Scania UK has launched a new ProCare service offering which it says increases customer uptime, reduces operating costs and gives truck operators greater peace of mind.

The product is focused around four key areas: flexible maintenance plans, real-time vehicle health monitoring, preventative replacement and a digital ecosystem.

James Colbourne, services director for Scania UK, said fleet sizes had shrunk over the past few years leaving operators with just enough vehicles to continue their services. Keeping those vehicles on the road was now more improtant than ever.

"Scania ProCare combines all the best parts of our own solution to create a value-added repair and maintenance package," Colbourne said.

“It means our customers can have greater peace of mind that they are one-step ahead when it comes to the well-being of their vehicles. All with the knowledge that Scania’s network is in support when they need it.”

ProCare monitors around 90 component groups and millions of lines of data to enable Scania to predict potential failures to minimise unscheduled repairs and breakdown.

The service consists of four pillars:

• Flexible maintenance plans will allow customers to tailor their maintenance regimes around how their vehicles are being used, minimising overall disruption to their business. Monitoring takes into consideration topography and road climate, not just how the vehicle is driven and will reduce the risk of under or over servicing a vehicle. It also recognises different drivers and driving style and adapts to any changes in operation.
• Real-time health monitoring will inform the local service centre when a customer’s vehicle detects an issue and gives foresight on when any uptime critical system may be at severe risk of a breakdown. Advanced algorithms receive fault code alerts to spot early signs of potential off-the-road outcomes.
• Preventative maintenance ensures critical components are replaced in normal maintenance schedules to reduce unplanned downtime and also means that more parts can be re-used and re-purposed because they are replaced before failure - once they fail, they can only be recycled.
• Service planning gives customers a complete digital overview of the activities and actions completed on their vehicles, within the My Scania platform.

ProCare has been trialled in the north east of England with a handful of customers, according to Scania manager of connected services Tom Marshall.

"Their feedback has been relief that they are no longer waiting for a breakdown," Marshall said. "ProCare gives them peace of mind because the chances of a breakdown are reduced dramatically. It is also a selling point when they sell the truck that it's been under Scania ProCare."

The programme is now being rolled out across all regions over the next month as a bolt on to Scania's repair and maintenance package. It costs £50 per vehicle per month, which Scania believes will be recovered many times over.

"One customer with a fleet of 60 vehicles captured several vehicles before the turbo failed during the six-month trial, saving thousands of pounds and boosting its uptime," Marshall said.

"We have 150 contracts already signed up and we hope to have 800-1,000 by the end of the year."