News: March 2008
ECO-Start ends idle ways
31.03.2008Mercedes-Benz is to make its ECO-Start anti-idling device standard across its 7.5-tonne truck range in the near future. The fuel-saving product, which was formerly known as Motor Stop Start (MSS), automatically switches off the truck's engine whenever it is on stop. It has been available on manual transmission Ategos for a couple of years now, but take-up has been minimal.
More... Will Shiers, Motor Transport
2008: the year of the Vito?
31.03.2008Mercedes-Benz will be having a sales push on its Vito van this year, and is keen to close the gap between it and the Volkswagen Transporter. Although 2007 was a record-breaking year for both Sprinter and Vito, the latter's registrations trail behind those of its major competitor.
More... Will Shiers, Motor Transport
FTA calls for EC to crack down on foreign trucks
28.03.2008The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is urging the European Commission (EC) to include LGV-specific offences in its proposal to facilitate the prosecution of drivers flouting the law outside their member state. The call comes after the European Union's transport chief unveiled plans to reduce the number of foreign drivers evading prosecution. The proposal will see technical measures and legal instruments put in place to identify and prosecute EU drivers for offences committed in member states other than that in which their vehicle is registered.
More... Chris Tindall, Commercial Motor
Registrations still on the increase
28.03.2008According to ACEA (The European Car Manufacturers Association) registrations of utility vehicles in the Europe of 27 were up in February 2008 compared to the same month last year, the increase being 9.8%. In the over 3.5 tonnes sector, the increase was as high as 20.7%, with 34,934 vehicles registered. In the over 16 tonnes sector it was 19.4%, 25,634 units. For vans of up to 3.5 tonnes the growth was 7.6%, to 166,601 units.
More... www.truckeurope.net
Volvo sales up 23% in February
27.03.2008The number of trucks that Volvo delivered to customers in February was up nearly a quarter on the same month last year, according the manufacturer's latest figures. Worldwide, Volvo delivered 8,907 trucks, up 23% on February 2007, with almost all markets except North America showing sharp rises.
More... David Harris, Commercial Motor
Renault steps up production
26.03.2008Renault Trucks has increased production at its Blainville-sur-Orne, France plant to satisfy Eastern Europe's insatiable appetite for new trucks. Already this year production has grown from an average of 225 to 276 trucks per day, and Renault says a recent investment of €57m at the site means these figures will continue to rise.
More... Will Shiers, Motor Transport
Mercedes-Benz to launch 3.2t Vito
26.03.2008Mercedes-Benz is to launch a 3.2-tonne GVW Vito in September. It will be a definitive model on the manufacturer's price list, and will be based on the long-wheelbase 111 CDI version of the Vito. Steve Bridge, director of van sales and marketing at M-B, says the 3.2-tonne Vito will help M-B meet the demands of those customers that struggle to stay within the weight limits of existing vehicles, such as the AA and the RAC.
More... Roanna Avison, Commercial Motor
Italy encouraging bio-diesel
24.03.2008The European Commission has approved a reduction in taxes of 384 million Euros granted by the Italian public authorities to stimulate the production and use of bio-diesel by 2010. These are transitional measures which also introduce an obligation where bio-diesel supply is concerned: all suppliers of petrol and diesel on the Italian market will be obliged to make available a minimum quantity of bio-fuels. From January 1st 2008, the proportion of bio-fuels must represent 2% of the total volume of deliveries of the previous year.
More... www.truckeurope.net
Commission to faciliatate catching road offenders
24.03.2008The European Commission has adopted a directive proposition aiming to facilitate the cross-border pursuit of road infringements which endanger safety. The proposed directive will cover four types of infringement: speeding, drink-driving, not wearing seat-belts and jumping red lights. These four infringements are the principal causes of accidents and deaths.
More... www.truckeurope.net
New distribution centre for Raben
24.03.2008Dutch group Raben has opened a new distribution centre in the Polish city of Robakowo close to Poznan. This centre extends to 26,000 m², has 38 loading bays and is able to accommodate 36,000 pallets. A large part of the space will be reserved for products from the German company Beiersdorf for whom Nivea Polska became one of its principal logistics centres last July. The new distribution centre will enable the group to cope with an increase in the number of its export markets.
