Legal Brief
 |
 |
Transport News Brief Week 46
Document Actions
The latest news roundup from the SMMT.
Fuel price protests discussed
The BBC says that the Road Haulage Association has held meetings to discuss organised and nationwide fuel price protests. It quotes the RHA's policy director Jack Semple saying: "Our members are very angry over the latest increases in fuel prices and the re-starting of the fuel duty escalator." He said there was not yet the support needed to go ahead. A spokesman for pressure group Transaction 2007 is quoted saying it expects 'rolling road blocks' within the next seven to ten days. Geoff Dossetter, external affairs director at the Freight Transport Association said he didn't think there was the appetite for protests like there was before, "But it's clear there is a problem; there's a lot of unhappiness about the fact that prices are going up remorselessly."
More from www.bbc.co.uk
Transport for London at CV Show
Transport for London has confirmed that it will be a first time exhibitor at next Spring's CV Show at the NEC, promoting its Freight Operator Recognition Scheme. TfL has developed this to encourage truckers to use best practice in London. "Fors is already helping hauliers share their worries about freight distribution and truck servicing in the capital." The scheme also acts as a single entry point for operators looking for information on national best practice schemes and TfL is working on a plan to help operators cut Penalty Charge Notices. "The CV Show will be a great opportunity to raise the profile of the Freight Operator Recognition Scheme," said Glen Davies, its manager at TfL. He says that his team and people from the Metropolitan Police's Commercial Vehicle Education Unit will be on the stand, number 358 in hall 8.
More from Robin Dickeson +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Some seats still left for SMMT dinner
If you haven't yet booked a place at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders annual dinner on 27 November, then you need to be quick to get a seat. The guest speaker is R James Woolsey, a veteran of the US-Soviet Strategic Arms Reduction Talks and was director if the Central Intelligence Agency for Bill Cinton. He now chairs the advisory board of the Clean Fuels Foundation and argues that the development of bio-fuel and electric vehicle infrastructure is vital to cut dependency on oil and strengthen national security. "There is already a great demand for this event," said Graham Smith, SMMT president. Not the least because we're hosting one of the most high profile and influential players in American policy on cleaner fuels."
More from Natasha Colne on +44 (0)8 454 504 195 or annualdinner@smmt.co.uk
Scania delivers third-generation ethanol buses
Scania says it has just delivered the first 10 'third generation' ethanol-powered buses to Busslink, which is responsible for Stockholm City Transport. Scania says the third-generation ethanol engines cut CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to diesel engines and that these are the cleanest buses in the world. They won acclaim from the Clinton Climate Change Initiative too. There are already some 400 older Scania ethanol powered buses in the Stockholm area and the city says it will only buy ethanol powered buses from 2010
More from Chris Love on +44 (0)1 908 210 210 or chris.love@scania.com
Type Approval seminar successes
The 14 Type Approval seminar series recently run by the Department for Transport attracted over 350 people and allayed many of the fears about the new law. European Whole Vehicle Type Approval will start a phased introduction from 2009, progressively affecting all vans, trucks, trailers, buses and coaches and their thousands of bodied variants. "In one way, this may prove the most wide-ranging change to vehicle construction law for decades," said Robin Dickeson, manager, commercial vehicle affairs at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. "We've been pleased to work with the DfT on these seminars, helping explain the issues and get a better understanding of the effects on the industry. From all this it is clear that truck and van dealers will be much more affected than many people thought, so we're looking for ways to help the dealer community understand and cope with the changes. The point people need to grasp is that without Whole Vehicle Type Approval, they won't be able to register a vehicle or sell it. And that will hurt."
More from Robin Dickeson +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
New £20m fund for greener van fleets
The Department for Transport says it has £20m to help cut van emissions. The cash is to fund lower carbon vans, minibuses and all-electric vans and, potentially, plug-in hybrid cars. The aim is to stimulate a mass market for low carbon vans in the UK, with £30m more to extend the programme if it succeeds.
