Live on stage with the new MAN TGX
What MAN fan doesn’t dream of being the first to drive the new MAN TGX? For Marc from England the dream came true, and he even got to appear on stage with the new Lion at its world premier.
When Marc was called to his boss’s office in December last year, the last thing he was expecting was to be told that he had been chosen as a show driver for the launch of the new-generation MAN truck. “I’m overwhelmed” was the first reaction of the 61-year-old, who has worked as a truck driver for 35 years, and has been driving MANs for 22 years.
In a multimedia show tent on the Bilbao harbourside
Marc has been constantly rehearsing and playing through this moment over the last few days – but with no audience, no lightning storm of flash-bulbs, and no applause. Tonight is the night: He has taken up his position in the driver’s seat of the MAN TGX Individual Lion. A quick a glance at his passenger Göran Nyberg, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of MAN Truck & Bus SE, then he focuses on his task, guiding the truck from the backstage area onto the stage itself. He effortlessly steers the spectacular-looking gold-liveried MAN between the two other new-generation trucks already waiting in the spotlight. It’s only when Marc stops his truck and turns off the engine that he notices the cheering from the audience. He steps out, smiling broadly. Now he’s going to chat with Göran Nyberg about the new MAN trucks.
“There’s room to dance in the new truck”
As the applause dies down, the presenter turns to Marc: “How was it, and what do you personally like best about the new truck?”
“Brilliant. I was struck by the new design even before I got in it. The new headlights and the radiator grille are real eye-catchers. It’s also easier to get into,” Marc says. “The cab’s interior is of course extremely important for me as a long-haul truck driver. The instrument panel is very ergonomic in design, angled towards the driver. That means all the switches and buttons are much more accessible, and operating all the functions is really easy. I’d love to have MAN SmartSelect in my truck as standard, too, along with the large-screen display. It’s just better than a touch-screen to operate on bumpy roads. Everything under control. Superb!”
“Enough room to live in,” Marc replies with a laugh. “I really do like the new level of spaciousness inside the truck. More room of course means added comfort for me as a driver. The truck is a comfortable place when taking a break, especially with the new sound system. I felt at home straight away!”
Marc would have loved to take the new MAN TGX Individual Lion straight back to England with him after the show. Especially since it also has a galley kitchen on-board. And with the truck’s striking gold livery, he’d certainly be an eye-catcher wherever he went.
So the new MAN TGX has definitely found a fan in show driver Marc. He really enjoyed the experience. Though there was one challenge for him as a British trucker: handling a left-hand drive vehicle again for the first time in ages!