Tachoblog» Manufacturers Archives – The Tacho Blog

Volvo Have Two Truck Racing World Records – See Them Do It On Tachoblog

Tachoblog — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:26:18 +0000

It’s Wednesday so it must be video time on Tachoblog…On June 9, 2010, at Hultsfred Airport, Sweden, Boije Ovebrink aimed for two new truck racing world records: 500 and 1000 metres from standing start.

And he did it! The new records are average speeds of 130.862 kph (500 m) and 166.698 kph (1,000 m). When Boije crossed the 1,000-metre line, he was driving at more than 250 kph.

You can see Boije and his Volvo truck doing the do below…

And if the how, what, when, why is your kind of thing, then you’ll want to see Boije Ovebrink’s prototype engineer Olof Johansson talking about the Volvo VN racing truck and how they’ve built it.

Nikki King – Isuzu Truck UK’s Managing Director – Awarded Honorary Doctorate By Staffordshire University – Tachoblog Adds Our Congratulations!

Tachoblog — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:51:42 +0000

Tachoblog has had the pleasure of meeting Nikki King several times and always knew she was something special, so it’s good to see that Staffordshire University agree with us and have awarded her an honorary Doctorate in recognition of her vision and leadership and, in particular, her focus on customer service and care.

Nikki was one of several inspirational figures from the business world to be honoured as part of Staffordshire University’s 2010 Awards Ceremonies.

Click below for the whole story…

Alongside national and international high achievers such as TV’s Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meadon, Eden Project Founder Tim Smit and the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Nikki King became an honorary Doctor of Staffordshire University.

During the ceremony, Professor Susan Foreman, Dean of the University’s Business School paid tribute to Nikki King’s “determination and fortitude” and her reputation as a “no-nonsense, straight-talking, business woman.”

She added, “The award of honorary Doctor of Staffordshire University was bestowed upon Nikki in recognition of her vision and leadership and, in particular, her focus on customer service and care. She is an outstanding role model for all business people and in particular women in management.”

Nikki King received her Doctorate during the university’s week-long graduation ceremony programme, where over 3000 graduates in total received their final degrees.

After receiving her Doctorate, Nikki King told Tachoblog, “I am so very honoured to receive this accolade and I promise that I will support this university to the best of my ability in the years to come. If winning such a wonderful award can persuade just one woman that she is not consigned to the corporate dustbin if you take a career break, then I will feel I have achieved my goal.”

With customer service and care being clearly recognised with this Doctorate, Nikki took the opportunity to encourage the successful graduates to develop their interpersonal skills, saying, “the customer is vital to every business and in the modern world of increased automated communication; the human touch with regular contact should never be overlooked.”

Scania Police Truck On Tachoblog Again – But It’s Not The Same One Says Tachoblog

Tachoblog — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:16:31 +0000

Tachoblog’s posted before about the Scania R480 Police Truck used by the UK’s Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG).

If you’ve missed those – where have you been? – you can catch up by reading ‘Scania R480 Police Car‘. But back to today’s post…

Scania dealer Keltruck recently supplied a the CMPG with another Scania Police Truck which was used on BBC Television’s Crimewatch programme in July.

Click below for more and to see the Truck itself…

Having just taken theirregular truck Scania ‘E6 EGR’ back to Scania at Milton Keynes after appearing at Scania’s Young European Truck Driver of the Year event at Gaydon, Warwickshire, CMPG had to hastily get another truck, arrange for the livery to be cut and prepared and the lights to be fitted, before it appeared on the show.

With only hours to spare and thanks to Keltruck and Reflexite/Bluelight Graphics who supplied the livery and Woodway Engineering Ltd the emergency light fit, the Central Motorway Police Group had their new truck.

Andrew Bentley, Keltruck Ltd General Manager – Marketing & Business Development told Tachoblog, “If you can imagine the vehicle was a standard white Highline cab to start off with and we had to get this turned into a Police vehicle in such a short space in time, congratulations to all involved on such a splendid job, I trust the BBC were happy with how our vehicle turned out.”

