Tachoblog’s Commercial Vehicle News Roundup 10.11.09
Thanks to the good folk at the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Tachoblog can bring you a roundup of Commercial Vehicle news for this week…
Falling van demand easing – trucks dive again
Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show 16,576 vans and trucks registered in October and 227,921 for the rolling year, down 37.9. Within that total, there were 1,755 trucks in October and 39,082 for the rolling year, down 32.9. Vans fared better, with 14,821 for the month and 188,839 for the rolling year, down 38.8. “New van and heavy commercial vehicle registrations continue to fall, reflecting the low level of demand across the UK economy. It is extremely important that government continues with measures to sustain business confidence and strengthen the recovery,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Click below for the rest of the roundup…
Big bus registrations uncertain – coaches stabilising
SMMT registration data show big buses down 22% for the three months to October 2009 compared to the same period last year. Equally, the drop in big coach registration may have stabilised at last, near 650 units, though the order outlook is poor as buyers’ caution grows with uncertain operating conditions. “Demand for big buses has continued to deteriorate over recent months,” said Paul Everitt, chief executive at the SMMT. “The sector had lagged the more acute recessionary squeeze affecting other new vehicle markets in 2009, but into 2010 the outlook is not encouraging. Coaches are also suffering, with demand possibly stabilising at about 55% of recent peak annual registration volumes. Once again, it is extremely important that government continues with measures to sustain business confidence and strengthen the recovery.”
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Real time tacho data from TomTom Work
TomTom Work says it has successfully added real-time digital tachograph data to its Webfleet web-based fleet management software. Live tachograph data on driver’s resting, working and driving makes it easier for traffic offices to assign jobs based on a driver’s available hours. This extends the firm’s Active navigation system, which combines tracking, two-way communications and satellite navigation. This means that live working time data can be fed straight into the payroll system and that driving or resting time logs can give a real-time legal compliance check. It can also improve efficiency by integrating with back-office systems.
More from David Rowlands on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or drowlands@automotivepr.com
More Dafs for Rhys Davies
Rhys Davies Freight Logistics of Cardiff is about take another four Daf CF85.460 tractors. These follow seven delivered earlier this year, joining the firm’s 170-strong truck and 150-strong trailer fleet. Rhys Davies works from eight depots across the UK to run a wide-ranging freight, logistics and distribution service. Most of the fleet are on seven-year repair and maintenance deals, with 44 tonners typically doing 200,000 miles a year and rigids running at around 80,000 miles a year. Cardiff Truck Centre won the latest business and arranged the R+M deals.
More from Gary Clark on +44 (0)2 920 308 595 or gary@cardifftruck.co.uk
Avoid the pitfalls when buying online
George Alexander, editor of Glass’s Guide to Commercial Vehicle Values warns that traders working from home and buying van and truck stock on the internet face pitfalls. “Even with the availability of fully detailed vehicle descriptions and with rostrum bids being revealed almost instantaneously, not being at the sale does present potential problems,” says Alexander. “Mistakes can be made if a vehicle has not been assessed accurately or completely.” He says this could be the Achilles heel for online bidding, citing a recent example when vehicle sold online for “good money” but had damage to the lower nearside that was not visible on the buyer’s screen.
More from Kate Hudson on +44 (0)1 622 691 361 or kate.hudson@pfpr.com
Study looks for heavy-duty efficiency
The Energy Technologies Institute says it plans a study to “look at increasing efficiency and cutting emissions of heavy-duty vehicles, such as coaches, buses and mining vehicles.” This aims to look the way we use these vehicles and try to find “efficiency improvement technologies” and check the benefits for them. “Carbon reduction from heavy-duty vehicles presents a significant challenge; many of the current options to reduce CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles are not feasible for heavy duty applications,” said Dr David Clarke, ETI boss. The study, led by Ricardo and including Caterpillar and Rolls-Royce, should take nine months.
More from Richard Robinson on +44 (0)1 509 202 026 or richard.robinson@eti.co.uk
Used van price rise continues
Manheim Auctions’ latest monthly Van Market Analysis says that at £3,590, the average wholesale used van sale price increased by 4.7% or £161 in October compared with September. This is the eighth month this year that average values have risen and the third in a row. Compared with October last year average, used van prices are up 28.8% or £803. The firm says this is surprising as the average is up by five months to 57 months and average mileage is 4,963 miles higher at 76,065. “The continued strengthening of wholesale used van prices is encouraging,” said a cautious Alex Wright, sales director, commercial vehicles, for Manheim. He warns that, traditionally, the market cools over Christmas and the New Year.
