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Transport News Brief Week 49
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The latest news roundup from the SMMT.
No future for hydrogen
Hydrogen and fuel cells have no future as replacements for petrol or diesel in the immediate future, said James Woolsey, the guest speaker at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' highly acclaimed annual dinner last week. Former CIA chief and now chairman of the US Advisory Board of the Clean Fuels Foundation, Woolsey is a key player in the environmental debate.. "Hydrogen and fuel cells are not the way to go. The decision by the Bush administration and the State of California to follow the hydrogen highway is the single worst decision in the past few years." He said a hydrogen infrastructure will cost the US alone one trillion dollars. "In the meantime you have to bring down the cost of a fuel cell vehicle by a factor of about 40 or 50 to make it affordable." Woolsey sees a bright future for 'plug-in' hybrid electric vehicles - using both an electric motor and a conventional petrol or diesel engine, as 78% of cars in the US do less than 40 miles a day. This is well within the range of electric power, would cut the dependence on oil and keep the option to do longer journeys. And using off-peak, overnight, charging would avoid the need for a big increase in the output of America's electricity grid. "The important thing is that there should not be a single solution or decision by governments. There should be a portfolio of ideas," he concluded.
More from Nigel Wonnacott on +44 (0)2 073 449 226 or nwonnacott@smmt.co.uk
European commercial vehicle registrations rise
Recent figures from Acea, the European vehicle makers association show European van, truck, bus and coach registrations up 13% in October, to 245 837. Within this total, van and light CV registrations were up 9.7% to 202,010. Light truck and heavy van registrations, for vehicles from 3,5 to 15.99 tonnes were up 27% to 10,426 while heavy truck registrations, over 16 tonnes, were up 34.7%, to 30,363. Buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes were up 17.3%. In every sector, the percentage rises for the month were much stronger in Eastern European states, often with figures between 50 and 75% above the levels for Western European states
Joanna Smolinska on +32 2 738 73 55 or communications@acea.be
Changes coming for flammable liquid tankers
Revised explosion protection for fuel and waste tankers carrying flammable liquids is on the cards. The move follows an initial discussion on a German idea at a recent meeting of the UN's Working Party 15, in Geneva. The German plans cover electrical and mechanical items and will be the subject of more detailed talks next May. "There are some quite far-reaching ideas on the table," said Allan McKenzie, senior manager, vehicle legislation at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, who represents the vehicle manufacturers at WP.15. "We really need to hear more from UK tank makers and operators about their views on the practicality of some of these ideas."
More from Allan McKenzie on +44 (0)2 073 449 202 or amckenzie@smmt.co.uk
Alexander Dennis launches new bus and hikes capacity for 2008
Bus builder Alexander Dennis says it already has orders for nearly 200 of its recently launched Enviro 300 single deck bus. The new model fills a gap between the Enviro200 midibus and Enviro400, which the firm says is Britain's best-selling double-decker. "The Enviro300 comes as a fully integrated 14-tonner, with seven interior layout options and passenger capacities ranging from 48 to 80," says the firm's boss, Colin Robertson. Those orders alone are worth over £20m and part of a record order intake, worth £160m. Robertson is confident of a £300m turnover in 2008, up 40%, year on year. He also says restructuring plans will lead to a near 50% hike in manufacturing capacity in the next few months, creating 200 new UK jobs.
More from Bill Simpson on +44 (0)1 483 571 271 or bill.simpson@alexander-dennis.com
MEPs want carbon footprint product labels
The SMMT's Week in Brussels says that the European Parliament wants an EU-wide carbon labelling scheme, showing the environmental costs of products, to raise public awareness of the implications of consumption, production and trade patterns.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
ADR connections get better
The UN Working Party that looks at ADR transport recommends changes to the way we use truck and trailer electrical connections.. In the UK, if a truck over 3.5 tonnes tows a trailer over 3.5 tonnes and both have ISO 7638 connectors to provide the power supply to the ABS, then those connectors must be used. Now the UN's Working Party on ADR transport, WP.15, has agreed that all similar combinations used for ADR operations should do the same. "Common sense and consistency won the day," said Allan McKenzie, senior manager, vehicle legislation at the SMMT. "These dedicated connectors improve safety on general haulage, so it makes sense to use them on ADR work where risks are clearly higher."
