News: February 2008
Thief-detecting technology gets Volvo backing
29.02.2008Volvo has invested in a high-tech truck-theft detection system awaiting a patent in Sweden. The truck manufacturer has bought a stake in the company that invented the system, which is based on sensors and radio beacons in sidelights. When someone interferes with a trailer, the sensors are triggered and can send signals to the cab, a central server and even a security company.
More... David Harris, Commercial Motor
Sneak preview of new Renault Magnum
29.02.2008The updated Renault Magnum is due to be unveiled at the CV show in April, but Brian Weatherley gets a first look - and likes what he sees. Commercial Motor has gained a sneak preview of the latest Renault Magnum, which makes its official debut at the CV Show at the NEC in April. The long-serving French flagship tractor's cab has grown upwards by 20cm, so there is now 2m headroom throughout the truck as you walk around the cabin-and not just under the roof vent. The extra headroom inside is certainly noticeable.
More... Brian Weatherley, Commercial Motor
HyWays project supports hydrogen
29.02.2008A scientific project financed by the EU’s research programme has concluded that the introduction of hydrogen into the energy system would reduce the total consumption of oil in road transport by 40% by 2050. This project in particular points out that hydrogen is one of the most realistic options for improving the ecological and economic viability of transport. The HyWays roadmap predicts that in 2030 there will be 16 million cars running on hydrogen, and that the cumulative total investment in infrastructures for this would amount to 60 billion Euros.
More... www.truckeurope.net
Rounding up on digital tachos
27.02.2008The EU has finally addressed the issue of rounding up on digital tachographs, in order to provide equal treatment for drivers involved in frequent-stop or multi-drop operations, regardless of the recording instrument used. A 'tolerance' can now be applied by enforcement bodies - this will last only for the transitional period during which both analogue and digital tachographs coexist.
More... Justin Stanton, Motor Transport
Record 2007 for Renault Trucks
27.02.2008Renault Trucks invoiced 79,857 vehicles in 2007, a record for the French manufacturer. This represents an increase of 1.59% compared to 2006. In France however, there was a drop of 2%, with 29,101 vehicles invoiced against 29,699 the previous year, giving Renault a 32.2% market share. In the rest of Europe the increase reached 16% with 39,974 vehicles invoiced. This is to be seen in the light of a European market which was up by 7% at 422,000 vehicles of over 6 tonnes, the market being largely led by Eastern Europe.
More... www.truckeurope.net
Alcoa's new range of lighter wheels
25.02.2008Operators after the ultimate payload may be interested in a new range of Alcoa aluminium wheels that offer even more lightness than the current models. Weight savings range from 690g at 8.25x19.5" to 1,520g for the largest 22.5x9.00" size.
More... Commercial Motor
Scania and MAN focus on aftersales
21.02.2008As the lead times issue drags on, Scania and MAN have both announced their commitment to improving their aftersales services. Scania aftersales director James Armstrong reveals that the current 70-strong force of mobile engineers will increase to between 80 and 90 by the end of this year. The current force comprises 25 engineers directly employed by Scania and 45 from independent Scania dealers and third parties - all are manufacturer-trained.
More... Justin Stanton, Motor Transport
European Parliament debates city tolls
21.02.2008The topic of tariffs for city centres is currently being debated in the European Parliament. The representatives of the mayors of Copenhagen and Warsaw, for example, are complaining about the Parliament coming out against this type of charging, which nevertheless takes place in London and Stockholm. Klaus Bondam, a Danish representative of 'Euro City' set out the works carried out over several years on low emissions zones for urban traffic. Polish representative Jaroslaw Kochaniak declared that the 'city-toll' represented the only way of 'untangling' city centres.
More... www.truckeurope.net
IRU meets Kazakh Minister
19.02.2008On 18 February International Road Transport Union met with Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, Mr. Kuterbekov, and signed an agreement to hold the 5th Euro-Asian Road Transport Conference in Almaty, Kazahkstan, on "The Reopening of the Silk Road: from Vision to Reality".
More... www.iru.org
Stowaways rescued from chemical tanker
19.02.2008Eight illegal immigrants have been rescued from a chemical tanker which was being driven from Germany to the UK. They were discovered when the driver stopped to check his load in Bexley, south-east London, last Friday. The stowaways were experiencing breathing difficulties.
More... Motor Transport
VW announces prices for the Caddy Maxi
19.02.2008Volkswagen has announced prices for its Caddy Maxi, the van which aims to take on Ford's Transit Connect LWB in a head-to-head battle for the small-to-medium sector. Some 470 mm longer than the standard Caddy and sporting a load volume of 4.2 m3, it comes with a payload of 800 kg and two engine options.