More... www.raben-group.com
Export success for Kögel
20.03.2008The German trailer maker says it is now the second largest importer in many European markets and plays a leading role in Russia. Sales director Andreas Berndmeyer says the recent deal with Finnish bodybuilder Ekeri has given better access to Scandinavian markets and expects 'significant growth' in the next few years as a result. The deal complements its Danish operation, started in 2006. Elsewhere, Kögel is setting up a new factory near Stettin in north Poland. This will have a 5,000 unit capacity while investment in its main factory in Burtenbach, will hike production there by a further 25%.
More... Andreas Lubitz, www.koegel.com
Citroën goes nuclear
20.03.2008The Sellafield nuclear power station just got its first Citroën Relay Ready to Run Luton van, specified to work as an on-site laundry van. It has a full, hygienically washable interior and DEL 500kg tail lift with auto-erect safety gates. Buckstone Motor Bodies, which did the bodywork says that the advantage of its Citroën Ready to Run Luton vans is that they can be tailored for specialist use yet keep all the benefits of the standard product, such as the full warranty terms.
More... Peter Dugdale, www.buckstonebody.co.uk
Temperature control from Krone
20.03.2008On its stand 6-320 at the CV Show next month, Krone says it will feature it Cool Liner Duoplex GFK. The firm says this gives the best combination of insulation control and bodywork stability for temperature controlled transport. Krone will also show its solid, reliable, and meticulously designed standard curtainsider Profi Liner, with integral load securing equipment. The firm says it is Europe's second biggest trailer maker, with a wide range of flatbed and box semi-trailers, skeletals, swap systems and bodywork.
More... Sam Jennings, www.krone-trailers.co.uk
Kögel's record turnover
20.03.2008Kögel Fahrzeugwerke GmbH, the German trailer maker says its turnover is up by 67% after its most successful financial year. Trailer production grew from 12,000 units in 2006 to 20,000 units in 2007, with turnover hitting a record €462m, up from €280m the year before. The firm also created 450 more jobs, taking its headcount to an average of 1352 people working in its factories in Burtenbach, Bavaria and Chocen in the Czech Republic. "2007 has far exceeded our expectations," said Alexander Tietje, chairman of the Kögel board of management. Despite a near 70% production hike, the firm 'could scarcely meet' the demand for its products. "This year we shall increase our production by around 60% to 32,000 units." By 2012, Kögel says it will produce 60,000 vehicles a year.
More... Andreas Lubitz, www.koegel.com
Good-To-Go bodywork from Nissan
20.03.2008Nissan says it will have a range of vans, pickups and bodied vehicles on its stand at the CV Show. These will include three converted Cabstars, a refrigerated and Crew Van Interstar, a Primastar and a Navara from the firm's recently-launched Good-To-Go range. The firm says it will also re-introduce its 'workhorse' pickup model, re-named NP300 at the event. The vehicle has a 1.1 tonne payload and some models can tow a three tonne un-braked trailer. It comes with a choice of single, king or double cab and with either 4x2 or 4x4 driveline. The single cab version three people, has a 2.2m load bed. The double cab model seats five.
More... Gloria Maydew, www.nissan.co.uk
CV Show to break more records
20.03.2008With less than a month to go, this year's CV Show, from 15-17 April at Birmingham's NEC is already set to be the biggest and best yet, according to the visitor pre-registration figures from show organiser, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. "We've well over 13,000 people registered online at www.cvshow.com," said Tony Young, CV Show manager. "That's well up on the comparative figure for last year and we're confident that by the time the doors close on Thursday 17 April, we'll have seen that number more than double." The Show's sales and marketing consultancy, Crystal Communications says it sold the last available area of exhibition space last week and it now has a waiting list of 'hopefuls'. Outside exhibition space is full, too, with over 40 trucks on show.
More... Robin Dickeson, www.smmt.co.uk
Renault's Kerax gets a power boost
17.03.2008Renault Trucks has given its Kerax tipper a power boost, by giving buyers the option of its DXi 13-litre engine. The new truck, which received its world premier at the Samoter construction show in Verona, Italy, last week, is offered in 460hp (2,300Nm) or 500hp (2,450Nm) guise. Although both are available for order in right-hand drive, neither vehicle will make an appearance on Renault's CV Show stand.
