TRANSPORT NEWS BRIEF
Figures this week from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show van and truck registrations down 42.1% in March and down 23.9% to 300,629 for the rolling year. Within that total, trucks were down 37.0% in March and down 6.0% to 51,971 for the rolling year. Vans were down 42.8% for the month and down 26.9% to 248,658 for the rolling year. "UK demand for vans and trucks remains low," said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. "Trucks are down 37% this year, with vans down 46% on the volume at quarter one 2008 and we think registrations may drop further. It will take time before any of the Chancellor's financial stimulus policies work, so we need the government to do more to stimulate demand and ease access to credit." More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
March big bus registrations up 42% Bus and coach data this week show that last year's sales pushed last month's big bus registrations up 42% to 393. At the same time coaches dropped 35% to 134 on the effects of recession and small minibuses fell 75% to 49. By contrast, big single deckers were up 125% to 111. "March big bus registration data show the benefit of last year's strong sales and their long lead times, but the effects of the recession are beginning to bite other bus and coach sales," said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. "Orders are down so registrations will follow them. Because it will take time for any of the Chancellor's financial stimulus policies to work, we all need the government to do more to encourage demand and ease access to credit." More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Britain's first electric bus from Optare British bus maker Optare has launched and demonstrated what it says is Britain's first practical electric bus, the battery powered Solo EV. The new model is a progression of the successful Solo family of buses. Already available in Standard, SlimLine, SR and SE form, the Solo EV gives the range a new dimension. The Solo EV comes in lengths of 8.1m, 8.8m and 9.5m and widths of either 2.3m or 2.5m with bodywork based on the proven standard Solo design. The change from diesel to electric drive adds only 480kg to the unladen weight and the drivetrain is emission-free, meaning the Solo EV can help operators meet their environmental commitments. More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
M&S takes 25 Scanias M&S Toiletries of Normanton, West Yorkshire has ordered 25 Scania trucks on a five-year contract hire fleet renewal deal. The repeat order includes six two-axle and four three-axle tractor units and 15 two-axle rigids. All have Euro 4 engines and Scania Opticruise automated gearboxes. M&S Toiletries is the trading name of MST Toiletries Limited, a big wholesaler of toiletries and associated products. The firm mainly supplies High Street retailers and larger operators' regional distribution centres, hence its mix of rigids and tractor units. Scania's service centres in Normanton and Newbridge, Edinburgh will do all servicing, repair and maintenance work More from Chris Love on +44 (0)1 908 210 210 or chris.love@scania.com
New product support organisation from Optare Optare has restructured and re-branded its after-sales support operation. The firm says the aim is to raise customer service levels, offer bus and coach operators a wider range of support, better matched to their needs. Called Optare Product Support, the new service includes warranty support, contract maintenance, on-line parts ordering, faster parts delivery, a bigger role for Optare's regional service centres and mobile technicians and improved training for operator's technical and workshop staff. Ritchie Bignell, product support director leads a 17-strong team including field staff and people at the firm's three UK service centres. More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
European first as Coke takes a hybrid Eurocargo Iveco delivered a Eurocargo diesel-electric parallel hybrid truck to Coca-Cola Enterprises at the recent European Business Summit in Brussels. The firm says it is the first such truck of this type to work in a European urban environment. The two firms worked on this pilot project to test the feasibility of hybrid truck technology and Coca-Cola will use the truck on delivery work in Brussels till the end of July. Iveco says the truck should save 30% on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions More from James Keeler on +44 (0)2 086 474 467 or jk@garnett-keeler.com
