Legal Brief
Transport News Brief Week 4
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The latest news roundup from the SMMT.
More cash for Optare
Optare plc says it will raise more cash from its existing investors and Board members to fund future growth. The firm has placed 39,694,581 million more ordinary shares at six pence a share, amounting to £2.2m. It will issue options with them which, if exercised, would raise up to a further £2.2m. The move follows the Optare's better order performance in the last quarter of 2009 compared to the previous quarter. The cash will support the working capital needed to meet orders and important new export sales prospects. "Trading conditions remain challenging but this additional funding enables us to maintain the pace of our turnaround strategy so that we will be properly positioned to take advantage of the market recovery", said Jim Sumner, Optare's CEO.
More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
Think inside the box
VebaBox has a new alternative to traditional temperature-controlled van conversions. The firm offers an easily-fitted and removable fridge box to run on a 12V supply from a van's electrical system, quickly converting a standard panel van to handle refrigerated or frozen transport work. The firm can also offer additional battery backup to support the system. The removable VebaBox units can be transferred between vehicles, and can even work separately on a 220V supply as an autonomous storage area. "We have units available for all van makes and they're taking Europe by storm," says the firm's Mark Smith. "They're already offered as a branded product by Renault and VW in The Netherlands."
More from Mark Smith on +44 (0) 7859921068 or msmith@vebabox.eu
Size matters
In last week's Transport News Brief I reported Iveco's claim that its new Daily range includes the biggest panel van on the UK market, with a 17.2m3 capacity. Mercedes was quick to point out that the capacity of its 7.5 tonne Vario van is 200cm3 bigger, at 17.4m3. Incidentally, a 200cc cube will be 58.4mm along each edge, virtually the same size as a standard Rubik's cube. Wanting a reliable independent check on the maths I called Tim Blakemore, managing editor at Commercial Vehicle Engineer, who says his April issue will look at vans and in particular the standards used to measure load capacity. It should make interesting reading. In the meantime, my apologies to Iveco and Mercedes and anyone else wrong-footed by this one.
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Shell at the CV Operator Show
Shell is one of the latest major companies to confirm that it will take advantage of the opportunities at the CV Operator Show, from 13 to 15 April at the National Exhibition Centre near Birmingham. Well over 200 other firms have already booked stands at the event and visitor registrations on the show's website at www.cvoperatorshow.com have been running at rate over 50% up. "This is great news as advance registration means you can pick up your pre-printed entry ticket on the door when you arrive and beat the queues," said Bob Sockl, organiser of the CV Operator Show.
More from Susan Kitchener on +44 (0)1 634 261 262 or enquiries@cvoperatorshow.com
More Scanias for Garn
Lincolnshire's Garn Transport says the low fuel use and high performance of its recently delivered eight Scania R 440 twin-steer tractors led to an order for 25 more. The new trucks will have Scania's new, fully automated and two-pedal Opticruise gearboxes. Garn expects "further operational benefits" from them. "Our trucks are out for three or four nights a week, so the comfort of the cab is another factor in the equation," said Richard Garn, MD. Scania's Spalding depot did the business and will deliver the new trucks this spring and summer, on five-year contract hire deals.
More from Phil Sampson on +44 (0)7 885 152 132 or phil.sampson@scania.com
Volvo's 1,800 truck Deutsche Post DHL deal
Volvo Trucks has done a 1,800 truck deal with Deutsche Post DHL. Volvo will deliver the new Euro 5 trucks in the UK, Finland and Sweden over the next two years. Most will do express, freight and supply chain work. They will gradually replace the older, Euro 3 trucks and Deutsche Post DHL says the deal is an important part of its "GoGreen climate protection programme". This aims to cut fuel use (and presumably costs) and CO2 emissions by 30% for transport and warehouse space by 2020. The group says it is replacing its air and ground fleet and training drivers in fuel-efficient driving.