More from Allan McKenzie on +44 (0)2 073 449 202 or amckenzie@smmt.co.uk
Another new truck dealer joins Renault's network
The Welch Group in Cambridgeshire has successfully started work as a Renault Trucks dealer. The firm has been a Renault Trucks approved repairer since July 2007. The move means Welch can now sell the full range of Renault Trucks products, as well as offering full service, repair and roadside assistance facilities. The firm has already sold six Renault trucks; "We're very pleased with the sales we've already achieved in such a short space of time," said Craig Ballinger, dealer principal. Established in 1934, The Welch Group runs 135 trucks and does transport and distribution work from five depots in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Essex.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
Mobile explosives trucks brought under ADR
The recent UN meeting on ADR transport would normally have been the last opportunity for changes to ADR 2009, the regulation update that will take effect from 1 Jan 2009. But the group is soon to complete a plan to include requirements for mobile explosives manufacturing units for adoption at the May 2008 session of WP.15. "The roads are not exactly busy with these highly specialised units, but currently they aren't covered by ADR regulations, mostly because they didn't exist when the rules were written," said Allan McKenzie, senior manager, vehicle legislation at the SMMT. "Clearly, its better to have units like this covered by the best available safety standards, and that will now happen."
More from Allan McKenzie on +44 (0)2 073 449 202 or amckenzie@smmt.co.uk
Free fit tracking offer
Vehicle tracking firm Quartix says van and truck operators need to be ready for the corporate manslaughter legislation which is due to become law on 6 April 2008. "For just 75 pence a vehicle a day, we can provide vital evidence about the vehicle and driver in the event that an operator needs it to cut the risk of prosecution under this new law," says Andy Kirk, sales and marketing director for Quartix. "So to help companies get ready, we're offering free installation before Christmas to customers that order now." Kirk says over 1,500 companies across the UK already use the Quartix vehicle tracking system to help manage their duty of care and health and safety responsibilities towards their mobile workforces..
More from Alison Ashley on +44 (0)8 700 136 663 or alison.ashley@quartix.net
CBI wants carbon price tripled
The SMMT's Week in Westminster says the Confederation of British Industry wants new taxes and regulations to tackle climate change. The CBI supports radical measures to stimulate the development of a low-carbon economy and says global warming must become a shared problem for business, consumers and the government. "Climate Change: Everyone's Business" calls for new nuclear power plants to be approved by the end of next month. By 2030, the report says, nearly 60% of the required carbon savings must come from more efficient use of energy in homes, business and the transport sector, the rest from power and heat generation. The US administration reportedly says it doesn't agree.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
More Volvo buses for Transdev
Transdev Blazefield just ordered 18 more Volvo buses. These include 10 B9TL double-deckers and eight B7RLE single-deckers, due for delivery in early 2008. They will join a 420 strong fleet, mostly from Volvo. The order follows the delivery of 25 single-deckers earlier this year. The 10.5 metre, 70 seat double-deckers have Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini bodies. These buses will work on the Yorkshire Coastliner on the service linking Leeds, York and Malton with the North Yorkshire Moors and the coastal towns of Scarborough, Whitby, Bridlington and Filey. The Wrightbus-bodied single-deckers have 44 seats and run on routes around Keighley, the Worth Valley and the Aire Valley.
More from Don Johnston on +44 (0)1 926 414 553 or don.johnston@volvo.com
Britain needs 372 more miles of motorway
The SMMT's Week in Westminster says an RAC report recommends a new network of motorways and 'A' roads to help Britain cope with 12m extra cars and a 43% increase in traffic over the next 30 years. "Roads and Reality", a new study for the RAC Foundation, recommends 372 miles (600km) of new lanes be added to the strategic road network every year. Friends of the Earth says the new road building programme is "insane".
More from www.smmt.co.uk
SMMT publishes its fifth annual issues survey
The SMMT's Week in Westminster says this year's SMMT issues survey, which collates the opinions of more than 100 automotive industry bosses shows that CO2 emissions and climate change are now the single most important issue for the sector.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
G-Line takes first Berkhof-bodied Volvo
Lancashire based G-Line Coaches has ordered a Berkhof-bodied Volvo B12B coach to work on its day excursion schedule. While half G-Line Coaches' fleet is Volvo based, this is the first one with a Berkhof body. The 53 seat coach is 12.9m long, has a 420 hp Volvo engine driving through a Volvo I-Shift automated gearbox. There is full climate control, cool box, radio, CD player, public address system and a rear floor-mounted toilet. The new coach is due for delivery next March.
