Transport News Brief
Week 15, Tuesday 10 April 2007
Mixed fortunes in March van and truck registrations
Figures last week from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show the rolling year’s total van and truck registrations down 1.2% to 379,083, but still strong compared to the five year average. Medium van registrations are up 74.7% to 43,092 and truck registration are down 25.5% to 52,036 for the rolling year to the end of March. “We’re seeing structural changes in the van market as some previously light vans, for example Astra and Caddy, move into the medium sector and some operators use heavy vans as a more hassle-free alternative to heavier trucks,” said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. “Truck registration comparisons with last Spring are of limited value as the bungled introduction of digital tachographs on 1 May 2006 caused massive market distortion in the months immediately before. Overall, the immediate economic outlook is quite bright and we’re confident that this will be another good year.”
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or
New Drivers' Hours law – simple, flexible analysis
The new Drivers' Hours Law start on 11 April and many drivers and operators will be subject to new rulings on Weekly Rest criteria and definitions for key terms such as 'carriage by road'. At this year's CV Show Stoneridge Electronics will run free seminars on its stand nr 5221. These will detail the effect of the changes and the firm says say that both of its tachograph analysis products Optac+ (digital tachograph analysis) and Optac2 (Mixed Drive Analysis) have been upgraded to include the new legislation.
More from Sandra McKillen on +44 (0)8 000 731 577or
Vehicle speeds in Great Britain: 2006
The Department for Transport just published National Statistics of vehicle speeds in Great Britain in 2006. These show the speeds at which drivers travel in free-flow conditions across the road network and indicate the degree to which different groups broke speed limit law in 2006 compared to the year before. There are wide variations between driver groups and their behaviour on different road types, but in the main seems slightly more drivers of motor bikes, cars and trucks stick to speed limits.
More from www.dft.gov.uk
Fontaine says it had the drop on trailer report
Following Jost’s announcement of what it believed is the first report on dropped trailers – accidents when a tractor looses its trailer, Fontaine says it got there first. The firm published a report in 2005 following a survey that questioned 1,053 drivers from the UK, France, Germany and Benelux in March that year.
More from Katie Burbidge on +44 (0)8 453 455 606 or
Knorr-Bremse launches ‘next generation’ kit CV show
Knorr-Bremse will be launch its next generation products, including its trailer electronic bra king system, Tebs G2 and a trailer information module, Tim G2 on its stand 5480 at the CV Show in Birmingham. Visitors can try a “larger than life” working model of Tim G2 and see the firm’s new Neo System Diagnostics, designed to help workshops deal professionally with all common truck and trailer electronic braking systems. Knorr-Bremse will also have its new Trailer Handbook and slack adjuster catalogue available. The firm won a European Excellence Award last autumn and earlier this year reported record growth, taking its earnings to a record €3.1bn.
More from Rebecca Stone on +44 (0)1 179 846 207 or
New cab conversion from Hatcher
Hatcher Components plans to launch a brand new cab conversion design on its stand 5590 at the CV Show. “We’ve chosen this year’s event to show a brand new cab conversion design and several new innovative product developments,” said the firm’s Brian Getley, who says Hatcher is Europe’s leading cab conversion and aerodynamics specialist. “It has a proven track record of pioneering product innovation and delivering quality parts on time, no matter what the distance.”
More from Brian Getley on +44 (0)1 728 723 675 or
Van drivers shamed but want to do better
Van drivers cause more than two-thirds of the accidents they are involved in but there is hope – more than half want to improve driving skills in 2007, according to insurance firm Royal & SunAlliance’s own claim statistics. The data shows almost 60% of van drivers had caused an accident in the past 12 months, costing about £30m in claims and the firm says van drivers are Britain’s most feared drivers. A separate study of over 1,200 showed most UK van drivers planned to improve their behaviour on the road during 2007.
