Transport News Brief
Cable to speak at SMMT Auto Summit
The Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, secretary of state for business, innovation and skills will speak at the SMMT's second International Automotive Summit in central London next week. In one of his first speeches to the sector, Cable will cover key points for the automotive industry, including its role in the future of UK manufacturing and contribution to the wider economy. Other speakers will include André Lacroix; group CEO of Inchcape Group, Richard Parry Jones, chairman of the Automotive Council and Marek Reichman, director of design for Aston Martin. Carl-Peter Forster, group chief executive of Tata Motors, will give the keynote speech. As well as the main agenda, separate sessions will cover the used car market, the bus and coach sector and ultra low carbon trucks
More from Kate Rumsby on +44 (0)2 073 449 219 or
krumsby@smmt.co.ukFour more Solos for Central Connect
Central Connect has put four more 9.6m Optare Solo SR buses to work on its Signature branded services in Solihull. The new buses are high spec. models with Wi-Fi, 33 Esteban leather seats, blue LED under seat lighting and an ACIS Real Time Information system. There is also an LED destination system and full CCTV camera coverage. Each bus can also carry 21 standees. Central Connect expects appearance of the new buses, their luxurious and attractive introductory fare offers will "help to woo passengers out of their cars and onto the buses."
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drowlands@automotivepr.comULC truck strategy coming
The SMMT will launch its Ultra Low Carbon Truck strategy at next week's Automotive Summit in London on Wednesday 30 June. "With increasing pressure to improve efficiency, cut fuel use and carbon emissions, the SMMT has responded with a strategy that will help truck makers and operators deliver even lower carbon transport," said Robin Dickeson, for the Society. Martin Flach, product director at Iveco and a member of the SMMT's truck technical committee will outline the strategy at a session led by Jonathan Murray of the LowCVP and including Simon Chapman, chief economist, at the FTA and Jack Semple, policy director at the RHA. Panellists Jason Vallint of AA DriveTech, Derek Beevor of Roadtech Computers and Dave Greenwood of Ricardo will also contribute to the session, its debate and Q+A session.
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or
rdickeson@smmt.co.ukMore CV cash on the cards
Lombard, the asset finance arm of RBS says it is "open for business" business in the automotive sector. The firm will sponsor the SMMT's annual dinner on 23 November this year and bosses Alex Baldock and Dilip Nathwani recently met Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive to talk about vehicle finance. Nathwani heads Lombard's commercial vehicle finance unit and is keen to work directly with operators, dealers and vehicle makers looking for additional credit.
More from Dilip Nathwani on +44 (0)1 908 246 394 or
dilip.nathwani@lombard.co.ukGreen bus focus at SMMT Summit
The environmental development of the UK bus and coach sector will be discussed in a bespoke breakout session at this year's SMMT International Automotive Summit on 30 June 2010. Nick Coad, group environment director of National Express, will give the operator's perspective and David Hytch of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive will provide his insight as to how technology can improve public transport in a session entitled 'Making the nation's buses and coaches cleaner and greener' to be chaired by Volvo Bus' product planning manager, Adrian Wickens.
More from Nikki Rooke on +44 (0)2 073 449 226 or
nrooke@smmt.co.ukMandatory eco-driver training won't work - FTA
The Freight Transport Association doesn't like the UK Department for Transport's plan for mandatory eco-driving training as part of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence. "Eco-driver training can yield results," says James Firth, the FTA's head of road freight and enforcement policy. But the benefits soon wear off unless it is part of an efficient fleet management programme. "This proposal has been built on pretty shaky grounds" He says that as there is a clear link between eco-driving and cutting transport cost, the need to make eco-driver training mandatory is "highly questionable."
More from James Firth on 01 892 552 255 or
jfirth@fta.co.ukIntelligent Transport Systems webinar
The next in the free webinar series from the SMMT, between 10:30 and 11:00 on Tuesday 29 June will be on Intelligent Transport Systems and the opportunities for UK automotive market. "ITS has yet to reach its tipping point for the automotive industry," said Jamie Harris, e-business project co-ordinator. "Should the focus be on in-vehicle systems, on infrastructure, on inter-vehicle and vehicle to infrastructure communications or all of the above?" Harris says the session will try to help people pick a way through a complex maze to find genuine business benefits. It also aims to show how the innovITS Advance testing facility can help industry develop ITS technology.
More from Jamie Harris on +44 (0)2 073 441 661 or
memberservices@smmt.co.ukFuel duty hikes still in the pipeline says RHA
The Road Haulage Association says it is "disappointed" by the Chancellor's decision to stick to Labour's "inflationary package" of three fuel duty increases in the next eleven months. This will "further widen" the "unfair" gap" between UK and EU diesel duty. The RHA says the Government had acknowledged that unfairness and is clearly unhappy that the Coalition's hasn't done more to right what many hauliers see as a wrong. It likes the idea of possible fuel duty stabiliser and the plan to cut small business tax to 20% but doesn't like the halving of the investment allowance for small firms and "remains concerned" about future of investment in roads.
More from Kate Gibbs on +44 (0)1 932 838 917 or
kate.gibbs@rha.uk.netGITI Tires for Hadfields
GITI Tires has won a tyre supply deal with Hadfields Transport Limited. The firm runs over 50 trucks from a new, purpose-built 62,000ft2 warehouse in Miles Platting, Manchester. Pro-Fit Tyres of Oldham will service the contract.
