Tachoblog’s UK Commercial Vehicle News Roundup 16.7.09
Thanks to the good folk at the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Tachoblog can bring you a roundup of the UK’s Commercial Vehicle news for this week…
Government puts vans in spotlight
The Commission for Integrated Transport is to look at the 40% rise in van use over the past decade. CfIT, which advises the government on policy, wants to know what caused the increase and to understand the effect on congestion, the environment and safety. “There has been a 40% increase in van traffic over the last ten years and vans now account for about 13% of UK vehicle kilometres,” said Richard Turner, the former chief executive of the Freight Transport Association who leads the work on behalf of CfIT. “There is a real lack of knowledge about this sector, which is often unloved by motorists, pedestrians and regulators.” To complete the study, which CfIT aims to publish next year, it wants to hear from the whole sector – operators, drivers, customers, manufacturers and dealers. “David Prescott on david.prescott@dft.gsi.gov.ukwill welcome your offers of help.”
More from Luke Blair on +44 (0)7 779 023 188 or lb@londoncommunications.co.uk
Free tickets for Ingliston
With Truckfest Scotland coming soon, on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August, Transport News is offering 100 pairs of free entrance tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. The application coupon is in the August issue out 17 July. This edition also includes TN’s traditional Annual Buyers Guide with a unique set of individual truck makers’ dealer maps for Scotland and the North of England.
More from Alistair Vallance on +44 (0)1 355 279 077 or info@transportnews.co.uk
New hybrid bus system on London buses
Four of ten new Optare Tempo buses equipped with the GM-Allison Hybrid EP-System have recently gone to work in East London; they are the first in the UK. The ‘two mode’ parallel hybrid system combines direct power from an electronically controlled diesel engine with electric power from an energy storage system. The system is already cutting fuel use, noise and emissions and improving efficiency for bus fleets in over 115 other cities worldwide. The GM-Allison-equipped buses are with the East London Bus Group where they will carry passengers on the 276 route between Newham General Hospital and Stoke Newington.
More from Claire Dumbreck on +44 (0)1 295 277 050 or claire.dumbreck@m-eng.com
Board buys into Optare
Optare PLC chairman John Fickling and CEO Jim Sumner have just bought “a significant number” of shares in the company, amounting to some 2.5% of the firm’s share capital. “This reflects our collective faith in the future of the business,” said John Fickling. “Even at this difficult time for the bus industry, Optare has strong potential for growth and development which gives us the confidence to buy further shares at this time”.
More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
RHA helps with Driver CPC training
The Road Haulage Association’s training arm just signed up its 1,000th candidate for its Driver CPC-related courses. From 10 September 2009 anyone driving vehicles of 3.5 tonnes and over on a commercial basis will need a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence. “This is just the tip of a very large iceberg,” said Steve Ellis, head of training for the RHA. He thinks it vital that good training be available to any driver working in the industry, not just RHA members. RHA Training covers all parts of the Driver CPC and has courses to help operators at every stage.
More from Kate Gibbs on +44 (0)1 932 838 917 or kate.gibbs@rha.uk.net
206 Iveco Trakkers for UK Ministry of Defence
Iveco’s defence arm has delivered the first of 206 specialist 6×6 off-road Trakkers to defence contractor ALC. The Amey and VT (originally Vosper Thornycroft) joint venture outfit that runs MoD’s ‘C’ vehicle fleet, construction vehicles, plant and civil engineering kit. Iveco says this is the single largest Trakker order ever placed in the UK. It will see the 6×6 heavy trucks fitted with a range of different bodywork to support the ‘C’ vehicle fleet. The first 33 vehicles are all Truck Mounted Loader models, each with a Mackworth flatbed body with a rear-mounted Terex-Atlas rear-mounted lifting arm and twist-locks to fix a 20ft ISO container. Other models to come include tippers, well drilling rigs and concrete mixers. All but one have the same length wheelbase, so that the Army can more easily re-body them if necessary.
More from James Keeler on +44 (0)2 086 474 467 or jk@garnett-keeler.com
Gearing up for garage reform
Thousands of vehicle owners across Britain think they have been ripped off when getting their vehicle serviced or MoT’d in the last five years, according to new research released today. The study done for Motor Codes Ltd, the motor industry’s self-regulatory body, shows that 94% of vehicle owners want a recognised garage code with minimum standards. Also, over 33% were unhappy with the service they got and 70% of people don’t know who to speak to if an issue arises with a garage. “The findings show that people still don’t know where to go to for advice,” said Chris Mason, Motor Codes director. “We aim to fix this now, with a single website and a freephone number. Motorists can be confident that they’re getting the right advice from industry experts.”