More from www.fleetnews .co.uk
CV Show debut for award-winning fleet tracking system
AutoAlert will use its stand at the CV Show to launch what it says is an innovative combination of satellites and telecommunications technology. “This brings affordable vehicle tracking whether you have one, two or 50 vehicles or more,” says the firm’s Richard Harris. “Its our first time at the event and we’ll be show how our system allows you to monitor your vehicles even when you’re out in the field. Unlike existing technology, with AutoAlert you can monitor your vehicles simply and easily through your existing mobile telephone, with wide ranging reports available cost effectively using a standard web browser.”
More from Richard Harris on +44 (0)2 073 947 457 or
Citygate upgrades Colindale VW centre
Volkswagen retailer group Citygate is upgrading its retail centre in Colindale, London, making space for vans for the first time. It will offer ready-bodied vehicles, including tippers, drop siders, box vans and ready-racked panel vans. Citygate says it offers repair and maintenance deals and its workshops will be open from 0600 to 2200 from Monday to Friday, from 0800 to 1600 on Saturdays from 1000 to 1600 on Sundays. The upgrade should be finished in August this year and the site will stay open during the work. Citygate runs Volkswagen dealers across North West London, Buckinghamshire, Middlesex and Hertfordshire, employing 330 people.
More from Christabel Saunders on +44 (0)1 189 395 900 or
New technology car transporter
Car transporter firm Ryders says it will launch a new-generation and car transporter at the CV Show. The vehicle uses aircraft industry style aluminium honeycomb panels to cut unladen weights and so incerase payloads. The firm, which celebrates its 75th anniversary at the event, says it thinks this material has not been used before in the commercial vehicle industry.
More from Colin Pinchen on +44 (0)1 519 334 338 or
Volvo delivers its first Euro 5s
Volvo Bus says it has delivered its first batch of coaches to Euro 5 emission levels just a few months after Euro 4 levels became law. The Oxford Bus Company just took 10 Euro 5 Volvo B12Bs. These will produce 40% lower emissions than a Euro 4 coach. The firm will use the new 48 seat, Plaxton bodied coaches on its scheduled service to Heathrow airport. Each has a 420 bhp Volvo 12 litre engine driving through an I-Shift gearbox. Also each coach has a ‘Magic Floor’ lift at the front entrance for wheelchair access. Euro 5 emission levels are due to be a legal requirement from October 2009. Many continental operators are working to these standards to take advantage of ‘early uptake’ incentives like lower tolls and taxes on the mainland.
More from Adrian Wickens on +44(0)1 926 414 518 or
RHA offers website deals
The Road Haulage Association says that during the CV Show and then till the e end of June 2007, RHA Icon is offering a 10% discount on all orders based on enquiries received via its website, www.iconvehiclesafety.co.uk “Nearly every week we are in the very pleasing position of having to recognize the improvements being made in the safe operation of vehicles,” says Grahame Cook, managing director. “At the CV Show this year Chamberlain Transport will be awarded its Gold Certificate, adding its name to the growing list of Icon Certificate holders.” Cook says increasing numbers of operators are getting real financial benefits from better driver training and safety. He hopes the deals he’s offering will help get the message to the entire industry.
More from Grahame Cook on +44 (0)8 704 439 496 or
New chassis cab range from LDV at CV Show
Van maker LDV says it will launch its new Maxus chassis cab range at the CV Show in April. “This is by far our most comprehensive display of Maxus vehicles, says Steve Miller, marketing director. “We’ll show vehicles never seen before, including our new chassis cab range. The CV Show is always a home-coming for LDV and we're sure we won't disappoint visitors this year.” The show will also be the first time for new owners GAZ International and GAZ president, Eric Eberhardson will be there with chairman Martin Leach and chief executive Steve Young.
