Scania Trucks Tested on World's Longest Private Road

Ube Industries, a Japanese industrial powerhouse, is leveraging the world's longest private road, exceeding 30 kilometers in length, to test and evaluate heavy vehicle performance. The track, recognized by Guinness World Records and located within Ube's quarrying operations in southern Japan, presents extreme conditions for trucks.

The road is integral to Ube Industries' massive internal transport operations, moving 8.4 million tonnes of materials including limestone and coal annually. The company's fleet of 35 trucks operates daily on a tight schedule, aiming for 180,000 kilometers per machine each year. Hideki Shimazu, Ube Industries' head of logistics and purchasing, describes the road conditions as "a test course for new trucks."

Due to its length and demanding nature, only three truck brands have previously met Ube's operational needs. Scania was selected for providing the necessary horsepower, combined with a local distribution network and support services within Japan. The company has added two Scania units to its fleet since March and plans to incorporate two more in the coming months.

Initial data indicates Scania trucks are achieving fuel consumption below 68.5 liters per 100 kilometers, demonstrating significant efficiency. Ube Industries intends to increase the weight of carried cargo by 10 percent and is considering the reintroduction of triple-trailers to further enhance productivity. Shimazu anticipates that the Scania trucks will meet these evolving demands.