More from Don Johnston on +44 (0)1 926 414 553 or don.johnston@volvo.com
Business wants a UN legally binding lead on climate change
The SMMT's Week in Brussels says that the Prince of Wales's UK and EU Corporate Leaders Groups on Climate Change have led an initiative, backed by over 150 bosses from around the world, calling for a comprehensive, legally-binding UN framework to tackle climate change. Ahead of the UN climate negotiations which start soon in Bali, the group says that such a framework would provide certainty to business and calls for strong and early action.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Smart alarm from Brigade
Brigade Electronics says its new, self-adjusting Bbs-tek vehicle reversing alarms adapt to local noise level, making them ideal for vehicles and mobile plant working in areas with widely different ambient noise levels. In these places, a fixed volume alarm would be either too quiet in loud environments, causing danger, or too loud in quiet locations, causing possible noise nuisance and irritation. The intelligent Bbs-tek Backalarm measures the ambient sound pressure level and adjusts the alarm volume up or down to maintain just 5-10dB louder - loud enough to be heard but not so loud as to cause a nuisance. The self-adjusting unit has a sound level range from 77 to 97dB(A).
More from Henry Morgan on +44 (0)8 707 741 500 or sales@brigade-electronics.com
EU closer to hitting Kyoto targets
The SMMT's Week in Brussels says that the European Commission's annual report on progress towards meeting the Kyoto objectives shows that in 2010, some 15 EU states' emissions will be 7.4% below 1990 levels - just short of the 8% reduction target for 2012. Based on Member State projections, the report says that, if they do more and quickly, those 15 states could even hit an 11.4 % cut.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Olympic win for Brigade
Brigade Electronics' Bbs-tek white sound alarms have been written into the Olympic Delivery Authority's Code of Construction Practice for the 2012 Olympic Games and all construction sites in the GLA area of London because of the unit's ability to eliminate noise nuisance. Also PIEK, the Dutch Government commissioned body created to try and set a standard for reduced noise levels for night-time deliveries, have approved the bbs-tek alarm for night-time deliveries in built-up areas.
More from Henry Morgan on +44 (0)8 707 741 500 or sales@brigade-electronics.com
Brigade wins in New York
Brigade Electronics' bbs-tek is the only reversing alarm approved by New York City's Department of Environment Protection for use near sensitive areas such as schools, hospitals, parks, places of worship and old people's homes. Operators working on construction sites have until 1 January 2008 to comply with the 'quieter' back-up warning requirements. Henry Morgan, director and general manager of Brigade Electronics Inc says: "There are already over 8,000 bbs-tek alarms fitted across the USA in cities, ports and construction sites, working to improve safety and reduce noise complaints. "Our bbs-tek alarm offers a win-win solution to contractors in the city of New York. Not only do they get a quieter, more focused solution which will keep both citizens and inspectors happy, but it offers a safer solution which is easier to locate."
More from Henry Morgan on +44 (0)8 707 741 500 or sales@brigade-electronics.com
MacNeillie shows emergency services capability
MacNeillie, the West-Midlands based specialist vehicle body-builder, showed two compact and highly sophisticated operational vehicles at the recent Emergency Services Show at Stoneleigh. A new Armed Response Vehicle for Dyfed-Powys Police is based on a Mercedes Benz Vito and has MacNeillie's latest and modular weapons and equipment stowage unit in the rear of the vehicle.. "This is significantly less invasive on the base vehicle, thus giving better residual value when the vehicle is sold at the end of its service life," says the firm. The second vehicle, a collaborative venture with an advanced communications technology specialist, incorporates the very latest command and control systems for effective incident management, including a system to communicate with response teams operating underground.
