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Transport News Brief Week 44 Monday 31 October 2005 Enjoy the lie-in on Sunday British Summer Time ends very early on the morning of Sunday 30 October, as clocks go back by one hour. The good news is that you get an extra hour in bed on Sunday. But the bad news is that it could be in a hospital bed. Accident statistics show a clear rise in road accidents connected with the clock change as more people drive in the dark. So with this in mind the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and RoadSafe are running a 'Driving in winter' event for the press on the evening of Monday 31 October as part of a plan improve road safety in winter.
Permo-Drive signs regenerative brake licence with Dana The Australian firm Permo-Drive says its deal with the Dana Corporation paves the way for truck fuel and emissions savings, particularly for urban truck operators. ‘Urban delivery trucks and vans stand to save fuel and cut CO2 following the licensing of this Australian technology by one of the world’s leading automotive industry component suppliers,’ said Willem de Vylder, CEO of Permo-Drive Technologies. Permo-Drive and Dana Corporation aim to exploit the Permo-Drive hybrid hydraulic Regenerative Drive System for refuse collection trucks, world-wide. The deal follows an agreement between the two in 2003 covering a regenerative braking system for the US Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles fleet. This is being tested on a truck at the US Army’s test track at Aberdeen Test Center, Maryland. Permo-Drive believes it is the global leader in the development of Hybrid Hydraulic technology. It has offices in Ballina, New South Wales, Michigan (USA) and in the United Kingdom through its collaborator Highbury Ltd.
Digitachs – no news is not good news The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says uncertainty about digital tachographs continues. ‘The Conciliation Process, the final stage in the decisions about timings, is not due to finish until December,’ said Allan McKenzie, senior technical manager. ‘The Europe-wide start date won’t be known until the New Year.’ Digital tachograph law is part of wider changes to working time and driver’s hours rule, so is in itself not the priority. ‘The only certainty is that it will happen and that in the run-up, all sorts of people will try to manoeuvre and suggest their own ambitions are reality. At this stage we don’t know when it will be enforced and we think operators and drivers need to be prepared. At the very least they should get all the drivers cards they need. They should also keep in close touch with vehicle makers.
Commission to simplify something The European Commission says it took another step to cutting red-tape and regulation, with a three-year plan to simplify EU laws. This aims repeal or change 222 basic laws over the next three years. The auto industry is one of the core sectors to be examined, along with construction and waste.
First Mobility Trends event This forum and exhibition is due on 31 May to 2 June 2006, at the Paris-Nord Parc des Expositions. ‘This is a world first and will look at technology across key sectors, including automotive, motorsport, aerospace, rail, marine and defence,’ said Eddie Thorning, UK promoter for the event.
Used trucks go to college Barnfield College in Luton just brought two used Renault trucks. They are a four-axle Kerax tipper and a three-axle Premium tractor. The college plans to use both for truck mechanic training. ‘We’re one of the few colleges to offers truck training courses and this investment will help us bridge the skills gap for the industry,’ said Mick Rolt, head of engineering at Barnfield College. More mirrors European Union plans may mean that some commercial vehicles will need up to four more mirrors. To help cover blind-spots. New laws, due in 2007 also mean that there will be more opportunities to use CCTV as part of an integrated vision system.
Loads more at the CV Show Load handling and warehouse kit will add a new dimension to next year's Commercial Vehicle Show, with most major firms taking stands in Hall 5. 'This is another example of our aim to widen the appeal of the CV Show, said Richard Gibbs, CV Show Committee chairman. 'We've arranged more specialist areas around the show, to save visitors time and help exhibitors meet more buyers.' The range of exhibitors at the CV Show has grown year-on-year since the first event in 2000 but 2006 will see a big improvement to its layout. The fact that most forklift truck makers will be at the show widens the range of opportunities for tyre makers and for logistics and warehouse visitors. operators. 'We've more than 80 per cent of the available space already reserved for contracted exhibitors.' said Gibbs. 'And we're confident that the CV Show will again be the industry's meeting from 25 to 27 April 2006 at the NEC.
Isuzu eyes GM TNN reports that Isuzu Motors Ltd, Japan's largest truck maker, plans to buy General Motors Corp's truck businesses in Australia and South Africa, in an overseas push that delivered record earnings.
Heavyweights hit the ‘Hatch’ The awesome spectacle of truck racing makes its long overdue return to the 1.2 mile Indy circuit at Brands Hatch on 5 and 6 November, after an absence of 11 years. on Sunday 6 November the Kent circuit will host the final rounds of the 2005 BTRA British Championship. Two of the leading contenders; Steve Horne and ‘Mad Max’ Dawson were at Brands Hatch recently for pre-event promotional event to take part in a Press/Promotion event, aimed at generating pre-event publicity for the November meeting. Despite dismal wet conditions Horne, leader in Class ‘A’ of the British Truck Racing Association Championship, managed several quick laps in his ERF, even with a TV crew on-board. ‘It’s been 10 years since I last raced around here in a truck, but this circuit still gives me a real buzz. I’m sure it’s going to be a great venue for the finale of the 2005 season.’ said Steve.
Allison auto for new Plaxton midi-bus Allison Transmission says it has won an initial 100 unit order from Plaxton for its 2000 Series automatic gearbox. These will go in the firm’s new Primo midi-bus. The deal is worth some $500,000 and Allison expects further orders as demand for the new bus grows. ‘The Allison 2000 Series is generally seen as the best in its class for transmission systems in mini and midi-buses,’ says Andrew Warrender, Plaxton’s marketing manager
Digital TV for vans, trucks and buses With the EU Directive for indirect vision devices on vans, trucks and buses due in 2007, Look CCTV, is test marketing digital CCTV for commercial vehicles on its stand, nr 26, at next week’s RHA Security Solutions Show. Digital CCTV offers drivers in-cab rear and side views of the vehicle. The CCTV automatically records images from all the cameras as well as vehicle speed and the driver’s indicator and braking actions.