Tachoblog thinks you’d probably like to see the truck now, so here it is starring on Crimewatch.

Good News From Isuzu Truck UK, Collett’s – What Better Way Is There To Start The Week Asks Tachoblog

Tachoblog — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:13:53 +0000

Monday morning, but don’t worry…Tachoblog’s got some good news to start your week.

Regular readers will know that we’re big fans of Isuzu Trucks so to learn that they’re continuing with the progressive expansion of its UK dealer network by appointing Collett Isuzu Gloucester as its new dealer in the Gloucester area is something we like to hear!

Click below for more…

With effect from July 12th 2010, Collett Isuzu Gloucester, based in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, are responsible for all sales, service and parts activity for the Isuzu Truck brand throughout much of the county and surrounding area.

Collett Isuzu Gloucester is part of Collett Transport Services, a successful family owned company operating a number of well-established commercial vehicle service operations from 2 depots in Gloucestershire.

“After our initial discussions with Collett Transport Services, it was very clear to us that both companies shared the same business ethics with regards to customer care. The appointment of Collett Isuzu Gloucester, as the latest addition to our growing dealer network, is a natural fit for us all,” Keith Child, Marketing Director at Isuzu Truck UK told Tachoblog.

“Collett Isuzu Gloucester is ideally located on the A38 between Junctions 13 and 14 of the M5. This is a busy corridor with excellent road links to the South West and to Wales. We believe that this appointment will certainly boost the Isuzu presence in this important area of the country,” added Keith Child.

Collett Isuzu Gloucester is based at new premises in:

Unit 8 Lorridge Farm, A38 Berkeley Heath, Berkeley, Glos GL13 9EU

Tel: 01454 269606, Fax: 01454 269608,
Email: info@colletttransport.co.uk
Web: www.colletttransport.co.uk

Sales Manager: Gordon Craig

Tachoblog Visits Hampton Court Palace Thanks To The Ford Transit

Tachoblog — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:37:54 +0000

From something very American – what do you mean you haven’t read ‘President Obama On Tachoblog Thanks To Smith Electric Vehicles‘? – Tachoblog brings you something quintessentially English with the news that the gardeners of the 750-acre royal estate of Hampton Court Palace have taken delivery of three new Ford Transit vans.

The gardeners are certainly a busy bunch and have a small fleet of Ford Transits to keep staff on top of the job.

Click below for more…

Hampton Court has taken delivery of three new Transits, which have been liveried in the distinctive colours of the Palace, by the Thames in south-west London.

The Transits were supplied by Ford dealer Dinnages, bringing to four the number of Ford vans provided to Hampton Court by the Sussex-based dealer, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

“We have had four vehicles in all from Dinnages,” Graham Dillamore, gardens and estates operations manager for Historic Royal Palaces told Tachoblog. “Three are being used by members of the 44 full-time gardening staff for general gardens and estate operations, including landscaping work and maintenance, and the other is used to provide stock to our retail outlets at the Tower of London, Hampton Court and Kensington Palace.

“We chose the Transit because of its ready availability, ease of maintenance and staff familiarity. Dinnages is our preferred Ford dealer – we have found the staff there nice to deal with and we have struck up a good relationship with them.”

That’s a tribute which Dinnages commercial manager Mike Boden is delighted to receive. Speaking to Tachoblog he said, “It’s always nice to attract orders from outside your local area, and also to receive compliments from a client as prestigious as Hampton Court Palace. The Transits look superb in their Hampton Court livery.

“Dinnages is this year celebrating its 75th anniversary, and the Transit its 45th anniversary, so the timing is very appropriate.”

The first private Royal gardens were laid out at Hampton Court for King Henry VIII in the 1530s. There are now 60 acres of formal gardens in the 750 acres of Royal parkland which provide the setting for Hampton Court Palace. Among its many attractions are the annual RHS flower show and the world-famous maze, in which a third of a million people try not to lose themselves every year.