More from www.dft.gov.uk
First Indian built Actros delivered
DaimlerChrysler India Pvt Ltd says it just delivered its first locally-built Actros trucks. The firm, based in Pune, is targeting local heavy mining operations to sell Actros 4840K models.
More from Ian Norwell on +44 (0)1 908 245 949 or ian.norwell@daimlerchrysler.co.uk
Right to Repair campaign launched
The Right to Repair campaign, launched recently in London, seeks to protect vehicle owners' and operators' freedom to choose where they get their vehicles serviced or repaired. The campaign is run by independent aftermarket businesses, including body repair and roadside assistance specialists, tyre, battery and component distributors. Its website is www.r2rc.co.uk The campaign says "vehicle makers' increasing use of electronics makes it more difficult for independent repairers to diagnose and fix faults, even where vehicle makers are prepared to share diagnostic data.." The organisers also worry that changes to the law may jeopardise the entire independent aftermarket sector, threatening choice, and competition and hiking prices for vehicle operators.
More from Bob Davis on +44 (0)2 073 449 235 or bdavis@smmt.co.uk
Renault Trucks to double UK business
Laurent Farman, UK managing director for Renault Trucks, says he plans to double the size of the firm's business in the UK in the next three years. Farman said that this year the firm has concentrated on improvements to its network, with new investors buying into dealer network. "We've also used 'mystery shoppers' to check our dealer service and find we've the best results for any of the Renault networks in Europe." Renault Trucks has registered 2,353 trucks and vans this year, taking 0.3% of the market under 3.5 tonnes with 829 units and taking 3.7% of the heavy commercial vehicle market, with 1,524 units.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
New boss for Leyland Trucks
Jim Sumner is the new managing director at Daf's Leyland Trucks manufacturing plant. He has taken over the running of the Lancashire factory, succeeding Stuart Heys, who retires at the end of this year after 35 years with Leyland Trucks and nine years as managing director. The Leyland Trucks plant has long been regarded as the most efficient truck factory in Europe and has recently increased its production rates again. It expects to produce over 20,000 trucks this year. It also builds all Daf trucks up to 18 tonnes and some 90% of all the Daf trucks registered in the UK.
More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
October record for Renault Trucks
Renault Trucks took over 1,000 UK truck orders in October alone, a record for the firm. "And by the end of the year we'll invoice more than 3,500 sales," said Laurent Farman, UK managing director for Renault Trucks. He also confirmed that the UK market is a priority for the French firm which aims to use 2008 to make good the European market share it lost through minor production problems in the early part of this year. In this context Farman expects Renault heavy truck production to rise from 180 to 300 units a day through next year. The firm also plans production plants in Turkey and Russia, which should help it meet growing demand from Eastern Europe. Its global order intake is up 64% this year, while that from Eastern Europe is up 235%.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
Record sales for VW
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles says it has set a new international sales record of 356,000 vehicles in the first nine months of the year, up 11.4 % compared to sales in the same period of 2006. Turnover is up 12.1% to €6.6bn. In the same period, the firm's UK van registrations are up 12.7% to 22,928. The firm says this included 6,371 Caddy models, on the back of fleet sales successes and nearly 2,000 Caravelle and Transporter Shuttle minibuses. "We are delighted to have continued to set new sales records and maintained third place in the LCV market in the UK," said Robert Hazelwood, director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. VW in Germany says it has won a lot of new business overall and is optimistic for the rest of the year.
More from John Rawlings on +44 (0)1 908 601 478 or john.rawlings@vwcv.co.uk
New telescopic trailer helps Elstow carry 50% more
Elstow Products of Bedford says its new, telescopic semi-trailer helps it carry 50% more roofing products. It carries heated and molten mastic in a propane-fired tank. When running on the road the trailer is extended to give an axle spread capable of working at 44 tonnes but on construction sites, where space is often tight, the bogie slides forward to give better manoeuvrability. Previously the firm had to use short trailers to meet the on-site space restrictions, this meant they could carry no more that 14 tonne payloads. Now the new trailer, designed and made by the Ray Smith Group, can deliver a 21 tonne payload into tight sites. Once in place, a hydraulic ram tilts the tank to discharge to load, which has to be kept at 200oC.
