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Transport News Brief Week 37
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The latest news roundup from the SMMT.
Solid success for unique Tachomaster
Derek Beevor, boss of Road Tech Computers says the firm's order book for its Tachomaster digital tachograph analysis system reads like a Who's Who of the UK road transport and logistics business. He has over 1,200 customers and more arriving at a rate of 15 a day. "Tachomaster is unique; it is till the only true web-based service," says Beevor. "It is the only system that will let you browse a website, download a free trial and run it for a month. Every one of our competitors wants you to e-mail them data that they then process and send back. With Tachomaster you get results instantly and from anywhere you've got internet access." He says that digital tachographs offer so much data that he's now finding people who regret rushing to buy the last of the old, analogue tachograph-equipped trucks.
More from Maureen Ballance on +44 (0)1 923 460 000 or maureen@roadtech.co.uk
Euro 5 tax breaks confirmed
The Department for Transport has detailed tax breaks for the early uptake of Euro 5 emission standards. The aim is encourage operators to buy trucks and buses at the more environmentally-friendly Euro 5 standard before it becomes mandatory on 1 October 2009. The DfT will extend the Reduced Pollution Certificate scheme so that hauliers and bus operators first registering a Euro 5 vehicle before that date can claim a discount of up to £500 a year on Vehicle Excise Duty, if the vehicle has the full onboard diagnostic systems and torque control systems to check and control NOX emissions.
More from www.dft.gov.uk
Van and truck registrations hold steady
Figures last Friday from the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders show van and truck registrations holding steady with a rolling year total of 380,372. "August is a low point in the registrations calendar, with figures typically at some 6% of the annual total. So far, the rolling year total for vans and trucks was only slightly down on the August 2006 total. All this is in line with our forecasts at the start of the year," said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. "We think September truck registrations will look lame by comparison with last year's massively distorted results, but by contrast, sales are already running well ahead of targets and will help bring the figures back to the long-term average by the end of the year"
More from Robin Dickeson +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Ex CIA man to speak at SMMT dinner
The guest speaker at this year's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders annual dinner is R James Woolsey. A veteran of US-Soviet Strategic Arms Reduction Talks and CIA director for Bill Clinton, Woolsey now chairs the advisory board of the Clean Fuels Foundation. He argues that development of cleaner bio-fuel and electric vehicle infrastructure is vital to cutting dependency on oil and strengthening national security. "There is already strong demand for this event," said Graham Smith, SMMT president. "Not least because we're hosting one of the most high profile and influential players in American policy on cleaner fuels."
More from Richard Sargood on +44 (0)2 071 018 522 or richard@relishevents.co.uk
August confirms 2007's contrasting bus and coach registration trends
SMMT data on bus and coach registrations show big buses down 25.3% to 2,345 units for the rolling year to August, with coaches up 1% to 1,165 for the same period and midibuses bucking the trend, up 31.9% to 3,940 for rolling year. "Despite generally good August registrations, it's wise not to read too much into one month's figures", said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. "Over recent months some trends are clear, with big bus registrations now more stable after falling over 20%. Coach registrations look good, back to a rolling year total of over 1,100 now that some of the recent distortions have cleared. Midibuses have delivered the best results, with 30% growth every 12 months over the past four years and clearly, that pace has accelerated recently."
More from Robin Dickeson +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Daf hikes Leyland truck production again
As expected, Daf says it has hiked truck production rates again at its Leyland plant. The rate is now up nearly 20% to 89 trucks a day. These are a mix of two, three and four axle models ranging from 7.5 tonne rigids to 44 tonne tractors. "We're doing this on the back of outstanding teamwork," said Jim Sumner, production director at Leyland Trucks. "We believe we're the most efficient truck plant in Europe, with an hours-per-truck figure that few can touch, even on a world scale."
