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Transport News Brief Week 36
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The latest news roundup from the SMMT.
Did you have your say?
The Department of Transport's public consultation on its plans to introduce Whole Vehicle Type Approval closed on 22 August. This is part of a process that will bring big changes to the way commercial vehicles are made and sold. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has worked with the DfT for some five years, helping with practical advice, information and publicity. "We've been impressed by some of the ideas the DfT has built into its plans; there has been a welcome effort to help the industry, particularly small businesses," said Robin Dickeson, manager commercial vehicle affairs for the Society. "But we've been disappointed by some aspects of the DfT's plans." The first, voluntary changes will start to bite in April next year.
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Car and van code completes stage one
The motor industry just launched to consumers a tough new code of practice to improve the standards of garages across the country. Consumer affairs minister, Gareth Thomas MP, supported the launch as the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair has completed the first stage of the Office of Fair Trading's code approval process. Motor Codes Limited, the stand-alone body set up to run the code on behalf of the industry will now run a wide-ranging monitoring exercise. This will include visits to garages and customer satisfaction surveys to show that the code is working effectively. Only when the OFT is satisfied that the code is doing what it promises will stage two be awarded and the right to use the OFT approved logo be granted.
More from John Procter on +44 (0)2 073 449 263 or jprocter@motorcodes.co.uk
Half-hearted trailer registration
"We're deeply disappointed by the Department for Transport's plans for trailer registration," said Robin Dickeson, manager commercial vehicle affairs for the Society. "The DfT is trying to avoid calling its plans trailer registration, but in practice, that is what it is, but in a half-hearted way that we think will deliver all the bureaucracy and none of the advantages." The SMMT has consistently argued for 'single plate' trailer registration. The UK is one of only two states in Europe that fails to register trailers, the other is Greece. Some operators have objected on the basis that this would open the door to VED on trailers, "but de facto, trailers already attract road tax."
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Dangers ignored
The SMMT also worries at the DfT's failure to tackle the dangers of the Type Approval Bypass. "The dangers of poorly done post-registration conversions seem simply ignored in the published plans," said Robin Dickeson, manager commercial vehicle affairs for the Society. "We don't want to eliminate post-registration conversions, we simply want to ensure that are properly controlled, be they vans, minibuses, trucks or any other vehicle." The SMMT has seen too many examples of poor workmanship to be happy that the dangers be ignored. "Our members tell us that around 50% of all van to minibus and combi conversions are done this way". While the SMMT is confident that most are professional jobs by responsible firms, experience shows that too many miss the mark.
"We now have to wait and hope the DfT will listen and get it right when it publishes the final regulations in a few months time."
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Over 100 more Dafs for Kibble
Matthew Kibble Transport, winner of Motor Transport's Haulier of the Year 2008 award has just ordered over 100 Daf XF105 Super Space cab 6x2 tractor units, each with a three axle, curtain side trailer. The order celebrates the firm's success in the MT Awards and each trailer carries a Haulier of the Year 2008 logo on its rear curtains. Search Impex won the business for the new trucks, which are all to 1:43 scale. "Customised in a company's corporate colours and complete with authentically reproduced livery, model vehicles act as high profile, collectable advertisements for any business," said Jim Newsome, managing director. "Kibble's clean, stylish graphics will make this an attractive addition to any collection." Search Impex, a regular exhibitor at the CV Show, says it is the UK's leading independent supplier of customised promotional model vehicles,
More from Jim Newsome on +44 (0)1 332 873 555 or info@search-impex.co.uk
Fuelsaver cuts bills by 20% in trials
Newark-based Fuelsaver Technologies says operators from Scotland to the south of England and central London are getting valuable fuel savings in successful field trials with vans and diesel cars. "All the concluded trials have reported fuel savings of between 10 and 20%" say directors Steve Chrich and Simon Pears. In a recent piece for BBC Look North, Sheffield-based Aquaforce Plumbing Solutions Ltd saw increases of 100 miles on a tank of fuel on one of its Renault Trafic vans. "I was sceptical about the claims Fuelsaver were making, but felt a trial might be worthwhile," said Craig Wood, director at Aquaforce. "But I'm astonished by the improvements and will now be fitting this technology to the rest of my 50 vehicle fleet."
