillar remains committed through Barloworld Power to its global engine population despite its decision to withdraw from the on-highway truck market segment. Production of the last truck engines ceased at the end of March 2009.

Locally, service and backup will continue as before, with all Cat on-highway engines supported nationwide by Barloworld Power's Truck Engine Product Support personnel and the (TEPS) dealers. This includes Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles dealerships for Freightliner; and Imperial Commercial and Navistar dealerships for the International truck range. TEPS dealers are responsible for parts and servicing, with technical support and training provided by Barloworld Power as the exclusive Southern African Cat distributor.

"Currently there are around 3 000 truck tractors running on Cat engines in South Africa," explains Theo Swanepoel, truck engine business manager, "and Barloworld Power will continue to support these units, as well as the new engine consignments ordered by OEMs during 2009, for their full lifespan, including any subsequent rebuilds."

Meanwhile Caterpillar's reputation for dependability is being further reinforced by Barloworld Power's Million Kilometre Campaign, which encourages a strong maintenance partnership between customers and TEPS dealers.

"The key factor in qualifying for this prestigious award is that the original engine should not have been disturbed. In other words, the head should not have been lifted or the sump dropped," says Swanepoel.   

"Qualifying clients and their dealers receive a special certificate in recognition of their service partnership. However, more significantly, clients can affix the Cat Million Kilometre logos to their truck's cab, sending a clear message to the market that their fleets are in optimum condition and geared towards on time consignment delivery," Swanepoel continues.

"We'd like to invite customers to submit their engine serial numbers to see if they qualify."

FIRST MILLION KILOMETRE MILESTONE

The first customer to be awarded a Cat Million Kilometre certificate is Gauteng based haulage company, Aspen Logistic Services, which, with 80 units on the road nationally, is also South Africa's largest purely Cat powered Freightliner fleet owner.   

Speaking during the award ceremony in September, Aspen's managing director, Dr Sujen Padayatchi, says that the Million Kilometre campaign epitomises the quality of the Caterpillar brand and underscores the company's confidence in the reliability of Cat's on-highway engines.     

A core component of Aspen's business is in the long distance haulage of perishable foods, frequently overnight, for guaranteed 'in-store' delivery the next day. Therefore, unscheduled downtime is non-negotiable.

"As a company, we have an absolute passion for what we do and our trucks are the lifeblood of our business," says Padayatchi. "For this reason, our drivers are amongst the best in the industry and our maintenance programmes strictly adhered to, ensuring high availability at all times. This is underscored by the fact that Aspen's workshop was accredited by Freightliner in 2005 in terms of OEM compliance."

Adds Padayatchi: "One of the most remarkable features of our Cat engines is that, old or new, we get the same consistent performance from our Freightliner trucks, which is very reassuring both for us and our customers in terms of on time delivery."

ENGINES & WARRANTIES

Caterpillar fields three on-highway engines, comprising the C12 (410 and 430 hp), the C15 (500 hp) and the C16 (600 hp), all of which meet Tier 2 emission regulation requirements.

"These are the same engine family models fitted to certain Cat earthmoving machines, so, longer term, support and technical back-up are guaranteed," adds Swanepoel. "In fact, we maintain a comprehensive inventory for every engine model produced by Caterpillar. For example, we still keep Oshkosh trucks running with Cat 3406 engines built in 1972."

Caterpillar's standard warranty is two years unlimited kilometres (with the exception of the water pump and fuel injectors, where a limited distance is specified). Added to this is a five year or 800 000km warranty on major components that starts from the first day of delivery on all major engine components (castings), including the Electronic Control Unit (ECM).

If customers elect to purchase the Cat Extended Service Coverage (ESC) option, then full cover is provided (including the injectors, water pump and turbocharger). However, the ECS plan excludes non-Cat components, namely the Bendix Air compressor, Jacobs engine break and the jockey pulleys and belt tensioners.

Adds Swanepoel: "Barloworld Power can now offer an additional ESC plan backed by Caterpillar for engines that are already out of their normal or additionally purchased ESC. This is a further venture in committing our strong passion for the product and the support of our customers."

ENDS

Caption:

Placing the "Cat Million Kilometre" logo to one of Aspen Logistic Services Freightliner trucks are (from left to right) Theo Swanepoel, truck engine business manager, Barloworld Power; and Dr Sujen Padayatchi, Aspen's managing director.

For further information contact:

Theo Swanepoel

Truck Engine Business Manager

Barloworld Power

Tel: 011-898-0208

E-mail: tswanepoel2@barloworld-equipment.com

Media contact:

Alastair Currie

Media Relations Manager

Barloworld Equipment

Tel: 011-929-0000

E-mail: acurrie@barloworld-equipment.com