More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
Alcohol test your Drivers for just 15p a vehicle a day
Traka says it has teamed with Alcolock GB, to use their equipment with Traka electronic key cabinets. "Now your drivers will be automatically tested before they get keys," says the firm's Martyn Baker. "By using one Alcolock on a cabinet containing the keys for all the vehicles in the depot, you cut the cost dramatically." Baker says it can cost nearly £1,000 a vehicle to fit on-board alcohol test kit. His and Alcolok's system uses Home Office approved equipment and can test every driver or run random tests. "It allows you to run a breath testing policy with minimum disruption to your staff and minimum cost. And it will show you who passed their breath test and who failed."
More from Martyn Baker on +44 (0)1 234 712 345 or mb@traka.com
Third generation alcolock from Volvo
Volvo, which says it is the first heavy truck maker to offer a factory-fitted Alcolock, now plans to offer a third generation model. The firm says this is the only system in the world type-approved for use with the transport of dangerous goods.
More from Claes Claeson, on +46 (0)31 663 908 or claes.claeson@volvo.com
Vosa's new logo
Vosa says it just strengthened its logo by adding the three MoT triangles.
More from Zita Easton on +44 (0)1 179 542 561 or zita.easton@vosa.gov.uk
New fuel monitoring system from Cactus
Liquid Management says its new fuel monitoring system uses new technology, including secure automatic vehicle recognition hardware to 'take the driver out of the refuelling loop'. Using data from the digital tachograph, the firm says it offers operators previously unobtainable, 100% accurate fuel information. "Our systems give excellent cost control and help identify CO2 emissions for a fleet," says the firm's Chris Rose.
More from Chris Rose on +44 (0)8 454 507 373 or crose@liquidms.co.uk
New bus and coach man at Alliance and Leicester
Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank says it just appointed Russell Moon as bus and coach rental manager, with responsibility for the Midlands and North of England. Moon joins the firm's specialist Bus and Coach finance team from Salvador Caetano.
More from Andrew Homer on +44 (0)1 162 003 401 or andrew.homer@alliance-leicester-group.co.uk
FTA says local road pricing must show benefits for road users
The Freight Transport Association says it told the Government that local authority road pricing schemes should show clear benefits to road users. It wants evidence checked by an impartial auditor before schemes start. The comments came as FTA replied to the Department for Transport's consultation on the Local Transport Bill, which covers powers for local authorities to set up local road pricing schemes. The FTA says its members want simple schemes, with no hardware costs for truckers and changes to the automatic number plate recognition system to catch foreign vehicles too.
More from Geoff Dossetter on +44 (0)1 892 552 255 or gdossetter@fta.co.uk
Vosa issues first Low Emissions Certificates
Vosa just issued its first Low Emissions Certificate, from its Yeading test station. The LEC went to Mullany's Coaches. Vosa started taking bookings for low-emission inspections from 20 August and can issue LECs at all its test stations. Low emissions tests can be booked via the nearest local test station or its enquiry unit at +44 (0)8 706 060 440 or at www.transportoffice.gov.uk Vosa developed the LEC with Transport for London and the Department for Transport specifically for the forthcoming London Low Emission Zone. The fee for a low emissions test is £28, though it can done at the same time as an annual test for £17.
More from Zita Easton on +44 (0)1 179 542 561 or zita.easton@vosa.gsi.gov.uk
Scottish distribution firm expands
Logistics firm Dalkeith Transport has opened a new 36,000 sq ft depot in Dumfries, as part of a plan to expand its business to cover the whole of Dumfries and Galloway. The firm already uses its 47 strong truck fleet to do express distribution across the county, including Dundee, Fife, Edinburgh, East Lothian, West Lothian, Mid Lothian and the Borders. The new depot complements others in Broxburn, Auchterarder, Cumbernauld and Newtongrange near Edinburgh. The firm is also part of the Palletways network.
More from Peter Crow on +44 (0)1 543 440 264 or peter_crow@palletways.com
Milestone for Mack's Remack
Mack Trucks Inc. says its Remack re-manufacturing outfit just delivered its 50,000th re-manufactured drive-line. The rebuilt engine, gearbox and rear axle were fitted to a truck from Williams Brothers Construction Company, Houston, Texas. Mack says the ISO 9001 registered Remack operation has been a successful part of its aftermarket business for over 30 years, tackling Mack engines, gearboxes and other parts.