Microlon does deal with Enviros Microlon Europe has done a partnership deal with Enviros, which it says is one of the UK's leading environmental consultants. The aim is to help Microlon exploit its friction control technology, using a fluid-based surface treatment. "Microlon is proven and approved by bodies like the US Federal Aviation Authority for use in aircraft," said Stuart Crane, UK director for the firm. "There is a big opportunity to use the material to help transport operators cut fuel consumption, save money and reduce emissions at the same time." "Although at an early stage we see multiple opportunities working with Microlon to demonstrate to our diverse client base the economic and environmental benefits of this low cost/quick pay back technology," said Peter Young, strategy director for Enviros More from Stuart Crane on +44 (0)1 980 625 641 or stuart.crane@microlon.eu.com
Transit takes top spot on 1link Epyx say the Ford Transit is now the most common vehicle on the firm's 1link e-commerce system. It says this shows the growth of online solutions in the commercial vehicle sector. Epyx says its five main 1link systems cover vehicle acquisition, service and maintenance, short-term hire, relicensing and vehicle disposal. The firm says customers use these to manage some 2.5m vehicles, creating fast, accurate and low cost online processes between fleets, their suppliers and customers. Most vehicles involved were company cars but the emergence of the Transit as the most common vehicle on these systems shows their increasing use by commercial vehicle operators. "We take a standard fleet process such as disposal and make it faster and cheaper while offering higher levels of control. In tough times, these advantages have obvious appeal and the cost of adoption is very low," said Ken Trinder, head of business development at Epyx, the company behind 1link More from Simon Wells on +44(0)1 283 711 311 or simon@paperchasepr.co.uk
1,000 strong Coke deal for TruckProtect Russell Fowler, CEO of TruckProtect says the firm has won a deal to supply 1,000 Neck-it instant fit anti-siphons for Coca Cola's Nigerian truck fleet. "We've delivered the first 500 and the next batch is arriving about now. We're confident the devices will cut fuel pilfering dramatically and Coca-Cola will see the benefits very quickly", he said. A similar but much smaller deal with Maersk in Ghana has already cut that firm's fuel losses "way beyond their expections" and the firm is so pleased that it is recommending other sister companies in Africa fit the devices. More from Russell Fowler on +44 (0)1 633 252 093 or russell.fowler@truckprotect.com
Multipart to handle Optare parts Specialist automotive parts and logistics firm Multipart now handles parts and their logistics for Optare. Working from a new, purpose-built 250,000 square feet distribution centre in Chorley, Lancashire and close to the M61, M6 and M65 motorways, the firm holds over 40,000 parts for the Optare range and does next-day deliveries across the British Isles. More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
30 new Canters for Dawsonentals Vehicle hire firm Dawsonrentals has taken a fleet of 30 new Mitsubishi Fuso Canter 7.5-tonners. All are 7C18 models, with 5.0-litre 180hp engines. Nine have Boalloy box bodies and tail lifts, eight have Boalloy curtainsiders and tail lifts. A further five have Solomon bodies and Carrier Supra fridge units for temperature-controlled work. All join the firm's contract hire and short-term rental fleets while six more Boalloy box-bodied trucks and two with Wessex 'slide-aside' bodies will go to work on specific contracts. Intercounty Truck & Van of Milton Keynes did the deal. More from Hayley Coutinho on +44 (0)1 908 218 111 or hayleycoutinho@dawsongroup.co.uk
Latest Valence batteries to power Solo EV Optare says it uses the latest Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries from Valence to power its new electric bus, the Solo EV. The firm says these sealed batteries are inherently safe and the system includes continuous battery condition monitoring, and an on-board automatic and water-cooled three-phase charger. Charging is automated and on present electricity prices a full-range overnight charge should cost £7.20. More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
Dawsonrentals does shorthaul work for Freshlinc Freshlinc is using a shunter service from Dawsonrentals, rather than using one of its own tractor units to move trailers to and from loading bays. This is making the firm's operations safer and more efficient, according to Andy Marchant, Freshlinc's fleet engineer. More from Hayley Coutinho on +44 (0)1 908 218 111 or hayleycoutinho@dawsongroup.co.uk
