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Transport News Brief Week 38
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The latest news roundup from the SMMT.
Whole Vehicle Approval seminars and survey
The Department of Transport and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders are working together to run a series of 12 seminars over the next two weeks to help people understand the wide-ranging effects of the forthcoming EU-wide whole vehicle type approval laws. "Vehicle makers, dealers, body-builders, customers and fleet management and financial outfits all need to understand the implications," says Robin Dickeson, manager, commercial vehicle affairs at the SMMT and one of the speakers at the seminar series. "The DfT has done good job making the proposed new rules more user-friendly, particularly for smaller firms, but too few people have woken up to reality." The seminars are free and will combine with a survey to help decide what resources DfT will need for approval services.. "There are still places at some of these, particularly on Wednesday 27 September at Warwick. So if you haven't signed up, this is a great opportunity to find out more - don't miss it. The regime law will start to change the way people work much sooner than most think."
More from Elaine Morrison on +44 (0)1 317 184 065 or elaine.morrison@geronimocommunications.com
Tis-Web on-line tacho analysis service growing
Siemens VDO says its Tis-Web on-line tachograph data management service is growing very healthily in the 18 months since its launch. The service now has over 2,000 customers, ranging from big-name firms to small hauliers. "The advantage is that the management and back-up of the software is our responsibility," says Peter Needham, Siemens VDO product manager, digital tachograph. "It offers simple, secure and cost-effective data management and the Tis-Web Starter Kit, at £295 + VAT, is ideal for fleets that want to analyse digital tachograph and driver card data and meet future legal requirements to archive data. The kit comprises a Download key, Smart Card Reader and TIS-Web and allows downloaded then moved to the Siemens VDO TIS-Web account. "We launched the very first on-line analysis service four years ago so we've more experience than most."
More from Lisa McCauley on +44 (0)1 213 261 162 or lisa.mccauley@siemens.com
Alexander Dennis wants £3.5m to build clean-air bus
Falkirk-based bus builder Alexander Dennis Limited hopes to get hybrid buses on trial in London in 2008. The firm is working on a series-hybrid system, using a small diesel running at a near-constant speed to generate power and drive a single electric motor, making a big cut to emissions per kilometre. The final system will use regenerative braking to capture, store and use enough energy to cut emissions much further. Alexander Dennis also hopes for £3.5m from Scottish Enterprise to help complete the project.
More from Bill Simpson on +44 (0)1 483 571 271 or bill.simpson@alexander-dennis.com
Premium Landers for Wright Minimix
Business is growing for Bristol-based ready mixed concrete and concrete pump supplier, Wright Minimix Ltd, so it just got a 26 tonne rated Renault Premium Lander 6x4 and has another on order. The new truck has a nine tonne front axle and chassis-mounted Sermac concrete boom pump, the first concrete pump mounted on a Premium Lander in the UK. Ultranazz in Italy did the bodywork and Renault Trucks South West did the deal. The next Premium Lander will be Wright's first Renault mixer fitted with weighing equipment.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
Edwards moves to Pendragon
Wayne Edwards has joined Pendragon PLC from JDS Trucks Manchester where he was managing director. Based at Pendragon's Pudsey office, Edwards is now responsible for a string of truck and van dealerships across the North of England and Midlands, as national franchise director for commercial vehicles. The franchises include Daf, Iveco, LDV, MAN and Hino. Pendragon says it is the world's largest car dealer group and Edward's move suggests it has ambitious plans for its UK commercial vehicle businesses too.
More from Wayne Edwards on +44 (0)1 132 571 701 or wayne.edwards@pendragon.com
Telematics helps Seven win Sealey deal
East Anglia-based tool and parts supplier Sealey Power Products just ordered seven vans and four trucks from Seven Asset Management. The Ipswich-based fleet management and contract hire firm says the seven Mercedes Sprinters and four Daf 7.5 tonne trucks will go to work in late 2007 and early 2008.. They join Sealey's 30 strong fleet and will help deliver over 5,000 product lines to a nationwide dealer network. Robert Sealey, logistics director said Seven won the deal because of its telematics-based fleet management, real-time vehicle communications and tracking package.
More from Steve Cole on +44 (0)1 473 261 777 or steve.cole@sevenasset.co.uk
New standards to manage truck driver fatigue.
Australia's National Transport Commission wants stakeholder views on competency standards for forthcoming Basic Fatigue Management and Advanced Fatigue Management schemes. The standards clarify the skills and knowledge for drivers and schedulers to deliver safe working practices.
