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Transport News Brief Week 41
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The latest news roundup from the SMMT.
Agency driver check
Road Tech just added a new feature to its Tachomaster tachograph analysis service to help operators check a driver's performance over the previous four weeks. "This means you can see how an agency driver has performed and how many driving hours he has available," say Derek Beevor. "It also means that a firm can self-bill for an agency driver, with complete accuracy and no disputes about half an hour here or there." The system also shows details of any driving hours infringements over that period and behaviour on the road such as speeding or harsh braking. "All the information is on the driver's card; the trick is extracting and using it."
More from Maureen Ballance on +44(0)1 923 460 000 or maureen@roadtech.co.uk
Type approval clock to start ticking tomorrow
The SMMT has learnt that the directive behind European Whole Vehicle Type Approval will be published tomorrow as 2007/46/EC. "This will start the clock ticking and pave the way for voluntary approvals from May 2009," said Allan Mckenzie, senior manager, vehicle legislation, at the SMMT. "This is very important because we expect that increasing numbers of operators and buyers will add a line about type approval to tender documents as soon as they can and well before the legal deadline."
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Summer demand drives autumn van registrations
Figures last Thursday from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show rolling year van and truck registrations steady at 380,131 or 0.9% down on the figure from the end of September last year. "Trucks are close to average levels again after the massive distortions caused by Euro 4 in 2006.. Vans continue to rise, with heavy vans taking some 66% of all van and 57% of van and truck registrations," said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. Medium vans show the biggest rise, up 48%, with light vans taking the biggest drop, down 29.2%. The figures underline the predicted return to the medium-term average and with vans and trucks helping to deliver the benefits of a strong economy; we expect a complete return by the end of the year."
More from Robin Dickeson +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
DfT needs your views on Type Approval
The Department for Transport wants to hear from you about its plans for Whole Vehicle Type Approval. "The changes start on a voluntary basis from May 2009 and mean big practical changes to the way commercial vehicles are sold," said Robin Dickeson, manager, commercial vehicle affairs at the SMMT. "From the round of type approval seminars we did with the DfT, it was clear that too many people know too little about this one." The DfT has a questionnaire at www.dft.gov.uk/typeapproval/questionnaire to help it gauge what help the industry will need. So far, not many other people have taken the issue seriously - it can be either a threat or an opportunity, but if people don't take the trouble to look, they'll find out the hard way that it can be a threat. "So if you haven't yet, fill in that questionnaire as soon as possible and certainly before the end of the month. Another clear message from the seminars was the need for firms to keep themselves informed - and probably the best way is to join a trade association. The changes will affect chassis makers, body-builders and converters, dealers and operators, including finance and leasing operations."
More from Elaine Morrison on +44 (0)1 317 184 065 or elaine.morrison@geronimocommunications.com
Indian summer for coach registrations
Rolling year registration figures later today from the SMMT will show coach registrations, up 118% on this time last year, midibuses up 79% and minibuses up 3%. Big bus registrations, by contrast are down 27%.
More from Robin Dickeson +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Schmitz turnover jumps to €1.7bn
Schmitz Cargobull AG has 'significantly exceeded' its own growth estimates, with turnover up to €1.685bn and production up over 40%, to over 50,000 vehicles. Bernd Hoffmann, CEO says the firm has "jumped almost an entire year in our forecast," to put it a year ahead of its planned growth rate.. He also says the firm spent more than €58m to increase capacity at its nine trailer plants to meet more jumps in economic growth. Over the last financial year the firm's 3,200 people built some 51,000 vehicles, up 15,000 or 41% on the preceding year. Schmitz is clear trailer market leader in Europe and bases its production system on Toyota's production philosophy. Hoffman says the Schmitz board is now updating its five-year strategy plan and forecasts, on the back of the European economic recovery.
More from Gerd Rohrsen on+49(0) 2558 81 1323 or gerd.rohrsen@cargobull.com
First Volvos on US 2010 emissions test.
CCJ in the US reports that the first five Volvo VN trucks are on test in the US, fitted with Selective Catalytic Reduction and AdBlue technology to meet the 2010 Environmental Protection Agency emission standards.
