MAN develops TipMatic without manual override

MAN says the poor quality of UK truck drivers has inspired it to offer a version of its TipMatic transmission without any manual override. 

"The new Fleet software was initially developed for the UK market," a spokesman says. "UK customers told us that the quality of their drivers was not so good. They said they wanted an auto box that the driver cannot influence, and this is what we have given them."

Although the Fleet transmission has no manual override or kick-down facility under normal driving conditions, there are two safety-inspired exceptions to the rule. To avoid the risk of trucks getting stuck at uneven level crossings, the driver is able to select a lower start-off gear.

He is also able to change down through the transmission when going downhill, allowing him to make better use of the engine brake. The Fleet package can be retrofitted to existing two-pedal TGAs.