More from www.ntc.gov.au
Reach could stop your business
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation (and Restriction - but that would spoil the acronym) of Chemicals is a European Regulation which came into force in the EU in June 2007 "Importantly, it is not just for the chemicals sector but affects most businesses," says Rob Walker, technical manager for the SMMT. "Ignore it and it could stop production. Almost all firms and suppliers have obligations under Reach, whether they make goods in the EU or import them." Firms need to register the substances they use, for their own and their customer's uses. They also have to tell the supply chain about the risks. "The scale of this is enormous -we've identified around 1,500 chemicals in everyday use that Reach will affect. But help is at hand - the Automotive Industry Guideline on Reach at www.smmt.co.uk/reach will help you cope" Walker says firms need to act now. "Leaving this one to the last minute could be a very expensive mistake".
More from Rob Walker on +44 (0)2 073 441 624 or rwalker@smmt.co.uk
Reach seminar
The SMMT is co-sponsor of another seminar on the implications of Reach (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) the wide-ranging EU Directive on that EU in June 2007. The event is on Monday 22 October at Gaydon, just off the M40's junction 12. "This aims to show how firms can comply with the Reach regulation", says Rob Walker, technical manager at the SMMT. Importantly, it will also help explain the implications for your customers and suppliers, and people do need to start planning now for what is a very wide-ranging change. It's best to work on the basis that your business will be affected; that way, any surprises may be pleasant ones." The costs is £30, with free seats for some small and medium size firms and the deadline for applications via the link at www.smmt.co.uk/reach is Thursday 18 October..
More from Rob Walker on +44 (0)2 073 441 624 or rwalker@smmt.co.uk
Imperial Commercials 'at home' in Peterborough
Imperial Commercials of Fengate, Peterborough will open its doors open on September 27-29. "For anyone involved in driving or running trucks this is an ideal opportunity. Drop in anytime between 8 am and 6 pm over the three days," says Steve Affleck, general manager. He says the biggest attractions will be the new Hino 300 Series 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5 tonne light trucks, the Hino 700 Series models, and the new MAN TGX and TGS trucks, making their debuts on the open days. "Families will be especially welcome on the Saturday."
More from Filomena Baker on + (0)1 733 560 591 or filomena.baker@imperialcommercials.co.uk
Travis Perkins takes SmartDrive
Travis Perkins PLC, the leading supplier to the UK building and construction industry, has fitted some of its UK fleet with the SmartDrive system. The firm has chosen fit the safety systems on a pilot basis to trucks run by home improvement retailers Wickes, a wholly owned subsidiary. Funded by Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, which is working with SmartDrive in the UK, the project aims to offer 'leading edge fleet risk solutions' to its clients. "This is SmartDrive's second project with Mitsui in the UK. Our joint approach to improve commercial fleet safety is really taking hold with progressive and safety conscious fleet operators in the UK, such as Travis Perkins," according to Scott Raske, managing director for SmartDrive in Europe.
More from Scott Raske on +44 (0)7 950 418 938 or scott.raske@smartdrive.net
First Group cuts absence by 20% and saves more than £400,000
Bus operator First London says it has cut sickness absence by 20%, saving over £400,000, with help from Active Health Partners. A pilot scheme for all staff started in June 2006, with people asked to call AHP's nursing team if unwell. The team gives immediate medical advice and logs the details of an absence spell. AHP runs an online database to detail sickness-absence trends and provides online return-to-work interview forms, which managers must complete after each of their team's absence. The scheme proved such a success that First London & Berkshire has done a long-term deal with AHP and First Group is may now use it for other firms in the group.
More from Natasha Jane on +44 (0)2 072 402 444 or natasha@stormcom.co.uk
Marshalls fit Tiss anti-siphon to cut fuel spills
Marshalls of Butterwick has fitted its 40 strong fleet with 'Impregnable' anti-siphon devices from Tiss Security Systems to help cut the environmental risks of fuel spills. "With re-fuelling facilities on site, we've a constant stream of trucks filling up," says Jim Thackray, transport manager. "There is a risk of diesel spills and we have a nearby water source could be contaminated." Thackray says that the firm is very jealous of its environmental record "The Tiss Impregnable has a unique float-valve that means it is impossible to overfill the tank and so helps us protect the water source in particular and the environment in general."