More from David Lucas on +44 (0)2 079 086 422 or dlucas@lexispr.com
Eaton offers hybrid retrofits for dustcarts
Eaton Corporation just said it will offer retrofit versions of its Hydraulic Launch Assist hybrid power system for dustcarts later this year. The 'Refuse Retrofit Program' will be offered through selected firms and Eaton is now looking for partners in North America. The firm says operators have struggled to find ways to cut fuel use from fleets of newer trucks. "They have been asking for a hybrid solution that does not require the purchase of a new truck, and we're pleased to deliver the retrofit option," said Seth Deutsch, manager, hybrid market planning. The Eaton HLA is a parallel hybrid system that captures braking energy to give 20 to 30% better fuel efficiency.
More from Mike O'Neill on +1 (0)2 157 521 429 or Oneillpr@aol.com
'Bullet-proof' MANs for Lanz
Waste management firm Lanz Group, just added four new 360bhp 8x4 tippers to its growing MAN multi-axle fleet. "They're brilliant trucks," said Bob Leach, transport manager at Lanz, "and best described as bullet-proof. They're just ideal for our type of work, very robust and very reliable. MAN's Heathrow Truck Centre did the deal, for three muck-away tippers and a skip unit for waste recycling. The tippers have Thompson bodies and Edbro underfloor tipping gear.
More from Paul O'Malley on +44 (0)1 263 715 900 or paul@hallspr.com
Durham first with electric Optare Solos
Durham County Council has placed the first order for Optare's Solo EV battery-powered bus. It will put three into service with local operator John Bell Travel on the Durham World Heritage Centre service. The buses are part funded through the Government's £30m Green Bus Fund, which meets the extra cost over that of an equivalent diesel-powered bus. Optare is the UK's first firm to make a practical full-size battery powered bus. It expects to make all 55 electric vehicles that the scheme will fund. With these and a number of Optare hybrids it expects to sell, the company will build vehicles worth more than £12m of Green Bus Fund grant money.
More from David Rowlands on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or drowlands@automotivepr.com
Don-Bur's new 4m "Euro" teardrop
Don-Bur has developed a 4m high Teardrop trailer to meet continental truck height laws without cutting load space. Launched in Southampton recently, the new tri-axle box van trailer will go to work for DHL, running between the Netherlands and Germany. Don-Bur says its new 96m3 trailer is a "world first" and set to cut fuel use and CO2 emissions by "a minimum of 10%." Previous Teardrop trailers varied between 4.2m and 4.6m high at the top of the curved roof. This increased the load space by 10% but fell foul of 4m height laws on the continent. So now the firm has used 215/75 R17.5 twin tyres to cut the rear deck to 790mm and high-lift suspension to raise the floor by up to 245mm to meet existing loading dock heights.
More from Richard Owens on +44 (0)1 782 599 666 or richard.owens@donbur.co.uk
Kerax tipper for Midland Quarry Products
M&Z Beeby Haulage has a new 8x4 Renault Kerax 410 tipper with sleeper cab and a 16-speed box. The truck has an alloy insulated tipper body with an electric easy sheet and joins the firm's 14-strong fleet. It is on contract to aggregate and asphalt product suppliers, Midland Quarry Products and will work at the firm's largest quarry in Cliffe Hill, Leicestershire. This produces 600,000 tonnes of asphalt materials a year. Renault Trucks distributor, RH Commercial Vehicles did the business.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
More spot checks in new load safety campaign
The UK's Health and Safety Executive says it plans hundreds of spot checks on vehicles in a nine week campaign soon. These checks will support of a new drive to ensure that loads are safely secured, cuttting the number of death and injuries linked to workplace transport. At spot checks across the North West officers from HSE and the Vehicle Operator Services Agency will inspect the loads of vehicles pulled over at random. Similar spot checks in April last year found nearly 80% of load fixings unsafe. "There is absolutely no excuse for unsafe loads," said Peter Brown from HSE. "Excuses just won't wash, not when people's health or lives are at risk."