More from John Procter on +44 (0)2 073 449 263 or jprocter@motorcodes.co.uk
First Volvos for McCarthy
McCarthy’s Coach Hire of Cork just put two Volvo B7R coaches with Sunsundegui bodywork on a mix of private hire and contract work. These are the first Volvos into the firm’s fleet. Each of the new coaches has 53 seats all with three-point belts, full climate control, reversing camera, fridge and CD/DVD player. They will do contract work for Bus Eireann, private hire around Ireland and tour work for other operators throughout Ireland and to the UK.
More from Don Johnston on +44 (0)1 926 414 553 or don.johnston@volvo.com
Another new boss at RHA
The Road Haulage Association says Richard Ellithorne will be its new director of operations from 1 September, working from the RHA’s Peterborough office. He’ll join from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and has worked at a senior level for a number of large haulage firms.
More from Kate Gibbs on +44 (0)1 932 838 917 or kate.gibbs@rha.uk.net
Schmitz wins 115-reefer deal with Yearsley
The Yearsley Group just bought 115 Schmitz Cargobull refrigerated trailers outright from Schmitz Cargobull. The firm will add the new vehicles to its 340-strong, Schmitz-dominated fleet, doing mostly UK work. It distributes frozen foods and raw materials to manufacturers and finished goods to retailers wholesalers and caterers. Built at Schmitz Cargobull’s newly reorganised factory at Harelaw, County Durham, the trailers use Schmitz Cargobull’s patented Ferroplast panels, bonded together to offer the highest standards of hygiene and cut maintenance over the trailer’s working life. The firm says its easily cleaned reefers are well suited for the transport of foodstuffs.
More from Lloyd Arkil on +44 (0)1 923 777 897 or lloyd@am-pr.net
More clutches from Sachs
ZF Trading UK Ltd says its new Sachs Commercial Vehicle and Light Commercial Vehicle Clutch Catalogue has 88 new items. These cover 102 new applications, including new Daf, Mercedes, Scania and Volvo parts. The firm says this is now the best CV clutch catalogue available for parts distributors and motor factors.
More from Sara Collinge on +44 (0)1 494 434 434 or sarac@strategicpr.net
One stop motoring advice shop opens
From today, motorists can get fair and honest services from the automotive sector, thanks to Motor Codes, the government and consumer lobby-backed body. “www.motorindustrycodes.co.uk, our new website and our free advice line on +44 (0)8 006 920 825 will give you access to experts when you need them,” said Chris Mason, Motor Codes director. “Most of the calls we take are from people simply looking for timely advice. All the firms that sign up to our codes are committed to providing the highest level of customer service possible and we work hard to help them maintain that.”
More from John Procter on +44 (0)2 073 449 263 or jprocter@motorcodes.co.uk
TruckProtect saves cash for Travis Perkins
UK builders’ merchant Travis Perkins has decided to specify TruckProtect’s InstantFit Neck-It anti-fuel theft units to every new truck it orders. The firm runs a 1,700 strong fleet and needed to tackle the growing problem of fuel theft. “Unlike other anti-siphon devices, our unit has no moving parts and protects against fuel-skimming, where diesel is siphoned off from the top of the tank,” said Russell Fowler, chief executive at TruckProtect. “It is simple to fit, with no drilling or glueing and can cope with fast-filling at speeds of up to 120 litres a minute without spilling or splash backs.”
More from Russell Fowler on +44 (0)1 633 252 093 or russell.fowler@truckprotect.com
Transit 4×4 for National Grid
Ford says it has delivered five Transit 4x4s to National Grid. Supplied as light trucks and bought outright, they have dropside bodies and are part of a new, three-year deal between the two firms. They join over 3,000 others Fords on National Grid’s fleet and should do some 18,000 miles a year.
More from Oliver Rowe on 01 277 252 216 or orowe@ford.com
Bus makers meet guide dogs and owners
Bus maker members of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders met guide dogs and their owners recently to talk about their special needs. The increasing number of accessible buses in UK means that more disabled people use them, so the firms want to find ways to improve vehicle design. For instance, London’s iBus programme in London offers audible announcements at bus stops and encourages guide dog owners to use buses, but this has highlighted issues with bus layout and space. “The meeting was very useful to us all and really made us aware of this important issue,” said Adrian Wickens of Volvo Bus, who chairs the SMMT’s Bus and Coach Section. “We look forward to working with the Association and getting its input to help us improve new bus designs.”