More from Simon Pears on +44 (0)8 709 580 000 or simon@fuelsaver-tech.com
Mega electric van helps lifeboats
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has got a Mega Multitrucks ultra-light electric van to help cut costs and the environmental impact of the charity's operations. It is using the Mega van around its base in Poole, Dorset to collect supplies and for general boatyard duties. David Tidman, transport manager at the RNLI's Poole base, said the van replaces older diesel vans which cost more to run. "The Mega van costs less than 2p per mile to run, so it will help us make significant savings." The RNLI gets no government cash and relies entirely on donations for its income.
More from Christine Gormley on +44 (0)2 476 407422 or christine@seachangecommunications.co.uk
Cool Maxus deal for Clifton
Wholesale catering butcher Clifton Quality Meats has taken six Maxus 3.5 tonne refrigerated panel vans in deal worth £150,000 at showroom prices and plans to take four more by the year end. The 60 strong firm has depots in Blackpool and Leeds and delivers meat, poultry, game, cooked meats and fresh fish to all sectors of the leisure industry including hotels, restaurants and pubs plus local government offices and the NHS. Maxus dealer Pye Motors of Morecambe did the business and arranged the full fridge conversions on the long wheel base vans as part of Clifton's three-year vehicle replacement plan.
More from Tony Sullivan on +44 (0)1 524 598 598 or tony.sullivan@pye-motors.co.uk
Van fuel and CO2 up for discussion
The SMMT's Week in Brussels says that the European Commission has published a consultation paper on plans to cut fuel use and so CO2 emissions from vans. It wants to cut average fuel use and CO2 from 33mpg and 201g/km in 2002, to 37.4mpg and 175g/km by 2012 and then to 40.9mpg and 160g/km by 2015. The EC aims to set legally binding fuel and CO2 standards for vans before the end of the year and firms making vans and cars could have a single emission target. No one in the EC is saying anything definite about similar standards for trucks and buses yet, but industry observers suggest they are a 'when' not 'if' deal.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Incentives drive French more efficient, low carbon car sales
The system used in France to encourage more fuel efficient and so lower CO2 cars has been so successful that the French government may extend it to other things like televisions, tyres and light bulbs. The deal, which gives buyers rebates up to €1,000 has led to a 45% sales hike for cars doing less than 50 mpg and so emitting less than 130g/km. The arrangement seems to cost the French finances €140m this year as revenues from the premium on less fuel-efficient cars are lower than the cost of the subsidies.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Manheim helps Royal Mail sell
Manheim Auctions has done a deal with Royal Mail, making its Washington auction centre one of its regional de-fleet auction centres covering the North East and Scotland. The move follows a trial and very successful auction. Manheim's Washington-based team will collect vans directly from Royal Mail sites in the North of England and Scotland and deliver them to Washington. The Royal Mail's end-of-contract inspectors check and release the vans for the next Royal Mail auction. "This additional regional de-fleet centre will result in a more efficient de-fleet operation", said Annessa Lehane, Royal Mail's national vehicle sales manager. "Plus both organisations will benefit from a new Royal Mail auction programme at Washington."
More from Andrew Andersz on +44 (0)1 865 343 100 or andrew.andersz@thejjgroup.com
End UK biofuels subsidies says think-tank
The SMMT's Week in Westminster says that the Policy Exchange think-tank wants the Government to stop funding biofuels.. "In the UK alone, biofuel subsidies cost £550m annually," says Ben Caldecott, editor of The Root of The Matter. "In 2005, a similar investment in preventing deforestation and peatland destruction could have offset the equivalent of up to 37% of all the UK's CO2 emissions."
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Another Volvo for Halpenny
Halpenny Travel of Dundalk has just put a Volvo B12B Jonckheere to work in its 15 strong touring fleet. The new coach is the first in the fleet for six years to have Jonckheere bodywork. The 12.2m vehicle has full climate control, toilet, CD/DVD player with two monitors and facilities for hot and cold drinks. It will do tours around Ireland for holiday operators as well as some touring work in London. The new coach has a 420hp Volvo engine and a Volvo I-Shift gearbox. Established in 1920, Halpenny Travel is a third-generation family-owned firm specialising in luxury private hire.
