Transport News Brief
Week 4, Monday 22 January 2007
LEZ shambles
Transport for London’s plans for a Low Emission Zone are seriously flawed, say the UK’s Freight Transport Association. The London LEZ will more or less cover the area bounded by the M25. “The plan will not improve air quality, will not detect offending vehicles and will penalise innocent vehicles.” The FTA says scheme won’t differentiate between some Euro 3 and Euro 2 trucks – important because the Euro 2 trucks will be charged £200 a day while the Euro 3 models pay nothing. “Also TfL can’t check any foreign trucks to see if they meet the LEZ standard, nor can it say if trucks will have to pay that £200 to get to workshops inside the M25 for maintenance. It seems that many vehicles that meet the standards will be charged while many that don’t, won’t.” The FTA also points out that trucks produce only 20% of vehicle emissions in London and thinks the best bet for LEZ enforcement would be a scheme based on vehicle age, supported by incentives for cleaner trucks.
More from Geoff Dossetter on +44 (0)1 892 552 255 or
Technology based insurance
Specialist insurance broker Lloyd Latchford says its ‘pay by how you drive’ deal is the first commercial fleet insurance scheme of its type in Europe. Jointly developed with telematics firm Airmax and underwritten by two of Europe’s largest insurers Zurich and Royal & SunAlliance the system builds a driver profile based on behaviour like overall mileage and speed, rapid acceleration and harsh braking and driver hours. This allows insurers and fleet managers to asses driving behaviour and suggest changes and if necessary, driver training. This can cut accident costs and claims and gives the potential for a ‘profit-share’ rebate of up to 15% on insurance premiums
More from Phil Gallagher on +44 (0)1 329 847 340 or
Mega Cool
CoolKit says it has developed a lightweight insulated conversion kit for the uniquely shaped Mega van. The quirky, yet durable lining kit, installed in a diesel Mega van was sold to Robin Fahidi of Flavours Ltd, who transports hallal meat in London. “The CoolKit design is ideal and with the Mega van I can do around 200 miles from £15 worth of diesel”. CoolKit also have designs for most panel vans and has almost double its workforce in the last 12 months,. with growing demand for the strong, durable, yet lightweight design.
More from Ben Millington on +44 (0)1 282 770 023 or
Body shop award winner at CV Show
RH Bodyworks will be at the CV Show in April for the first time. The Suffolk based firm, on stand 3581, has won the CV Body Shop of the Year Award three times and does all types of accident repair, refurbishment and re-sprays to any vehicle of any size in its purpose built workshops. “We’ve won that award more times than any other body shop,” says Mike Ball, managing director. “The CV Show will give us a good opportunity to meet customers old and new and show them what we can do, and just for fun, we’ll have a draw for a magnum of champagne.” Ball says the firm is approved by most insurers, trailer makers and accident management companies.
More from Mike Ball on + 44 (0)1 379 870 666 or
New image for RHA
The UK’s Road Haulage Association says it will have a new image at the CV Show in April. “This year’s Show will be particularly exciting for the Road Haulage Association,” said Roger King, RHA chief executive. “We’ll unveil a brand new image for the Association, one that reflects the 21st century and the CV Show and ATS gives us the perfect opportunity to present it to an increasingly world-wide audience. We will also present new services and innovations. This is the perfect launch platform and way to show members what we’re doing on their behalf. Come and see us and that change on stand 4002.”
More from Kate Gibbs on +44 (0)1 932 838 917 or
New lifts from Penny
Penny Hydraulics says it will show its latest lifts on its stand nr. 4261 at the CV Show in April. The firm will use the show to launch its new Foldaway 1000, a one tonne rated unit. Designed for vehicle mounting, this new unit has also has hydraulic slewing gear. “This follows the very successful launch of the lighter, Foldaway 500 at last year’s CV Show.” The firm will also show tyre lifting and other one man operated kit for workshop use as well as its range of medium duty cranes for use on pick-ups, drop-sides and flat-beds and the Step Lift, Load Lift and Tail Lift lifting platform ranges for use on pick-ups, drops-sides and vans.
More from Keith Wootton on +44 (0)1 327 830 675 or
Faun confident
Refuse collection vehicle maker Faun says it is confident about business in 2007. The firm says it starts the year with orders that will keep its factory busy for over four months. “Whilst we expect 2007 to be challenging, we know we have delivered over the last two years and are now far better prepared,” said Andrew Corless, managing director. “We are confident of real growth during the year.” Sales grew in 2006, both to municipalities and private contractors.
More from Helen Aston +44 (0)1 248 722 777 or
On board weighing standard for Morgan
Following success with 12 trucks fitted with the latest on board weighing equipment from PM Onboard, civil engineering and earthworks contractors D Morgan plc, from Hooton, Cheshire will make the PM1300 a standard fit on all its new trucks. The firm runs a 35 strong fleet of 33 tonne, four axle tippers to move aggregates, soil and recycled waste across the North West of England. Via a dash mounted screen, the PM1300 gives the driver accurate payload and axle weights and, through a rear mounted camera it gives a better view when manoeuvring. “Switching to the PM1300 has brought greater operating efficiency and helps ensure trucks run within legal weight limits,” says Graham Bailey, workshop manager. “That and the built-in inclinometer means site safety has improved, too.”
More from Trevor Longcroft on +44 (0)1 564 775 078 or
Motor Transport Awards open.