More from Steve Miller on +44 (0)1 213 223 089 or
RHA Training Conference goes to Jaguar
The Road Haulage Assaocaition says its 10th Training Conference, on Thursday 10 May will b at Birmingham’s Jaguar Cars. “Training is now one a vital issue for today’s road transport operator,” says the RHA. “With profit margins tighter than ever, a skilled workforce really can mean make or break for even a small transport operation.” Chaired by Graham Westcott, chairman of the Association’s Careers and Training Committee, the agenda for the day covers a wide range of topics, including a Policy Update from the Driving Standards Agency. All aspects of the Driver CPC will come under scrutiny from a DSA-led presentation covering “What you need to know” followed by “What you need to do” from Ian Hetherington of Skills for Logistics.
More from Ruth Pott on +44 (0)1 932 841 515 or
Irtec's first four National Awards
Alan Halton, John Pitt, Ian Smith and Robert Mitchell are the first four Irtec licence holders to win the irtec National Awards, run by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers. The four winners will collect their prizes on the Society of Operations Engineers stand 5731 at the CV show, on Tuesday 24 April at 17.00.
More from Gareth Jenkins on +44 (0)2 076 301 111 or
Maywood at the NEC again
Maywood Equipment Group, on stand 5035 at the CV Show and ATS have a bigger space than last year. “We’ve decided to go back to one large stand rather than have a smaller one in both halls, said Trevor Homewood, managing director. “We feel we can give better care and attention to our visitors as well as the fact that all our staff will be available in one place. Our stand will cater for both car and commercial product customers.” The firm will show a range of workshop and garage equipment products including items from both the Finkbeiner and Hofmann ranges of vehicle lifts with capacities up to 50 tonnes.
More from Trevor Homewood on +44 (0)1 622 718 044 or
Allison Transmission to reveal truck test results at CV Show
Allison says it plans to use the CV show to reveal whole-life cost comparisons between auto and manual truck gearboxes. The firm, on stand nr 2356 says it has analysed a constant stream of data including fuel consumption, down time and operating hours from vehicles operating in the same on-highway application. “We have some very interesting results,” promises Riccardo Sardelli, UK area manager.
More from Eilidh Forster + 44 (0)1 295 277 050 or
Luxi Lighting comes to CV Show
Show debutants Luxi Lighting, on stand 5201 says it will show its new LED interior lamps for refrigerated vehicles and a cost efficient harness system for trailers.
More from John Grote on +34 946 270 360 or
Battery tester forms centre-piece of Rohart's ATS debut
Automotive Trade Show newcomer Rohart Enterprises will present live demonstrations of its Electro-pro battery tester on stand 1428. The firm says that while vehicle reliability is improving, electrical faults are increasing – and the battery is the main culprit. The beauty of Electro-pro is its ability to identify a flat battery as either 'Flat / OK or Flat / Bad' says Rohart.
More from Tony Benson on +44 (0)8 450 956 751 or
Merridale unveils combination fuel management dispenser.
New products from MIS Fuel Monitoring at the CV Show include the Merridale GST combination fuel management dispenser. Making its debut at the CV Show, and designed for easy installation the new unit brings together fuel dispensing, key or card activated security and management and tank gauging together into a single enclosure with options for single and twin pump dispensers.
More from Steve Hannan on +44 (0)1 902 870 037 or
Teleroute to preview future online freight ‘dating agency’
The pioneering freight-exchange organisation, Teleroute, will show previews of forthcoming new products and features at this year’s CV Show. “Teleroute has been in operation across Europe for more than 20 years and gives hauliers access to information across 40 countries,” says Alix Elvin. This allows them to match freight with vehicle space. Effectively we act as an online service to marry up vehicles returning empty with freight requiring road transport.” Although well established, Teleroute has big plans for the future and will use the NEC as a shop window.
More from Alix Elvin on +44 (0)2 082 471 461 or
SMMT stand better than ever at CV Show
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says there will be more reason than ever to visit its stand, 5701, at the CV Show. There will be presentations on the Society’s services and the benefits of membership, while people from member firms will be able to talk with technical managers about the Society’s new Type Approval Advisory Service. They can also get free use of the four person meeting room, between 0900 and 1630, though it will be available on a first booked first served basis.