Optare scoops £13million Greater Manchester bus order
In a £13m deal Optare plc has won 100% of Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority's order for up to 66 hybrid buses. In what is the largest single order for hybrid buses so far placed with help from the Government's Green Bus Fund, GMITA will take Optare Solo, Solo SR, Versa and Tempo models. All will use Optare's Eco Drive diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system, which encourages efficient driving behaviour and the latest telematics technology combining passenger counting, real time information, CCTV and vehicle diagnostics in a single integrated system. Jim Sumner, Optare CEO said: "This order emphasises our significant lead in the design and production of low and zero emission buses. As well as our unique Eco Drive range of hybrids, Optare remains the only manufacturer to offer a fully electric-drive model, the Solo EV, as well as the only manufacturer of dual-fuel bio-methane buses."
More from Martin Hayes on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or
mhayes@automotivepr.comBuses still weak, coaches improve slightly in April
April's UK bus and coach registration data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that big buses fell 43%, while big coaches rose 78% and smaller coaches rose 7.4%. "With recent orders well down, such developments are to be expected and the outlook for the big bus sector will be weak, particularly for firms dependent on UK demand," said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. "By contrast, spring has seen a seasonal and welcome rise in big coach registrations, though from a very low base. As our new government establishes itself, the priority must be to sustain and strengthen the economic recovery with particular focus on encouraging the availability of more and better priced finance."
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or
rdickeson@smmt.co.ukService history records available free
Daf has developed its own in house web-based system for recording the inspection and service history of trucks and it has made it available free-of-charge to operators. Called Dafcheck, it will handle will handle service data for other truck brands and any fleet size, "making it ideal for mixed fleet operators who want to use only one system." The firm says that because it is web-based and can be accessed from anywhere at any time, Dafcheck is well-suited for use where a fleet runs from number of depots. The system meets Vosa's "Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness" criteria. "With the Operators Compliance Risk Score system used by Vosa now even more important and affecting Operator Licences, recording and retrieving vehicle maintenance records is vital for truck operators," says Daf.
More from David Rowlands on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or
drowlands@automotivepr.comContrasts in April's van and truck registrations
April van and truck registration data from the SMMT show 17,387 registrations in the month and a 23.3% drop to 225,799 for the rolling year. Trucks, at 2,496 in April were down 35.9% to 31,951 for the rolling year. Vans, down 18.2% to 193,848 for the rolling year saw 14,891 registrations in April, up 6.7%, the fourth monthly rise of the year. "UK van registrations rose in April, continuing the welcome growth over the first quarter of 2010," said Paul Everitt, chief executive at the SMMT. "Demand for trucks is still running well below pre-recession levels and continues to reflect weak demand and a lack of business confidence." For these sectors too the SMMT says the new government must also work to rebuild the economy and improve business access to cash.
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rdickeson@smmt.co.ukVan values strengthen in April, says Manheim
Manheim Remarketing's latest monthly Market Analysis for Vans reports that at £4,416, average wholesale used van prices increased in April by 4.2% (£179) compared with the previous month. They are now nearly 15% higher than in January 2010. Average prices have now risen in all but two of the last fifteen months, "showing just how severely values were affected during recession, as well highlighting the strength of their recovery," said James Davis, general manager, commercial vehicles for Manheim. "Average van values in the wholesale van market are nearly 50% higher year on year, fuelled by a wholesale supply shortage."
More from Andrew Andersz on +44 (0)1 865 343 100 or
andrew.andersz@thejjgroup.comOperators need to push forward
With the country's political future uncertain, Glass's Guide says it is time for operators to ìpush forwardî with positive business decisions. "There comes a point when a recessional mindset must give way to a more entrepreneurial outlook and that time is now upon us," warns George Alexander, chief commercial vehicle editor at Glass's. "Businesses will not want to make the wrong financial decisions, but it is important to decide to move forwards." He worries that operators may underestimate the risks of running vehicles "well past" their sell-by dates and thinks the economy "sufficiently stable to justify action now." He implies that with used vehicles now making better prices, operators should act to start replacing their older vehicles or risk missing an opportunity.
More from Peter Cox on +44 (0)1 622 766 527 or
peter.cox@pfpr.comRenualt wins big Unipart van deal
Renault says it is delivering the first of an order for 750 Kangoo vans to Unipart Automotive. The firm is the UK's largest supplier of car parts, serving some of the best-known brands across the country, as well as independent garages. Martyn Rees, fleet manager for Unipart says the firm checked a range of points when choosing new vans. "Of these, the most important was whole life costs and Renault offered the most compelling combination of competitive running costs and fuel economy."