More from Vickie Lucas on +44 (0)1 519 513 957 or victoria.lucas@hse.gsi.gov.uk
New truck dealer For Isuzu
Isuzu has appointed M6 Commercials as its new dealer in Birmingham, plugging a two-year gap in the brand's UK network. M6 aims support all the operators and sole traders in the area that already run Isuzu trucks. "We're here to stay," says Andy Savery, MD. He aims to "put Isuzu firmly back on the map" and show Birmingham "why the Isuzu is the best selling truck" in 24 Countries and "the most underestimated in the UK. With a range from 3.5 to 18 tonnes and a three-year warranty we can offer most operators the opportunity to make big savings."
More from Andy Savery on +44(0)1 213 266 363 or andy@m6commercials.co.uk
Trailer price rises inevitable
Despite signs of life in market conditions, leading trailer maker Schmitz Cargobull warns that trailer prices are likely to rise across Europe in the coming months. The firm says aluminium, plastics and oil are among raw materials whose costs are spiralling. While Schmitz says it has sought to absorb these increases by making efficiencies, "a point has been reached" where "some price adjustment" is inevitable. Though there are signs that the transport market is recovering and demand for new vehicles is returning, Schmitz says an increase in the list prices of its new Cargobull curtainsided and refrigerated trailers may come in the second quarter of 2010.
More from Lloyd Arkil on +44 (0)1 923 777 897 or lloyd@am-pr.net
New ISO standard for sat navs
The International Organisation for Standardisation has published a new standard for vehicle navigation systems. ISO 17267:2009 aims to improve compatibility between navigation systems and map databases via an interface that will make information accessible and help navigation systems developers.
More from Jonathan Hawkings on +44(0)2 073 449 217 or jhawkings@smmt.co.uk
First electric vans for Western Power
Western Power Distribution has put two electric vans to work on a trial basis for its service and maintenance team. If the vans, one each in Plymouth and Cardiff, are a success, the firm may introduce more. "We take our environmental responsibility very seriously," said John Brooks, transport manager.. "We are constantly looking for innovative technology." Electric vans are "ideal for our fleet" as many service and maintenance vehicles do well under 100 miles a day. The Edison is "easy to drive and costs just pennies a mile to run" and compared to a typical diesel van, every Edison will "save us hundreds of kilos in carbon emissions each year."
More from Dan Jenkins + 44 (0)7 536 092 682 or dan.jenkins@smithelectricvehicles.com
Buses need to catch up
Guide Dogs is campaigning for "talking buses". It wants mandatory audio and visual information for passengers on board all buses and coaches in the UK. The charity says clear audible and visible announcements about the next stop and final destination will help blind and partially-sighted people to use buses and coaches safely and with confidence. The move will also help all other passengers by giving clear information. "The law requires new trains and trams to have audio-visual information systems - but not buses and coaches," says David Cowdrey, Guide Dogs' campaign manager. "It's time for the bus to catch up"
Hannah Robertson +44 (0)1 189 838 266 or Hannah.Robertson@guidedogs.org.uk
EU compromises on 30% CO2 cut
After talks amongst themselves, EU members have reached a compromise on their recent pledge to make a 30% cut in CO2 output by 2020. They will now accept a binding 20% cut with an aim to go to 30%. The original, binding 30% deal depended on other signatories committing to "comparable" cuts. They didn't, so the EU replaced a promise with an objective.
More from Jonathan Hawkings on +44(0)2 073 449 217 or jhawkings@smmt.co.uk
Harris wins new deal for 2010
Southampton-based-Harris Transport says it is looking forward to a successful 2010 after winning a big new contract. The firm is a member of palletised distribution network Parcelforce and has won deal to make it the preferred carrier for the Valvestock division of Wolseley UK, at Fareham. Harris Transport will handle all deliveries of the company's industrial valves and other products across the UK and the mainland. "Price played a big part in the deal. We had a target to shave off some costs and Harris Transport was very understanding of that," said
Tim Tempest, for Valvestock.
More from Bobby Hough on +44 (0)1 606 888 111 or Bobby@profilecommunication.com
TfL to try average speed cameras on A13
A notorious A13 blackspot is the first place in UK where average speed cameras will enforce speed limits along a major urban road. Transport for London will fit 87 new cameras at 37 points between Canning Town and the Goresbrook Interchange as the collision rate on that part of the A13 is almost a fifth higher than typical major roads in London. TfL expects the new system will halve the number of people killed or seriously injured along the road and improve traffic flow.