More from Don Johnston, +44 (0)1 926 414 553, don.johnston@volvo.com
The Department of Transport's public consultation on its plans to introduce Whole Vehicle Type Approval closed on 22 August. This is part of a process that will bring big changes to the way commercial vehicles are made and sold. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has worked with the DfT for some five years, helping with practical advice, information and publicity. "We've been impressed by some of the ideas the DfT has built into its plans; there has been a welcome effort to help the industry, particularly small businesses," said Robin Dickeson, manager commercial vehicle affairs for the Society. "But we've been disappointed by some aspects of the DfT's plans." The first, voluntary changes will start to bite in April next year.
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Car and van code completes stage one
The motor industry just launched to consumers a tough new code of practice to improve the standards of garages across the country. Consumer affairs minister, Gareth Thomas MP, supported the launch as the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair has completed the first stage of the Office of Fair Trading's code approval process. Motor Codes Limited, the stand-alone body set up to run the code on behalf of the industry will now run a wide-ranging monitoring exercise. This will include visits to garages and customer satisfaction surveys to show that the code is working effectively. Only when the OFT is satisfied that the code is doing what it promises will stage two be awarded and the right to use the OFT approved logo be granted.
More from John Procter on +44 (0)2 073 449 263 or jprocter@motorcodes.co.uk
Half-hearted trailer registration
"We're deeply disappointed by the Department for Transport's plans for trailer registration," said Robin Dickeson, manager commercial vehicle affairs for the Society. "The DfT is trying to avoid calling its plans trailer registration, but in practice, that is what it is, but in a half-hearted way that we think will deliver all the bureaucracy and none of the advantages." The SMMT has consistently argued for 'single plate' trailer registration. The UK is one of only two states in Europe that fails to register trailers, the other is Greece. Some operators have objected on the basis that this would open the door to VED on trailers, "but de facto, trailers already attract road tax."
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Dangers ignored
The SMMT also worries at the DfT's failure to tackle the dangers of the Type Approval Bypass. "The dangers of poorly done post-registration conversions seem simply ignored in the published plans," said Robin Dickeson, manager commercial vehicle affairs for the Society. "We don't want to eliminate post-registration conversions, we simply want to ensure that are properly controlled, be they vans, minibuses, trucks or any other vehicle." The SMMT has seen too many examples of poor workmanship to be happy that the dangers be ignored. "Our members tell us that around 50% of all van to minibus and combi conversions are done this way". While the SMMT is confident that most are professional jobs by responsible firms, experience shows that too many miss the mark.
"We now have to wait and hope the DfT will listen and get it right when it publishes the final regulations in a few months time."
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Over 100 more Dafs for Kibble
Matthew Kibble Transport, winner of Motor Transport's Haulier of the Year 2008 award has just ordered over 100 Daf XF105 Super Space cab 6x2 tractor units, each with a three axle, curtain side trailer. The order celebrates the firm's success in the MT Awards and each trailer carries a Haulier of the Year 2008 logo on its rear curtains. Search Impex won the business for the new trucks, which are all to 1:43 scale. "Customised in a company's corporate colours and complete with authentically reproduced livery, model vehicles act as high profile, collectable advertisements for any business," said Jim Newsome, managing director. "Kibble's clean, stylish graphics will make this an attractive addition to any collection." Search Impex, a regular exhibitor at the CV Show, says it is the UK's leading independent supplier of customised promotional model vehicles,
More from Jim Newsome on +44 (0)1 332 873 555 or info@search-impex.co.uk
Fuelsaver cuts bills by 20% in trials
Newark-based Fuelsaver Technologies says operators from Scotland to the south of England and central London are getting valuable fuel savings in successful field trials with vans and diesel cars. "All the concluded trials have reported fuel savings of between 10 and 20%" say directors Steve Chrich and Simon Pears. In a recent piece for BBC Look North, Sheffield-based Aquaforce Plumbing Solutions Ltd saw increases of 100 miles on a tank of fuel on one of its Renault Trafic vans. "I was sceptical about the claims Fuelsaver were making, but felt a trial might be worthwhile," said Craig Wood, director at Aquaforce. "But I'm astonished by the improvements and will now be fitting this technology to the rest of my 50 vehicle fleet."
