Truck Lifespan Puts Parts in the Spotlight

The growth of overall heavy vehicle registrations has brought a focus on maintenance, with the average age of trucks on Australian roads now sitting around 13 years. ​ 

Statistics from the Australian Government’s Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) show that light trucks have an average life of 9.85 years, while heavy rigid trucks have an average life of 16.30 years. ​ 

According to Isuzu Australia Limited’s (IAL) Head of Aftersales Brett Stewart, despite the age of the truck parc, businesses are growing more aware of the benefits associated with using genuine Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) parts and components for vehicle maintenance. ​ 

“These benefits include enhanced safety, compliance with regulations, and improved overall efficiency for operators, large and small,” said Mr Stewart. 

Isuzu’s recently released The Future of Trucking: The Way Forward report also reached out to heavy vehicle operators about truck maintenance and the use of replacement parts. 

“The report showed that 65 per cent of respondents agree that OEM parts and accessories helped ensure compliance obligations were met.” 

Compliance is part of the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) and Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), which determines that every party involved in the supply chain is responsible for ensuring that specified safety standards are met. 

CoR mandates that operators identify the risks involved in transport activities, assess those risks, eliminate them, or, if they can’t be completely eliminated, work to minimise them. 

Importantly, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator enforces CoR and vehicle compliance in conjunction with state-based authorities, including targeted and random on-site inspections. 

However, the benefits are not limited to compliance. Operators can also experience the benefits of using genuine OEM parts to keep businesses moving. 

“Again, referring to the Future of Trucking report, 64 per cent of respondents agreed there is an overall benefit to business operation by using genuine OEM parts,” Mr Stewart said. 

“In short, smart businesses understand the benefits, and we encourage all operators to consider both CoR obligations and the operational benefits as key factors in choosing replacement parts.” 

Climate, long distances, and road types put an enormous strain on heavy vehicle componentry. Isuzu parts are designed and built to withstand Australia’s diverse environmental conditions and the rigours of Australian industry. 

“Parts that carry the Isuzu brand name and those of trusted OEM partners are not only engineered for optimum performance in Australian applications but are validated through Australian testing,” commented Mr Stewart. 

Isuzu Parts are available across 70-plus locations, including Isuzu Trucks dealerships and ASPOs (Authorised Service & Parts Outlets). 

Isuzu has 30,000 line items in its parts inventory, with over three million parts in stock and available to be shipped from its National Parts Distribution Centre in Melbourne. 

“Each Isuzu aftersales location has highly trained professionals with knowledge and experience to ensure customers get not only the right parts but also the right advice for their vehicles.” ​ ​ ​