More from David Browning on +44(0)1 733 347 090 or sales@rsg.co.uk
Kerax for Future
Future Environmental Services says has taken two Kerax 6x4 trucks to carry Big Bite 3,000 gallon tankers for jetting and vacuum liquid recovery and recycling work on drains in the Glasgow and Preston areas. Supplied through Milner Industrial Transport and Renault Trucks dealer Staffordshire CV, the two new trucks will be the first Renaults into Future's fleet. On the back of this deal, the firm has now ordered two 6.5 tonne Micro Bite jetvac combination tankers, based on Renault Mascott light trucks.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
Open door policy cuts Imperial's carbon footprint
Imperial Commercials says its Go Green@Imperial initiative to cut the firm's carbon footprint is already paying off. Fitting workshop doors with control devices to automatically switch off heaters when the doors are open has given good results. In just six months last winter, at dealer sites where gas energy usage could be accurately measured, Imperial Commercials' gas consumption was slashed by 985,589kwh - cutting the firm's CO2 output by 187 tonnes of CO2 according to the Carbon Trust. At the firm's oil-fired site at Mackworth, Derby, the scheme cut oil consumption by 39,290 litres, equal to a 105 tonne CO2 reduction.
More from Simon Small on +44 (0)1 622 812 961 or simon.small@spresso.co.uk.
Ministers to oppose replacing registration taxes with a CO2 levy
The SMMT's Week in Brussels reports that the EC's Economic and Financial Affairs Council will discuss an idea to replace car registration tax with one based on CO2 emissions. Eleven member states, including France, Italy, the UK and Portugal, already link car and or vehicle fuel taxes to CO2 emissions and may support the plan but most others won't, so don't hold your breath.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Chiltern takes more trailers to service new contract
Peterborough based Chiltern Cold Storage has taken four new Gray & Adams reefer trailers to service a recently won contract. The firm's 13 strong fleet works across Europe offering temperature controlled distribution and courier services, using a range of satellite-tracked vehicles from maximum capacity artics to light vans. The firm's 8.5 acre site has space for 15,500 frozen pallets and 3,000 at ambient temperature.
More from Judith Ball on +44 (0)1 326 560 405 or jude@m1marketing.co.uk
EU productivity grows
The SMMT's Week in Brussels reports that European Commission's claim that in 2006 the EU achieved its best economic performance since 2000, with GDP up 3% and productivity up 1.5%, ahead of the US at 1.4%. But the growth in the EU economy is expected to decelerate from 2.9% in 2007 to 2.4% in both 2008 and 2009, according to the Commission's autumn economic forecast.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Chinese van plant for Daimler.
Daimler says work has started on a van plant at Fuzhou. The factory is owned by Fujian Daimler Automotive, a firm jointly owned by Fujian Motor Industry Group, China Motors Corporation and Daimler AG. Production is due to start in 2009.
More from Ian Norwell on +44 (0)1 908 245 949 or ian.norwell@daimlerchrysler.co.uk
Barroso wants more action on emission cuts
The SMMT's Week in Brussels reports José Barroso, president of the European Commission saying Europe is responsible for only 14% of global CO2 and wants rest of the world to do more to help cut emissions. He says that missing the CO2 emissions reduction target - of at least 50% from 1990 levels by 2050 - could have "both irreversible and uncontrollable" consequences. "We cannot act alone."
More from www.smmt.co.uk
More change for ADR
Last week the UN's WP.15 group that deals with dangerous goods transport adopted 172 pages of amendments to be included in ADR 2009 regulations. To help manufacturers and approval authorities differentiate the application of those tank and equipment standards that become mandatory on 1 Jan 2009 from those that become mandatory on 1 Jan 2011, the new regulations now list the standards in a tabular form that includes the date of application. This confirms that many commonly used Technical Codes will no longer be acceptable for tanks submitted for approval after 31 December 2008.