More from www.etrucker.com
500 EvoBus city buses for Bucharest
Daimler says its EvoBus subsidiary has won an order for a second, 500 strong batch of urban buses for Bucharest. The firm completed deliveries of the first 500 last summer and will deliver the first 50 of this next order in December this year and the rest by the end of 2009. Once again, most of the order is for Mercedes-Benz Citaros models. The operator is Regia Autonoma de Transport Bucharesti. Daimler says it has now sold more than 18,400 Citaros since the model's launch in 1998.
More from Nada Filipovic on +49 (0)711 179 5018 or nada.filipovic@daimlerchrysler.com
Who rocks Hannover for VW
Volkswagen says The Who were the main attraction at a 60th birthday party for VW vans in Hannover last weekend. "We look forward to being part of a real cult event that is right up our alley and we intend to rock Hannover," said the band's Pete Townsend, before the gig.
More from John Rawlings on +44 (0)1 908 601 478 or john.rawlings@vwcv.co.uk
Third industrial revolution ahead
The SMMT's Week in Brussels bulletin reports that José Manuel Barroso, European Commission president has said that "we are now standing on the brink of a third industrial revolution, the Low Carbon Age." He was speaking at a European Energy Challenges conference in Madrid.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
MacNeillie buys composites firm
Emergency, security and defence vehicle specialist MacNeillie just bought an advanced composites production factory in Coalville, from EPM Technology. The outfit will be called MacNeillie Composites. "Advanced composite materials provide a valuable solution to the problem of ever increasing payloads within tightly defined gross vehicle weight limits," says Nigel Rowley, commercial director. The firm has gained valuable experience from motor sport. It is using this and advanced materials technology from its front-line ambulance in the development of a new Tactical Support Group vehicle for the Metropolitan Police. EPM Technology will continue to do automotive industry work.
More from Adrian Graves on +44 (0)1 284 787 438 or adriangraves@pressandpr.com
Goodbye DaimlerChrysler, hello Daimler
Autowired reports that the DaimlerChysler name has gone, progressively replaced by the Daimler logo on websites, literature and building as Daimler 'goes it alone' after the successful sale of the firm's Chrysler shares to private equity outfit Cerberus. The name change will take a year and cost more than €50m
More from www.autowired.com
Climate change heads the bill
The SMMT's Week in Brussels bulletin reports that climate change tops the European Parliament agenda, with calls for mandatory targets to cut emissions after 2012.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Instant data helps protect licences
"Exception reporting and virtually instant access to driver data is very valuable," said Andy Jenkins, operations training manager for Ceva Logistics. "It helps us quickly spot drivers who maybe need some guidance about the rules - this is something we've never had before. We now get data within minutes not days, meaning we can deal with issues before they grow into problems." He cannot understand why companies would want to run 'non-compliant' for weeks with Operator Licences on the line, "which is the case unless you've got that instant data. It is also vital that the data is properly stored, which Tachomaster does for us; I'm very conscious that data security is an operator responsibility and that if a data storage facility fails, we still get the blame."
More from Andy Jenkins on +44 (0)2 476 400 289 or andy.jenkins@uk.cevalogistics.com
New Flexo Van bodies from Aluvan
Belgian truck and van bodybuilder says it has launched new Flexo Van bodies at the Transpotec show in Milan. The new units are for vehicles from 3.5 to 26 tonnes and available in kit form. The Brugge-based firm specialises in kit bodies and has an unusually wide range, designed to fit specific van and truck chassis.
More from Peter Loos on +32 (0)50 312 513 or peter.loos@polypan.com
Watch out for hijacks in East Staffordshire
Truckpol says Staffordshire police want all truckers in its area to be extra vigilant because of a spurt in truck crime, particularly hijacks. These have centred on the county's borders with Warwickshire and the West Midlands. A silver Subaru Impreza may be connected with these attacks. "Take extra care and please report anything suspicious," says TruckPol's DC Andy Round.
More from Andy Round on +44 (0)2 476 516 246 or truckpol@avcis.pnn.police.uk,
More change from Lloyds TSB
Lloyds TSB autolease says it just appointed IT specialist John Clarke as head of change management. His aim is to develop the firm's fleet management arm, 'bringing new and innovative customers services.