More from Thomas Canning on +44 (0)2 071 261 471 or thomascanning@tfl.gov.uk
UK vehicle production drops 33.9% in 2009
Data from the SMMT show UK vehicle production fell 33.9% in 2009. Against that, December saw car output up 58.5%, the biggest rise since May 1976. Commercial vehicle production fell 55.3% in 2009, but output rose 15.6% in December, the first rise for 17 months.
More from Jonathan Hawkings on +44(0)2 073 449 217 or jhawkings@smmt.co.uk
Masternaut tracks Roberts Bakery in real time
Real-time and recorded data from Masternaut Three X's web-based vehicle tracking service is giving Roberts Bakery increased control over daily deliveries. The 123-year old firm is using the latest satellite tracking technology to monitor and manage its 70-strong fleet as it delivers bread and pastry products throughout the UK. "Masternaut gives us complete tracking visibility for the entire fleet," says Mark Owen, logistics director. Each driver has a unique driver ID key so the firm knows who is driving each truck, in real time. Stored data means Roberts can check its records in event of a customer query. "It saves us a huge amount of time and gives the customer improved service."
More from Martin Port on +44 (0)1 132 814 000 or martin..port@masternaut.co.uk
€400m loan to Ford in Romania
The European Investment Bank says it will lend €400m to Ford Romania SA. This will help fund overhaul and expansion work at the firm's existing car and van assembly plant in Craiova, SW Romania. New and existing car and van models will benefit, with an annual output of up to 300,000 vehicles and 300,000 engines expected. €200m more has been approved, in principle, for research and development work at Ford plants in Germany.
More from Jonathan Hawkings on +44(0)2 073 449 217 or jhawkings@smmt.co.uk
Emergency logistics save auto firms €30m
Emergency logistics is helping vehicle makers avoid expensive production delays by delivering critical components where standard deliveries fail, for instance in the UK's recent snow. "In one instance we saved a UK-based manufacturer £270,000 by helping to prevent a 30-minute delay to their production line," said Brad Brennan, MD at Evolution Time Critical. The firm has used helicopters or arranged air charters to make on-time deliveries. "Reacting swiftly to incoming requests in order to ensure deadlines are met is vital."
More from Katharine Earley on +44 (0)1 295 277 050 or katharine.earley@m-eng.com
Supply Chain Council meets
The UK's Supply Chain Council recently met for the first time. Set up following the New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team's report into the future of the UK motor industry, it aims to understand the changes facing the UK automotive supply chain and to encourage more investment in the UK auto industry. Lead by GM UK chairman, Bill Parfitt and including a cross-section of senior industry and government people, the group will meet quarterly in 2010.
More from Jonathan Hawkings on +44(0)2 073 449 217 or jhawkings@smmt.co.uk
New fleet for Nathan's Wastesavers
Textile recycling specialists, Nathan's Wastesavers, has replaced its entire distribution fleet with light and middleweight TGL and TGM rigids from MAN. Nine 7.5 tonners, three 12 tonners and an 18 tonner all join the Denny, Stirlingshire-based firm on five-year contract hire packages through MAN Financial Services. The decision for MAN follows a six month competitive trial. Nathan's Wastesavers has been recycling textiles since 1903. Now it works closely with local councils, schools, businesses and charities by supplying clothes to third world countries, recycling over 400 tonnes of textiles every week.
More from Paul O'Malley on +44 (0)1 263 715 900 or paul@hallspr.com
EU electric vehicle development plan due
José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero , Spanish prime minister says the EU will publish an electric vehicle development plan shortly, probably by 8 February. Zapatero was speaking as he outlined Spanish plans for its six month EU Presidency.
More from Jonathan Hawkings on +44(0)2 073 449 217 or jhawkings@smmt.co.uk
And finally
New Scientist's Feedback column says that the cooking instructions for Justin Neville-Rolfe's Christmas turkey from British supermarket Waitrose gave an "approximate cooking time" of "2 hours 60 minutes."