President Obama On Tachoblog Thanks To Smith Electric Vehicles

Tachoblog — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:24:46 +0000

If you read Tachoblog’s post ‘Tachoblog Scoop! US President To Visit Smith Electric Vehicles This Week‘ then you’ll already know that Barack Obama recently visited the headquarters of Smith Electric Vehicles US Corporation (Smith US) in Kansas City, Missouri.

When he was there, the President of the United States praised workers at global electric truck company Smith Electric Vehicles for helping to rebuild America’s economy.

Click below for more and to read what President Obama had to say…

Barack Obama had made a special trip to visit Smith US’ headquarters and he met with the plant’s workers and their families.

The President said (sadly not exclusively to Tachoblog!), “I just had a chance to get a tour and saw some of the battery-powered trucks that you’re manufacturing. I had a chance to talk to some of the folks who build them.

“But the reason I’m here today is because, at this plant, you’re doing more than just building new vehicles. You are helping to fight our way through a vicious recession and you are building the economy of America’s future.”

Barack Obama also announced that the plant had recently employed its 50th worker as it continues to increase production of its Smith Newton all-electric truck.

He added, “This is how we take charge of our destiny. This is how we create jobs and lasting growth. This is how we ensure that America not only recovers, but prospers – that this nation leads in the industries of the future.

“Yes, this has been a difficult period for America: two years of brutal recession; a decade of economic insecurity. And there will be more hard days. That’s the truth. But what you are proving here at Smith Electric is the promise of a brighter future.”

Designed for urban operations, the Newton has a top speed of 50mph, a range of up to 100 miles on a full battery charge and payload capabilities of up to 16,000lbs (7,500kg).

Smith US, which only commenced production in October 2009, has already delivered vehicles to blue chip customers including AT&T, Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola and Staples; plus utilities Pacific Gas & Electric and Kansas City Power & Light.

Smith US is an associate company of Smith Electric Vehicles UK (Smith UK), which was founded in 1920 and is longest established electric vehicle manufacturer in the world. Based in Tyne & Wear, the company produces the world’s largest range of electric commercial vehicles (vans and trucks), in the Smith Edison van and minibus (electric Ford Transit) and the Smith Newton truck. Hundreds of these electric vehicles are now in service in the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, France, Hong Kong and Southern China.

Smith UK is also working on a pure electric version of the iconic London black taxi.

Earlier this year, Smith US announced a conditional offer to buy the Smith UK operation, creating a single global company focused on commercial electric vehicles.

Tachoblog Is Backing Isuzu Truck UK In This Year’s Isuzu World Technical Competition

Tachoblog — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:19:52 +0000

In October this year, two technicians from Isuzu Truck UK’s dealer network are to represent the UK in the Isuzu World Technical Competition that is being held at Isuzu Motors Ltd in Japan.

Historically this week-long event, which focuses on the technical skills within the Isuzu network, has primarily involved Isuzu subsidiaries from the Asian continent. However, following an observation visit last year by ITUK training staff, technicians from Isuzu Truck UK have been invited to participate in this global skills competition for the very first time.

Under the auspices of Tim Hicks, Training Manager at Isuzu Truck UK, a rigorous selection procedure took place earlier this year involving six of Isuzu Truck UK trained Master Technicians. The winning technicians, Derek Tansley from DT Trucks in Barking and Ruth James from Beech’s Garages (1983) Ltd in Stoke on Trent, will now represent the UK in Japan at Isuzu’s prestigious event.

“ITUK has developed a high level of training and skills expertise and our approach to customer service, through our CARE programme, has been recognised by Isuzu Motors Ltd in Japan, with this first ever invitation to participate in the World Technical Competition,” Keith Child, Marketing Director, Isuzu Truck UK told Tachoblog.

The Isuzu team from Thailand were victorious in the 2009 competition, winning the event for the third consecutive year, with teams from Japan and Vietnam coming 2nd and 3rd respectively. In total, technicians from 10 countries, involving 280 participants, attended this annual competition, including representatives from Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

“It’s a huge honour for us to be invited to participate in this global event and I am sure that both Derek and Ruth will be successful ambassadors for the ITUK dealer network during this intensive competition in Japan,” added Keith Child.

