Truck drivers put Shell products to the test

Better business and a better life is a universal dream and Shell is using their products to help turn it into reality for Chinese truck drivers.

"Our latest synthetic lubricants - Rimula R6 M and Rimula R6 LM - offer greater protection for heavy-duty trucks and helps cut maintenance costs and improves business efficiency," said Shen Jian, general manager of Shell Lubricants for the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, on Aug 20 in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province.

On the same day, 20 drivers started their journey from the city with their trucks filled with the lubricants to see if they could go for 60,000 kilometers without refilling as the Anglo-Dutch company claimed.

The drivers were selected from 1,300 candidates who applied to try the products. Another 40 drivers started the experiment earlier this year, according to the company.

Ran Lixin, a senior engineer at Shell's research center in Shanghai, said Shell would monitor the engine performance of the trucks and the data would be sent to third-party agencies for appraisal.

"We set the distance at 60,000 km in China as we took into consideration China's road conditions and the fact that many trucks are overloaded," she said.

Ran said all 60 trucks involved in the challenge were made by Chinese automakers as tests outside of China have shown they have an even longer drain interval.

She said a truck convoy at the Andes mines in Peru reported the average drain increased by 140 percent after they tried the Rimula R6 products.

Shell's statistics showed the lubricants can cut engine friction by 50 percent and the R6 LM can cut emissions by reducing ash in the exhaust and lower the possibility of blocked filters.

She said the lubricants passed the strictest standards of many automakers including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and MAN.

"They demanded a score of 60 but we scored 80 or even 90," said Ran.

Caroline Missen, Shell's general manager for marketing, transport and industry brands, said the company was committed to not only offering good products but also helping clients improve business performance and quality of life.

Shell provides truck drivers with places to rest and learn more about maintenance at its two centers in Chengdu and Tianjin, with more planned.

"What we are really trying to do is to become part of the truck industry and the trucker community," said Missen.

Shen said Chinese truckers were among the hardest working but also those who received the least care or support.

"They work long hours and make great contributions to social development as they play an important role in logistics. However, they seldom have a good rest. That's why we built places like the two centers," he said.

Shen said building the home centers was a "win-win move" as they also helped the company collect feedback from their customers and gain a better understanding of driver demands.

Shell has been in China for 120 years and now has more than 200 dealerships that specialize in lubricants across the country.

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