More... Will Shiers, Motor Transport
Digital camera to prevent fraudulent claims
13.03.2008A windscreen-mounted digital camera with the potential to slash operators' insurance premiums by preventing fraudulent claims against them, has been launched by Vision-Techniques. The X-Driven, which is plugged into a truck's ciga-rette lighter, records a view of the road ahead and instantly downloads the footage onto its integral SD memory card.
More... Will Shiers, Motor Transport
'Full speed ahead' for Mercedes-Benz
13.03.2008Despite the ongoing slump in the US heavy truck market, Andreas Renschler, head of Daimler Trucks worldwide, insists: "Mercedes-Benz is steaming full-speed ahead - the three-pointed star is shining brighter than ever." Speaking in Stuttgart this week at the launch of the new Actros tractor, Renschler reported that Daimler-Benz's truck operation boosted its return on sales to 7.5% last year (up from 5.8% in 2006). This was in spite of the US heavy truck market, where it competes with Freightliner, Sterling and Western Star brands, falling by a whopping 41%.
More... Brian Weatherley, Commercial Motor
TNT launches scheduled road route to Ukraine
13.03.2008TNT Express is launching an international road link to the Ukraine. This service connects the TNT European express road network to the night-time Ukrainian network. The new route will link the principal economic centres of the Ukraine, such as Kharkov, Dnepopetrovsk and Odessa to Europe and to the rest of the world via Kiev and the TNT road hub at Warsaw in Poland. The Ukraine saw annual economic growth of 7.4% between 2000 and 2006.
More... www.tnt.com
PTV launches map&guide 2008
13.03.2008The 2008 version of map&guide was presented by PTV at the CeBIT show in Hanover, which took place from March 4th to 9th. This new version integrates Navteq data for transport along with new navigation functions. It aims to be easier to use and includes numerous parameters such as the height and width of roads for example, and all the technical data of the vehicle. The zoom function has been improved as well as address verification and geo-coding.
More... www.ptv.eu
Public debut for Renault's new Kerax tipper
11.03.2008Making its first public appearance at last week's Samotor construction show in Verona was the new 13-litre version of the Renault's Kerax heavy-duty tipper chassis. The DXi13 offers 460hp/2,300Nm or 500hp/2,450Nm, with Euro-4 emissions by SCR.
More... Colin Barnett, Commercial Motor
Ricö bankrupt
11.03.2008Ricö, a German international transport company employing 3,000 and operating a fleet of 2,500 vehicles, has been declared bankrupt. According to a statement from the company, it is experiencing financial difficulties. The company was unable to find any solution with the banks to its lack of liquidity. Many vehicles are apparently immobilised in Poland. Director Jens Preuss has resigned. Björn Gröschner, formerly head of quality control, is replacing him for the time being. All transport missions currently underway will be completed.
More... www.truckeurope.net
Record turnover for Kögel
11.03.2008Trailer equipment manufacturer Kögel Fahrzeugwerke has announced historic results. The company has seen strong growth, with production moving up from 12,000 units in 2006 to 20,000 in 2007. Turnover reached 462 million Euros, up from 280 million a year earlier. Staff numbers were also up, from 900 in 2006 to 1,352 in 2007. The reasons behind these exceptional results were a favourable world-wide market and the extension of the semi-trailer range to include up-market models, according to Kögel.
More... www.koegel.com
International Road Transport Union Annual CIS Conference focuses on passenger transport
10.03.2008The IRU 6th Conference on CIS road transport organised in partnership with the CIS Coordinating Transport Conference and Ingosstrakh, this year focused on challenges facing tourism and passenger transport industry in the CIS region, including the development of international tourism by coach and urban passenger transport policies.
More... www.iru.org
VW buys Scania
10.03.2008The Financial Times report that in a complex deal, Porsche plans to increase its stake in Volkswagen and VW will increase its stake in Scania to a majority shareholding of 69%. The firm also holds a 29.9 % stake in MAN, which in turn has a 17% stake in Scania. The FT says 'the outcome to what VW wants at Scania and MAN is difficult to predict.'
More... www.ft.com
Volvo's anti-fatigue device in final stages
06.03.2008A safety device that detects and alerts drivers of fatigue is in the final stages of development. The system, which has been developed by Volvo Trucks, monitors the way in which the driver operates the vehicle, emitting an audible warning if it detects a particular pattern of movement changes.
More... Will Shiers, Motor Transport
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