More from John Walsh on +1 (0)610 709 2560 or john.walsh@macktrucks.com
150 tonne Daf for Hunter
Edinburgh crane hire firm Bernard Hunter Limited just got a 150 tonne-rated Daf XF105 6x4 Euro 5 tractor to carry the ballast plates for its 250 tonne Liebherr crane. In this role the 510 bhp truck will normally run at just under the 100 tonne mark with a Nooteboom trailer. When the need arises, it can handle other loads up to its maximum STGO Category 3 gross weight of 150 tonnes. It has a 9 tonne front axle, 26 tonne rear bogie, engine brake, ZF 16-speed gearbox and retarder and a Jost sliding fifth wheel. Lothian Daf did the deal.
More from David Rowlands on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 drowlands@automotivepr.com
New boss at Hellmann
Logistics firm Hellmann Worldwide Logistics says it just appointed Keith Warner as operations director.
More from Fiona Shackleton on +44 (0)1 484 469 601 or fiona@manifestcomms.co.uk
MAN and Weichai talk in China
The MAN Group says it will talk with China's Weichai Holding Group about jointly making and marketing trucks, truck engines, big marine engines and parts. The two firms signed a memorandum of understanding in Beijing to cover the talks, which will build on a 20 year licence deal between them. Weichai Holding Group Co, Ltd is one of the biggest makers of diesel engines, gear boxes, commercial vehicles and big marine diesel engines in China, with sales in 2007 likely to hit €4bn.
More from Paul O'Malley on +44 (0)1 263 584 199 or comms@btinternet.com
RHA wants compensation for livestock hauliers
The Road Haulage Association says it may sue someone for damages on behalf of livestock hauliers, following the Health and Safety Executive report on the cause of the latest foot and mouth outbreak.
More from Kate Gibbs on +44 (0)1 932 838 917 or kate.gibbs@rha.net
FTA wants better sat.nav for trucks
The Freight Transport Association says most sat nav systems assume the vehicle is car and will select a route that is wrong for trucks. The FTA wants suppliers to make better satellite navigation systems for truckers and avoid sometimes leaving them stuck and unable go forward or turn around. "Truck sat-nav systems should recognise width, height and length limits, local truck bans, loading and unloading restrictions, truck route recommendations, access problems, truck parking and driver services and weighbridges".
More from Geoff Dossetter on +44 (0)1 892 552 255 or gdossetter@fta.co.uk
New tanker man at Atchison Topeka
Atchison Topeka says it put Tony Davis into the newly created job of general manager of its tanker division. The firm does dry freight and specialist tanker distribution services, including temperature-sensitive deliveries in the food-manufacturing sector.
More from Graham Swain on +44 (0)1 530 276 550 or graham.swain@q-storm.co.uk
Megabus.com spends $10m on US inter-city double deckers
Stagecoach Group says it just got the first of 17 new inter-city double-decker coaches. The firm says 79 seaters are the first of their type in the US and will work on its growing budget inter-city coach operation megabus.com. Made by the Belgium-based company Van Hool, the new wheelchair- accessible vehicles are built to US specifications and will run on megabus.com Midwest routes out of Chicago, with all vehicles in service by January 2008. Stagecoach says more than 500,000 people have ridden on the service since its launch in April 2006.
More from Steve Stewart +44 (0)1 738 442 111 or steven.stewart@stagecoachgroup.com
New boss at Bayliss
Dean Hulse is the new group operations director for Bayliss Logistics, responsible for warehousing and transport activity across the firm's UK network. Bayliss specialises in grocery logistics.
More from Graham Swain on +44 (0)1 530 276 550 or graham.swain@q-storm.co.uk
New tankers for First Milk fleet
Milk distributor Lloyd Fraser (Dairy Services) Limited just got 13 new, 32 tonne, 20,500 litre stainless steel milk collection trucks from GE Equipment Services, TIP Tanker Services. The firm will use the new trucks for its work with First Milk.