More from John Procter on +44 (0)2 073 449 263 or jprocter@motorcodes.co.uk
French dealer and 100 vehicle order for Modec
Electric van maker Modec says it has appointed Paris-based ElecTruckCity as its French dealer. The firm has already ordered 100 Modec vans and sold 40 of them to French customers. Frederic Deret, president of logistics giant Deret Group, and Michel Albrand, former president of MAN France, set up ElecTruckCity. Modec says that the recent EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval for its vans means it can now them anywhere in the EU.
More from Catherine Hutt on +44 (0)2 077 769 000 or catherine.hutt@modeczev.com
Exports grow for Tanksafe
Tiss says exports of its TankSafe ‘Impregnable’ Fuel Security & Safety Devices and ‘Standard’ Anti-Siphon are growing well. In June alone, the firm sold more than 1,130 systems through its dealers in Italy, Israel, Portugal, Scandinavia and Thailand. “With fuel prices rising again and increasing global awareness of TankSafe, we are receiving more enquiries than ever from hauliers throughout the world looking to protect their fuel,” said Matthew Rose, director. He also said Tiss wants to find more firms around the world to distribute the firm’s products and share in the success.
More from Silvia Vitale on +44 (0)1 253 400 401 or silvia.vitale@tissltd.com
TIP trailer service success for Nightfreight
Nightfreight says the first full year’s outsourced trailer fleet maintenance deal with TIP Trailer Services has proved a success. The firm runs a 480-strong trailer fleet, mostly twin-axle 13.6 m box trailers out of 55 depots across the UK. The deal, in early 2008, aimed to help Nightfreight cut its trailer fleet costs and improve maintenance standards. “TIP is now our sole maintenance partner and it can also offer us a one-stop shop maintenance and for trailer availability, through spot hire, to cope with demand fluctuations on our fleet,” said George Ward, head of engineering at Nightfreight.”
More from David Nash on +44 (0)1 614 567 870 or quadpr@globalnet.co.uk
First Volvo 9700 for Yorkshire Rose
Yorkshire Rose Coaches has put its first Volvo 9700 Prestige Plus 13m coach to work on a new luxury touring programme, Yorkshire Rose Holidays. The 13m tri-axle and 53-seat coach has theatre-style seating, climate control and a range of safety features. These include front under-run and front impact protection systems, passenger knee impact protection, the latest generation of electronic braking and Volvo’s electronic stability system and exterior lighting on the nearside to help passengers get on or off the coach in the dark.
More from Don Johnston on +44 (0)1 926 414 553 or don.johnston@volvo.com
New extended warranty from Vauxhall
Vauxhall has introduced new extended warranties for its vans. The firm says these are easier to use and give big savings. Previously it offered customers a choice of up to ten warranty products, all with different small print. Now there are two levels of cover for new and used vans, banded by engine size and offering up to ten years or 100,000 miles cover. Vauxhall says the deals will protect operators from unexpected repair bills and add value as they can be transferred when a van is sold.
More from Belle Moss on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or bmoss@automotivepr.com
New parts boss at Optare
Richard Matthews just joined UK bus maker Optare as its new parts sales director. He reports to Glenn Saint, commercial director. Matthews previously spent 13 years at Optare in parts sales before moving to a bus sales job at Alexander Dennis three years ago. In his new job, he will work closely with Rick Betton who runs the recently announced Optare Direct finance and leasing organisation. The refurbished bus business is key to Optare Direct and needs significant parts input.
More from Richard Matthews on +44 (0)1 132 645 182 or richard.matthews@optare.com
New gear from Edbro
Edbro is now making its new C Series tipping gear. The firm says the new gear is lighter, stronger and faster than previous models. The design of the new gear has cut the number of parts, improved corrosion protection and extended the “fit and forget” principle, based on successful field-testing.
More from Katherine Littlewood +44 (0)1 204 902 364 or katherine.littlewood@edbro.co.uk
And finally
New Scientist’s Feedback column reports that the cast-iron base to reader Frank Venables’ garden parasol carries a helpful label that reads: “Do not iron, do not machine wash, do not bleach, do not dry clean, do not tumble dry.”
More from www.newscientist.com