More from Allan McKenzie on +44 (0)2 073 449 202 or amckenzie@smmt.co.uk
Legally binding CO2 levels ahead
The SMMT's Week in Westminster bulletin reports that the Climate Change Bill will bring new legally binding CO2 emission targets, a 60% reduction in emissions by 2050 and a 26 to 32% reduction by 2020. There will also be a new system of five year 'carbon budgets' and an Energy Bill that will plan for more renewable power and secure supplies.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Kaye goes Imperial
Imperial Commercials says it just gave Gareth Kaye the newly created job of group van sales director, reporting to managing director, Ian Oakes. Imperial represents LDV in 13 of its 24 dealer sites and has recently won Fiat franchises in Frome and Galsgow. Kaye joins from Pendragon PLC where he worked in various van sales and franchise roles, most recently as sales team leader in the Chatfields Truck Division.
More from Simon Small on +44 (0)1 622 812 961 or simon.small@spresso.co.uk.
Local Transport Bill paves the way for road pricing
The SMMT's Week in Westminster bulletin reports that the new Local Transport Bill does not include provide powers for a national road pricing scheme, although it paves the way for local road-pricing schemes across England and Wales.. It does include measures to improve public transport and creates the first formal champion for bus passengers.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Navman launches in Ireland
Navman Wireless says it has launch of its award-winning vehicle tracking and fleet management systems in Ireland. Irish-based businesses can now use the firm's telematics technologies across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. "This can help improve their operational processes, raise efficiency and boost profitability." Navman says it has recruited its first dealers and is looking for more. The wireless vehicle tracking system means business fleets can 'roam' between networks north and south of the Irish border and, for a fixed cost, still remain visible to fleet managers.
More from Anthony Andrew on +44 (0)1 619 734 158 or anthony.andrew@cameronwells.co.uk
Government CO2 reductions target should be increased to 80%
The SMMT's Week in Westminster bulletin reports that the Institute for Public Policy Research, WWF and the RSPB say the government should aim for an 80% cut in CO2 by 2050 rather than its 50% target. The change would mean a 2 to 3% slow down in economic growth but the economy would still triple in size and reach the same level as it would on a business-as-usual scenario by spring 2052, less than two years later. The report says we could hit the higher target by more use of carbon capture and cutting air travel.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Thermo King wins more Wolter Koops businesss
Family-owned refrigerated transport company Wolter Koops, based in Zeewolde in the Netherlands, has increased the size of its fleet to 400 trailers, all equipped with Thermo King units. The fleet is dispersed between Zeewolde and two sites in Germany, one close to Magdeburg and the other near Frankfurt.
More from Angela Chadwick on +44 (0)2 392 313 514 or angela.chadwick@hare-carding.com
Highways Agency and DfT attacked over roads cost and delays
The SMMT's Week in Westminster bulletin reports that the House of Commons Public Accounts committee say poor management of road building schemes by the Department for Transport and the Highways Agency has led to delays and spiralling costs 40% up on initial estimates.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Migrants boost used van sales
Lex, which says it is the UK's leading vehicle leasing firm, moving over 10,000 used vans at auction each year, has seen strong demand for used vans from migrant workers. The firm's Jon Walden, managing director says people are using vans to help themselves to re-establish their trades in the UK. "It's interesting to see the positive impact that the increase in immigration has had on the used van market in 2007," he explained.
More from Peter Knights on +44(0)8 701 125 741 or peter..knights@lex.co.uk
Glover fits Imperial's Birmingham region
Imperial Commercials, which says it is the country's leading commercial vehicle dealer group, has appointed Peter Glover as regional director for the Birmingham region, with dealerships in Halesowen, Garrett's Green and Warwick. He is be responsible for all sales, service, body and paintshop and parts operations including the Daf trucks and LDV franchises, as well as 160 employees. He reports to managing director, Ian Oakes.
More from Simon Small on +44 (0)1 622 812 961 or simon.small@spresso.co.uk
And finally.
New Scientist's Feedback page reports that reader Bob Buckland was flicking through the Early Learning Centre's catalogue and noticed one of the items came "with batteries free of charge". "Wouldn't they be a bit useless?" Buckland asks?