More from Lawrence Hamilton on +44 (0)1 614 477 251 or Lawrence.hamilton@lloydstsbautolease.co.uk
Drivers can and do check their own records
80% of the AA's drivers can and do check their records regularly, using home or laptop computers, the Tachomaster website and a card reader given them by the AA. "Drivers probably have the greatest interest in compliance, says Derek Beevor, managing director at Road Tech computers. "With the card reader and their password, they can get access to 'their' data to see how many driving hours they've got left, if there are any hours infringements, harsh braking incidents or similar." Drivers and unions have welcomed the clear data they get. The firm chose to fit tachographs to its recovery trucks rather than have each work within a 100km radius of its base. It did this 12 moths before the rules became law and chose Road Tech's Tachomaster system to help cope with a mix of some old analogue and lots of new digital tachographs. All went smoothly and the AA is very pleased with the data it gets. But the surprise was its drivers' keen interest in the records.
More from Maureen Ballance on +44(0)1 923 460 000 or maureen@roadtech.co.uk
Another Solo for Islay
Islay Coaches has put a second Optare Solo coach to work on the Hebridean Island. Serving a community of 3,500 people, the new coach works seven days a week on a 25 mile route between Port Askaig in the north and Port Ellen in the south. The Solo's schedule is sufficiently flexible for it do school contract work too. The firm does its own maintenance at a depot on the island.
More from David Rowlands on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or drowlands@automotivepr.com
New composite mobile bank
Bank of Scotland is about to put a new mobile bank on the road to serve isolated rural communities. Developed by midlands-based specialist vehicle maker MacNeillie, the new vehicle uses a lot of the firm's advanced composite materials technology the keep its weight down and strength up. Based on an air-suspended 3.5 tonne Vauxhall Movano, the new bank has MacNeillie's latest 'Myriad' type composite body. There is a wheelchair access ramp at the rear and ferry lashing points on either side. "The project shows our ability to apply our safety, security and defence industry experience in other markets", said Nigel Rowley, commercial director.
More from Adrian Graves on +44 (0)1 284 787 438 or adriangraves@pressandpr.com
Bogus Customs scam
TruckPol says that Kent police wants truckers to be wary of gangs of Slovakian men posing as customs officials and operating along the M20, M25 and M1. The people approach parked trucks and try to buy electrical goods, seemingly suggesting that the driver should report a 'theft' to the police some time later. A similar scam has been running in Northamptonshire, at the Brackmills Industrial Estate. In this case there seems to be a red Ford Escort involved and the victims are often foreign nationals.
More from Andy Round on +44 (0)2 476 516 246 or truckpol@avcis.pnn.police.uk,
Six Midlums to cut carbon for Choice
Choice Textiles Limited just got six Renault Midlum 10 tonners to collect second-hand clothing from charity shops across the South East for recycling at its warehouse in Park Royal, London. The firm says upgrading from 7.5 tonners means it will carry fewer, bigger loads and cut its carbon footprint by 50%. Aloysius Iheze, director for Choice say the company is acutely aware that as its aim is to cut waste, it should set an example, hence the new trucks. The firm collects over 8,000 tonnes of textiles a year, with re-usable items going to less developed counties and the rest going for 'fibre reclamation'. Renault Trucks London did the deal.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
RFID fuel monitoring arrives
Midland-based fuel and fleet efficiency firm Liquid Management says it has done a UK distribution deal with Hectronic, a worldwide fuel management company. "With this RFID solution, the driver only has to put a fuel nozzle in the tank and the system does the rest," says Kevin Taylor, managing director at Liquid Management. "Operators have dreamed of a fuel monitoring system that limits the manual odometer data entry from the driver, and that is exactly what we offer.." Swiss owned Hectronic has over 90 partners worldwide and says its RFID fuel monitoring solution will make depot refuelling 100% secure.
More from Chris Rose on +44 (0)8 454 507 373 or crose@liquisms.co.uk
EU aims for directive on road safety
The SMMT's Week in Brussels bulletin reports that EU transport, telecommunications and energy ministers have agreed a draft directive on road safety management. This will use road safety impact assessments, audits, network safety management and safety inspections to raise road infrastructure safety levels in the EU.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Driver skills on record
Tachomaster's driver card reports can show a driver's behaviour. "Despite the Driver Card's tiny memory it can give a second-by-second road speed trace," says Derek Beevor, managing director at parent company Road Tech Computers. "Truck makers tell us that an 8kph per second deceleration sustained for more than three seconds counts as 'harsh braking' and is likely to be expensive on brakes and tyres." Beevor says that more and more operators use this sort of information in driver development programmes and as a tool to help assess new drivers before taking them on.