More from Matthew Rose on +44 (0)1 253 400 401 or matthew.rose@tissltd.com
New 25,000 litre tanker for Cooke
The Samuel Cooke Group just added its fourth Daf CF 85 eight-wheel tanker to its 24 strong fleet. The family-run fuel distribution firm will use the new truck to deliver Derv and Gasoil to customers in the north of England from depots in Burnley, Barnsley and at Ellesmere Port. Road Tankers Northern Limited of Barnsley built the 25,000 litre, five-compartment tank and fitted its new tank-top, air-operated safety rail. This extends the full length of the tank on both sides. Once raised the handrail automatically locks into position and allows access to the top of the tank.
More from David Rowlands on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or drowlands@automotivepr.com
Dennis improves Elite
Dennis Eagle says it plans more improvements to its Elite 2 refuse truck. These will affect both the chassis and low-entry cab and should appear on vehicles delivered from October. The firm also says it will deliver Canbus-equipped and Volvo-powered Euro 5 models later this year. Nick Swift, the firm's chief engineer says the aim is to position the new cab as one of the best across the entire commercial vehicle industry. The engine change will bring two different power ratings, 290 and 320 hp and a cold start option to cope with temperatures as low as -25° C
More from Roberta Manca on +44 (0)1 926 458 538 roberta.manca@dennis-eagle.co.uk
Massey moves to Bremskerl
Bremskerl, which says it is one of Europe's premier friction companies just appointed Ray Massey as account manager CV aftermarket. His brief is to handle existing and find new accounts for the firm's range of disc pads and brake linings.
More from Ray Massey on +44 (0)7 912 614 145 or ray.massey@bremskerl.uk.com
Fuel economy wins Downton deal for Renault
Renault Trucks says successful fuel trials won it a six-truck deal with storage and distribution firm Dowton. Three new Euro 4 Renault Premium 450 three-axle tractors have started work for the company on a contract with UK pet store chain, Pets at Home, with three Euro 5 models on order. The trucks join a 300 strong fleet, ranging from vans to 44 tonne trucks, working for customers including Dairy Crest, Dyson, GlaxoSmithKline, IPC Media and Tesco. Renault Trucks' dealer Staffordshire CV did the business.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
Foot-and-mouth hits Scottish hauliers
The Road Haulage Association says Scottish operators are struggling to cope with the combined effects of the foot-and-mouth outbreak in August and the latest one. The RHA says that it is not just farmers that suffer financial penalties and wants help for livestock hauliers forced to a standstill but still facing big bills.
More from Kate Gibbs on +44 (0)1 932 838 917 or kate.gibbs@rha.net
SMMT aims to help UK auto firms compete
The SMMT says this year's Supplier Campus event includes seminars that should show how smaller firms in the UK automotive industry can get to a globally competitive standard. "The seminars aim to show how major automotive companies in the approach competitiveness," says Steve Elvin, for the SMMT. "The techniques they use apply to all areas of manufacturing and the seminars give an introduction to the vital areas of lean and agile manufacturing, employee involvement and customer satisfaction." The SMMT's Supplier Campus is part of the Manufacturer Live event in Coventry on 17 and 18 October. "You can register on-line at www.themanufacturer.com/live," says Elvin.
More from Steve Elvin on +44 (0)2 073 441 665 or selvin@smmt.co.uk
EC acts on repair information
The European Commission has delivered legally binding decisions that require DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, General Motors and Toyota to provide technical information to all independent car repairers in the EU..
More from Esther Martin-Ortega on +44 (0)2 073 449 264 or emartin-ortega@smmt.co.uk
Environment Committee wants technology rather than use to cut CO2
The European Parliament's Environment committee just voted to demand vehicle makers use technology alone to cut car and van CO2 emissions to 120g/km by 2012. The committee seems to have rejected vehicle makers' arguments that driving style and use patterns be taken into account in tackling emissions.
More from Esther Martin-Ortega on +44 (0)2 073 449 264 or emartin-ortega@smmt.co.uk
More cash for van driver training
The UK government says it wants to spend an extra £1.2m to help train the nation's three million or more van drivers in greener, safer driving techniques, through its Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving scheme.
More from Esther Martin-Ortega on +44 (0)2 073 449 264 or emartin-ortega@smmt.co.uk
More ideas on climate change from CfIT
In a big report on climate change, The Commission for Integrated Transport says it wants new car CO2 emissions pegged at 100g/km by 2020 across the EU, along with other measures to help tackle the problem. These include tax incentives, the promotion of public transport and greener driving techniques.