More... Julian Milnes, Commercial Motor
EU approves 8-country transport cooperation
12.02.2008The European Union has approved a cross-border cooperation programme between Germany, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, the UK, Ireland and Switzerland between 2007 and 2013. This programme aims to promote intelligent and sustainable solutions in the domains of transport and ICT. The programme will require an investment of 178.7 million Euros, half of which will be provided by the EU and the other half by the partners involved.
More... www.truckeurope.net
EU wants Diesel duty raised
11.02.2008The European Parliament's economics committee wants the EU minimum rate of excise duty on diesel raised from E302/1,000lit to the unleaded petrol level of E359/1,000lit by 2015, with Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania having until 2016. The existing differential "distorts the market", MEPs say.
More... Commercial Motor
Transport Emission Trading Scheme
08.02.2008Could an 'emissions trading scheme' be the way to reduce CO2 emissions from Europe's truck fleet? That was among the topics discussed at the International Transport Forum. Cutting CO2 emissions from road transport took centre stage during a two-day meeting of experts from Europe and the US at the International Transport Forum (ITF) in Paris. Several possible methods of reducing emissions are already in place. But the scheme expected to become the European standard is an extension of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) to trucks, vans and other vehicles.
More... Chris Jones, Commercial Motor
Germany poised to offer Euro-6 incentives
08.02.2008Confusion reigns at the moment with regard to the possible early incentivisation of Euro-6 by the German authorities. Reports carried by the German trade press suggest the German government will extend the current discount allowed to operators using Euro-5-compliant trucks to Euro-6-compliant vehicles at the point at which Euro-5 becomes a legislative requirement, in October 2009.
More... Ollie Dixon, Commercial Motor
EC acts against Austria
07.02.2008The European Commission has instigated infringement procedures against Austria for applying a regulation since the beginning of the year which prevents trucks transporting certain types of merchandise from using a section of the A12 in Tyrol. This law goes against European law, particularly where the free circulation of goods is involved. The Commission also believes that the measure is disproportionate with regard to the benefits gained in air quality.
More... www.truckeurope.net
Growth expected in Eastern logistics markets
07.02.2008The logistics industry in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in Russia, is expected to see strong growth over the next five years. This has been shown in the latest ‘CEE Logistics Outlook 2008’ study undertaken by market analysts Datamonitor, who believe that nominal expenses in logistics and storage will increase from today’s 272.3 billion dollars to 369.4 billion by 2012. This growth is due to the expansion of domestic markets and an increase in exports. The economy in this region should see average growth of 5% between 2007 and 2012. The most fruitful sectors will be cars, consumer goods, electronics, retail and telecoms. But efforts will have to be put in to transport infrastructures, especially the railways. New logistics centres are set to develop, outside of the traditional ones which are Prague, Warsaw, Budapest, Moscow … The Contracts Logistics market should also evolve rapidly.
More... www.datamonitor.com
Volvo wants help to cut CO2
05.02.2008Volvo Trucks is challenging its hauliers to cut CO2 emissions by 20% within the next two years. The firm says this is part of its climate strategy, which aims at carbon-neutral production. "Our emissions can be rapidly reduced through a number of measures, such as reduced fuel consumption, more efficient logistics, the use of biofuels and the replacement of old vehicles," says Volvo Trucks' boss, Staffan Jufors.
More... www.volvo.com
Actros sales start
05.02.2008The new Mercedes-Benz Actros (3rd generation) can already be ordered. It has undergone 37 modifications, at the levels of operating profitability, comfort, security and design. There is now, for instance, a new totally automated gearbox command (Mercedes Powershift) as standard. Mercedes is the first manufacturer to offer an entirely automated mechanical box as standard on a high tonnage truck. There are 6 categories of power available, from 320 to 598 bhp. The new Actros is also fitted with a level corrector, in order to maintain the horizontal position of the upper comfort couchette. An additional thermostat-controlled air conditioner, optimised steering, a large format pivoting mirror for shaving, a foldable table... these are just some of the other noteworthy items. Then there are two packs of driving aids: Classic Safety and Top Safety. The latter includes all the systems available. Economy Packs are also available (in Germany at first) with circuit breakers, adjustable deflectors and a Voith speed reducer in particular. The new Actros will be presented to the public during the next Hanover show and production will start in July.
More... www.mercedes-benz.be
News archive:
2010 June2010 May
2010 April
2010 March
2010 February
2010 January
2009 December
2009 November
2009 October
2009 September
2009 August
2009 July
2009 June
2009 May
2009 April
2009 March
2009 February
2009 January
2008 December
2008 November
2008 October
2008 September
2008 August
2008 July
2008 June
2008 May
2008 April
2008 March
2008 February
2008 January
2007 December
2007 November
2007 October