More from Andrew Andersz on +44 (0)1 865 343 100 or andrew.andersz@thejjgroup.com
Postal scam too
The UK’s Trading Standards office and ICSTIS, the premium rate phone service regulator warns of another scam, this time from Belize: Typically you’ll get a card posted through your door from a company called Parcel Delivery Service or PDS. It asks you to call, as it couldn’t deliver a parcel. The contact number it gives is 0906-661-1911. The advice is: Ignore it – if you call the number and start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £15 for the phone call. If you do get a card with these details, call Royal Mail Fraud on +44 (0)2 072 396 655 first.
More from www.icstis.org.uk
British road deaths down 9%
The UK Department for Transport just released data on road casualties in Great Britain. The provisional estimates show the number of road deaths down 9% for the twelve months ending June 2009 compared to the previous twelve months. Total casualties and killed and seriously injured casualties were both down 7% compared to the previous 12 months.
More from www.dft.gov.uk
Optare expands sales team and broadens its role
Optare has broadened the role of its sales team and added two new people to give its customers even better service Five regional sales managers now give a single point of contact on new or used vehicle sales, parts, warranty or service issues, vehicle finance, rental and leasing and the firm’s Eco Drive products. The team’s two new members, both promoted from within, are Dean Noble, who covers the North East of England and Scotland and Dave Sellars who handles the North West.
More from David Rowlands on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or drowlands@automotivepr.com
Twin deck solution
Hertfordshire Police Fleet Services just put two Isuzu 7.5 tonne twin-deck car transporters to work, collecting and delivering cars and vans for service and repairs. “They wanted 3.5 tonners but as some of the vehicles they move weigh up to 2.7t, they had to think again,” said Mike Saward at Recoveryvehicles.com. “We suggested a 7.5 tonner with a twin deck, to carry the heaviest vehicles with the top deck lowered. For normal use they carry a car up to 1.64t on the top deck and have a 2.0t payload on the bottom deck.” Several tests later, the police agreed and Saward had Worldwide Recovery Systems build two trucks, based on Isuzu 7.5t Forward models. He managed the project from start to finish and delivered the two trucks. Each weighs 3,86t to give a 3.64t payload.
More from Mike Saward on +44 (0)1 438 840 690 or mike@recoveryvehicles.com
Hackney leads as road safety champion
The London borough of Hackney is the first local authority in London to win business champion status through RoadSafe, the road safety organisation. This award recognises the council’s efforts to cut accidents and their costs. “Hackney Council is now a beacon of best practice that other local authorities would do best to follow,” said Caroline Scurr campaign director, Driving for Better Business. Hackney’s new Fleet Management Unit offers advice on all aspects of work-related safety to ensure that its fleet is run efficiently. “Managers have a responsibility to build safety into all their decision making and to ensure that their staff and volunteers understand the role they have for their own and others’ safety,” said Chris Hudson, assistant director of procurement and fleet.
More from Ed James on +44(0)2 073 449 236 or ejames@roadsafe.com
TIP opens new Vosa test site
TIP Tanker Services, the specialist Tanker hire division of GE Capital has opened of a “state of the art” Vosa test site in Knottingley, West Yorkshire, close to the A1 and M62 corridor. The firm says the move will help it grow its FleetCare service and fleet maintenance scheme. The site offers Vosa testing every Wednesday, as well as MoT preparation, servicing and truck and trailer brake tests.
More from Gavin Parker on +44 (0)1 977 674 100 or gavin.parker@gecapital.com
Managing agency drivers
The Freight Transport Association says its Guide to Managing Agency Drivers has advice to help firms using agency drivers stay on the right side of the law. “There are risks associated with using drivers who are unfamiliar with an operation and who are an unknown quantity for the company employing them,” says the FTA. “Thankfully these risks can be mitigated with some careful, common sense planning.” The Guide is available at www.shop.fta.co.uk and costs £4.50 each for FTA members and £5.00 for non-members. Each copy contains a free CD ROM containing all the document templates mentioned in the Guide, in a Microsoft Word format.