More from www.newscientist.com
Optare plc says it will raise more cash from its existing investors and Board members to fund future growth. The firm has placed 39,694,581 million more ordinary shares at six pence a share, amounting to £2.2m. It will issue options with them which, if exercised, would raise up to a further £2.2m. The move follows the Optare's better order performance in the last quarter of 2009 compared to the previous quarter. The cash will support the working capital needed to meet orders and important new export sales prospects. "Trading conditions remain challenging but this additional funding enables us to maintain the pace of our turnaround strategy so that we will be properly positioned to take advantage of the market recovery", said Jim Sumner, Optare's CEO.
More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
Think inside the box
VebaBox has a new alternative to traditional temperature-controlled van conversions. The firm offers an easily-fitted and removable fridge box to run on a 12V supply from a van's electrical system, quickly converting a standard panel van to handle refrigerated or frozen transport work. The firm can also offer additional battery backup to support the system. The removable VebaBox units can be transferred between vehicles, and can even work separately on a 220V supply as an autonomous storage area. "We have units available for all van makes and they're taking Europe by storm," says the firm's Mark Smith. "They're already offered as a branded product by Renault and VW in The Netherlands."
More from Mark Smith on +44 (0) 7859921068 or msmith@vebabox.eu
Size matters
In last week's Transport News Brief I reported Iveco's claim that its new Daily range includes the biggest panel van on the UK market, with a 17.2m3 capacity. Mercedes was quick to point out that the capacity of its 7.5 tonne Vario van is 200cm3 bigger, at 17.4m3. Incidentally, a 200cc cube will be 58.4mm along each edge, virtually the same size as a standard Rubik's cube. Wanting a reliable independent check on the maths I called Tim Blakemore, managing editor at Commercial Vehicle Engineer, who says his April issue will look at vans and in particular the standards used to measure load capacity. It should make interesting reading. In the meantime, my apologies to Iveco and Mercedes and anyone else wrong-footed by this one.
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Shell at the CV Operator Show
Shell is one of the latest major companies to confirm that it will take advantage of the opportunities at the CV Operator Show, from 13 to 15 April at the National Exhibition Centre near Birmingham. Well over 200 other firms have already booked stands at the event and visitor registrations on the show's website at www.cvoperatorshow.com have been running at rate over 50% up. "This is great news as advance registration means you can pick up your pre-printed entry ticket on the door when you arrive and beat the queues," said Bob Sockl, organiser of the CV Operator Show.
More from Susan Kitchener on +44 (0)1 634 261 262 or enquiries@cvoperatorshow.com
More Scanias for Garn
Lincolnshire's Garn Transport says the low fuel use and high performance of its recently delivered eight Scania R 440 twin-steer tractors led to an order for 25 more. The new trucks will have Scania's new, fully automated and two-pedal Opticruise gearboxes. Garn expects "further operational benefits" from them. "Our trucks are out for three or four nights a week, so the comfort of the cab is another factor in the equation," said Richard Garn, MD. Scania's Spalding depot did the business and will deliver the new trucks this spring and summer, on five-year contract hire deals.
More from Phil Sampson on +44 (0)7 885 152 132 or phil.sampson@scania.com
Volvo's 1,800 truck Deutsche Post DHL deal
Volvo Trucks has done a 1,800 truck deal with Deutsche Post DHL. Volvo will deliver the new Euro 5 trucks in the UK, Finland and Sweden over the next two years. Most will do express, freight and supply chain work. They will gradually replace the older, Euro 3 trucks and Deutsche Post DHL says the deal is an important part of its "GoGreen climate protection programme". This aims to cut fuel use (and presumably costs) and CO2 emissions by 30% for transport and warehouse space by 2020. The group says it is replacing its air and ground fleet and training drivers in fuel-efficient driving.