More from Maureen Ballance on +44(0)1 923 460 000 or maureen@roadtech.co.uk
Help with EU environmental legislation
The SMMT's Week in Brussels bulletin reports that the European Commission plans to help small and medium size firms use energy and other resources more efficiently and more easily tackle environmental legislation.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
New Nemo light van from Citroën
The French firm says its new Nemo light van will make its debut at the Rai truck show in Amsterdam, on 25 October. The new van is designed for urban work and has a load volume of 2.5m3 that can be extended to 2,8m3 by folding the passenger seat. There is also a folding internal bulkhead, asymmetric rear doors and sliding side door options. Payload potential is 610 kg within an overall length of 3.86m. Citroen says the wide range of door and internal layout options will mean that the Nemo will prove very versatile and the firm is confident of a good reception when it announces UK price and specification details in 2008. Power is either petrol or diesel and there is an automated transmission option on the diesel model.
More from Phil Reed on +44 (0)2 086 684 048 or leadingpr@aol.com
Lombard wins 1,000 van deal with British Gas
Lombard Vehicle Management says it is delivering 50 vans a week to British Gas as part of a 1,000 vehicle deal. This will help the energy firm cut its carbon footprint by switching to Euro 4 equipped models. All 1,000 vans are VW Caddys, for use by British Gas's service engineers on a four year operating lease deal. They are all delivered signwritten and fitted with bulkheads and racking. "We were the first in our sector to establish a dedicated van division" said Wayne Millward, van operations manager for Lombard. The firm says it is the leading supplier of vans to the fleet market and has a fleet of some 35,000 vans.
More from Mark Carberry on +44 (0)7 968 317 962 or mark.carberry@longshoreconsultancy.com
35 years of ITS from Daf
Daf says its International Transport Service or ITS celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. The firm says it was the first to launch an international assistance service, in the early 70s. The UK equivalent DafAid arrived two years later. Today ITS works in 15 languages and its +31 40 214 3000 number handles calls from 41 countries and works with over 1,000 Daf dealers. It and the UK's DafAid are widely regarded as the benchmark by which all other truck makers' roadside assistance services are measured. In the UK, DafAid has an average of 98 minutes from getting a call for help to getting the truck back in service.
More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
MAN to expand Polish plant
The MAN group says it plans to expand its heavy truck assembly plant in Niepolomice, near Cracow, creating over 250 more jobs by 2010. The plant employs some 400 people and is designed for a single shift output of 15,000 trucks a year. The firm says Poland is its most important East European growth market and one in which it has a near 20% market share.
More from Paul O'Malley on +44 (0)1 263 584 199 or comms@btinternet.com
New Fiorino light van from Fiat
Fiat just unveiled its new Fiorino light van at the Milan Transpotec commercial vehicle show. Built in partnership with Peugeot Citroën, the new van is designed for urban use. It is 3.86m long and has a 2.5m3 load volume, extendable to 2.8m3, courtesy of a fold-away passenger seat. There is a choice of petrol or diesel power and five speed manual or six speed automated transmission. Fiat says it will give UK prices and specification details in 2008.
More from Puneet Joshi on +44 (0)1 753 519 591 or puneet.joshi@fiat.com
Best ever year for JBT
Scottish haulier Jim Brackenridge Transport says it just had its best-ever year, with turnover up to £12.04m and profit up 41% to £2,46m. The firm is the main haulier to and from the Orkney and Shetland Islands and does distribution across the Highland and Grampian regions through depots in Aberdeen and Inverness. It has other depots at Lerwick, Kirkwall and Cumbernauld and is a member or the PalletForce consortium.
More from Carol Anderson on +44 (0)1 317 186 022 or carola@thebusinesspr.co.uk
New Bipper light van from Peugeot
Peugeot says its new Bipper light van will be available in the UK in May 2008. It has asymmetric rear doors and sliding side door options, a load volume of 2,5m3, extendable to 2.8m3 by folding the passenger seat away and a 610kg payload. There are internal load lashing rings and, with the right roof rack, a 100kg roof load capacity. There are petrol or diesel power options and the diesel version comes with an automated transmission. Service intervals will be 20,000 miles or two years, regardless of engine type. The firm will release price and specification details nearer the UK launch date.
More from Puneet Joshi on +44 (0)1 753 519 591 or puneet.joshi@fiat.com
And finally:
New Scientist's Feedback page reports that the label on reader Stilgherrin's Australian-made ice-cube trays reassures him that they are 'freezer-safe' - which he says is "handy."