More from Mike Gale on +44 (0)1 923 697 653 or
mike.gale@renault.co.ukPirelli wins Malcolm Group deal
Pirelli UK says it and partner Vaculug have won a new and re-tread tyre deal with the Malcolm Group. WH Malcolm runs over 450 trucks, 1,000 trailers and 120 items of heavy plant. "Tenders can be difficult situations," said Graham Hutchison, UK truck director for Pirelli. "But Pirelli's range of new "01" tyres and Vaculug's retreads proved the best." Dave Alsop, Vaculug sales director added: "This is a firm stamp of approval for the Vaculug Pirelli partnership. We look forward to a strong, professional relationship where we add to Malcolm's success story."
More from Beth Wadeson on +44 (0)1 159 486 901 or
beth@bcspr.co.uk100 Berlingo Multispace taxis
Citroën says that the Paisley-based Taxi Centre is taking its first 100 Citroën Berlingo Multispace MPVs. These will help the firm meet the "growing demand" from the taxi trade for versatile and economical vehicles. The new Berlingos come complete with The Taxi Centre specialist finance and insurance, as well as customer-specified and taxi-specific modifications for operators across the UK.
More from Phil Reed on +44 (0)2 086 684 048 or
leadingpr@aol.comTruck cycle safety from Reversing Made Easy Ltd
Reversing Made Easy says London-bound truck drivers will need to stay alert as Mayor Boris Johnsonís latest cycle hire scheme takes effect: "The city's bike population is set to rise by a staggering 400% by the end of 2010 alone." To mark the introduction of the cycle hire scheme, Reversing Made Easy Ltd is offering all truck fleet managers a free trial and fitment of StepProtect - a simple warning device alerting drivers to cyclists, pedestrians and obstacles on the nearside front. "In the face of these latest cycling figures, we believe that fitting StepProtect to cover the hazardous blind-spot area is a responsible approach. It should help cut vehicle damage, personal injury, death and potentially costly lawsuits," says Steve Ransom, the firm's director.
More from Steve Ransom on +44 (0)1 825 768 555 or
steve@reversingmadeeasy.comSMMT webinar - electric vehicles in the UK
The next 30-minute webinar in the SMMT series will look at electric vehicles, their potential in the UK and what the SMMT is doing to help this emerging market. The event starts at 10:30 on Thursday 20 May. Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive will chair the event and talk about industry developments and Catherine Hutt, the Society's electric vehicle business development manager will talk about UK activity and what the SMMT is doing to support the industry. "We'll end with a question and answer session and you can join in from the comfort of your own office," said Hutt. "Email us and weíll send you joining instructions."
More from Jamie Harris on +44 (0)2 073 441 661 or
jharris@smmt.co.ukNew faces
We now know the UK's new coalition government Cabinet and key ministers. Liberal Democrats have five Cabinet posts and a further 15 ministerial posts. For the transport industry, probably the most important are: Dr Vince Cable MP, the new business secretary and Philip Hammond MP, secretary of state for transport. George Osborne MP, who moves into the Treasury as chancellor with Liberal Democrat David Laws MP as chief secretary to the Treasury. Liberal Democrat Chris Huhne MP is the new energy and climate change secretary, with Caroline Spelman MP secretary of state for the environment. Conservative Mark Prisk MP is now a business minister, a role he shadowed in opposition. Former shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers MP is a minister at the Department for Transport.
More from Jonathan Hawkings on +44 (0)2 073 449 217 or
jhawkings@smmt.co.ukRenault takes over Irish dealer
Renault Trucks just took over Coulter Truck & Van Ltd, at Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland. The business now trades as Renault Trucks NI, a branch of Renault Trucks UK Ltd. It continues to work from its Mallusk address, offering the full Renault Trucks' range of new and used vans and trucks and services. Renault says that Ballyvesey Holdings, Coulterís parent firm decided to concentrate its truck dealer business in England. "The Northern Ireland market is important to us," said Laurent Farman, UK managing director for Renault Trucks. "We have a strong customer base there." Although the local economy is still depressed, he sees potential for growth, hence the decision to take over the business.
More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or
penny.randall@renault-trucks.comPallet truck lock to cut costs
"Many trucks need to carry a pallet truck to handle goods on customers' premises," says Matthew Burke at Aide Automotive. "But operators worry that the pallet truck may move around in transit and damage the load or the vehicle's curtains." His firm's Lee Lock is designed to lock the pallet truck in place cutting the risk of it "slamming into" other pallets or damaging curtain sides. "And as the pallet truck slots into the lock there's no chance of any back injury from lifting." He says the Lee Lock tackles a widespread problem simply and cuts the cost of damage for modest price.
More from Matthew Burke on +44 (0)115 845 6471 or
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