The annual Motor Transport Awards just opened for entries. This now long-standing event, effectively the UK road transport industy’s answer to the Hollywood ‘Oscars’ culminates in a ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on 4 July. “If you are proud of what you’ve done enter the Awards and prove that you are the best,” says Andrew Brown, editor at Motor Transport. To win or to be shortlisted, shows that you’ve reached the very highest standard, as judged by leading experts.” Entering is very easy; you’ll find a list of Award categories and an entry form at www.mtawards.co.uk “You don’t have to produce a glossy brochure; just tell us in 1,500 words what you have achieved and why it deserves an Award. You can also include documents to support your entry. All we need is for you to tell us what you’ve done in the last year. But you need to get your entry in 30 March 2007.”
More form Sharon Hart on +44 (0)2 086 528 036 or
New Mascott soon
Renault Trucks says its new Euro 4 Mascott has a Euro 4 engine, a new gearbox, a new rear drive axle, a new front axle and a new braking system. The new from Renault Trucks dealers from this coming April.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or
72 new Dafs for Ringway
Specialist highway maintenance firm Ringway has put 72 new Daf two-axle rigids to work on a ten-year deal with Kent County Council. The jobs include road repairs, resurfacing, winter gritting and snow ploughing. The new fleet, dispersed to depots across the county, comprises Daf truck chassis at 7.5, 10 and 18 tonnes, fitted with specialist bodywork. Many are able to cope with a range of different roles. Daf’s Channel Commercials did the deal and will do repair and maintenance work under a Service Level Agreement.
More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or
Relay gets upgraded Trafficmaster
Citroën says its successful new Relay panel van range set the pace in the UK van market at its launch late last year when it became the first to be fitted with satellite navigation and stolen vehicle tracking as standard. Now, this Trafficmaster Smartnav system is upgraded with many new features. All 2007 Trafficmaster Smartnav equipped Relay panel vans get a removable Touchscreen for better security. The system also offers quick postcode entry, which passengers can use on the move, a ‘favourite’ address system to save up to 20 preset destinations and previous destination recall of the last five destinations, so that drivers can download routes quickly. There is also a congestion charge warning. Citroën says the Trafficmaster satnav could help firms save £2,000 year for each van.
More from Phil Reed on +44 (0)2 086 684 048 or
Gist drivers learn about the ‘morning after’
Supply chain specialists Gist had 70 of its trucks drivers shown a presentation about the ‘morning after’ alcohol problems. “They learned about alcohol units, how long alcohol stays in the system, problems caused by over the counter medicines and how drinks are now stronger and served in larger measures,” said John Price of TTC Group, a driver education specialist who ran the show. “I would definitely recommend it. It was very useful information. As professional drivers they are aware about alcohol but the information on the morning after was very interesting,” said Martin Macleerie, logistics manager for Gist in Glasgow.
More from Elaine Adams on +44 (0)1 952 505 026 or
New CV man at UAN
The commercial vehicle aftermarket buying group, UAN says Rod Edwards is its new CV business development manager. He’s to ensure close working relationships between distributors and suppliers and find more UAN CV distributors; there are now 14.
More from Mark Field on +44 (0)1 344 844 779
First MAN trucks for Dawsonrentals
UK Truck and trailer rental firm Dawsonrentals just ordered 100 MAN TGA tractors, the first MANs into the firm’s 8,500 strong truck and trailer fleet. The new 440 bhp trucks will be delivered as a mix of two and three axle models, all with XXL cabs and with MAN’s standard TipMatic two-pedal transmission. The firm says it ‘placed huge orders’ for the last of the Euro 3 trucks, to avoid the costs and management issues of digitachs and Euro 4. It expects to order another 500 in 2007.
More from Paul O'Malley on +44 (0)1 263 584 199 or
Battery shortage threatens UK
LSUK says a lead price hike means there may be a national shortage of batteries during the winter. “We forecast that the price of lead would cause a massive upheaval in the battery market some time ago and our predictions have come true,” says Mark Poole, LSUK's battery product manager. “The worldwide demand for lead has substantially exceeded available stocks and we know that a number of high-profile distributors already ran out of some batteries.” Poole says the LSUK, the battery stockholder in the UK, has steadily increased its stock levels of Lucas-branded battery products before the shortage takes a serious stranglehold.
More from Jonathan Mudd on +44 (0)1 344 844 779 or
Paccar Robotics and Vision Lab
The University of Central Lancashire says its Faculty of Science and Technology just opened its new Paccar Robotics and Vision Laboratory with a £100,000 gift from the Paccar Foundation. Researchers and students using the new lab will work on the development of highly advanced 3D imaging and robotics. The university aims to raise the standard of basic research in Preston, aiming to improve the UK’s competitiveness in world markets.
More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or
Don’t devalue your vans
Leading vehicle auction firm British Car Auctions wants small businesses to protect their assets when it comes to buying and selling vehicles, especially vans, so the firm has come up with a range of tips to help small businesses get the best out of their vans. “This means being careful when specifying non-standard colours or options which could lose money when you sell,” says Duncan Ward, business development manager, commercial vehicles for BCA UK. “Businesses need to buy the right van for the job, at the right price and do everything to get a good price when they come to sell it again. This means understanding what the used buyer wants when you sell your vans.” Ward suggests more owners should avoid re-spraying new vans in their company colours and try modern options such as removable decals instead. They also need to think about options that will help sell the van as a used vehicle
More from Tim Naylor on +44 (0)7 710 365 023 or
Vito goes beyond the limit
Mercedes-Benz says it has made its Vito van range even more attractive by extending the warranty and launching a new Sport model. The Vito Sport 115CDI has cruise control, air-conditioning, a leather steering wheel, electric windows, alloy wheel with low-profile tyres, fog lights, metallic paint and extensive chrome trim. It also gets a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty.
More from Ian Norwell on +44 (0)1 908 245 949 or
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