More from www.newscientist.com
Road Tech just added a new feature to its Tachomaster tachograph analysis service to help operators check a driver's performance over the previous four weeks. "This means you can see how an agency driver has performed and how many driving hours he has available," say Derek Beevor. "It also means that a firm can self-bill for an agency driver, with complete accuracy and no disputes about half an hour here or there." The system also shows details of any driving hours infringements over that period and behaviour on the road such as speeding or harsh braking. "All the information is on the driver's card; the trick is extracting and using it."
More from Maureen Ballance on +44(0)1 923 460 000 or maureen@roadtech.co.uk
Type approval clock to start ticking tomorrow
The SMMT has learnt that the directive behind European Whole Vehicle Type Approval will be published tomorrow as 2007/46/EC. "This will start the clock ticking and pave the way for voluntary approvals from May 2009," said Allan Mckenzie, senior manager, vehicle legislation, at the SMMT. "This is very important because we expect that increasing numbers of operators and buyers will add a line about type approval to tender documents as soon as they can and well before the legal deadline."
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Summer demand drives autumn van registrations
Figures last Thursday from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show rolling year van and truck registrations steady at 380,131 or 0.9% down on the figure from the end of September last year. "Trucks are close to average levels again after the massive distortions caused by Euro 4 in 2006.. Vans continue to rise, with heavy vans taking some 66% of all van and 57% of van and truck registrations," said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. Medium vans show the biggest rise, up 48%, with light vans taking the biggest drop, down 29.2%. The figures underline the predicted return to the medium-term average and with vans and trucks helping to deliver the benefits of a strong economy; we expect a complete return by the end of the year."
More from Robin Dickeson +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
DfT needs your views on Type Approval
The Department for Transport wants to hear from you about its plans for Whole Vehicle Type Approval. "The changes start on a voluntary basis from May 2009 and mean big practical changes to the way commercial vehicles are sold," said Robin Dickeson, manager, commercial vehicle affairs at the SMMT. "From the round of type approval seminars we did with the DfT, it was clear that too many people know too little about this one." The DfT has a questionnaire at www.dft.gov.uk/typeapproval/questionnaire to help it gauge what help the industry will need. So far, not many other people have taken the issue seriously - it can be either a threat or an opportunity, but if people don't take the trouble to look, they'll find out the hard way that it can be a threat. "So if you haven't yet, fill in that questionnaire as soon as possible and certainly before the end of the month. Another clear message from the seminars was the need for firms to keep themselves informed - and probably the best way is to join a trade association. The changes will affect chassis makers, body-builders and converters, dealers and operators, including finance and leasing operations."
More from Elaine Morrison on +44 (0)1 317 184 065 or elaine.morrison@geronimocommunications.com
Indian summer for coach registrations
Rolling year registration figures later today from the SMMT will show coach registrations, up 118% on this time last year, midibuses up 79% and minibuses up 3%. Big bus registrations, by contrast are down 27%.
More from Robin Dickeson +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Schmitz turnover jumps to €1.7bn
Schmitz Cargobull AG has 'significantly exceeded' its own growth estimates, with turnover up to €1.685bn and production up over 40%, to over 50,000 vehicles. Bernd Hoffmann, CEO says the firm has "jumped almost an entire year in our forecast," to put it a year ahead of its planned growth rate.. He also says the firm spent more than €58m to increase capacity at its nine trailer plants to meet more jumps in economic growth. Over the last financial year the firm's 3,200 people built some 51,000 vehicles, up 15,000 or 41% on the preceding year. Schmitz is clear trailer market leader in Europe and bases its production system on Toyota's production philosophy. Hoffman says the Schmitz board is now updating its five-year strategy plan and forecasts, on the back of the European economic recovery.
More from Gerd Rohrsen on+49(0) 2558 81 1323 or gerd.rohrsen@cargobull.com
First Volvos on US 2010 emissions test.
CCJ in the US reports that the first five Volvo VN trucks are on test in the US, fitted with Selective Catalytic Reduction and AdBlue technology to meet the 2010 Environmental Protection Agency emission standards.
More from www.etrucker.com
500 EvoBus city buses for Bucharest
Daimler says its EvoBus subsidiary has won an order for a second, 500 strong batch of urban buses for Bucharest. The firm completed deliveries of the first 500 last summer and will deliver the first 50 of this next order in December this year and the rest by the end of 2009. Once again, most of the order is for Mercedes-Benz Citaros models. The operator is Regia Autonoma de Transport Bucharesti. Daimler says it has now sold more than 18,400 Citaros since the model's launch in 1998.