More from Peter Foulkes on +44 (0)1 612 661 172 or
peter_foulkes@eu.giti.comTiss looks for success in South Africa
Following sales successes via representatives based in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Durban and through distributors in Botswana and Mozambique, fuel security firm Tiss believes that the South African market has the potential to become even bigger than the UK market in the next twelve months. It says many large South African fleets are fitting their trucks its TankSafe 'Impregnable' anti-siphon device to protect against fuel theft.
More from Silvia Vitale on +44 (0)1 253 400 401 or
silvia.vitale@tissltd.comVos to cut CO2 by 20% by 2015
TTM Nieuwsalert in the Netherlands reports that Vos Logistics aims to cut its average CO2 emissions per kilometre by 20% in five years. The Netherlands based firm makes the claim in its recently released and first sustainability report. Its Eco-Safe Logistics scheme will look at technology, management and buildings. Better fuel use, alternative fuels, less empty running, multi-modal and larger trucks and more efficient use of buildings will all play their part, according to Frank Verhoeven, CEO at Vos.
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www.ttm.nlBatrak-EDT deal could save you 20%
Batrak Ltd is now working with EDT of Israel to supply SmartLog© and FleetLog© fleet management systems and accessories to the UK market at lower prices than before. Aimed at road haulage, the systems have been successfully fitted to 50,000 commercial vehicles worldwide. EDT claims that it can save up to 20% of a fleet's operating costs by improving its efficiency. "This arrangement will means we can SmartLog© and FleetLog© at a far more competitive price than was available from the European distributor," said Doug Perry, managing director at Batrak. "Also, our link with the factory means we can customize the system to suit individual clients' requirements."
More from Doug Perry on +44 (0)1 509 678 924 or
doug@batrak.co.ukRHA wants talks on truck tolls
The Road Haulage Association wants the UK Government to set up a working group with leading trade associations to look at the "best way forward" on road tolls for trucks. This follows a recent meeting between the RHA and Justine Greening, Economic Secretary to the Treasury. It says it welcomes the Coalition's recognition of the "unfair burden" on UK hauliers and the promise to "work towards" a system that will give "fairer system" of haulage taxes. The RHA wants a group including itself, the Freight Transport Association, the Treasury and the Department for Transport to find practical way to do the job, according to Jack Semple, policy director for the RHA.
More from Kate Gibbs on +44 (0)1 932 838 917 or
kate.gibbs@rha.uk.netBetter stability from Michelin low profile tyres
Michelin says its X One MaxiTrailer tyres show 6.5% better stability than 385/65 R 22.5 tyres. This follows a test to measure 'overturn angle' of a 44 tonne artic fitted with X One MaxiTrailer tyres. Done at QinetiQ's site at Chobham, Surrey, the test used the only tilt-table in the UK able to take a fully loaded 13.6m artic. The test showed that the low profile 455/45 R 22.5 X One MaxiTrailer tyres could increase a vehicle's overturn angle by as much as 6.5%.
More from Paul Cordle on +44 (0)1 782 402 341 or
paul-m.cordle@uk.michelin.comCAS takes 43 Citroën vans
Central Auto Supplies has just put 43 new Citroën vans to work. The firm says cutting its delivery fleet fuel use and thus emissions was its priority. The Wellingborough-based company which has 19 depots, mostly in the Midlands and East Anglia and has bought 41 Nemo 1.4HDi LX vans and two Relay 35 L3H2 120 vans. Citroën dealer Duff Morgan of Norwich won the business. With more Nemos expected to join the CAS fleet later this year, well over half of the company's 100+ delivery fleet will be made up of Nemos - which regularly do over 60mpg. The new vans will do multi-drop and timed "within the hour" delivery work for four years.
More from Phil Reed on +44 (0)2 086 684 048 or
leadingpr@aol.comParsons may take new trailer tyres
Michelin says that Parson's Nationwide Distribution may specify Michelin's low profile X One MaxiTrailer tyres. The firm was involved in Michelin's recent and successful artic stability tests, using the 455/45 R 22.5 trailer tyres. The test showed a 6.5% stability gain. The trial confirmed the anecdotal feedback Michelin says it gets from drivers who say they really notice an improvement in vehicle stability. "As a direct result of the trial, Parsons Nationwide Distribution has confirmed it will consider specifying X One MaxiTrailer tyres on all new trailers joining its fleet," said Paul Kendrick, Michelin's truck product marketing manager.
More from Paul Cordle on +44 (0)1 782 402 341 or
paul-m.cordle@uk.michelin.comLow stocks hamper used truck sales
Dealers report good demand for used trucks but a "serious lack" of stock says George Alexander, chief commercial vehicle editor at Glass's. "Getting customers to sign on the dotted line for new chassis proves as challenging as ever." This contributes to shortages of used trucks and could push their prices "through the roof." observes Alexander. "Any clean and tidy truck or trailer at auction will sell well on the day," but body damage, poor specification and "less reputable chassis" still fail to rouse "sensible bids" at auction.
More from David Fitzpatrick on +44 (0)1622 691 361 or
david.fitzpatrick@pfpr.comAnd finally
"With every one of our notebooks subjected to 95,000 hours of rigorous testing," says HP in an advert Jon Gregory copied to New Scientist's Feedback column, "we provide the latest and most reliable technology for small businesses today." Jon points out that this seems to mean that each notebook is tested for 11 years before being released for sale. Jon is not clear on how this will help him "live life in the fast lane," as the advert proclaims.
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www.newscientist.com