More from Adrian Graves on +44 (0)1 284 787 438 or adriangraves@pressandpr.com
£4bn more on local transport
The SMMT's Week in Westminster says UK transport minister Rosie Winterton plans to spend another £4bn to support local transport for the next three years. The aim is to help local authorities to fund community projects, such as bus infrastructure improvements, new road safety measures and road maintenance.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
VW Transporter's 10m milestone
Volkswagen says that in 60 years production it has now made more than 10m Transporter vans, the firm's best-selling van and the number one van import to the UK. "This is an incredible achievement and we're proud of the success and popularity the Transporter has achieved," said Robert Hazelwood, director, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
More from John Rawlings on +44 (0)1 908 601 478 or john.rawlings@vwcv.co.uk
Scania chooses Alfdex for Euro 5 engines
Scania has again chosen Alfdex to clean crankcase gases in its new 9 and 13 litre Euro 5 engines. The deal covers all Euro 5 engines and deliveries begin towards the end of the year. The system uses a centrifugal separator to capture and eliminate oil and soot from the exhaust gases that escape into the crankcase. The firm says its unit, sealed for life, keeps turbochargers and charge coolers running at peak performance and needs no maintenance. "This order, the second from Scania, confirms and expands on the cooperation we began back in 2002", says Mats Ekeroth, managing director at Alfdex AB. "Alfdex has already been supplying for Scania's Euro 4 engines for some time. "We now have orders worth around Skr 1 bn (€1.bn) over the next three to five years" The firm, a joint venture between Alfa Laval and Haldex supplies Freightliner, Mack, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Fuso, Renault, Scania, Sterling Trucks, Volvo and Western Star Trucks
More from Joakim Olsson on +46 854 504 950 or joakim.olsson@haldex.com
The gas man cometh, more slowly
Siemens VDO says it has done a 1,000 strong speed limiter deal with British Gas, which fitted Siemens engine and road speed limiters to its fleet of 1,000 Volkswagen Caddy SDI vans. The aim is to promote best-practice in road safety, improve fuel economy and protect the environment. "There are real operational gains in terms of better road safety and fuel economy through having a vehicle's top speed limited, plus environmental benefits from reduced noise and exhaust emissions," said Colin Marriott, British Gas general manager, fleet. The system fitted to the British Gas vans gives road-speed limiting, cruise control, and the ability to program up to seven additional speed limitations, with the option of limiting the vehicle's top speed.
More from Lisa McCauley on +44 (0)1 213 261 162 or lisa.mccauley@siemens.com
Waste costs cash at auction
People selling used vans and truck risk waste costing them cash, says British Car Auctions. The firm warns commercial vehicle sellers to be extra-vigilant over the growing problem of waste left in vans and trucks. New landfill regulations that came into force in England and Wales from 30 October and mean that its sorting and disposal can be expensive. "Vendors must be aware of the condition their vehicles are in at the end of their working life," said Duncan Ward, UK business development manager, commercial vehicles for BCA. "It is particularly important where vehicles have been on lease and are coming back for sale, often unseen by the owner." People still send vans or trucks full of waste; batteries, concrete, building rubble, rubber tyres and wood and that makes them effectively un-saleable and an expensive proposition, according to Ward.
More from Tim Naylor on +44 (0)1 252 878 555 or tnaylor@bca-group.com
Hat trick for Stoneridge
Stoneridge Electronics' Optac digital download tool just won three awards at the Design Business Association's Design Effectiveness Awards. Stoneridge won the Gold Award in the Industrial Product Design category, then won the first Materials Innovation Award, and topped the lot with Grand Prix, given for the firm showing best how an effective design strategy made a difference to its business. This is the first time that any product has won three DBA awards. "We're absolutely delighted to have won this prestigious award," said Mark Jenkins, managing director. "Being able to compete and win against household names such as BT and Royal Bank of Scotland is a real accolade."
More from Carolyn Cloude +44 (0)8 708 879 279 or carolyn.cloude@stoneridge.com
China and India might avoid CO2 curbs
The SMMT's Week in Brussels says a report published by the UN Development Programme recommends that China and India should avoid tough curbs on CO2 emissions. The report wants developed and advanced developing countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 80% and 20% respectively by 2050. These are similar to the recommendations made by Sir Nicholas Stern, adviser to the UK Government on the economics of climate change. The UN report, released just days before the Bali climate change conference, will boost developing countries' calls to avoid tough emissions targets.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
And finally
New Scientist's Feedback column reports that the first words of an e-mail Andy Potter received from FirstDirect bank were: "If you cannot see this email, click here."