More from Nada Filipovic on +49 (0)711 179 5018 or nada.filipovic@daimlerchrysler.com
Who rocks Hannover for VW
Volkswagen says The Who were the main attraction at a 60th birthday party for VW vans in Hannover last weekend. "We look forward to being part of a real cult event that is right up our alley and we intend to rock Hannover," said the band's Pete Townsend, before the gig.
More from John Rawlings on +44 (0)1 908 601 478 or john.rawlings@vwcv.co.uk
Third industrial revolution ahead
The SMMT's Week in Brussels bulletin reports that José Manuel Barroso, European Commission president has said that "we are now standing on the brink of a third industrial revolution, the Low Carbon Age." He was speaking at a European Energy Challenges conference in Madrid.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
MacNeillie buys composites firm
Emergency, security and defence vehicle specialist MacNeillie just bought an advanced composites production factory in Coalville, from EPM Technology. The outfit will be called MacNeillie Composites. "Advanced composite materials provide a valuable solution to the problem of ever increasing payloads within tightly defined gross vehicle weight limits," says Nigel Rowley, commercial director. The firm has gained valuable experience from motor sport. It is using this and advanced materials technology from its front-line ambulance in the development of a new Tactical Support Group vehicle for the Metropolitan Police. EPM Technology will continue to do automotive industry work.
More from Adrian Graves on +44 (0)1 284 787 438 or adriangraves@pressandpr.com
Goodbye DaimlerChrysler, hello Daimler
Autowired reports that the DaimlerChysler name has gone, progressively replaced by the Daimler logo on websites, literature and building as Daimler 'goes it alone' after the successful sale of the firm's Chrysler shares to private equity outfit Cerberus. The name change will take a year and cost more than €50m
More from www.autowired.com
Climate change heads the bill
The SMMT's Week in Brussels bulletin reports that climate change tops the European Parliament agenda, with calls for mandatory targets to cut emissions after 2012.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Instant data helps protect licences
"Exception reporting and virtually instant access to driver data is very valuable," said Andy Jenkins, operations training manager for Ceva Logistics. "It helps us quickly spot drivers who maybe need some guidance about the rules - this is something we've never had before. We now get data within minutes not days, meaning we can deal with issues before they grow into problems." He cannot understand why companies would want to run 'non-compliant' for weeks with Operator Licences on the line, "which is the case unless you've got that instant data. It is also vital that the data is properly stored, which Tachomaster does for us; I'm very conscious that data security is an operator responsibility and that if a data storage facility fails, we still get the blame."
More from Andy Jenkins on +44 (0)2 476 400 289 or andy.jenkins@uk.cevalogistics.com
New Flexo Van bodies from Aluvan
Belgian truck and van bodybuilder says it has launched new Flexo Van bodies at the Transpotec show in Milan. The new units are for vehicles from 3.5 to 26 tonnes and available in kit form. The Brugge-based firm specialises in kit bodies and has an unusually wide range, designed to fit specific van and truck chassis.
More from Peter Loos on +32 (0)50 312 513 or peter.loos@polypan.com
Watch out for hijacks in East Staffordshire
Truckpol says Staffordshire police want all truckers in its area to be extra vigilant because of a spurt in truck crime, particularly hijacks. These have centred on the county's borders with Warwickshire and the West Midlands. A silver Subaru Impreza may be connected with these attacks. "Take extra care and please report anything suspicious," says TruckPol's DC Andy Round.
More from Andy Round on +44 (0)2 476 516 246 or truckpol@avcis.pnn.police.uk,
More change from Lloyds TSB
Lloyds TSB autolease says it just appointed IT specialist John Clarke as head of change management. His aim is to develop the firm's fleet management arm, 'bringing new and innovative customers services.