More from www.newscientist.com
The BBC says that the Road Haulage Association has held meetings to discuss organised and nationwide fuel price protests. It quotes the RHA's policy director Jack Semple saying: "Our members are very angry over the latest increases in fuel prices and the re-starting of the fuel duty escalator." He said there was not yet the support needed to go ahead. A spokesman for pressure group Transaction 2007 is quoted saying it expects 'rolling road blocks' within the next seven to ten days. Geoff Dossetter, external affairs director at the Freight Transport Association said he didn't think there was the appetite for protests like there was before, "But it's clear there is a problem; there's a lot of unhappiness about the fact that prices are going up remorselessly."
More from www.bbc.co.uk
Transport for London at CV Show
Transport for London has confirmed that it will be a first time exhibitor at next Spring's CV Show at the NEC, promoting its Freight Operator Recognition Scheme. TfL has developed this to encourage truckers to use best practice in London. "Fors is already helping hauliers share their worries about freight distribution and truck servicing in the capital." The scheme also acts as a single entry point for operators looking for information on national best practice schemes and TfL is working on a plan to help operators cut Penalty Charge Notices. "The CV Show will be a great opportunity to raise the profile of the Freight Operator Recognition Scheme," said Glen Davies, its manager at TfL. He says that his team and people from the Metropolitan Police's Commercial Vehicle Education Unit will be on the stand, number 358 in hall 8.
More from Robin Dickeson +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Some seats still left for SMMT dinner
If you haven't yet booked a place at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders annual dinner on 27 November, then you need to be quick to get a seat. The guest speaker is R James Woolsey, a veteran of the US-Soviet Strategic Arms Reduction Talks and was director if the Central Intelligence Agency for Bill Cinton. He now chairs the advisory board of the Clean Fuels Foundation and argues that the development of bio-fuel and electric vehicle infrastructure is vital to cut dependency on oil and strengthen national security. "There is already a great demand for this event," said Graham Smith, SMMT president. Not the least because we're hosting one of the most high profile and influential players in American policy on cleaner fuels."
More from Natasha Colne on +44 (0)8 454 504 195 or annualdinner@smmt.co.uk
Scania delivers third-generation ethanol buses
Scania says it has just delivered the first 10 'third generation' ethanol-powered buses to Busslink, which is responsible for Stockholm City Transport. Scania says the third-generation ethanol engines cut CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to diesel engines and that these are the cleanest buses in the world. They won acclaim from the Clinton Climate Change Initiative too. There are already some 400 older Scania ethanol powered buses in the Stockholm area and the city says it will only buy ethanol powered buses from 2010
More from Chris Love on +44 (0)1 908 210 210 or chris.love@scania.com
Type Approval seminar successes
The 14 Type Approval seminar series recently run by the Department for Transport attracted over 350 people and allayed many of the fears about the new law. European Whole Vehicle Type Approval will start a phased introduction from 2009, progressively affecting all vans, trucks, trailers, buses and coaches and their thousands of bodied variants. "In one way, this may prove the most wide-ranging change to vehicle construction law for decades," said Robin Dickeson, manager, commercial vehicle affairs at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. "We've been pleased to work with the DfT on these seminars, helping explain the issues and get a better understanding of the effects on the industry. From all this it is clear that truck and van dealers will be much more affected than many people thought, so we're looking for ways to help the dealer community understand and cope with the changes. The point people need to grasp is that without Whole Vehicle Type Approval, they won't be able to register a vehicle or sell it. And that will hurt."
More from Robin Dickeson +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
New £20m fund for greener van fleets
The Department for Transport says it has £20m to help cut van emissions. The cash is to fund lower carbon vans, minibuses and all-electric vans and, potentially, plug-in hybrid cars. The aim is to stimulate a mass market for low carbon vans in the UK, with £30m more to extend the programme if it succeeds.
More from www.dft.gov.uk
First Indian built Actros delivered
DaimlerChrysler India Pvt Ltd says it just delivered its first locally-built Actros trucks. The firm, based in Pune, is targeting local heavy mining operations to sell Actros 4840K models.