More from Cristina Donovan on +44 (0)1 977 674 100 or cristina.donovan@ge.com
Quick delivery help Schmitz win Bott deal
Bott Ltd, which makes in-vehicle and workplace storage equipment just got three new curtainsider trailers from Schmitz Cargobull, largely on the back of short delivery times. The trailers have tail lifts, rear steer axles and front lift axles. Part of the German-owned Wilhelm Bott group, the firm's UK base is in Bude, Cornwall, with vehicle-fitting centres in Leicestershire, Cumbernauld and Bude. Its trailer fleet collects parts and raw materials from Germany and delivers finished products across Europe. Schmitz says it can now build and deliver a finished trailer significantly faster than many other UK-based trailer makers.
More from Andrew Morley on + 44 (0)1 207 282 882 or Andrew.moreley@cargobull.co.uk
Parks takes ten more Panthers
After taking ten 12.8m Plaxton Panthers in 2006, Scotland's premiere coach operator, Parks of Hamilton, has added ten more Plaxton Panther coaches to its fleet. The latest batch are 15m long, 65 seaters on Volvo B12BT three-axle chassis and fitted with I-Shift automated transmissions. Eight will work on Scottish Citylink contracts, and two are for the firm's charter fleet. All are wheelchair accessible. The deal follows one for 10 Panthers last year. Parks says it is Scotland's biggest coach operator, with a 120 strong fleet.
More from Andrew Warrender on +44 (0)1 909 551 166 or andrew.warrender@plaxtonlimited.co..uk
Bosch scores a first in Brazil
The Bosch Group has become the first automotive supplier to start making antilock braking systems in Brazil. The company has spent some €10m on an ABS production line at its plant in Campinas, near Sao Paulo. The firm employs some 13,700 people in Brazil and generated sales of €1.1bn in 2006.
More from Chris Wakley on +44 (0) 20 7494 8050 cwakley@automotivepr.com
Bosses move at Wallenius
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics says Greg Martin will be its new regional director for the Oceania region, replacing Lauritz Anderson, who moves back to Norway to run special projects for Arild Iversen, the firm's president and chief executive.
More from Per Heggenes on +44 (0)7 766 726 110 or per.heggenes@2wglobal.com
DHL opens distribution centre for Epson
DHL Exel Supply Chain says it just opened a new, 60,000 m2 distribution centre for Epson Europe in Tilburg, the Netherlands. The firm will ship tens of thousands of printers, video projectors and cash register systems to customers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Russia on a daily basis. DHL handles logistics from the centre and employs up to 400 people there. The warehouse is owned by ProLogis.
More from Marc Visser on + 31 (0)6 2242 1869 or marc.visser@dhl.com
New boss at PalletForce
PalletForce says Alan Cooke is its network solutions director. The newly created job makes him responsible for the logistics firm's network development
More from Peter Robinson +44 (0)1 283 552 553 or peter@pwrmarketing.co.uk
DVLA told how to share data
Public Servant Daily reports that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has been told how it should share data. The Information Commissioner's Office says the the DVLA may pass on an individual's details if there is a valid reason, like helping identify a vehicle involved in crime or to help check insurance or tax fraud.
More from www.publicservice.co.uk
Delphi does $2.7bn deal with GM
The Delphi Corporation says it has done a deal with General Motors Corp. GM gets $2.7bn in cash and Delphi has filed a Joint Plan of Reorganization and related Disclosure Statement with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Copies of these documents, which remain subject to approval by the Bankruptcy Court, are on www.delphidocket.com. The deal settles all outstanding issues between the two firms,
More from Danny Rughoobeer on +44 (0)1 295 277 050 or danny.rughoobeer@m-eng.com
First Mexican truck into the US
E-Trucker.com reports that on Saturday 8 September the first Mexican based truck cleared by the Bush administration's pilot program for Mexican trucks to carry cargo in the US crossed the border at Laredo, Texas. The truck was heading for North Carolina. All apparently went without incident, despite scattered protests from some US trucking and labour organisations.
More from www.etrucker.com
Mexican truck blast 'kills dozens'
The BBC reports that a truck carrying explosives blew up after a crash in the Mexican state of Coahuila. The blast killed dozens, many thought to be onlookers at the scene of the accident.