More from www.newscientist.com
Hydrogen and fuel cells have no future as replacements for petrol or diesel in the immediate future, said James Woolsey, the guest speaker at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' highly acclaimed annual dinner last week. Former CIA chief and now chairman of the US Advisory Board of the Clean Fuels Foundation, Woolsey is a key player in the environmental debate.. "Hydrogen and fuel cells are not the way to go. The decision by the Bush administration and the State of California to follow the hydrogen highway is the single worst decision in the past few years." He said a hydrogen infrastructure will cost the US alone one trillion dollars. "In the meantime you have to bring down the cost of a fuel cell vehicle by a factor of about 40 or 50 to make it affordable." Woolsey sees a bright future for 'plug-in' hybrid electric vehicles - using both an electric motor and a conventional petrol or diesel engine, as 78% of cars in the US do less than 40 miles a day. This is well within the range of electric power, would cut the dependence on oil and keep the option to do longer journeys. And using off-peak, overnight, charging would avoid the need for a big increase in the output of America's electricity grid. "The important thing is that there should not be a single solution or decision by governments. There should be a portfolio of ideas," he concluded.
More from Nigel Wonnacott on +44 (0)2 073 449 226 or nwonnacott@smmt.co.uk
European commercial vehicle registrations rise
Recent figures from Acea, the European vehicle makers association show European van, truck, bus and coach registrations up 13% in October, to 245 837. Within this total, van and light CV registrations were up 9.7% to 202,010. Light truck and heavy van registrations, for vehicles from 3,5 to 15.99 tonnes were up 27% to 10,426 while heavy truck registrations, over 16 tonnes, were up 34.7%, to 30,363. Buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes were up 17.3%. In every sector, the percentage rises for the month were much stronger in Eastern European states, often with figures between 50 and 75% above the levels for Western European states
Joanna Smolinska on +32 2 738 73 55 or communications@acea.be
Changes coming for flammable liquid tankers
Revised explosion protection for fuel and waste tankers carrying flammable liquids is on the cards. The move follows an initial discussion on a German idea at a recent meeting of the UN's Working Party 15, in Geneva. The German plans cover electrical and mechanical items and will be the subject of more detailed talks next May. "There are some quite far-reaching ideas on the table," said Allan McKenzie, senior manager, vehicle legislation at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, who represents the vehicle manufacturers at WP.15. "We really need to hear more from UK tank makers and operators about their views on the practicality of some of these ideas."
More from Allan McKenzie on +44 (0)2 073 449 202 or amckenzie@smmt.co.uk
Alexander Dennis launches new bus and hikes capacity for 2008
Bus builder Alexander Dennis says it already has orders for nearly 200 of its recently launched Enviro 300 single deck bus. The new model fills a gap between the Enviro200 midibus and Enviro400, which the firm says is Britain's best-selling double-decker. "The Enviro300 comes as a fully integrated 14-tonner, with seven interior layout options and passenger capacities ranging from 48 to 80," says the firm's boss, Colin Robertson. Those orders alone are worth over £20m and part of a record order intake, worth £160m. Robertson is confident of a £300m turnover in 2008, up 40%, year on year. He also says restructuring plans will lead to a near 50% hike in manufacturing capacity in the next few months, creating 200 new UK jobs.
More from Bill Simpson on +44 (0)1 483 571 271 or bill.simpson@alexander-dennis.com
MEPs want carbon footprint product labels
The SMMT's Week in Brussels says that the European Parliament wants an EU-wide carbon labelling scheme, showing the environmental costs of products, to raise public awareness of the implications of consumption, production and trade patterns.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
ADR connections get better
The UN Working Party that looks at ADR transport recommends changes to the way we use truck and trailer electrical connections.. In the UK, if a truck over 3.5 tonnes tows a trailer over 3.5 tonnes and both have ISO 7638 connectors to provide the power supply to the ABS, then those connectors must be used. Now the UN's Working Party on ADR transport, WP.15, has agreed that all similar combinations used for ADR operations should do the same. "Common sense and consistency won the day," said Allan McKenzie, senior manager, vehicle legislation at the SMMT. "These dedicated connectors improve safety on general haulage, so it makes sense to use them on ADR work where risks are clearly higher."
