MAN Truck & Bus
What customers are saying about the new truck
The partition rises, the hall light goes on. Excited, the entrepreneurs rush to three versions of the new truck. They can see and touch the truck they helped develop for the first time. The redesigned driver's compartment arouses the greatest curiosity. The experts climb into the cab with ease. Freight forwarder Kai Bode makes himself comfortable in the driver's seat and describes his first impression: "The seating position has been greatly improved, and getting into the cab is especially easy. Obstacles between the seats have also been removed. I'm very impressed." Alfred Ulbrich, operations manager at Pabst Transport GmbH & Co. KG, tests functions in the new cockpit from the passenger seat. "MAN has fulfilled one of my major wishes with the new stationary air conditioning unit, because its construction has freed up the left storage compartment," he says in a satisfied manner. Wishes and constructive feedback – these are the tasks of the truck expert advisory board at MAN. This board has been meeting in fixed composition since 2018. All members are active in the transport sector, especially in long-distance transport. Some have accompanied development of the new truck since the early concept phase in 2014.
Customer first
"We at MAN find it extremely important to develop products and services jointly with our customers. This enables us to precisely meet market needs," says Dr Steven Schuh, Head of Customer Insights at MAN. Intensive dialogue with users is common practice at MAN, in vehicle development as well as in sales and customer service.
Great suspense Forwarder Hanspeter Felix curiously circles the truck.
The cab interior has been significantly enhanced by higher quality materials. The exterior also has an impressive appearance.
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As an entrepreneur, I see great advantages in the new truck. It's economical to use and appealing to my drivers.
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I'm proud to have been involved in the MAN truck. It's not really possible to build a better truck.
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MAN has taken a huge step toward the 4.0 truck with this new vehicle. We can welcome the future of logistics.
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We've been very happy to support MAN with our feedback. Because now we're benefiting from a truck that has been built to our wishes.
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A harmonious and highly functional vehicle. I'm looking forward to seeing the truck on the road.
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The new LED headlights are gigantic and MAN has fulfilled my wish with its space-saving positioning of the stationary air conditioning unit.
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The seating position has been greatly improved and cab entry is particularly easy. I'm very positively impressed.
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I find the truck convincing as a complete package: simple operation, technically top class and a clean appearance.
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The driver's seat can be optimally adapted to individual needs.
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The controls are so clearly arranged that the driver can do virtually nothing wrong. And the truck looks great too.
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4 rounds of feedback
Customers were involved in several development stages for the new truck generation.
Concept test 1
3. to 18. February 2014
Decision-makers and drivers from customer companies in six countries rate the cab requirements as a place to work, live and sleep.
Concept test 2
14. to 25. July 2014
Storage space, sleeping area and driver's workplace are re-evaluated. Decision-makers and drivers from customer companies in twelve countries are involved on this occasion.
HMI test
11. to 13. April 2016
Truck drivers test the cockpit of a prototype for the new MAN truck generation. This particularly involves ergonomics and all-round visibility
Market clinic
4. to 9. October 2017
Decision-makers from thirteen countries test the prototype. They provide feedback on storage space, controls and the infotainment system.
"We obtain the opinions of customers, with whom we often maintain long-term, trusting relationships," says Schuh. They come from both large and small companies, so the entire spectrum of the transport industry is represented. "The work of the expert advisory board ultimately benefits all customers," emphasises MAN's market researcher. The meetings of the expert advisory board with experts from MAN follow a streamlined work programme, in which truck applications are discussed in many details. Customers don't mince matters – they speak out clearly when they see potential for product improvements. This process is now paying off for the new truck. Freight forwarder Johannes Dettendorfer junior celebrates: "The resulting truck is absolutely convincing overall."