More from Lawrence Hamilton on +44 (0)1 614 477 251 or Lawrence.hamilton@lloydstsbautolease.co.uk
Drivers can and do check their own records
80% of the AA's drivers can and do check their records regularly, using home or laptop computers, the Tachomaster website and a card reader given them by the AA. "Drivers probably have the greatest interest in compliance, says Derek Beevor, managing director at Road Tech computers. "With the card reader and their password, they can get access to 'their' data to see how many driving hours they've got left, if there are any hours infringements, harsh braking incidents or similar." Drivers and unions have welcomed the clear data they get. The firm chose to fit tachographs to its recovery trucks rather than have each work within a 100km radius of its base. It did this 12 moths before the rules became law and chose Road Tech's Tachomaster system to help cope with a mix of some old analogue and lots of new digital tachographs. All went smoothly and the AA is very pleased with the data it gets. But the surprise was its drivers' keen interest in the records.
More from Maureen Ballance on +44(0)1 923 460 000 or maureen@roadtech.co.uk
Another Solo for Islay
Islay Coaches has put a second Optare Solo coach to work on the Hebridean Island. Serving a community of 3,500 people, the new coach works seven days a week on a 25 mile route between Port Askaig in the north and Port Ellen in the south. The Solo's schedule is sufficiently flexible for it do school contract work too. The firm does its own maintenance at a depot on the island.
More from David Rowlands on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or drowlands@automotivepr.com
New composite mobile bank
Bank of Scotland is about to put a new mobile bank on the road to serve isolated rural communities. Developed by midlands-based specialist vehicle maker MacNeillie, the new vehicle uses a lot of the firm's advanced composite materials technology the keep its weight down and strength up. Based on an air-suspended 3.5 tonne Vauxhall Movano, the new bank has MacNeillie's latest 'Myriad' type composite body. There is a wheelchair access ramp at the rear and ferry lashing points on either side. "The project shows our ability to apply our safety, security and defence industry experience in other markets", said Nigel Rowley, commercial director.
More from Adrian Graves on +44 (0)1 284 787 438 or adriangraves@pressandpr.com
Bogus Customs scam
TruckPol says that Kent police wants truckers to be wary of gangs of Slovakian men posing as customs officials and operating along the M20, M25 and M1. The people approach parked trucks and try to buy electrical goods, seemingly suggesting that the driver should report a 'theft' to the police some time later. A similar scam has been running in Northamptonshire, at the Brackmills Industrial Estate. In this case there seems to be a red Ford Escort involved and the victims are often foreign nationals.
More from Andy Round on +44 (0)2 476 516 246 or truckpol@avcis.pnn.police.uk,
Six Midlums to cut carbon for Choice
Choice Textiles Limited just got six Renault Midlum 10 tonners to collect second-hand clothing from charity shops across the South East for recycling at its warehouse in Park Royal, London. The firm says upgrading from 7.5 tonners means it will carry fewer, bigger loads and cut its carbon footprint by 50%. Aloysius Iheze, director for Choice say the company is acutely aware that as its aim is to cut waste, it should set an example, hence the new trucks. The firm collects over 8,000 tonnes of textiles a year, with re-usable items going to less developed counties and the rest going for 'fibre reclamation'. Renault Trucks London did the deal.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
RFID fuel monitoring arrives
Midland-based fuel and fleet efficiency firm Liquid Management says it has done a UK distribution deal with Hectronic, a worldwide fuel management company. "With this RFID solution, the driver only has to put a fuel nozzle in the tank and the system does the rest," says Kevin Taylor, managing director at Liquid Management. "Operators have dreamed of a fuel monitoring system that limits the manual odometer data entry from the driver, and that is exactly what we offer.." Swiss owned Hectronic has over 90 partners worldwide and says its RFID fuel monitoring solution will make depot refuelling 100% secure.
More from Chris Rose on +44 (0)8 454 507 373 or crose@liquisms.co.uk
EU aims for directive on road safety
The SMMT's Week in Brussels bulletin reports that EU transport, telecommunications and energy ministers have agreed a draft directive on road safety management. This will use road safety impact assessments, audits, network safety management and safety inspections to raise road infrastructure safety levels in the EU.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Driver skills on record
Tachomaster's driver card reports can show a driver's behaviour. "Despite the Driver Card's tiny memory it can give a second-by-second road speed trace," says Derek Beevor, managing director at parent company Road Tech Computers. "Truck makers tell us that an 8kph per second deceleration sustained for more than three seconds counts as 'harsh braking' and is likely to be expensive on brakes and tyres." Beevor says that more and more operators use this sort of information in driver development programmes and as a tool to help assess new drivers before taking them on.