More from Allan McKenzie on +44 (0)2 073 449 202 or amckenzie@smmt.co.uk
Another new truck dealer joins Renault's network
The Welch Group in Cambridgeshire has successfully started work as a Renault Trucks dealer. The firm has been a Renault Trucks approved repairer since July 2007. The move means Welch can now sell the full range of Renault Trucks products, as well as offering full service, repair and roadside assistance facilities. The firm has already sold six Renault trucks; "We're very pleased with the sales we've already achieved in such a short space of time," said Craig Ballinger, dealer principal. Established in 1934, The Welch Group runs 135 trucks and does transport and distribution work from five depots in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Essex.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
Mobile explosives trucks brought under ADR
The recent UN meeting on ADR transport would normally have been the last opportunity for changes to ADR 2009, the regulation update that will take effect from 1 Jan 2009. But the group is soon to complete a plan to include requirements for mobile explosives manufacturing units for adoption at the May 2008 session of WP.15. "The roads are not exactly busy with these highly specialised units, but currently they aren't covered by ADR regulations, mostly because they didn't exist when the rules were written," said Allan McKenzie, senior manager, vehicle legislation at the SMMT. "Clearly, its better to have units like this covered by the best available safety standards, and that will now happen."
More from Allan McKenzie on +44 (0)2 073 449 202 or amckenzie@smmt.co.uk
Free fit tracking offer
Vehicle tracking firm Quartix says van and truck operators need to be ready for the corporate manslaughter legislation which is due to become law on 6 April 2008. "For just 75 pence a vehicle a day, we can provide vital evidence about the vehicle and driver in the event that an operator needs it to cut the risk of prosecution under this new law," says Andy Kirk, sales and marketing director for Quartix. "So to help companies get ready, we're offering free installation before Christmas to customers that order now." Kirk says over 1,500 companies across the UK already use the Quartix vehicle tracking system to help manage their duty of care and health and safety responsibilities towards their mobile workforces..
More from Alison Ashley on +44 (0)8 700 136 663 or alison.ashley@quartix.net
CBI wants carbon price tripled
The SMMT's Week in Westminster says the Confederation of British Industry wants new taxes and regulations to tackle climate change. The CBI supports radical measures to stimulate the development of a low-carbon economy and says global warming must become a shared problem for business, consumers and the government. "Climate Change: Everyone's Business" calls for new nuclear power plants to be approved by the end of next month. By 2030, the report says, nearly 60% of the required carbon savings must come from more efficient use of energy in homes, business and the transport sector, the rest from power and heat generation. The US administration reportedly says it doesn't agree.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
More Volvo buses for Transdev
Transdev Blazefield just ordered 18 more Volvo buses. These include 10 B9TL double-deckers and eight B7RLE single-deckers, due for delivery in early 2008. They will join a 420 strong fleet, mostly from Volvo. The order follows the delivery of 25 single-deckers earlier this year. The 10.5 metre, 70 seat double-deckers have Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini bodies. These buses will work on the Yorkshire Coastliner on the service linking Leeds, York and Malton with the North Yorkshire Moors and the coastal towns of Scarborough, Whitby, Bridlington and Filey. The Wrightbus-bodied single-deckers have 44 seats and run on routes around Keighley, the Worth Valley and the Aire Valley.
More from Don Johnston on +44 (0)1 926 414 553 or don.johnston@volvo.com
Britain needs 372 more miles of motorway
The SMMT's Week in Westminster says an RAC report recommends a new network of motorways and 'A' roads to help Britain cope with 12m extra cars and a 43% increase in traffic over the next 30 years. "Roads and Reality", a new study for the RAC Foundation, recommends 372 miles (600km) of new lanes be added to the strategic road network every year. Friends of the Earth says the new road building programme is "insane".
More from www.smmt.co.uk
SMMT publishes its fifth annual issues survey
The SMMT's Week in Westminster says this year's SMMT issues survey, which collates the opinions of more than 100 automotive industry bosses shows that CO2 emissions and climate change are now the single most important issue for the sector.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
G-Line takes first Berkhof-bodied Volvo
Lancashire based G-Line Coaches has ordered a Berkhof-bodied Volvo B12B coach to work on its day excursion schedule. While half G-Line Coaches' fleet is Volvo based, this is the first one with a Berkhof body. The 53 seat coach is 12.9m long, has a 420 hp Volvo engine driving through a Volvo I-Shift automated gearbox. There is full climate control, cool box, radio, CD player, public address system and a rear floor-mounted toilet. The new coach is due for delivery next March.