More from Ian Norwell on +44 (0)1 908 245 949 or ian.norwell@daimlerchrysler.co.uk
Right to Repair campaign launched
The Right to Repair campaign, launched recently in London, seeks to protect vehicle owners' and operators' freedom to choose where they get their vehicles serviced or repaired. The campaign is run by independent aftermarket businesses, including body repair and roadside assistance specialists, tyre, battery and component distributors. Its website is www.r2rc.co.uk The campaign says "vehicle makers' increasing use of electronics makes it more difficult for independent repairers to diagnose and fix faults, even where vehicle makers are prepared to share diagnostic data.." The organisers also worry that changes to the law may jeopardise the entire independent aftermarket sector, threatening choice, and competition and hiking prices for vehicle operators.
More from Bob Davis on +44 (0)2 073 449 235 or bdavis@smmt.co.uk
Renault Trucks to double UK business
Laurent Farman, UK managing director for Renault Trucks, says he plans to double the size of the firm's business in the UK in the next three years. Farman said that this year the firm has concentrated on improvements to its network, with new investors buying into dealer network. "We've also used 'mystery shoppers' to check our dealer service and find we've the best results for any of the Renault networks in Europe." Renault Trucks has registered 2,353 trucks and vans this year, taking 0.3% of the market under 3.5 tonnes with 829 units and taking 3.7% of the heavy commercial vehicle market, with 1,524 units.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
New boss for Leyland Trucks
Jim Sumner is the new managing director at Daf's Leyland Trucks manufacturing plant. He has taken over the running of the Lancashire factory, succeeding Stuart Heys, who retires at the end of this year after 35 years with Leyland Trucks and nine years as managing director. The Leyland Trucks plant has long been regarded as the most efficient truck factory in Europe and has recently increased its production rates again. It expects to produce over 20,000 trucks this year. It also builds all Daf trucks up to 18 tonnes and some 90% of all the Daf trucks registered in the UK.
More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
October record for Renault Trucks
Renault Trucks took over 1,000 UK truck orders in October alone, a record for the firm. "And by the end of the year we'll invoice more than 3,500 sales," said Laurent Farman, UK managing director for Renault Trucks. He also confirmed that the UK market is a priority for the French firm which aims to use 2008 to make good the European market share it lost through minor production problems in the early part of this year. In this context Farman expects Renault heavy truck production to rise from 180 to 300 units a day through next year. The firm also plans production plants in Turkey and Russia, which should help it meet growing demand from Eastern Europe. Its global order intake is up 64% this year, while that from Eastern Europe is up 235%.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
Record sales for VW
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles says it has set a new international sales record of 356,000 vehicles in the first nine months of the year, up 11.4 % compared to sales in the same period of 2006. Turnover is up 12.1% to €6.6bn. In the same period, the firm's UK van registrations are up 12.7% to 22,928. The firm says this included 6,371 Caddy models, on the back of fleet sales successes and nearly 2,000 Caravelle and Transporter Shuttle minibuses. "We are delighted to have continued to set new sales records and maintained third place in the LCV market in the UK," said Robert Hazelwood, director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. VW in Germany says it has won a lot of new business overall and is optimistic for the rest of the year.
More from John Rawlings on +44 (0)1 908 601 478 or john.rawlings@vwcv.co.uk
New telescopic trailer helps Elstow carry 50% more
Elstow Products of Bedford says its new, telescopic semi-trailer helps it carry 50% more roofing products. It carries heated and molten mastic in a propane-fired tank. When running on the road the trailer is extended to give an axle spread capable of working at 44 tonnes but on construction sites, where space is often tight, the bogie slides forward to give better manoeuvrability. Previously the firm had to use short trailers to meet the on-site space restrictions, this meant they could carry no more that 14 tonne payloads. Now the new trailer, designed and made by the Ray Smith Group, can deliver a 21 tonne payload into tight sites. Once in place, a hydraulic ram tilts the tank to discharge to load, which has to be kept at 200oC.