More from David Lucas on +44 (0)2 079 086 422 or dlucas@lexispr.com
Eaton offers hybrid retrofits for dustcarts
Eaton Corporation just said it will offer retrofit versions of its Hydraulic Launch Assist hybrid power system for dustcarts later this year. The 'Refuse Retrofit Program' will be offered through selected firms and Eaton is now looking for partners in North America. The firm says operators have struggled to find ways to cut fuel use from fleets of newer trucks. "They have been asking for a hybrid solution that does not require the purchase of a new truck, and we're pleased to deliver the retrofit option," said Seth Deutsch, manager, hybrid market planning. The Eaton HLA is a parallel hybrid system that captures braking energy to give 20 to 30% better fuel efficiency.
More from Mike O'Neill on +1 (0)2 157 521 429 or Oneillpr@aol.com
'Bullet-proof' MANs for Lanz
Waste management firm Lanz Group, just added four new 360bhp 8x4 tippers to its growing MAN multi-axle fleet. "They're brilliant trucks," said Bob Leach, transport manager at Lanz, "and best described as bullet-proof. They're just ideal for our type of work, very robust and very reliable. MAN's Heathrow Truck Centre did the deal, for three muck-away tippers and a skip unit for waste recycling. The tippers have Thompson bodies and Edbro underfloor tipping gear.
More from Paul O'Malley on +44 (0)1 263 715 900 or paul@hallspr.com
Durham first with electric Optare Solos
Durham County Council has placed the first order for Optare's Solo EV battery-powered bus. It will put three into service with local operator John Bell Travel on the Durham World Heritage Centre service. The buses are part funded through the Government's £30m Green Bus Fund, which meets the extra cost over that of an equivalent diesel-powered bus. Optare is the UK's first firm to make a practical full-size battery powered bus. It expects to make all 55 electric vehicles that the scheme will fund. With these and a number of Optare hybrids it expects to sell, the company will build vehicles worth more than £12m of Green Bus Fund grant money.
More from David Rowlands on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or drowlands@automotivepr.com
Don-Bur's new 4m "Euro" teardrop
Don-Bur has developed a 4m high Teardrop trailer to meet continental truck height laws without cutting load space. Launched in Southampton recently, the new tri-axle box van trailer will go to work for DHL, running between the Netherlands and Germany. Don-Bur says its new 96m3 trailer is a "world first" and set to cut fuel use and CO2 emissions by "a minimum of 10%." Previous Teardrop trailers varied between 4.2m and 4.6m high at the top of the curved roof. This increased the load space by 10% but fell foul of 4m height laws on the continent. So now the firm has used 215/75 R17.5 twin tyres to cut the rear deck to 790mm and high-lift suspension to raise the floor by up to 245mm to meet existing loading dock heights.
More from Richard Owens on +44 (0)1 782 599 666 or richard.owens@donbur.co.uk
Kerax tipper for Midland Quarry Products
M&Z Beeby Haulage has a new 8x4 Renault Kerax 410 tipper with sleeper cab and a 16-speed box. The truck has an alloy insulated tipper body with an electric easy sheet and joins the firm's 14-strong fleet. It is on contract to aggregate and asphalt product suppliers, Midland Quarry Products and will work at the firm's largest quarry in Cliffe Hill, Leicestershire. This produces 600,000 tonnes of asphalt materials a year. Renault Trucks distributor, RH Commercial Vehicles did the business.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
More spot checks in new load safety campaign
The UK's Health and Safety Executive says it plans hundreds of spot checks on vehicles in a nine week campaign soon. These checks will support of a new drive to ensure that loads are safely secured, cuttting the number of death and injuries linked to workplace transport. At spot checks across the North West officers from HSE and the Vehicle Operator Services Agency will inspect the loads of vehicles pulled over at random. Similar spot checks in April last year found nearly 80% of load fixings unsafe. "There is absolutely no excuse for unsafe loads," said Peter Brown from HSE. "Excuses just won't wash, not when people's health or lives are at risk."