More from Don Johnston on +44 (0)1 926 414 553 or don.johnston@volvo.com
Business wants a UN legally binding lead on climate change
The SMMT's Week in Brussels says that the Prince of Wales's UK and EU Corporate Leaders Groups on Climate Change have led an initiative, backed by over 150 bosses from around the world, calling for a comprehensive, legally-binding UN framework to tackle climate change. Ahead of the UN climate negotiations which start soon in Bali, the group says that such a framework would provide certainty to business and calls for strong and early action.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Smart alarm from Brigade
Brigade Electronics says its new, self-adjusting Bbs-tek vehicle reversing alarms adapt to local noise level, making them ideal for vehicles and mobile plant working in areas with widely different ambient noise levels. In these places, a fixed volume alarm would be either too quiet in loud environments, causing danger, or too loud in quiet locations, causing possible noise nuisance and irritation. The intelligent Bbs-tek Backalarm measures the ambient sound pressure level and adjusts the alarm volume up or down to maintain just 5-10dB louder - loud enough to be heard but not so loud as to cause a nuisance. The self-adjusting unit has a sound level range from 77 to 97dB(A).
More from Henry Morgan on +44 (0)8 707 741 500 or sales@brigade-electronics.com
EU closer to hitting Kyoto targets
The SMMT's Week in Brussels says that the European Commission's annual report on progress towards meeting the Kyoto objectives shows that in 2010, some 15 EU states' emissions will be 7.4% below 1990 levels - just short of the 8% reduction target for 2012. Based on Member State projections, the report says that, if they do more and quickly, those 15 states could even hit an 11.4 % cut.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Olympic win for Brigade
Brigade Electronics' Bbs-tek white sound alarms have been written into the Olympic Delivery Authority's Code of Construction Practice for the 2012 Olympic Games and all construction sites in the GLA area of London because of the unit's ability to eliminate noise nuisance. Also PIEK, the Dutch Government commissioned body created to try and set a standard for reduced noise levels for night-time deliveries, have approved the bbs-tek alarm for night-time deliveries in built-up areas.
More from Henry Morgan on +44 (0)8 707 741 500 or sales@brigade-electronics.com
Brigade wins in New York
Brigade Electronics' bbs-tek is the only reversing alarm approved by New York City's Department of Environment Protection for use near sensitive areas such as schools, hospitals, parks, places of worship and old people's homes. Operators working on construction sites have until 1 January 2008 to comply with the 'quieter' back-up warning requirements. Henry Morgan, director and general manager of Brigade Electronics Inc says: "There are already over 8,000 bbs-tek alarms fitted across the USA in cities, ports and construction sites, working to improve safety and reduce noise complaints. "Our bbs-tek alarm offers a win-win solution to contractors in the city of New York. Not only do they get a quieter, more focused solution which will keep both citizens and inspectors happy, but it offers a safer solution which is easier to locate."
More from Henry Morgan on +44 (0)8 707 741 500 or sales@brigade-electronics.com
MacNeillie shows emergency services capability
MacNeillie, the West-Midlands based specialist vehicle body-builder, showed two compact and highly sophisticated operational vehicles at the recent Emergency Services Show at Stoneleigh. A new Armed Response Vehicle for Dyfed-Powys Police is based on a Mercedes Benz Vito and has MacNeillie's latest and modular weapons and equipment stowage unit in the rear of the vehicle.. "This is significantly less invasive on the base vehicle, thus giving better residual value when the vehicle is sold at the end of its service life," says the firm. The second vehicle, a collaborative venture with an advanced communications technology specialist, incorporates the very latest command and control systems for effective incident management, including a system to communicate with response teams operating underground.
