UD Trucks holds test drive event for female drivers

On February 25, UD Trucks held a test drive event for female drivers at the UD Experience Center in Ageo, Japan. Eighteen female drivers from 13 UD Trucks’ business partners in Japan test drove a heavy-duty Quon equipped with UD Active Steering. During a workshop held after the test drive, participants exchanged opinions on the challenges women face in a male-dominated industry along with ideas on how to improve working conditions for women.

Comments from participants

Rie Shida, Logimedical Co.,Ltd.: “Test driving the Quon impressed me because the handling was light and braking was stable, just like driving a passenger car.”

Miyuki Ueshima, Nippon Express Co.,Ltd.: “The steering wheel felt lighter than the 3-ton trucks I usually drive. I thought that the brakes on a heavy-duty vehicle would need to be applied firmly, but that was not the case with Quon's disc brakes, which could be applied gently.”

Naomi Takahashi, Nippon Konpo Unyu Soko Co.,Ltd.: “The UD Active Steering system kept the steering wheel steady even over bumps on the test course. The gear shifting with the ESCOT automatic transmission is quiet and smooth, and so comfortable that I thought I could keep driving all day long.”

Launched in 2017, it was the sixth time for UD Trucks to hold this event, giving female drivers the opportunity to operate trucks that are easy to drive and exchange views on how to promote better work environments for women in the trucking industry.