More from Esther Martin-Ortega on +44 (0)2 073 449 264 or emartin-ortega@smmt.co.uk
The Department of Transport and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders are working together to run a series of 12 seminars over the next two weeks to help people understand the wide-ranging effects of the forthcoming EU-wide whole vehicle type approval laws. "Vehicle makers, dealers, body-builders, customers and fleet management and financial outfits all need to understand the implications," says Robin Dickeson, manager, commercial vehicle affairs at the SMMT and one of the speakers at the seminar series. "The DfT has done good job making the proposed new rules more user-friendly, particularly for smaller firms, but too few people have woken up to reality." The seminars are free and will combine with a survey to help decide what resources DfT will need for approval services.. "There are still places at some of these, particularly on Wednesday 27 September at Warwick. So if you haven't signed up, this is a great opportunity to find out more - don't miss it. The regime law will start to change the way people work much sooner than most think."
More from Elaine Morrison on +44 (0)1 317 184 065 or elaine.morrison@geronimocommunications.com
Tis-Web on-line tacho analysis service growing
Siemens VDO says its Tis-Web on-line tachograph data management service is growing very healthily in the 18 months since its launch. The service now has over 2,000 customers, ranging from big-name firms to small hauliers. "The advantage is that the management and back-up of the software is our responsibility," says Peter Needham, Siemens VDO product manager, digital tachograph. "It offers simple, secure and cost-effective data management and the Tis-Web Starter Kit, at £295 + VAT, is ideal for fleets that want to analyse digital tachograph and driver card data and meet future legal requirements to archive data. The kit comprises a Download key, Smart Card Reader and TIS-Web and allows downloaded then moved to the Siemens VDO TIS-Web account. "We launched the very first on-line analysis service four years ago so we've more experience than most."
More from Lisa McCauley on +44 (0)1 213 261 162 or lisa.mccauley@siemens.com
Alexander Dennis wants £3.5m to build clean-air bus
Falkirk-based bus builder Alexander Dennis Limited hopes to get hybrid buses on trial in London in 2008. The firm is working on a series-hybrid system, using a small diesel running at a near-constant speed to generate power and drive a single electric motor, making a big cut to emissions per kilometre. The final system will use regenerative braking to capture, store and use enough energy to cut emissions much further. Alexander Dennis also hopes for £3.5m from Scottish Enterprise to help complete the project.
More from Bill Simpson on +44 (0)1 483 571 271 or bill.simpson@alexander-dennis.com
Premium Landers for Wright Minimix
Business is growing for Bristol-based ready mixed concrete and concrete pump supplier, Wright Minimix Ltd, so it just got a 26 tonne rated Renault Premium Lander 6x4 and has another on order. The new truck has a nine tonne front axle and chassis-mounted Sermac concrete boom pump, the first concrete pump mounted on a Premium Lander in the UK. Ultranazz in Italy did the bodywork and Renault Trucks South West did the deal. The next Premium Lander will be Wright's first Renault mixer fitted with weighing equipment.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
Edwards moves to Pendragon
Wayne Edwards has joined Pendragon PLC from JDS Trucks Manchester where he was managing director. Based at Pendragon's Pudsey office, Edwards is now responsible for a string of truck and van dealerships across the North of England and Midlands, as national franchise director for commercial vehicles. The franchises include Daf, Iveco, LDV, MAN and Hino. Pendragon says it is the world's largest car dealer group and Edward's move suggests it has ambitious plans for its UK commercial vehicle businesses too.
More from Wayne Edwards on +44 (0)1 132 571 701 or wayne.edwards@pendragon.com
Telematics helps Seven win Sealey deal
East Anglia-based tool and parts supplier Sealey Power Products just ordered seven vans and four trucks from Seven Asset Management. The Ipswich-based fleet management and contract hire firm says the seven Mercedes Sprinters and four Daf 7.5 tonne trucks will go to work in late 2007 and early 2008.. They join Sealey's 30 strong fleet and will help deliver over 5,000 product lines to a nationwide dealer network. Robert Sealey, logistics director said Seven won the deal because of its telematics-based fleet management, real-time vehicle communications and tracking package.
More from Steve Cole on +44 (0)1 473 261 777 or steve.cole@sevenasset.co.uk
New standards to manage truck driver fatigue.
Australia's National Transport Commission wants stakeholder views on competency standards for forthcoming Basic Fatigue Management and Advanced Fatigue Management schemes. The standards clarify the skills and knowledge for drivers and schedulers to deliver safe working practices.
