News: April 2008
Drive-over tyre checker unveiled
24.04.2008An electronic drive-over system designed primarily to measure tyre pressures has been developed by Kidlington-based WheelRight. RightStrip, which made its debut at the CV Show last week, can be programmed to identify both under- and over-inflated tyres, the resulting data being transmitted wirelessly to WheelRight's server and then on to the user.
More... John Phillips, Motor Transport
Scania secures order with Russian grocery chain
23.04.2008Scania continues its sales charge into Russia, a country where it says "investments and growth are expected to remain high for many years to come". The Russian grocery chain X5 Retail Group has ordered 146 Scania trucks for supplying goods to its nationwide chain of more than 600 stores and supermarkets in major Russian cities such as Moscow, St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, as well as to 600 franchised retail units in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
More... Brian Weatherley, Commercial Motor
DAF delivers first trucks with EEV engines
23.04.2008DAF has announced that it has delivered its first CF and XF 105 trucks fitted with EEV (Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicles) engines. These vehicles emit around 50% less soot particles than authorised by the Euro-5 norm. The CF was delivered to Roteb (Rotterdam) and the XF toJan de Rijk Logistics at Roosendaal. DAF underlines that it is currently the only manufacturer able to supply all its models in ultra-clean version.
More... www.truckeurope.net
New Renault Magnum at Birmingham show
22.04.2008Renault Trucks has just unveiled the new version of its Magnum at the Birmingham show (April 15-18). The new Magnum in particular features a cabin which has been heightened by 20 cm and new stowage space. There were also examples of the whole range on show at Birmingham: Master, Maxity, Mascott, Midlum, Premium. Not to mention the Optifuel Solutions system designed to reduce consumption and which combines technological elements, a software solution and training.
More... www.truckeurope.net
UN and EU question viability of biofuels
18.04.2008The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, and the European Environment Agency (EEA) have joined biofuel skeptics. UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, recently called for a comprehensive review of biofuels policy, “…as they are causing a crisis in global food prices and threaten to trigger global instability." The EEA has made public an opinion on the environmental impacts of biofuel use in Europe, stating that “the overambitious biofuel target is an experiment, whose unintended effects are difficult to predict and difficult to control.” The EEA hence recommends a new, comprehensive scientific study on the environmental risks and benefits of biofuels, and calls for setting a new and more moderate long-term target and suspending the foreseen increase in the share of biofuels use in EU transport to 10 % by 2020.
More... www.iru.org
New Kangoo is design departure for Renault
18.04.2008The new Kangoo from Renault, which is making its debut at the CV Show this year, marks a departure from its previous model, with the new design based on the Scenic MPV. Launched originally in 1997, the new version arrives in the UK later in the year with two trims and two wheelbases.
More... Commercial Motor
Volvo unveils lightweight auto
18.04.2008Following the success of its I-Shift auto, Volvo has finally unveiled its lightweight equivalent, the I-Sync, which has been developed specifically for the Euro-4 FL range, and for operations up to 26-tonnes GVW and maximum torque output of 1,050Nm. The six-speed, all-synchro, two-pedal unit is available on the 12- and 16-tonne FL at 240hp or 280hp, and on the 280hp 18-tonner.
More... Commercial Motor
Volvo hybrid takes to the road
18.04.2008Volvo has begun field trials of a new parallel hybrid truck. The Swedish manufacturer appears to have made a major leap in battery technology and plans volume production of this dual-fuel chassis in around two years' time. The culmination of 20 years of research and development, the 26-tonne FE-series rigid is fitted with diesel and electric power sources and carries a waste-collection body. Volvo claims this development to be an "environmental and carbon-neutral transport", which aside from emissions reduction, also cuts noise pollution. Intended primarily for urban collection and distribution duties, the FE hybrid also has the potential to run on biofuel.
More... Dave Young, Motor Transport
Fruehauf launches rigids bodies
16.04.2008Fruehauf has formed a new company called Fruehauf Rigids and signalled its entry to the market with the launch of Formula Fruehauf - a rapid delivery rigid tipper body supply service combined with while-you-wait fitting. The range includes aggregate aluminium, insulated aluminium and steel muckaway bodies. The customer will be able to book a build slot for as little as three days in advance, then bring the chassis to the Fruehauf Grantham factory where the body will be fitted in two hours.
More... Roanna Avison, Commercial Motor
Actros launched at the NEC
16.04.2008The new Mercedes-Benz Actros received its world launch at the CV Show this year, and visitors were being encouraged to view the interior where the bulk of the changes have been made. "In terms of appearance, it doesn't look a whole lot different," admits Mercedes truck sales and marketing director John Baker. "We have simply improved an already excellent truck. It is more a case of evolution than revolution.
More... Commercial Motor
Magnum catches the eyes
16.04.2008Another global debutante, the new Renault Magnum cab drew plenty of attention from visitors on the opening morning of the CV Show. The revamped cab sat on the three-axle DXi13 500hp driveline with a 12-speed transmission. It's the Euro-5 engine SCR version and the kerbweight is 8,627kg.
More... Commercial Motor
ZeroEd unveils electric vehicle
16.04.2008A new electric vehicle from ZeroEd made its debut at the CV Show, boasting shortened charging times and an extended daily range. Using lithium ion phosphate batteries for higher discharge current and boasting no loss of internal floor space, it's claimed it can be fully charged in six hours, while a one-hour top-up (theoretically, in a driver's break) allows it to cover up to 120 miles.