More from www.bbc.co.uk
Derek Beevor, boss of Road Tech Computers says the firm's order book for its Tachomaster digital tachograph analysis system reads like a Who's Who of the UK road transport and logistics business. He has over 1,200 customers and more arriving at a rate of 15 a day. "Tachomaster is unique; it is till the only true web-based service," says Beevor. "It is the only system that will let you browse a website, download a free trial and run it for a month. Every one of our competitors wants you to e-mail them data that they then process and send back. With Tachomaster you get results instantly and from anywhere you've got internet access." He says that digital tachographs offer so much data that he's now finding people who regret rushing to buy the last of the old, analogue tachograph-equipped trucks.
More from Maureen Ballance on +44 (0)1 923 460 000 or maureen@roadtech.co.uk
Euro 5 tax breaks confirmed
The Department for Transport has detailed tax breaks for the early uptake of Euro 5 emission standards. The aim is encourage operators to buy trucks and buses at the more environmentally-friendly Euro 5 standard before it becomes mandatory on 1 October 2009. The DfT will extend the Reduced Pollution Certificate scheme so that hauliers and bus operators first registering a Euro 5 vehicle before that date can claim a discount of up to £500 a year on Vehicle Excise Duty, if the vehicle has the full onboard diagnostic systems and torque control systems to check and control NOX emissions.
More from www.dft.gov.uk
Van and truck registrations hold steady
Figures last Friday from the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders show van and truck registrations holding steady with a rolling year total of 380,372. "August is a low point in the registrations calendar, with figures typically at some 6% of the annual total. So far, the rolling year total for vans and trucks was only slightly down on the August 2006 total. All this is in line with our forecasts at the start of the year," said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. "We think September truck registrations will look lame by comparison with last year's massively distorted results, but by contrast, sales are already running well ahead of targets and will help bring the figures back to the long-term average by the end of the year"
More from Robin Dickeson +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Ex CIA man to speak at SMMT dinner
The guest speaker at this year's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders annual dinner is R James Woolsey. A veteran of US-Soviet Strategic Arms Reduction Talks and CIA director for Bill Clinton, Woolsey now chairs the advisory board of the Clean Fuels Foundation. He argues that development of cleaner bio-fuel and electric vehicle infrastructure is vital to cutting dependency on oil and strengthening national security. "There is already strong demand for this event," said Graham Smith, SMMT president. "Not least because we're hosting one of the most high profile and influential players in American policy on cleaner fuels."
More from Richard Sargood on +44 (0)2 071 018 522 or richard@relishevents.co.uk
August confirms 2007's contrasting bus and coach registration trends
SMMT data on bus and coach registrations show big buses down 25.3% to 2,345 units for the rolling year to August, with coaches up 1% to 1,165 for the same period and midibuses bucking the trend, up 31.9% to 3,940 for rolling year. "Despite generally good August registrations, it's wise not to read too much into one month's figures", said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. "Over recent months some trends are clear, with big bus registrations now more stable after falling over 20%. Coach registrations look good, back to a rolling year total of over 1,100 now that some of the recent distortions have cleared. Midibuses have delivered the best results, with 30% growth every 12 months over the past four years and clearly, that pace has accelerated recently."
More from Robin Dickeson +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Daf hikes Leyland truck production again
As expected, Daf says it has hiked truck production rates again at its Leyland plant. The rate is now up nearly 20% to 89 trucks a day. These are a mix of two, three and four axle models ranging from 7.5 tonne rigids to 44 tonne tractors. "We're doing this on the back of outstanding teamwork," said Jim Sumner, production director at Leyland Trucks. "We believe we're the most efficient truck plant in Europe, with an hours-per-truck figure that few can touch, even on a world scale."
More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
Alcohol test your Drivers for just 15p a vehicle a day
Traka says it has teamed with Alcolock GB, to use their equipment with Traka electronic key cabinets. "Now your drivers will be automatically tested before they get keys," says the firm's Martyn Baker. "By using one Alcolock on a cabinet containing the keys for all the vehicles in the depot, you cut the cost dramatically." Baker says it can cost nearly £1,000 a vehicle to fit on-board alcohol test kit. His and Alcolok's system uses Home Office approved equipment and can test every driver or run random tests. "It allows you to run a breath testing policy with minimum disruption to your staff and minimum cost. And it will show you who passed their breath test and who failed."