More from David Browning on +44(0)1 733 347 090 or sales@rsg.co.uk
Kerax for Future
Future Environmental Services says has taken two Kerax 6x4 trucks to carry Big Bite 3,000 gallon tankers for jetting and vacuum liquid recovery and recycling work on drains in the Glasgow and Preston areas. Supplied through Milner Industrial Transport and Renault Trucks dealer Staffordshire CV, the two new trucks will be the first Renaults into Future's fleet. On the back of this deal, the firm has now ordered two 6.5 tonne Micro Bite jetvac combination tankers, based on Renault Mascott light trucks.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
Open door policy cuts Imperial's carbon footprint
Imperial Commercials says its Go Green@Imperial initiative to cut the firm's carbon footprint is already paying off. Fitting workshop doors with control devices to automatically switch off heaters when the doors are open has given good results. In just six months last winter, at dealer sites where gas energy usage could be accurately measured, Imperial Commercials' gas consumption was slashed by 985,589kwh - cutting the firm's CO2 output by 187 tonnes of CO2 according to the Carbon Trust. At the firm's oil-fired site at Mackworth, Derby, the scheme cut oil consumption by 39,290 litres, equal to a 105 tonne CO2 reduction.
More from Simon Small on +44 (0)1 622 812 961 or simon.small@spresso.co.uk.
Ministers to oppose replacing registration taxes with a CO2 levy
The SMMT's Week in Brussels reports that the EC's Economic and Financial Affairs Council will discuss an idea to replace car registration tax with one based on CO2 emissions. Eleven member states, including France, Italy, the UK and Portugal, already link car and or vehicle fuel taxes to CO2 emissions and may support the plan but most others won't, so don't hold your breath.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Chiltern takes more trailers to service new contract
Peterborough based Chiltern Cold Storage has taken four new Gray & Adams reefer trailers to service a recently won contract. The firm's 13 strong fleet works across Europe offering temperature controlled distribution and courier services, using a range of satellite-tracked vehicles from maximum capacity artics to light vans. The firm's 8.5 acre site has space for 15,500 frozen pallets and 3,000 at ambient temperature.
More from Judith Ball on +44 (0)1 326 560 405 or jude@m1marketing.co.uk
EU productivity grows
The SMMT's Week in Brussels reports that European Commission's claim that in 2006 the EU achieved its best economic performance since 2000, with GDP up 3% and productivity up 1.5%, ahead of the US at 1.4%. But the growth in the EU economy is expected to decelerate from 2.9% in 2007 to 2.4% in both 2008 and 2009, according to the Commission's autumn economic forecast.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Chinese van plant for Daimler.
Daimler says work has started on a van plant at Fuzhou. The factory is owned by Fujian Daimler Automotive, a firm jointly owned by Fujian Motor Industry Group, China Motors Corporation and Daimler AG. Production is due to start in 2009.
More from Ian Norwell on +44 (0)1 908 245 949 or ian.norwell@daimlerchrysler.co.uk
Barroso wants more action on emission cuts
The SMMT's Week in Brussels reports José Barroso, president of the European Commission saying Europe is responsible for only 14% of global CO2 and wants rest of the world to do more to help cut emissions. He says that missing the CO2 emissions reduction target - of at least 50% from 1990 levels by 2050 - could have "both irreversible and uncontrollable" consequences. "We cannot act alone."
More from www.smmt.co.uk
More change for ADR
Last week the UN's WP.15 group that deals with dangerous goods transport adopted 172 pages of amendments to be included in ADR 2009 regulations. To help manufacturers and approval authorities differentiate the application of those tank and equipment standards that become mandatory on 1 Jan 2009 from those that become mandatory on 1 Jan 2011, the new regulations now list the standards in a tabular form that includes the date of application. This confirms that many commonly used Technical Codes will no longer be acceptable for tanks submitted for approval after 31 December 2008.