More seatbelt checks Vosa, the Vehicle and Operating Services Agency plans to start checking truck seat belts at annual MoT tests. From 1 January the checks will be advisory, but from 1 April, seat belt defects will fail a truck its test. Vosa says it will check that the right type of belt is fitted, that its anchorage points are up to scratch, that locking mechanisms work and that webbing and other fittings are undamaged. Vosa also says it will give the full details in its inspection manual, on www.vosa.gov.uk
LDV wins Europcar deal LDV says it has won a £765,000 deal for 50 Maxus 3.5 ton vans from Europcar. The new vans join the firms 15,000-strong van and car fleet and will be based at 13 depots locations across England and Wales. ‘We’ve dealt with LDV for many years and have always received outstanding personable service from the team,’ said Roger Brough, Europcar UK’s fleet manager. ‘Maxus is a solid vehicle with good performance levels and stylish driver comforts, so we think the range will be a popular choice with our customers.’
John Dennis Coachworks enters minibus market Bus and Coach Professional magazine reports that fire appliance bodybuilder John Dennis Coachworks is entering the community minibus market with an aluminium-framed body on the Iveco Daily chassis. The first vehicles will be at the forthcoming Community Transport Association show in Manchester. The firm offers a choice of layouts on the Iveco Daily. Options include different makes of wheelchair and a choice of seating, with both bus and coach layouts on show.
CCTV for Oxford Bus Co Bus and Coach Professional magazine says the Oxford Bus Company has fitted CCTV kit to its 160-strong fleet, covering long distance as well local buses in a £500.000 deal. ‘The decision to install the CCTV equipment to our buses has already proved to be a huge success,’ says Nigel Eggleton, commercial director says. ‘We’ve made our buses and coaches safer for both our passengers and drivers.’ In the last eight months CCTV has helped in over 500 incidents, including 64 where Thames Valley Police needed help in its enquiries or in prosecutions - ranging from robberies to missing persons and an attempted murder.
The Trade Group cast net of knowledge The nine-firm Trade Group just launched a brand new website www.thetradegroup.uk.com to keep the aftermarket garage trade in touch with what’s new, to offer advice on choosing equipment, to provide professional help with workshop planning, product installation, training, M0T support and aftercare service. They also give a direct link to each Trade Group member and expanded their technical support team to over 60 engineers nationwide. ‘Generally, the garage trade has been slow to embrace computers, information technology and the wonders of the internet. Now as a new generation of technicians joining the trade, we find more and more customers are using the internet and its fast becoming a major avenue of business opportunity,’ said Terry Bullworthy a senior Trade Group member.
Toyota for number one Autowired says it thinks Toyota will replace General Motors as the world's biggest car maker next year. It says the figures stack-up by adding Toyota's production of 8.3m vehicles to the 900,000 units of subsidiaries, Daihatsu and Hino, to give a total of 9.2m vehicles.
DfT figures on VED evasion The Department for Transport says the cash lost from Vehicle Excise Duty evasion was £147m or 3.6% of the money it expected in 2005/06. The loss was £18m more than the figure for the previous year but much less than for 2002/03. In the private and light goods class, which accounts for 87% of the vehicle fleet, evasion rose from 2.9% 2004 to 3.1 per cent in 2005
Pay as you rental next TLS Vehicle Rental says the ‘pay as you go’ approach is starting to benefit vehicle rental deals. ‘People most often associate pay as you go with mobile phones,’ says Sean Welham, marketing director. ‘But society is moving toward pay on use. Welham says his firm is trying to position daily rental as an alternative to more conventional vehicle acquisition means. ‘We aim to stimulate fleets to think a little more about where their financial priorities lie - pay for a service when you need to use it.’
Court judgment favours MAN German engineering group MAN says it just succeeded in its fraud claim in the English High Court against DaimlerChrysler subsidiary Freightliner Limited. The case related to MAN’s purchase of English truck manufacturer ERF from Freightliner’s predecessor company, Western Star, in 2000. MAN says it found that ERF’s financial controller had been fraudulently manipulating the company’s accounts for a number of years. Following this, MAN says it found it had been defrauded into buying the company by the false accounts. MAN’s total losses relating to the fraud have been around £300m.
Karel Van Miert is the new man for Galileo Jacques Barrot, vice president of the European Commission in charge of transport has asked Karel Van Miert, former European Commissioner, to look after the Galileo project will deploy 30 satellites, test and validate them as part of an alternative to the US military’s Global Positioning System. The first four operational satellites should be launched in 2008.
Autocar and Walon link TNN says Autocar Logistics, an Irish owned firm with offices on both sides of the Irish Sea has joined with Walon UK in a new joint venture called Vehicle Logistics Ireland (VLI).
Darling speaks on road pricing Alistair Darling MP, secretary of state for transport says time is running out to tackle the nation’s traffic problems. Speaking at the Institute of Public Policy Research, he said we need road pricing to help cut congestion, but it needs public support. Darling also said that congestion will damage the UK’s competitiveness as transport problems prevent the free movement of people and goods. The government wants a small number of pilot road charging schemes from the 30 bids from local authorities under the Transport Innovation Fund. The government aims to use existing satellite technology to track drivers, rather than developing an entirely new infrastructure.
September commercial vehicle production stable Total commercial vehicle production for September was 19,659 units, down 9.5% compared to September 2004. However, total production for the year to September was down only 0.6% on 2004. Production for the home market was down 13% and that for export markets was down 7.3% compared to September 2004. ‘September commercial vehicle production was stable,’ said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. ‘We expect 2005’s full year production will run close to 210,000 vehicles.
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