Microlon does deal with Enviros Microlon Europe has done a partnership deal with Enviros, which it says is one of the UK's leading environmental consultants. The aim is to help Microlon exploit its friction control technology, using a fluid-based surface treatment. "Microlon is proven and approved by bodies like the US Federal Aviation Authority for use in aircraft," said Stuart Crane, UK director for the firm. "There is a big opportunity to use the material to help transport operators cut fuel consumption, save money and reduce emissions at the same time." "Although at an early stage we see multiple opportunities working with Microlon to demonstrate to our diverse client base the economic and environmental benefits of this low cost/quick pay back technology," said Peter Young, strategy director for Enviros More from Stuart Crane on +44 (0)1 980 625 641 or stuart.crane@microlon.eu.com
New boss at Leyland Andrea Paver will be the new managing director at Leyland Trucks. She starts the top job on Monday 4 May, taking over from Jim Sumner, who is leaving. Previously Paver was operations director at the Paccar-owned plant in Lancashire, which is thought to be the most efficient truck factory in Europe. More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
New website building business for Dawsonrental Dawsonrentals bus and coach operation says its new website gives better access to information on the firm's wide range of new and used vehicles and is helping it build this side of it business. The site is at www.dawsongroup.co.uk More from Hayley Coutinho on +44 (0)1 908 218 111 or hayleycoutinho@dawsongroup.co.uk
New boss at Optare Jim Sumner will be the new chief executive officer at Optare. "I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to take Optare forward," he said. He was previously managing director at Paccar's Leyland Trucks and starts his new job on 1 June. More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or mhayes@automotivepr.com
P&O to get a Mov'on P&O Ferrymasters says it has done a deal to buy Mov'on Logistics by the end of April. Mov'on Logistics specialises on routes to Central and Eastern Europe and has offices in Poland, Ukraine Russia and The Netherlands. P&O Ferrymasters will retain 18 full-time equivalent jobs and integrate Mov'on's operations into its European office network to strengthen Ferrymasters' growing business in Central and Eastern Europe. More from Gail Isted on +44 (0)7 792 451 284 or gail.isted@eagle-eyepr.com
Shell wins preferred supplier deal with Isuzu Isuzu Trucks UK says it has appointed Shell Lubricants as the preferred supplier for all engine and transmission oils and greases across its 65 dealer service points. "Shell is one of only a few oil companies in the UK with its own in-house base oil manufacture and finished lubricant blending, which we also feel is important," said Mark Todd, UK parts manager for Isuzu. More from James Keeler on +44 (0)2 086 474 467 or jk@garnett-keeler.com
Springtime security deal from Tiss Fuel security and safety specialists Tiss Security Systems has a Spring security deal lasting till the end of April: a free 'SenderSafe unit with each of its Impregnable fuel security and safety devices. The firm says the 'SenderSafe' prevents siphoning through the sender unit. "Taking fuel through the sender unit is a common objection we face from hauliers considering the Impregnable," said Matthew Rose, director at Tiss. "With a free SenderSafe unit, we can offer hauliers complete fuel theft protection for the price of our Impregnable device." More from Silvia Vitale on +44 (0)1 253 400 401 or silvia.vitale@tissltd.com
Did you fix your blind spots' From 31 March a new, retrospective and Europe-wide law demands that all trucks over 3.5 and first registered after 1 January 2000 must have mirrors or "other devices" on the passenger side cut the driver's blind spot. Prompted by some 400 deaths a year in accidents involving truck blind spots, the Supplementary Fitment of Mirrors Directive has been part of European law for some time. It means that most trucks first used on or after 26 January 2007 have mirror systems that meet the legal requirements. All other trucks must now have mirrors fitted on the passenger side that meet the specification and all must carry a certificate to say that they conform. More from John Procter on +44 (0)2 073 449 263 or jprocter@smmt.co.uk