More from Jo Tanner on +44 (0)7 985 874 248 or jtanner@fta.co.uk
Everywoman in Transport and Logistics
The 2010 MAN everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards opens for entries from 1 December 2009. Following its success in the last two years, the awards, run with Skills for Logistics, aims to recognise the women who act as role models in the industry. Awards categories include those responsible for managing warehouses; starting out in the industry; drivers, directors and women leading successful teams. There is also an overall award for the woman who stands out for her achievements. You can nominate your favourite, online, at www.everywoman.com from Thursday 1 December until Friday 19 February 2010.
More from Maxine Benson MBE on +44 (0)2 079 812 572 or max@everywoman.com
Traffic data – cars and vans up, trucks down
The latest provisional data from the UK Department for Transport show British traffic up 0.4% in the third quarter of 2009 compared last year. Over that period, car traffic was up 1%, vans were up 3% and trucks were down 7%. Traffic on motorways and ‘A’ roads rose by 1%. On minor rural roads there was no change, while there was a 1% drop on minor urban roads. The DfT says all these figures are provisional, with final estimates due next year.
More from www.dft.gov.uk
New UK boss for GM
General Motors says it will soon have a new boss for the UK and Ireland. On 1 January 2010 Duncan Aldred takes over as managing director from Bill Parfitt, the present chairman and MD. As well as the MD job, Aldred will also be executive director sales, service and marketing for the UK and Ireland. He’s presently director, sales operations for GM Europe. Although Parfitt retires he’ll keep the UK non-executive chairman job at GM.
More from Denis Chick on +44 (0)1 582 427 576 or denis.chick@gm.com
Record first-time entrants for Bifa Awards
The British International Freight Association says it has a record number of first-time entrants for its Freight Service Awards. Seven of these have made it to a 30 strong shortlist. They are: Activair (UK); Bellville Rodair International Ltd; Eagle Cargo Services; NNR Global Logistics UK Ltd; TR Logistics Group; Gist Ltd; and Pantos Logistics (UK) Ltd. Bifa will announce the winners at its annual lunch at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London EC1 on Thursday 21 January, 2010.
More from Ian Matheson on +44 (0)1 689 860 660 or info@impresscommunications.org
Blue Peter goes truck racing
Blue Peter’s Andy Akinwolere’s tried his hand at truck racing recently – in the action-packed British Championship event at Brands Hatch on 1 November. His efforts will be shown in the Blue Peter edition due to go out at 16.35 on Tuesday November 10 on BBC1..
More from Jonathan Reeves on +44 (0)2 088 577 365 or jonreeves@onetel.com
New man at Infleet
David Tattler is the new UK sales manager at tyre service firm Infleet. Based at Cannock, West Midlands, the firm offers tyre services in the UK and, with the help of continental service partners, across 28 countries on the mainland too.
More from Bill Hall, on +44 (0)1 543 404 675 or billhall@infleet.co.uk
Vehicle electronics training – places still available
Warwick Control says it is running more In-Vehicle Network Training courses on the technology of data-buses in vehicle electronics. “Anyone who needs to learn about the effects of data-buses (CAN, LIN, FlexRay, MOST) in modern vehicle electronics structures will find this course essential,” says the firm’s Richard McLaughlin. “There are still a few places available for the session on Wednesday 11 November, Remembrance Day and there is another course on Wednesday 9 December.”
More from Richard McLaughlin on +44 (0)7 788 722 039 or richard@warwickcontrol.com
TomTom helps Devon haulier
Devon haulier William C Hockin (Transport) Limited of Barnstable has fitted a TomTom Work tracking system to its 35 trucks. This improves driver safety, legal compliance, efficiency, productivity and vehicle security. “The system enables us to react quickly when customers call us to ask if we can take on an outbound or return load,” says Bill Hockin, managing director. “And we are now able to give a very accurate arrival time just by a quick glance at the screen in the traffic office.” TomTom also helps Hockin cope with drivers’ hours rules and respond better to breakdowns.
More from David Rowlands on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or drowlands@automotivepr.com
Vosa to tackle congestion
The UK’s Vehicle and Operator Services Agency says it is leading a number of new multi-agency plans to cut congestion caused by incidents involving trucks. Although trucks only account for 4% of incidents, they cause 20% of “incident-related” jams. The “Road Safety Action Plans” aim for “improved detection, education and enforcement” and involve Vosa, The Highways Agency, Transport Scotland and Traffic Wales in better information sharing. “We all want to reduce the number of non-compliant HGVs and drivers operating on the strategic road network,” said Mark Warden, Vosa stakeholder manager.