More from Martyn Baker on +44 (0)1 234 712 345 or mb@traka.com
Third generation alcolock from Volvo
Volvo, which says it is the first heavy truck maker to offer a factory-fitted Alcolock, now plans to offer a third generation model. The firm says this is the only system in the world type-approved for use with the transport of dangerous goods.
More from Claes Claeson, on +46 (0)31 663 908 or claes.claeson@volvo.com
Vosa's new logo
Vosa says it just strengthened its logo by adding the three MoT triangles.
More from Zita Easton on +44 (0)1 179 542 561 or zita.easton@vosa.gov.uk
New fuel monitoring system from Cactus
Liquid Management says its new fuel monitoring system uses new technology, including secure automatic vehicle recognition hardware to 'take the driver out of the refuelling loop'. Using data from the digital tachograph, the firm says it offers operators previously unobtainable, 100% accurate fuel information. "Our systems give excellent cost control and help identify CO2 emissions for a fleet," says the firm's Chris Rose.
More from Chris Rose on +44 (0)8 454 507 373 or crose@liquidms.co.uk
New bus and coach man at Alliance and Leicester
Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank says it just appointed Russell Moon as bus and coach rental manager, with responsibility for the Midlands and North of England. Moon joins the firm's specialist Bus and Coach finance team from Salvador Caetano.
More from Andrew Homer on +44 (0)1 162 003 401 or andrew.homer@alliance-leicester-group.co.uk
FTA says local road pricing must show benefits for road users
The Freight Transport Association says it told the Government that local authority road pricing schemes should show clear benefits to road users. It wants evidence checked by an impartial auditor before schemes start. The comments came as FTA replied to the Department for Transport's consultation on the Local Transport Bill, which covers powers for local authorities to set up local road pricing schemes. The FTA says its members want simple schemes, with no hardware costs for truckers and changes to the automatic number plate recognition system to catch foreign vehicles too.
More from Geoff Dossetter on +44 (0)1 892 552 255 or gdossetter@fta.co.uk
Vosa issues first Low Emissions Certificates
Vosa just issued its first Low Emissions Certificate, from its Yeading test station. The LEC went to Mullany's Coaches. Vosa started taking bookings for low-emission inspections from 20 August and can issue LECs at all its test stations. Low emissions tests can be booked via the nearest local test station or its enquiry unit at +44 (0)8 706 060 440 or at www.transportoffice.gov.uk Vosa developed the LEC with Transport for London and the Department for Transport specifically for the forthcoming London Low Emission Zone. The fee for a low emissions test is £28, though it can done at the same time as an annual test for £17.
More from Zita Easton on +44 (0)1 179 542 561 or zita.easton@vosa.gsi.gov.uk
Scottish distribution firm expands
Logistics firm Dalkeith Transport has opened a new 36,000 sq ft depot in Dumfries, as part of a plan to expand its business to cover the whole of Dumfries and Galloway. The firm already uses its 47 strong truck fleet to do express distribution across the county, including Dundee, Fife, Edinburgh, East Lothian, West Lothian, Mid Lothian and the Borders. The new depot complements others in Broxburn, Auchterarder, Cumbernauld and Newtongrange near Edinburgh. The firm is also part of the Palletways network.
More from Peter Crow on +44 (0)1 543 440 264 or peter_crow@palletways.com
Milestone for Mack's Remack
Mack Trucks Inc. says its Remack re-manufacturing outfit just delivered its 50,000th re-manufactured drive-line. The rebuilt engine, gearbox and rear axle were fitted to a truck from Williams Brothers Construction Company, Houston, Texas. Mack says the ISO 9001 registered Remack operation has been a successful part of its aftermarket business for over 30 years, tackling Mack engines, gearboxes and other parts.
