How do Korea's most popular sodas reach their shelves?

Learn how Dong-A Otsuka operates their nationwide distribution with their delivery trucks equipped with Allison fully automatic transmissions.

Every day, millions of Koreans reach for a Pocari Sweat or open a cold Demi-Soda. Behind each one of those beverages is a logistics operation that spans across the entire country. Dong-A Otsuka operates one of Korea's most extensive beverage distribution networks with 24 distribution centers spanning major cities including Anyang and Cheongju. The company's 130-truck fleet handles demanding daily routes, transporting an average of 5 to 6 tonnes of beverages per vehicle to discount stores, restaurants and retailers.

In 2023, the company began the transition from trucks with manual transmissions to Hyundai Mighty trucks equipped with the Allison 1000 Series xFE™ transmission.

"The main objective of this shift was to prioritize our drivers and enhanced driving convenience," explained Jaesung Koo, Manager of the SCM Team at Dong-A Otsuka.

The transition has delivered significant operational benefits for the company:

Zero malfunctions reported since implementation in 2023
Fuel efficiency maintained at levels comparable to manual transmission vehicles

These benefits and more led the company to purchase 30 additional Hyundai Mighty trucks equipped with Allison transmissions.

Allison Transmissions are Optimized for Urban Delivery Enviornments

Allison transmissions are engineered to address specific demands of urban logistics around the world. In challenging enviornments like bumper to bumper city traffic, Allison automatics allow drivers to focus on the road ahead.

"Frequent stop-and-go traffic is unavoidable for logistics vehicles. Automatic trucks offer a practical solution in this context, as they operate similarly to passenger cars, requiring only the brake pedal," said Kyoungmee Lee, Regional Director of Allison Transmission Korea.

With a growing number of younger drivers entering the field, demand for conventient automatic vehicles has been rising. By choosing Allison Automatics, Dong-A Otsuka has invested in driver comfort and satisfaction while maintaining the operational excellence their customers depend on.