More from Simon Pears on +44 (0)8 709 580 000 or simon@fuelsaver-tech.com
Mega electric van helps lifeboats
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has got a Mega Multitrucks ultra-light electric van to help cut costs and the environmental impact of the charity's operations. It is using the Mega van around its base in Poole, Dorset to collect supplies and for general boatyard duties. David Tidman, transport manager at the RNLI's Poole base, said the van replaces older diesel vans which cost more to run. "The Mega van costs less than 2p per mile to run, so it will help us make significant savings." The RNLI gets no government cash and relies entirely on donations for its income.
More from Christine Gormley on +44 (0)2 476 407422 or christine@seachangecommunications.co.uk
Cool Maxus deal for Clifton
Wholesale catering butcher Clifton Quality Meats has taken six Maxus 3.5 tonne refrigerated panel vans in deal worth £150,000 at showroom prices and plans to take four more by the year end. The 60 strong firm has depots in Blackpool and Leeds and delivers meat, poultry, game, cooked meats and fresh fish to all sectors of the leisure industry including hotels, restaurants and pubs plus local government offices and the NHS. Maxus dealer Pye Motors of Morecambe did the business and arranged the full fridge conversions on the long wheel base vans as part of Clifton's three-year vehicle replacement plan.
More from Tony Sullivan on +44 (0)1 524 598 598 or tony.sullivan@pye-motors.co.uk
Van fuel and CO2 up for discussion
The SMMT's Week in Brussels says that the European Commission has published a consultation paper on plans to cut fuel use and so CO2 emissions from vans. It wants to cut average fuel use and CO2 from 33mpg and 201g/km in 2002, to 37.4mpg and 175g/km by 2012 and then to 40.9mpg and 160g/km by 2015. The EC aims to set legally binding fuel and CO2 standards for vans before the end of the year and firms making vans and cars could have a single emission target. No one in the EC is saying anything definite about similar standards for trucks and buses yet, but industry observers suggest they are a 'when' not 'if' deal.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Incentives drive French more efficient, low carbon car sales
The system used in France to encourage more fuel efficient and so lower CO2 cars has been so successful that the French government may extend it to other things like televisions, tyres and light bulbs. The deal, which gives buyers rebates up to €1,000 has led to a 45% sales hike for cars doing less than 50 mpg and so emitting less than 130g/km. The arrangement seems to cost the French finances €140m this year as revenues from the premium on less fuel-efficient cars are lower than the cost of the subsidies.
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Manheim helps Royal Mail sell
Manheim Auctions has done a deal with Royal Mail, making its Washington auction centre one of its regional de-fleet auction centres covering the North East and Scotland. The move follows a trial and very successful auction. Manheim's Washington-based team will collect vans directly from Royal Mail sites in the North of England and Scotland and deliver them to Washington. The Royal Mail's end-of-contract inspectors check and release the vans for the next Royal Mail auction. "This additional regional de-fleet centre will result in a more efficient de-fleet operation", said Annessa Lehane, Royal Mail's national vehicle sales manager. "Plus both organisations will benefit from a new Royal Mail auction programme at Washington."
More from Andrew Andersz on +44 (0)1 865 343 100 or andrew.andersz@thejjgroup.com
End UK biofuels subsidies says think-tank
The SMMT's Week in Westminster says that the Policy Exchange think-tank wants the Government to stop funding biofuels.. "In the UK alone, biofuel subsidies cost £550m annually," says Ben Caldecott, editor of The Root of The Matter. "In 2005, a similar investment in preventing deforestation and peatland destruction could have offset the equivalent of up to 37% of all the UK's CO2 emissions."
More from www.smmt.co.uk
Another Volvo for Halpenny
Halpenny Travel of Dundalk has just put a Volvo B12B Jonckheere to work in its 15 strong touring fleet. The new coach is the first in the fleet for six years to have Jonckheere bodywork. The 12.2m vehicle has full climate control, toilet, CD/DVD player with two monitors and facilities for hot and cold drinks. It will do tours around Ireland for holiday operators as well as some touring work in London. The new coach has a 420hp Volvo engine and a Volvo I-Shift gearbox. Established in 1920, Halpenny Travel is a third-generation family-owned firm specialising in luxury private hire.
More from Don Johnston, +44 (0)1 926 414 553, don.johnston@volvo.com
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