More from John Walsh on +1 (0)610 709 2560 or john.walsh@macktrucks.com
150 tonne Daf for Hunter
Edinburgh crane hire firm Bernard Hunter Limited just got a 150 tonne-rated Daf XF105 6x4 Euro 5 tractor to carry the ballast plates for its 250 tonne Liebherr crane. In this role the 510 bhp truck will normally run at just under the 100 tonne mark with a Nooteboom trailer. When the need arises, it can handle other loads up to its maximum STGO Category 3 gross weight of 150 tonnes. It has a 9 tonne front axle, 26 tonne rear bogie, engine brake, ZF 16-speed gearbox and retarder and a Jost sliding fifth wheel. Lothian Daf did the deal.
More from David Rowlands on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 drowlands@automotivepr.com
New boss at Hellmann
Logistics firm Hellmann Worldwide Logistics says it just appointed Keith Warner as operations director.
More from Fiona Shackleton on +44 (0)1 484 469 601 or fiona@manifestcomms.co.uk
MAN and Weichai talk in China
The MAN Group says it will talk with China's Weichai Holding Group about jointly making and marketing trucks, truck engines, big marine engines and parts. The two firms signed a memorandum of understanding in Beijing to cover the talks, which will build on a 20 year licence deal between them. Weichai Holding Group Co, Ltd is one of the biggest makers of diesel engines, gear boxes, commercial vehicles and big marine diesel engines in China, with sales in 2007 likely to hit €4bn.
More from Paul O'Malley on +44 (0)1 263 584 199 or comms@btinternet.com
RHA wants compensation for livestock hauliers
The Road Haulage Association says it may sue someone for damages on behalf of livestock hauliers, following the Health and Safety Executive report on the cause of the latest foot and mouth outbreak.
More from Kate Gibbs on +44 (0)1 932 838 917 or kate.gibbs@rha.net
FTA wants better sat.nav for trucks
The Freight Transport Association says most sat nav systems assume the vehicle is car and will select a route that is wrong for trucks. The FTA wants suppliers to make better satellite navigation systems for truckers and avoid sometimes leaving them stuck and unable go forward or turn around. "Truck sat-nav systems should recognise width, height and length limits, local truck bans, loading and unloading restrictions, truck route recommendations, access problems, truck parking and driver services and weighbridges".
More from Geoff Dossetter on +44 (0)1 892 552 255 or gdossetter@fta.co.uk
New tanker man at Atchison Topeka
Atchison Topeka says it put Tony Davis into the newly created job of general manager of its tanker division. The firm does dry freight and specialist tanker distribution services, including temperature-sensitive deliveries in the food-manufacturing sector.
More from Graham Swain on +44 (0)1 530 276 550 or graham.swain@q-storm.co.uk
Megabus.com spends $10m on US inter-city double deckers
Stagecoach Group says it just got the first of 17 new inter-city double-decker coaches. The firm says 79 seaters are the first of their type in the US and will work on its growing budget inter-city coach operation megabus.com. Made by the Belgium-based company Van Hool, the new wheelchair- accessible vehicles are built to US specifications and will run on megabus.com Midwest routes out of Chicago, with all vehicles in service by January 2008. Stagecoach says more than 500,000 people have ridden on the service since its launch in April 2006.
More from Steve Stewart +44 (0)1 738 442 111 or steven.stewart@stagecoachgroup.com
New boss at Bayliss
Dean Hulse is the new group operations director for Bayliss Logistics, responsible for warehousing and transport activity across the firm's UK network. Bayliss specialises in grocery logistics.
More from Graham Swain on +44 (0)1 530 276 550 or graham.swain@q-storm.co.uk
New tankers for First Milk fleet
Milk distributor Lloyd Fraser (Dairy Services) Limited just got 13 new, 32 tonne, 20,500 litre stainless steel milk collection trucks from GE Equipment Services, TIP Tanker Services. The firm will use the new trucks for its work with First Milk.
