The wide availability of second-hand, aftermarket and remanufactured truck parts is presenting owner drivers and smaller business operators with a myriad of choices when the time comes for servicing and maintaining their vehicles.
According to Vicville Pty Ltd owner Peter Fitzpatrick, the decision to strictly use only Isuzu Genuine Parts has had both operational and financial benefits for his business in the long run.
"I made a conscious decision to use only genuine parts when I first started my own operations. I have found that genuine parts are superior and as a result they have required less frequent replacement," Peter said.
Peter began his career as a timber yard manager some 30 years ago and first became interested in the transport industry after playing a greater role in the delivery of the timber goods, eventually deciding to start his own operation in 1989 with the help of his wife.
Today, Vicville remains a two-person show with the business and its 1999 Isuzu FVR 950 subcontracting to Australian transport giant Linfox in the Wagga Wagga area.
With 1.2 million kilometres on the odometer, Peter's FVR 950 is feeling almost as fresh as when he first purchased it, thanks to the team at Wagga Motors Trucks and Parts.
According to Manager, John Bettie, Peter's truck is proof that if cared for correctly, Isuzu customers can expect many years of trouble-free service.
"My mechanics and technicians love working on Peter's truck, as they know he is someone who has looked after the truck well – his truck is almost 10 years old and is in better condition than a lot of the newer trucks that we service," John said.
"In its 10 year lifespan, the only major mechanical repairs to the truck have been a bearing failure in the transmission at 850,000 kilometres, a service to the fuel injectors at 880,000 kilometres and rear brake linings at 1,000,000 kilometres.
"Considering that the front brake linings are still original and how well the truck has performed overall, the condition of the vehicle is also a testament to his driving," John added.
Carting exclusively for Arnott's Biscuits and sometimes pulling an eight pallet pantec trailer, Vicville's FVR operates fully laden about 60 per cent of the time, travelling around 2,500 kilometres a week delivering in the Riverina area.
Selecting an Isuzu truck, using only genuine parts and having the truck serviced exclusively by Isuzu certified technicians was a conscious decision made very early in his business, according to Peter.
"When I first decided to start the business, I chose an Isuzu because of the positive experience I had had in the past. Since then I have had three Isuzu trucks spanning three generations of the F Series," Peter said.
"I am a strong believer in the fact that truck drivers should only be responsible for driving the truck and not fixing it, and that's been the approach throughout my 20 something years as an owner driver.
"I have never touched the mechanical parts myself, except for oil and filter changes a few times, the rest has been serviced exclusively by Wagga Motors."
According to Peter, the benefits of using genuine parts and Isuzu dealers exclusively to service his truck is manifested in a better re-sale value and reliability on the road.
"As a single truck operator, reliability is very important to me as the truck is the sole provider of my family's income. Time off the road means money down the drain," Peter said.
"So far with the truck's odometer at 1.2 million kilometres, it still operates as if it was new - it still has the same power levels as it had 10 years ago, and mechanically it's still in top condition."
According to Peter, other benefits of using only Isuzu genuine parts are the warranty and Isuzu's Customer Care service, which includes 24-hour roadside assist.
"The thing that gives me confidence in only using genuine parts is that I know they are made to factory specifications, exactly the same as when the truck was new," Peter said.
"All the parts and servicing come with a warranty and I know the truck is repaired to the exact same standard as it was when it was built, hence I know it will be reliable on the road."