Lloyds TSB to use Motor Code Lloyds TSB Autolease, one of the UK's leading fleet management and funding firms says it will include the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair in its 2009 supplier agreements. The Code fits the firm's business aims and commitment to its customers. It owns and manages almost one in every 200 vehicles in the UK and aims to keep their drivers on the road by using a nationwide network of approved garages to keep its vehicles in tiptop condition. "I'm very pleased that Lloyds TSB Autolease recognises the value of recommending Motor Codes garages, said Chris Mason, Motor Codes director. "This will help us to work with the sector to raise standards for everyone's benefit." of motorists and business alike." More from John Procter on +44 (0)2 073 449 263 or jprocter@smmt.co.uk
Haydock goes Commercial for Manheim Manheim Auctions says its Haydock site will join its network of dedicated van auction centres, selling vans every Tuesday from 10:30. The other site are Colchester, Gloucester and Leeds. The move comes as the firm realigns its auction focus in the North West. Several of Haydock's key car vendors, such as Ford Credit and Marsh Finance Limited, move to the firms Manchester car sales site, giving Haydock the space to offer up to 400 vans a week from the country's leading corporate vendors. At the same time Manchester's Lombard Van De-Fleet operation has moved to Haydock. Last year, Haydock's van auctions grew by nearly 10% to over 7,500 units. More from Andrew Andersz on +44 (0)1 865 343 100 or andrew.andersz@thejjgroup.com
Bedfords cuts fuel, cash and emissions. Birstall-based logistics firm Bedfords Transport says it aims to cut fuel use, save cash and the environment. Each month it sets its drivers a fuel use target and publishes a monthly league table to show who is consistently hitting their targets. The firm has also improved the aerodynamic performance of its trailers and hopes this will deliver a near 10% fuel saving. Bedfords is also making changes in the office by launching the 'Switch it Off', scheme across the business, asking its people to make a conscious effort to turn off all electrical appliances at the end of each working day More from Donna Bedford on +44 (0)1 924 428 450 or d.bedford@fantasticmedia.co.uk
Support for banger bonus Rival media firms Haymarket Media and Dennis Publishing launched their support for the motor industry's proposed scrappage incentive scheme at a press conference recently. Both said they will ask readers sign a petition supporting the scrappage scheme that aims encourage people to buy safer, more efficient cars and vans. The idea aims to offer £2,000 in cash for vans and cars over nine years old if they are replaced with a new or nearly vehicle. Similar schemes in Germany, France and Italy have boosted sales, cutting fuel consumption and CO2 by taking older, less efficient vehicles off the road. Press reactions have been good, with the Daily Mirror memorably labelling the idea a "banger bonus". If you'd like to support it too, you'll find the details on the SMMT website www.smmt.co.uk . The SMMT says a recent survey suggests 76% of consumers support the idea. More from John Procter on +44(0)2 073 449 263 or jprocter@smmt.co.uk
Do you know your customers' security needs' SBD says the van market has never looked so competitive, with brand loyalty a key influencer for fleet and private buyers. The firm say many of the leading vehicle makers using security and cost of ownership to differentiate from competitors, so it is important to match customers' specific needs. "We've compiled a comprehensive study of security and theft trends and insurance requirements in the top six European sales markets, said Roger Wilson for SBD. This uses our proven analysis to give an invaluable reference source for van manufacturers and suppliers." He says needs and preferences may vary unexpectedly and misreading the market can be very expensive. More from Roger Wilson on +44 (0)1908 305 107 or rogerwilson@sbd.co.uk
Defender goes commercial Land Rover says all Defender 110 Station Wagons with the firm's free, optional Utility Pack will now be classed as Light Commercial Vehicles. The payload of over 1,000kg means the vehicle can also be classed a light goods vehicle for VAT purposes, if it is used commercially. More from Laura Meyerding on +44 (0)1 923 649 294 or lmeyerdi@landrover.com
And finally, a caution for pregnant men New Scientist magazine's Feedback page reports that the pack of own-brand Multivitamins For Men Chris Bradley's wife Sylvia bought him from the UK's Boots pharmacy chain cautioned him: "During pregnancy and lactation or if you are trying to become pregnant we suggest you consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.&qu
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