• 180 continues to perform well in the highly competitive HCV market
  • A highly versatile vehicle that appeals to customers in the agricultural, construction and general transport and logistics sectors
  • Product reliability backed up by dependable parts supply and service

 

In many respects 2021 has been a milestone year for FAW Trucks SA. Not only has it taken on a dominant role in the heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) market, but it has also introduced a new addition to its line-up and recently received a silver award in the annual NADA Dealer Satisfaction Index survey. One of the key drivers of the brand’s continued success is the 15.180, a vehicle that is well suited to customers in the farming and agriculture sector and has also found favour with small contractors and businesses, as well as fleet operators such as courier companies.

“The 15.180 range has proven to be one of the most popular in our line-up, mainly because of its affordability, durability and versatility,” say Yongjun Li, CEO of FAW Trucks SA. “The fact that it is available in freight carrier, truck tractor and tipper derivatives means that it appeals to a broad customer base.”

All iterations of the 15.180 offer a spacious, ergonomically designed cab with a generous body and payload allowance. The engine utilised in the range is a Euro 2-compliant 6 557 cc, six-cylinder, in-line turbocharged unit that delivers 132 kW at 2 300 r/min and has 650 Nm of peak torque on tap. A full air dual circuit WABCO braking system with ABS, power steering and a 150-litre fuel tank is also standard.

Occupant comfort is a priority in FAW Trucks and therefore additional standard features include air-conditioning and a radio with MP3 and USB capability.

The chassis used on all models is of a riveted straight-ladder type, with the front suspension featuring semi-elliptical leaf springs with double-acting shock absorbers. Semi-elliptical leaf springs with auxiliary springs do duty at the rear.

“FAW went to great lengths to ensure that the 15.180 range combines cost-efficiency with the best possible payload and the best turnaround time, without sacrificing any of the quality for which the brand is known,” Li explains. “Sourced from our assembly plant in Coega, Gqeberha, the 15.180 has shown time and again that it is up to virtually any task.”

Appealing to customers in the agricultural, transport and logistics sectors of the market, the 15.180FL 4×2 freight carrier has a body and payload allowance of 9.8 tonnes. The 15.180FL can be specified in a number of body derivatives that include a drop-side, a taut-liner option, a van body, a roll-back and a dry-freight insulated body. Customers also have the option of purchasing the chassis cab and fitting their own truck bodies to suit their specific needs. Although its specifications are virtually identical, the 15.180FT 4×2 truck tractor variant has a gross combination mass (GCM) of 24 000 kilograms.

There is also a tipper version – the 15.180FD (6 cube) – which is similarly specced to the 15.180FL and the 15.180FT, and is very popular in the construction sector due to its body and payload allowance of 10.3 tonnes.

KEY DIMENSIONS
  15.180FL 15.180FD / 15.180FT
Wheelbase 5 340 mm 3 510 mm
Overall length 9 252 mm 5 822 mm
Cab length 2 052 mm 2 052 mm
Overall width 2 445 mm 2 468 mm
Overall height 2 670 mm 2 670 mm
Front overhang  1 312 mm 1 312 mm
Rear overhang 2 600 mm 1 000 mm
Cab to rear axle 4 600 mm 2 770 mm
Recommended body length 7 100 mm 3 528 mm
Cab to end of chassis 7 342 mm 3 770 mm
Minimum turning radius 7 365 mm 7 100 mm
Minimum turning diameter 14 730 mm 14 200 mm
Ground clearance 250 mm 250 mm
Track  1 795 mm front / 1 860 rear 1 795 mm front / 1 860 rear
Chassis outer width 865 mm 865 mm
Chassis inner width 680 mm 680 mm

All three derivatives were designed and engineered to be able to cope with the unique challenges posed by the African environment. To this end, the built-in quality levels from the local assembly plant ensure that the solid chassis and frame provide customers with the positive ownership experience that they have come to expect from the brand, whether it be in the construction or general transport and logistics environment.

Product reliability and versatility is one thing, but 15.180 owners also want the assurance that parts will be readily available and that maintenance and services will be carried out in a satisfactory and timeous manner. To address this, FAW Trucks has a large parts warehouse at its premises in Spartan, from where it supplies the four main regions in Gauteng, Durban, Harrismith and Cape Town. In addition, service dealers are fully equipped, with highly trained technicians on hand for complete servicing and repairs required. Adding additional peace of mind is a two-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and the option of a three-year/180 000 km service plan.

“The overall lifetime cost of all of the models available from FAW Trucks is crucial to the good reputation of the brand in South Africa. When one takes into account the relatively low initial capital outlay of purchasing a 15.180, together with the build quality and the extensively proven reduction in downtime it has become known for, it provides owners with unparalleled value,” Li concludes.

 First Published by FAW Johannesburg – 26 October 2021