Reviewing the week of 20 to 26 September, these are Stefan Pertz’ highlights
Met Mats
While on a stop-over in Singapore, heading back to Kuala Lumpur after the IAA Transportation 2026, Mats Nilsson and I met-up. While Mats is now overseeing Volvo’s Bus business in the region, he is still very much interested in the truck side of things as well. Over a Blueberry juice (!!!) we reflected on the changes we have seen in the market in the last decade.
Reviewing Material Created while I was Away
The Asian Trucker studio has always been very dependable with the creation of material sent in from afar. Since the inception of the magazine, it has been common to write stories and send them in while “outstation”. Some materials are best reviewed and finalised using a big screen and the designer present though.
As we were tasked with the photography work during the Isuzu launch last week, we had a lot of good material to work with. Several cover artworks were presented, and we are really happy with the one the client picked. Maybe not many people know that we can also offer end to end services and strategic consultancy.
Planning Events ahead
Although still some time to go, plans are being crafted for the content creation during the upcoming visits to China. First, I am headed to visit Sany, later on Automechanika in Shanghai. As it is my first time meeting with Sany in their HQ, I will surely have a lot of questions.
Building the Super Panther
This Chinese truck brand is intriguing. Not only did they go straight to electric drive train technology, but they also skipped the Southeast Asian market and entered Europe right away. Their media gift was a Lego-compatible model of their truck. I am looking forward to setting up a production line in the living room and putting the pieces together.
FAW Factory Opening
Telok Gong is an interesting place in Malasia. Not only is there a lot of good food to be had, but it is also an extremely busy transportation hub. The issue is that there is only one road in and out and this always congested, what with the haulage industry never sleeping. It is here that FAW, through their distributor NBG, have set up their new factory. The official, grand, opening of the facilities took place on Thursday.
Interview Autonomous Logistics Solutions
I first interviewed ALS a year ago when their ambition was to sell autonomous cargo vans to Malaysian logistics companies. Rounding out the week, the Friday afternoon was spend playing with this toy, making it go round and round and listening to the antics of the team behind the vehicle on how people react to Malaysia’s first Robovan.