More from www.ntc.gov.au
Reach could stop your business
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation (and Restriction - but that would spoil the acronym) of Chemicals is a European Regulation which came into force in the EU in June 2007 "Importantly, it is not just for the chemicals sector but affects most businesses," says Rob Walker, technical manager for the SMMT. "Ignore it and it could stop production. Almost all firms and suppliers have obligations under Reach, whether they make goods in the EU or import them." Firms need to register the substances they use, for their own and their customer's uses. They also have to tell the supply chain about the risks. "The scale of this is enormous -we've identified around 1,500 chemicals in everyday use that Reach will affect. But help is at hand - the Automotive Industry Guideline on Reach at www.smmt.co.uk/reach will help you cope" Walker says firms need to act now. "Leaving this one to the last minute could be a very expensive mistake".
More from Rob Walker on +44 (0)2 073 441 624 or rwalker@smmt.co.uk
Reach seminar
The SMMT is co-sponsor of another seminar on the implications of Reach (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) the wide-ranging EU Directive on that EU in June 2007. The event is on Monday 22 October at Gaydon, just off the M40's junction 12. "This aims to show how firms can comply with the Reach regulation", says Rob Walker, technical manager at the SMMT. Importantly, it will also help explain the implications for your customers and suppliers, and people do need to start planning now for what is a very wide-ranging change. It's best to work on the basis that your business will be affected; that way, any surprises may be pleasant ones." The costs is £30, with free seats for some small and medium size firms and the deadline for applications via the link at www.smmt.co.uk/reach is Thursday 18 October..
More from Rob Walker on +44 (0)2 073 441 624 or rwalker@smmt.co.uk
Imperial Commercials 'at home' in Peterborough
Imperial Commercials of Fengate, Peterborough will open its doors open on September 27-29. "For anyone involved in driving or running trucks this is an ideal opportunity. Drop in anytime between 8 am and 6 pm over the three days," says Steve Affleck, general manager. He says the biggest attractions will be the new Hino 300 Series 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5 tonne light trucks, the Hino 700 Series models, and the new MAN TGX and TGS trucks, making their debuts on the open days. "Families will be especially welcome on the Saturday."
More from Filomena Baker on + (0)1 733 560 591 or filomena.baker@imperialcommercials.co.uk
Travis Perkins takes SmartDrive
Travis Perkins PLC, the leading supplier to the UK building and construction industry, has fitted some of its UK fleet with the SmartDrive system. The firm has chosen fit the safety systems on a pilot basis to trucks run by home improvement retailers Wickes, a wholly owned subsidiary. Funded by Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, which is working with SmartDrive in the UK, the project aims to offer 'leading edge fleet risk solutions' to its clients. "This is SmartDrive's second project with Mitsui in the UK. Our joint approach to improve commercial fleet safety is really taking hold with progressive and safety conscious fleet operators in the UK, such as Travis Perkins," according to Scott Raske, managing director for SmartDrive in Europe.
More from Scott Raske on +44 (0)7 950 418 938 or scott.raske@smartdrive.net
First Group cuts absence by 20% and saves more than £400,000
Bus operator First London says it has cut sickness absence by 20%, saving over £400,000, with help from Active Health Partners. A pilot scheme for all staff started in June 2006, with people asked to call AHP's nursing team if unwell. The team gives immediate medical advice and logs the details of an absence spell. AHP runs an online database to detail sickness-absence trends and provides online return-to-work interview forms, which managers must complete after each of their team's absence. The scheme proved such a success that First London & Berkshire has done a long-term deal with AHP and First Group is may now use it for other firms in the group.
More from Natasha Jane on +44 (0)2 072 402 444 or natasha@stormcom.co.uk
Marshalls fit Tiss anti-siphon to cut fuel spills
Marshalls of Butterwick has fitted its 40 strong fleet with 'Impregnable' anti-siphon devices from Tiss Security Systems to help cut the environmental risks of fuel spills. "With re-fuelling facilities on site, we've a constant stream of trucks filling up," says Jim Thackray, transport manager. "There is a risk of diesel spills and we have a nearby water source could be contaminated." Thackray says that the firm is very jealous of its environmental record "The Tiss Impregnable has a unique float-valve that means it is impossible to overfill the tank and so helps us protect the water source in particular and the environment in general."