Tachoblog wishes Derek and Ruth all the best of luck and looks forward to blogging on their victory in a few months time!

Volvo Trucks Launches Owners’ Gallery iPhone App

Tachoblog — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:05:12 +0000

Volvo Truck’s Owner’s Gallery is, as you may already know, very popular.

If you haven’t heard of it before, it’s a place where drivers can show off their pride and joy – so long as it’s a Volvo of course! What’s more, visitors to the site can rate the pictures and the highest rated shot becomes ‘Truck of the Month‘. The picture above is from the current selection.

Anyway, in keeping with the times, Volvo has now released an iPhone App that lets you easily search, view and rate trucks in your iPhone. You can also upload your own images and share your truck with the rest of the world. You can get the app from the App store.

If you want to see it all working, then here’s a brief promo video…

Mercedes Unimog Tested By UK’s Fifth Gear

Tachoblog — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:34:43 +0000

Pretty much wherever in the world you are, Tachoblog’s pretty confident that you’ll have heard of the UK’s premier motoring program ‘Top Gear’ co-presented by the opinionated, brilliant Jeremy Clarkson. But have you heard of ‘Fifth Gear’?

Fifth Gear is the ‘other’ motoring program. Don’t get Tachoblog wring, it is a great show and usually more factual than Top Gear. That said, Top Gear is definitely a program about cars for people who don’t like (and of course people who do like) cars.

Anyway, on to the this post. Fifth Gear’s Tom Ford tested the incredible – and Tachoblog’s favourite 4×4 – Mercedes Benz Unimog. As it’s Monday, we thought you might like to see what they made of it.

It’s Shameless Pun Time On Tachoblog As Kingsmill Slice Emissions

Tachoblog — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:20:15 +0000

Tachoblog readers in the UK will no doubt be groaning at this posts headline – and quite understandably too!. If you’re not from these shores then Tachoblog will put you out of one misery – so you can groan along as well – by explaining that Kingsmill is a brand of bread (including sliced of course!) here.

Anyway, the news is that Kingsmill have introduced 23 ‘Tear Drop’ and two EcoStream delivery trucks to its fleet as part of their commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

Click below for the whole(meal) – sorry – story…

So how do these new purchases help the cause? Well, as you can see from the pictures the trucks’ shape mimics the natural properties of a liquid teardrop and so significantly reduces fuel consumption by achieving optimum aerodynamic efficiency.

The streamlined body shape, linked to Iveco Euro 5 Environmentally enhanced vehicles gives both reduction in carbon and other engine exhaust emission levels. The 2 EcoStream design vehicles have light weight bodies and improved aerodynamics to further compliment the drive to reduce carbon emissions.

Allied Bakeries CEO, Mark Fairweather explained to Tachoblog, “As a socially responsible company, we are committed to reducing our impact on the environment and specifically looking for new ways to minimise our carbon footprint. We have identified deliveries as an area we can improve on and the new eco friendly delivery trucks will help us to continue our journey to reduce our carbon emissions.”

Tachoblog» Manufacturers Archives – The Tacho Blog

Volvo Have Two Truck Racing World Records – See Them Do It On Tachoblog

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Nikki King – Isuzu Truck UK’s Managing Director – Awarded Honorary Doctorate By Staffordshire University – Tachoblog Adds Our Congratulations!

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Scania Police Truck On Tachoblog Again – But It’s Not The Same One Says Tachoblog

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Good News From Isuzu Truck UK, Collett’s – What Better Way Is There To Start The Week Asks Tachoblog

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Tachoblog Visits Hampton Court Palace Thanks To The Ford Transit

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President Obama On Tachoblog Thanks To Smith Electric Vehicles

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Tachoblog Is Backing Isuzu Truck UK In This Year’s Isuzu World Technical Competition

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Volvo Trucks Launches Owners’ Gallery iPhone App

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Mercedes Unimog Tested By UK’s Fifth Gear

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It’s Shameless Pun Time On Tachoblog As Kingsmill Slice Emissions

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