Six hundred and forty hard-working German horses in the bold red Owens colours are powering Guy Small’s association with the MAN marque into a fifth decade.

Ramarama-based Guy bought his first MAN truck in 1987 and says he’s now owned and driven 14 of them over the years. 

In late-January Guy put this New Generation MAN TGX 26.640 6x4 tractor unit on the road. The GX cab (extra height) unit replaces his 2015 model TGX with 560hp and after Easter was joined by a second TGX 26.640 that differs only in its GM cab (medium roof height) configuration.

New Zealand Truck & Driver teamed up with Guy for a run from Auckland to the Desert Road – part of his regular Auckland-Wellington run – to talk about the improvements MAN has made to the New-Gen model and why Guy sticks with the marque.

The days starts from Allnex NZ in Penrose. The new TGX is working with a 2020 Patchell-built Owens Tankers six-axle B-Train carting emulsion to be used in paint products by Dulux. This truck and trailer combination is 20.5 tonnes empty and for this run weighs up loaded at 47.8t on a 50MAX permit.

It’s a regular run for Guy although it sometimes means working with different trailers depending on the product and quantity.

When testing a new truck, you can’t ask for much more than the years of driving and brand experience which Guy Small has to offer.

Guy is 74 and has been driving trucks since he was 17. MAN trucks have played a role in his business since 1987 and he is one of those drivers who likes to really get to know his truck and notices the differences between model changes.

The NZ Truck & Driver team catch up with Guy and his New Generation MAN TGX 26.640 for one of his regular trips from Auckland to Wellington. Guy has a Patchell stainless 6-axle B-train on the rear loaded with emulsion for paint production. The loaded combination weighs up at 47.8t which means we will have plenty of opportunity to put the new 640hp engine through its paces.

I take over the wheel at Tirau for a run through to Taupo. Once in the cab it’s a modern feel with the high roof and flat floor making for a very spacious workspace. Looking around the cab there is storage space everywhere and a fridge under the bed. With Guy staying overnight in this truck, everything is able to be packed away leaving a clean and tidy working environment.