More from Vickie Lucas on +44 (0)1 519 513 957 or victoria.lucas@hse.gsi.gov.uk
New truck dealer For Isuzu
Isuzu has appointed M6 Commercials as its new dealer in Birmingham, plugging a two-year gap in the brand's UK network. M6 aims support all the operators and sole traders in the area that already run Isuzu trucks. "We're here to stay," says Andy Savery, MD. He aims to "put Isuzu firmly back on the map" and show Birmingham "why the Isuzu is the best selling truck" in 24 Countries and "the most underestimated in the UK. With a range from 3.5 to 18 tonnes and a three-year warranty we can offer most operators the opportunity to make big savings."
More from Andy Savery on +44(0)1 213 266 363 or andy@m6commercials.co.uk
Trailer price rises inevitable
Despite signs of life in market conditions, leading trailer maker Schmitz Cargobull warns that trailer prices are likely to rise across Europe in the coming months. The firm says aluminium, plastics and oil are among raw materials whose costs are spiralling. While Schmitz says it has sought to absorb these increases by making efficiencies, "a point has been reached" where "some price adjustment" is inevitable. Though there are signs that the transport market is recovering and demand for new vehicles is returning, Schmitz says an increase in the list prices of its new Cargobull curtainsided and refrigerated trailers may come in the second quarter of 2010.
More from Lloyd Arkil on +44 (0)1 923 777 897 or lloyd@am-pr.net
New ISO standard for sat navs
The International Organisation for Standardisation has published a new standard for vehicle navigation systems. ISO 17267:2009 aims to improve compatibility between navigation systems and map databases via an interface that will make information accessible and help navigation systems developers.
More from Jonathan Hawkings on +44(0)2 073 449 217 or jhawkings@smmt.co.uk
First electric vans for Western Power
Western Power Distribution has put two electric vans to work on a trial basis for its service and maintenance team. If the vans, one each in Plymouth and Cardiff, are a success, the firm may introduce more. "We take our environmental responsibility very seriously," said John Brooks, transport manager.. "We are constantly looking for innovative technology." Electric vans are "ideal for our fleet" as many service and maintenance vehicles do well under 100 miles a day. The Edison is "easy to drive and costs just pennies a mile to run" and compared to a typical diesel van, every Edison will "save us hundreds of kilos in carbon emissions each year."
More from Dan Jenkins + 44 (0)7 536 092 682 or dan.jenkins@smithelectricvehicles.com
Buses need to catch up
Guide Dogs is campaigning for "talking buses". It wants mandatory audio and visual information for passengers on board all buses and coaches in the UK. The charity says clear audible and visible announcements about the next stop and final destination will help blind and partially-sighted people to use buses and coaches safely and with confidence. The move will also help all other passengers by giving clear information. "The law requires new trains and trams to have audio-visual information systems - but not buses and coaches," says David Cowdrey, Guide Dogs' campaign manager. "It's time for the bus to catch up"
Hannah Robertson +44 (0)1 189 838 266 or Hannah.Robertson@guidedogs.org.uk
EU compromises on 30% CO2 cut
After talks amongst themselves, EU members have reached a compromise on their recent pledge to make a 30% cut in CO2 output by 2020. They will now accept a binding 20% cut with an aim to go to 30%. The original, binding 30% deal depended on other signatories committing to "comparable" cuts. They didn't, so the EU replaced a promise with an objective.
More from Jonathan Hawkings on +44(0)2 073 449 217 or jhawkings@smmt.co.uk
Harris wins new deal for 2010
Southampton-based-Harris Transport says it is looking forward to a successful 2010 after winning a big new contract. The firm is a member of palletised distribution network Parcelforce and has won deal to make it the preferred carrier for the Valvestock division of Wolseley UK, at Fareham. Harris Transport will handle all deliveries of the company's industrial valves and other products across the UK and the mainland. "Price played a big part in the deal. We had a target to shave off some costs and Harris Transport was very understanding of that," said
Tim Tempest, for Valvestock.
More from Bobby Hough on +44 (0)1 606 888 111 or Bobby@profilecommunication.com
TfL to try average speed cameras on A13
A notorious A13 blackspot is the first place in UK where average speed cameras will enforce speed limits along a major urban road. Transport for London will fit 87 new cameras at 37 points between Canning Town and the Goresbrook Interchange as the collision rate on that part of the A13 is almost a fifth higher than typical major roads in London. TfL expects the new system will halve the number of people killed or seriously injured along the road and improve traffic flow.