More from Adrian Graves on +44 (0)1 284 787 438 or adriangraves@pressandpr.com
£4bn more on local transport
The SMMT's Week in Westminster says UK transport minister Rosie Winterton plans to spend another £4bn to support local transport for the next three years. The aim is to help local authorities to fund community projects, such as bus infrastructure improvements, new road safety measures and road maintenance.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
VW Transporter's 10m milestone
Volkswagen says that in 60 years production it has now made more than 10m Transporter vans, the firm's best-selling van and the number one van import to the UK. "This is an incredible achievement and we're proud of the success and popularity the Transporter has achieved," said Robert Hazelwood, director, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
More from John Rawlings on +44 (0)1 908 601 478 or john.rawlings@vwcv.co.uk
Scania chooses Alfdex for Euro 5 engines
Scania has again chosen Alfdex to clean crankcase gases in its new 9 and 13 litre Euro 5 engines. The deal covers all Euro 5 engines and deliveries begin towards the end of the year. The system uses a centrifugal separator to capture and eliminate oil and soot from the exhaust gases that escape into the crankcase. The firm says its unit, sealed for life, keeps turbochargers and charge coolers running at peak performance and needs no maintenance. "This order, the second from Scania, confirms and expands on the cooperation we began back in 2002", says Mats Ekeroth, managing director at Alfdex AB. "Alfdex has already been supplying for Scania's Euro 4 engines for some time. "We now have orders worth around Skr 1 bn (€1.bn) over the next three to five years" The firm, a joint venture between Alfa Laval and Haldex supplies Freightliner, Mack, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Fuso, Renault, Scania, Sterling Trucks, Volvo and Western Star Trucks
More from Joakim Olsson on +46 854 504 950 or joakim.olsson@haldex.com
The gas man cometh, more slowly
Siemens VDO says it has done a 1,000 strong speed limiter deal with British Gas, which fitted Siemens engine and road speed limiters to its fleet of 1,000 Volkswagen Caddy SDI vans. The aim is to promote best-practice in road safety, improve fuel economy and protect the environment. "There are real operational gains in terms of better road safety and fuel economy through having a vehicle's top speed limited, plus environmental benefits from reduced noise and exhaust emissions," said Colin Marriott, British Gas general manager, fleet. The system fitted to the British Gas vans gives road-speed limiting, cruise control, and the ability to program up to seven additional speed limitations, with the option of limiting the vehicle's top speed.
More from Lisa McCauley on +44 (0)1 213 261 162 or lisa.mccauley@siemens.com
Waste costs cash at auction
People selling used vans and truck risk waste costing them cash, says British Car Auctions. The firm warns commercial vehicle sellers to be extra-vigilant over the growing problem of waste left in vans and trucks. New landfill regulations that came into force in England and Wales from 30 October and mean that its sorting and disposal can be expensive. "Vendors must be aware of the condition their vehicles are in at the end of their working life," said Duncan Ward, UK business development manager, commercial vehicles for BCA. "It is particularly important where vehicles have been on lease and are coming back for sale, often unseen by the owner." People still send vans or trucks full of waste; batteries, concrete, building rubble, rubber tyres and wood and that makes them effectively un-saleable and an expensive proposition, according to Ward.
More from Tim Naylor on +44 (0)1 252 878 555 or tnaylor@bca-group.com
Hat trick for Stoneridge
Stoneridge Electronics' Optac digital download tool just won three awards at the Design Business Association's Design Effectiveness Awards. Stoneridge won the Gold Award in the Industrial Product Design category, then won the first Materials Innovation Award, and topped the lot with Grand Prix, given for the firm showing best how an effective design strategy made a difference to its business. This is the first time that any product has won three DBA awards. "We're absolutely delighted to have won this prestigious award," said Mark Jenkins, managing director. "Being able to compete and win against household names such as BT and Royal Bank of Scotland is a real accolade."
More from Carolyn Cloude +44 (0)8 708 879 279 or carolyn.cloude@stoneridge.com
China and India might avoid CO2 curbs
The SMMT's Week in Brussels says a report published by the UN Development Programme recommends that China and India should avoid tough curbs on CO2 emissions. The report wants developed and advanced developing countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 80% and 20% respectively by 2050. These are similar to the recommendations made by Sir Nicholas Stern, adviser to the UK Government on the economics of climate change. The UN report, released just days before the Bali climate change conference, will boost developing countries' calls to avoid tough emissions targets.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
And finally
New Scientist's Feedback column reports that the first words of an e-mail Andy Potter received from FirstDirect bank were: "If you cannot see this email, click here."
More from www.newscientist.com
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