More... Commercial Motor
IRU and BSEC facilitate road transport around the Black Sea Basin
11.04.2008International Road Transport Union General Delegate to the Middle-East and Region, Haydar Özkan, today addressed Transport Ministers of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation (BSEC), highlighting the vital role of road transport in today’s globalised economy as well as the huge potential for the BSEC region to contribute to re-opening the Silk Road by lifting non-physical barriers to road transport.
More... www.iru.org
EU grants billions to Czech Republic
11.04.2008The Czech Republic is to receive 5.8 billion Euros from the EU to finance infrastructure projects extending up to 2013. An extra billion will be added by the Czech state. There will be 46.1% of the total dedicated to road and 44.8% to rail. The improvement of intermodal infrastructures and combined transport is also part of the programme.
More... www.truckeurope.net
Collaboration between GITI Europe and Tyre-Check
11.04.2008Chinese tyre manufacturer GITI Tire which recently opened a commercial subsidiary in the Netherlands to attack the European market, has announced a new partnership with Irish company Truck-Check, the specialist in Internet Tyre Management Solutions which supplies a complete range of software programs and hardware options for the industry. GITI is also to launch a tyre management programme called GITI Assist using the Tyre-Check technology.
More... www.tyrecheck.com
Commisson acts against several states
10.04.2008The European Commission has started proceedings against Greece, Italy, Luxembourg and Portugal for non-respect of European social legislation relative to road transport activities. The reason is that these countries have not communicated their national processes for transposing the Commission’s directive for putting this legislation into force. They were obliged to pass the necessary legislation by April 1st 2007.
More... www.truckeurope.net
New Eurocargo announced
09.04.2008Iveco is basing its new products offensive for 2008 on the new Eurocargo. First launched in 1991, the Eurocargo has sold more than 400,000 units. The new elements for 2008 are a totally redesigned cab with a less aggressive look, a new grill which enables the vehicle to be personalised to the client’s colour, new integrated light units, a renewed range of manual gearboxes alongside the automatic and automated boxes. The Eurocargo will be equipped with Tector Euro V engines using SCR technology (with AdBlue). The manufacturer is providing more room inside the cab, with optimal movement from one side to the other of the living space, an ergonomic dashboard, a larger steering wheel and more voluminous storage areas. ASR, ESP and hill-start assistance are also fitted. The new Eurocargo will be unveiled in the Benelux during a roadshow from May 28th to June 28th.
More... www.truckeurope.net
New proposition for access to the profession
09.04.2008The European transport Ministers’ Council met in Luxembourg on April 7th under the presidency of Slovenian minister Radovan Serjav, and declared itself favourable to a triple proposition relative to road transport: this involves access to the international road transport of merchandise, the road transport profession, and the coach and bus transport services markets. This proposition is aiming to modernise, replace and merge existing regulations. Most ministers approved, in particular, the proposition to extend the validity of the community licence from 5 to 10 years. The Council also approved the ‘three days of cabotage in a seven day period’ formula. A report on the pursuit of the liberalisation of cabotage was also requested for 2012.
More... www.truckeurope.net
Rhenus takes Hamann International SAS over
03.04.2008The Rhenus group is continuing the development of its European network with the takeover of French company Hamann France. Hamann France was founded 32 years ago and has four locations in the country. It offers groupage services across the whole of Europe, in particular to Germany, the Benelux, Italy, Spain and Eastern Europe. The Rhenus group turns over some 3 billion Euros annually and employs 14,000 world-wide.
More... www.rhenus.com
Agreement between C.S. Cargo and Mercedes-Benz in Czech Republic
03.04.2008Czech company C.S. Cargo has signed a contract with the Czech subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz involving the purchase of 1,500 HGV’s over the next two years, for a total cost of 180 million Euros. All the vehicles will be fitted with Blue Tec technology, FleetBoard and the Mercedes automatic PowerShift box. The company bought Smidbersky Transport and mGal Spedition last year.
More... www.truckeurope.net
Revolutionary Zeecombi from TLN
03.04.2008Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN) is launching a unique transport concept called Zeecocombi. This involves a ro-ro platform combined with an eco-combi, a sort of amphibious truck. It will at first be operated on the route which links the Hook of Holland in the Netherlands to Dover in the UK, passing through Antwerp. The various partners in this scheme will put 250 vehicles of this type into service. They will be located in the three ports concerned. The great advantage compared to ferries is the freedom of departure times… well we can always dream…
More... www.tln.nl
Hatcher develops Volvo sleep cab
02.04.2008Hatcher Components has developed a sleeper option with more space for the Volvo FL. The Hatcher FL Sky Cab can be specified with two or three bunks and the conversion includes lockable storage compartments, sunroof and reading lights. There is also a separate compartment for a night heater if required. The additional weight from the conversion is 190kg and the roof height becomes 3850mm.
More... Roanna Avison, Commercial Motor
European truck demand artificially high
02.04.2008The demand for new trucks in Europe is artificially high because operators are placing identical orders with two or more manufacturers at a time in order to hedge their bets with delivery times. According to new research from investment bank UBS, 63% of fleets with between 101 and 500 trucks have placed double orders. It estimates that 20% of overall European heavy truck demand is duplicated.
More... Oliver Dixon, Motor Transport
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