More from Maureen Ballance on +44(0)1 923 460 000 or maureen@roadtech.co.uk
Help with EU environmental legislation
The SMMT's Week in Brussels bulletin reports that the European Commission plans to help small and medium size firms use energy and other resources more efficiently and more easily tackle environmental legislation.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
New Nemo light van from Citroën
The French firm says its new Nemo light van will make its debut at the Rai truck show in Amsterdam, on 25 October. The new van is designed for urban work and has a load volume of 2.5m3 that can be extended to 2,8m3 by folding the passenger seat. There is also a folding internal bulkhead, asymmetric rear doors and sliding side door options. Payload potential is 610 kg within an overall length of 3.86m. Citroen says the wide range of door and internal layout options will mean that the Nemo will prove very versatile and the firm is confident of a good reception when it announces UK price and specification details in 2008. Power is either petrol or diesel and there is an automated transmission option on the diesel model.
More from Phil Reed on +44 (0)2 086 684 048 or leadingpr@aol.com
Lombard wins 1,000 van deal with British Gas
Lombard Vehicle Management says it is delivering 50 vans a week to British Gas as part of a 1,000 vehicle deal. This will help the energy firm cut its carbon footprint by switching to Euro 4 equipped models. All 1,000 vans are VW Caddys, for use by British Gas's service engineers on a four year operating lease deal. They are all delivered signwritten and fitted with bulkheads and racking. "We were the first in our sector to establish a dedicated van division" said Wayne Millward, van operations manager for Lombard. The firm says it is the leading supplier of vans to the fleet market and has a fleet of some 35,000 vans.
More from Mark Carberry on +44 (0)7 968 317 962 or mark.carberry@longshoreconsultancy.com
35 years of ITS from Daf
Daf says its International Transport Service or ITS celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. The firm says it was the first to launch an international assistance service, in the early 70s. The UK equivalent DafAid arrived two years later. Today ITS works in 15 languages and its +31 40 214 3000 number handles calls from 41 countries and works with over 1,000 Daf dealers. It and the UK's DafAid are widely regarded as the benchmark by which all other truck makers' roadside assistance services are measured. In the UK, DafAid has an average of 98 minutes from getting a call for help to getting the truck back in service.
More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
MAN to expand Polish plant
The MAN group says it plans to expand its heavy truck assembly plant in Niepolomice, near Cracow, creating over 250 more jobs by 2010. The plant employs some 400 people and is designed for a single shift output of 15,000 trucks a year. The firm says Poland is its most important East European growth market and one in which it has a near 20% market share.
More from Paul O'Malley on +44 (0)1 263 584 199 or comms@btinternet.com
New Fiorino light van from Fiat
Fiat just unveiled its new Fiorino light van at the Milan Transpotec commercial vehicle show. Built in partnership with Peugeot Citroën, the new van is designed for urban use. It is 3.86m long and has a 2.5m3 load volume, extendable to 2.8m3, courtesy of a fold-away passenger seat. There is a choice of petrol or diesel power and five speed manual or six speed automated transmission. Fiat says it will give UK prices and specification details in 2008.
More from Puneet Joshi on +44 (0)1 753 519 591 or puneet.joshi@fiat.com
Best ever year for JBT
Scottish haulier Jim Brackenridge Transport says it just had its best-ever year, with turnover up to £12.04m and profit up 41% to £2,46m. The firm is the main haulier to and from the Orkney and Shetland Islands and does distribution across the Highland and Grampian regions through depots in Aberdeen and Inverness. It has other depots at Lerwick, Kirkwall and Cumbernauld and is a member or the PalletForce consortium.
More from Carol Anderson on +44 (0)1 317 186 022 or carola@thebusinesspr.co.uk
New Bipper light van from Peugeot
Peugeot says its new Bipper light van will be available in the UK in May 2008. It has asymmetric rear doors and sliding side door options, a load volume of 2,5m3, extendable to 2.8m3 by folding the passenger seat away and a 610kg payload. There are internal load lashing rings and, with the right roof rack, a 100kg roof load capacity. There are petrol or diesel power options and the diesel version comes with an automated transmission. Service intervals will be 20,000 miles or two years, regardless of engine type. The firm will release price and specification details nearer the UK launch date.
More from Puneet Joshi on +44 (0)1 753 519 591 or puneet.joshi@fiat.com
And finally:
New Scientist's Feedback page reports that the label on reader Stilgherrin's Australian-made ice-cube trays reassures him that they are 'freezer-safe' - which he says is "handy."
More from www.newscientist.com
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