More from Thomas Canning on +44 (0)2 071 261 471 or thomascanning@tfl.gov.uk
UK vehicle production drops 33.9% in 2009
Data from the SMMT show UK vehicle production fell 33.9% in 2009. Against that, December saw car output up 58.5%, the biggest rise since May 1976. Commercial vehicle production fell 55.3% in 2009, but output rose 15.6% in December, the first rise for 17 months.
More from Jonathan Hawkings on +44(0)2 073 449 217 or jhawkings@smmt.co.uk
Masternaut tracks Roberts Bakery in real time
Real-time and recorded data from Masternaut Three X's web-based vehicle tracking service is giving Roberts Bakery increased control over daily deliveries. The 123-year old firm is using the latest satellite tracking technology to monitor and manage its 70-strong fleet as it delivers bread and pastry products throughout the UK. "Masternaut gives us complete tracking visibility for the entire fleet," says Mark Owen, logistics director. Each driver has a unique driver ID key so the firm knows who is driving each truck, in real time. Stored data means Roberts can check its records in event of a customer query. "It saves us a huge amount of time and gives the customer improved service."
More from Martin Port on +44 (0)1 132 814 000 or martin..port@masternaut.co.uk
€400m loan to Ford in Romania
The European Investment Bank says it will lend €400m to Ford Romania SA. This will help fund overhaul and expansion work at the firm's existing car and van assembly plant in Craiova, SW Romania. New and existing car and van models will benefit, with an annual output of up to 300,000 vehicles and 300,000 engines expected. €200m more has been approved, in principle, for research and development work at Ford plants in Germany.
More from Jonathan Hawkings on +44(0)2 073 449 217 or jhawkings@smmt.co.uk
Emergency logistics save auto firms €30m
Emergency logistics is helping vehicle makers avoid expensive production delays by delivering critical components where standard deliveries fail, for instance in the UK's recent snow. "In one instance we saved a UK-based manufacturer £270,000 by helping to prevent a 30-minute delay to their production line," said Brad Brennan, MD at Evolution Time Critical. The firm has used helicopters or arranged air charters to make on-time deliveries. "Reacting swiftly to incoming requests in order to ensure deadlines are met is vital."
More from Katharine Earley on +44 (0)1 295 277 050 or katharine.earley@m-eng.com
Supply Chain Council meets
The UK's Supply Chain Council recently met for the first time. Set up following the New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team's report into the future of the UK motor industry, it aims to understand the changes facing the UK automotive supply chain and to encourage more investment in the UK auto industry. Lead by GM UK chairman, Bill Parfitt and including a cross-section of senior industry and government people, the group will meet quarterly in 2010.
More from Jonathan Hawkings on +44(0)2 073 449 217 or jhawkings@smmt.co.uk
New fleet for Nathan's Wastesavers
Textile recycling specialists, Nathan's Wastesavers, has replaced its entire distribution fleet with light and middleweight TGL and TGM rigids from MAN. Nine 7.5 tonners, three 12 tonners and an 18 tonner all join the Denny, Stirlingshire-based firm on five-year contract hire packages through MAN Financial Services. The decision for MAN follows a six month competitive trial. Nathan's Wastesavers has been recycling textiles since 1903. Now it works closely with local councils, schools, businesses and charities by supplying clothes to third world countries, recycling over 400 tonnes of textiles every week.
More from Paul O'Malley on +44 (0)1 263 715 900 or paul@hallspr.com
EU electric vehicle development plan due
José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero , Spanish prime minister says the EU will publish an electric vehicle development plan shortly, probably by 8 February. Zapatero was speaking as he outlined Spanish plans for its six month EU Presidency.
More from Jonathan Hawkings on +44(0)2 073 449 217 or jhawkings@smmt.co.uk
And finally
New Scientist's Feedback column says that the cooking instructions for Justin Neville-Rolfe's Christmas turkey from British supermarket Waitrose gave an "approximate cooking time" of "2 hours 60 minutes."
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