More from Matthew Rose on +44 (0)1 253 400 401 or matthew.rose@tissltd.com
New 25,000 litre tanker for Cooke
The Samuel Cooke Group just added its fourth Daf CF 85 eight-wheel tanker to its 24 strong fleet. The family-run fuel distribution firm will use the new truck to deliver Derv and Gasoil to customers in the north of England from depots in Burnley, Barnsley and at Ellesmere Port. Road Tankers Northern Limited of Barnsley built the 25,000 litre, five-compartment tank and fitted its new tank-top, air-operated safety rail. This extends the full length of the tank on both sides. Once raised the handrail automatically locks into position and allows access to the top of the tank.
More from David Rowlands on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or drowlands@automotivepr.com
Dennis improves Elite
Dennis Eagle says it plans more improvements to its Elite 2 refuse truck. These will affect both the chassis and low-entry cab and should appear on vehicles delivered from October. The firm also says it will deliver Canbus-equipped and Volvo-powered Euro 5 models later this year. Nick Swift, the firm's chief engineer says the aim is to position the new cab as one of the best across the entire commercial vehicle industry. The engine change will bring two different power ratings, 290 and 320 hp and a cold start option to cope with temperatures as low as -25° C
More from Roberta Manca on +44 (0)1 926 458 538 roberta.manca@dennis-eagle.co.uk
Massey moves to Bremskerl
Bremskerl, which says it is one of Europe's premier friction companies just appointed Ray Massey as account manager CV aftermarket. His brief is to handle existing and find new accounts for the firm's range of disc pads and brake linings.
More from Ray Massey on +44 (0)7 912 614 145 or ray.massey@bremskerl.uk.com
Fuel economy wins Downton deal for Renault
Renault Trucks says successful fuel trials won it a six-truck deal with storage and distribution firm Dowton. Three new Euro 4 Renault Premium 450 three-axle tractors have started work for the company on a contract with UK pet store chain, Pets at Home, with three Euro 5 models on order. The trucks join a 300 strong fleet, ranging from vans to 44 tonne trucks, working for customers including Dairy Crest, Dyson, GlaxoSmithKline, IPC Media and Tesco. Renault Trucks' dealer Staffordshire CV did the business.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
Foot-and-mouth hits Scottish hauliers
The Road Haulage Association says Scottish operators are struggling to cope with the combined effects of the foot-and-mouth outbreak in August and the latest one. The RHA says that it is not just farmers that suffer financial penalties and wants help for livestock hauliers forced to a standstill but still facing big bills.
More from Kate Gibbs on +44 (0)1 932 838 917 or kate.gibbs@rha.net
SMMT aims to help UK auto firms compete
The SMMT says this year's Supplier Campus event includes seminars that should show how smaller firms in the UK automotive industry can get to a globally competitive standard. "The seminars aim to show how major automotive companies in the approach competitiveness," says Steve Elvin, for the SMMT. "The techniques they use apply to all areas of manufacturing and the seminars give an introduction to the vital areas of lean and agile manufacturing, employee involvement and customer satisfaction." The SMMT's Supplier Campus is part of the Manufacturer Live event in Coventry on 17 and 18 October. "You can register on-line at www.themanufacturer.com/live," says Elvin.
More from Steve Elvin on +44 (0)2 073 441 665 or selvin@smmt.co.uk
EC acts on repair information
The European Commission has delivered legally binding decisions that require DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, General Motors and Toyota to provide technical information to all independent car repairers in the EU..
More from Esther Martin-Ortega on +44 (0)2 073 449 264 or emartin-ortega@smmt.co.uk
Environment Committee wants technology rather than use to cut CO2
The European Parliament's Environment committee just voted to demand vehicle makers use technology alone to cut car and van CO2 emissions to 120g/km by 2012. The committee seems to have rejected vehicle makers' arguments that driving style and use patterns be taken into account in tackling emissions.
More from Esther Martin-Ortega on +44 (0)2 073 449 264 or emartin-ortega@smmt.co.uk
More cash for van driver training
The UK government says it wants to spend an extra £1.2m to help train the nation's three million or more van drivers in greener, safer driving techniques, through its Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving scheme.
More from Esther Martin-Ortega on +44 (0)2 073 449 264 or emartin-ortega@smmt.co.uk
More ideas on climate change from CfIT
In a big report on climate change, The Commission for Integrated Transport says it wants new car CO2 emissions pegged at 100g/km by 2020 across the EU, along with other measures to help tackle the problem. These include tax incentives, the promotion of public transport and greener driving techniques.
More from Esther Martin-Ortega on +44 (0)2 073 449 264 or emartin-ortega@smmt.co.uk
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