More from Allan McKenzie on +44 (0)2 073 449 202 or amckenzie@smmt.co.uk
Legally binding CO2 levels ahead
The SMMT's Week in Westminster bulletin reports that the Climate Change Bill will bring new legally binding CO2 emission targets, a 60% reduction in emissions by 2050 and a 26 to 32% reduction by 2020. There will also be a new system of five year 'carbon budgets' and an Energy Bill that will plan for more renewable power and secure supplies.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Kaye goes Imperial
Imperial Commercials says it just gave Gareth Kaye the newly created job of group van sales director, reporting to managing director, Ian Oakes. Imperial represents LDV in 13 of its 24 dealer sites and has recently won Fiat franchises in Frome and Galsgow. Kaye joins from Pendragon PLC where he worked in various van sales and franchise roles, most recently as sales team leader in the Chatfields Truck Division.
More from Simon Small on +44 (0)1 622 812 961 or simon.small@spresso.co.uk.
Local Transport Bill paves the way for road pricing
The SMMT's Week in Westminster bulletin reports that the new Local Transport Bill does not include provide powers for a national road pricing scheme, although it paves the way for local road-pricing schemes across England and Wales.. It does include measures to improve public transport and creates the first formal champion for bus passengers.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Navman launches in Ireland
Navman Wireless says it has launch of its award-winning vehicle tracking and fleet management systems in Ireland. Irish-based businesses can now use the firm's telematics technologies across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. "This can help improve their operational processes, raise efficiency and boost profitability." Navman says it has recruited its first dealers and is looking for more. The wireless vehicle tracking system means business fleets can 'roam' between networks north and south of the Irish border and, for a fixed cost, still remain visible to fleet managers.
More from Anthony Andrew on +44 (0)1 619 734 158 or anthony.andrew@cameronwells.co.uk
Government CO2 reductions target should be increased to 80%
The SMMT's Week in Westminster bulletin reports that the Institute for Public Policy Research, WWF and the RSPB say the government should aim for an 80% cut in CO2 by 2050 rather than its 50% target. The change would mean a 2 to 3% slow down in economic growth but the economy would still triple in size and reach the same level as it would on a business-as-usual scenario by spring 2052, less than two years later. The report says we could hit the higher target by more use of carbon capture and cutting air travel.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Thermo King wins more Wolter Koops businesss
Family-owned refrigerated transport company Wolter Koops, based in Zeewolde in the Netherlands, has increased the size of its fleet to 400 trailers, all equipped with Thermo King units. The fleet is dispersed between Zeewolde and two sites in Germany, one close to Magdeburg and the other near Frankfurt.
More from Angela Chadwick on +44 (0)2 392 313 514 or angela.chadwick@hare-carding.com
Highways Agency and DfT attacked over roads cost and delays
The SMMT's Week in Westminster bulletin reports that the House of Commons Public Accounts committee say poor management of road building schemes by the Department for Transport and the Highways Agency has led to delays and spiralling costs 40% up on initial estimates.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Migrants boost used van sales
Lex, which says it is the UK's leading vehicle leasing firm, moving over 10,000 used vans at auction each year, has seen strong demand for used vans from migrant workers. The firm's Jon Walden, managing director says people are using vans to help themselves to re-establish their trades in the UK. "It's interesting to see the positive impact that the increase in immigration has had on the used van market in 2007," he explained.
More from Peter Knights on +44(0)8 701 125 741 or peter..knights@lex.co.uk
Glover fits Imperial's Birmingham region
Imperial Commercials, which says it is the country's leading commercial vehicle dealer group, has appointed Peter Glover as regional director for the Birmingham region, with dealerships in Halesowen, Garrett's Green and Warwick. He is be responsible for all sales, service, body and paintshop and parts operations including the Daf trucks and LDV franchises, as well as 160 employees. He reports to managing director, Ian Oakes.
More from Simon Small on +44 (0)1 622 812 961 or simon.small@spresso.co.uk
And finally.
New Scientist's Feedback page reports that reader Bob Buckland was flicking through the Early Learning Centre's catalogue and noticed one of the items came "with batteries free of charge". "Wouldn't they be a bit useless?" Buckland asks?
More from www.newscientist.com
About TNN News Feed