More from Cristina Donovan on +44 (0)1 977 674 100 or cristina.donovan@ge.com
Quick delivery help Schmitz win Bott deal
Bott Ltd, which makes in-vehicle and workplace storage equipment just got three new curtainsider trailers from Schmitz Cargobull, largely on the back of short delivery times. The trailers have tail lifts, rear steer axles and front lift axles. Part of the German-owned Wilhelm Bott group, the firm's UK base is in Bude, Cornwall, with vehicle-fitting centres in Leicestershire, Cumbernauld and Bude. Its trailer fleet collects parts and raw materials from Germany and delivers finished products across Europe. Schmitz says it can now build and deliver a finished trailer significantly faster than many other UK-based trailer makers.
More from Andrew Morley on + 44 (0)1 207 282 882 or Andrew.moreley@cargobull.co.uk
Parks takes ten more Panthers
After taking ten 12.8m Plaxton Panthers in 2006, Scotland's premiere coach operator, Parks of Hamilton, has added ten more Plaxton Panther coaches to its fleet. The latest batch are 15m long, 65 seaters on Volvo B12BT three-axle chassis and fitted with I-Shift automated transmissions. Eight will work on Scottish Citylink contracts, and two are for the firm's charter fleet. All are wheelchair accessible. The deal follows one for 10 Panthers last year. Parks says it is Scotland's biggest coach operator, with a 120 strong fleet.
More from Andrew Warrender on +44 (0)1 909 551 166 or andrew.warrender@plaxtonlimited.co..uk
Bosch scores a first in Brazil
The Bosch Group has become the first automotive supplier to start making antilock braking systems in Brazil. The company has spent some €10m on an ABS production line at its plant in Campinas, near Sao Paulo. The firm employs some 13,700 people in Brazil and generated sales of €1.1bn in 2006.
More from Chris Wakley on +44 (0) 20 7494 8050 cwakley@automotivepr.com
Bosses move at Wallenius
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics says Greg Martin will be its new regional director for the Oceania region, replacing Lauritz Anderson, who moves back to Norway to run special projects for Arild Iversen, the firm's president and chief executive.
More from Per Heggenes on +44 (0)7 766 726 110 or per.heggenes@2wglobal.com
DHL opens distribution centre for Epson
DHL Exel Supply Chain says it just opened a new, 60,000 m2 distribution centre for Epson Europe in Tilburg, the Netherlands. The firm will ship tens of thousands of printers, video projectors and cash register systems to customers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Russia on a daily basis. DHL handles logistics from the centre and employs up to 400 people there. The warehouse is owned by ProLogis.
More from Marc Visser on + 31 (0)6 2242 1869 or marc.visser@dhl.com
New boss at PalletForce
PalletForce says Alan Cooke is its network solutions director. The newly created job makes him responsible for the logistics firm's network development
More from Peter Robinson +44 (0)1 283 552 553 or peter@pwrmarketing.co.uk
DVLA told how to share data
Public Servant Daily reports that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has been told how it should share data. The Information Commissioner's Office says the the DVLA may pass on an individual's details if there is a valid reason, like helping identify a vehicle involved in crime or to help check insurance or tax fraud.
More from www.publicservice.co.uk
Delphi does $2.7bn deal with GM
The Delphi Corporation says it has done a deal with General Motors Corp. GM gets $2.7bn in cash and Delphi has filed a Joint Plan of Reorganization and related Disclosure Statement with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Copies of these documents, which remain subject to approval by the Bankruptcy Court, are on www.delphidocket.com. The deal settles all outstanding issues between the two firms,
More from Danny Rughoobeer on +44 (0)1 295 277 050 or danny.rughoobeer@m-eng.com
First Mexican truck into the US
E-Trucker.com reports that on Saturday 8 September the first Mexican based truck cleared by the Bush administration's pilot program for Mexican trucks to carry cargo in the US crossed the border at Laredo, Texas. The truck was heading for North Carolina. All apparently went without incident, despite scattered protests from some US trucking and labour organisations.
More from www.etrucker.com
Mexican truck blast 'kills dozens'
The BBC reports that a truck carrying explosives blew up after a crash in the Mexican state of Coahuila. The blast killed dozens, many thought to be onlookers at the scene of the accident.
More from www.bbc.co.uk
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