More from Rachel Hicks on +44 (0)1 179 542 619 or press@vosa.gov.uk
Electric van concept from Nissan
Nissan has released a concept sketch of an electric-powered light van, based on its recently new launched NV200 van. The firm says the cheap, multi-purpose van would allow ambulance drivers to drive directly into a hospital, while delivery van and taxi drivers could enter urban areas where CO2 emissions are restricted. The van is one of four electric vehicles Nissan announced for the future. At the same time the Renault-Nissan Alliance and the Development & Reform Commission of Guangdong Province China just announced a zero-emission mobility deal for the province.
More from Linda Robinson on +44 (0)1 923 899 932 or linda.robinson@nissan.co.uk
Renault apprentice awards
Renault Trucks just made awards its top apprentices.. There were awards for the top performers across all three years of the firm’s technical apprentice scheme. For the first time, Renault made an award to the top performer amongst the customer service apprentices. This year’s winners were Daniel Willis of RH Commercial Vehicles at Nottingham, Bradley Page of Complete Vehicles at Swindon and Chris Peat of RH Commercial Vehicles, also at Nottingham. Matthew Melia of Renault Trucks Midlands at Tipton won the Customer Service apprentice award. All are part of the Renault Trucks Advanced Apprenticeship Options Programme, run with the RAC.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com
Volvo FE goes auto
Volvo Trucks’ FE two-axle distribution rigids is the latest truck model in the firm’s range available with an automated transmission, the I-Sync. Volvo says this is part of its drive to strengthen its position in the distribution segment. I-Sync is a manual gearbox equipped for computer aided gear changes. Like the heavier duty I-Shift, it aims to combine the manual gearbox’s operating reliability and low weight with the automatic transmission’s driving comfort and efficiency. More than 30% of all FL trucks have been delivered with the system. “Now we are strengthening our offer by also introducing I-Sync on some of the larger FE models,” says Anders Bellini, for the firm.
More from Marie Vassiliadis on +46 (0)31 322 41 27 or marie.vassiliadis@volvo.com
GSM tracking
Satcom Technology Ltd says its new Advance Cellular Tracking system uses advanced cellular triangulation to track goods via GSM where GPS is not available. “ACT is ideally suited for tracking high value and high risk goods on pallets or in containers,” says the firm’s Noel O’Connell. The firm has also developed a new wind-powered tracking system for rail wagons. The unit uses wind power to charge the system’s battery and is designed to track the wagons as they travel across Europe.
More from Noel O’Connell + 353 (0)2 1452 4490 or noel@satcomtechnology.com
New auto transmission
Eaton just launched its next generation of automated transmissions, called UltraShift Plus. It has new automated clutch technology and intelligent shift selection software that uses gradient and weight sensing and driver throttle commands. The firm says it worked with North American truck makers “to tailor each UltraShift Plus model into a specific integrated powertrain”. The aim is to deliver intelligent shift decisions for efficient and safe performance for the vehicle in its intended job. The new transmissions will be available soon in limited quantities for a wide variety of heavy-duty truck North American truck makes and models. Full production is due in 2010.
More from Mike O’Neill on +1 (0)2 157 521 429 or Oneillpr@aol.com
November van deal from Vauxhall
Vauxhall’s business sales unit has some “additional support” available on brand new, unregistered vans. They must be registered by 30 November to qualify. These range from a Corsavan 1.3 Cdti 16V Sportive Van for £8,350.00 through to Combos, Astravans, Movano chassis cabs and a tipper at £12,600. There is also a Vivaro 2.0CDTI Sportive LWB Double cab at £15,400..00. “If you are interested in any of these or quotations on any other Vauxhalls please contact me,” says Mark Bowkett, business sales manager.
More from Mark Bowkett on +44 (0)7 867 905 365 or mark.bowkett@gm.com
And finally
New Scientist’s Feedback column says that when reader Roly Roper was going through his email on Yahoo, a pop-up appeared telling him that there had been “an unexpected problem” and to try again. What he wants to know is: if the problem was indeed unexpected, how come they had a pop-up ready for the situation?
More from www.newscientist.com
