Type Approval - threat or opportunity?

There are still some places left at the next of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' general seminars on Whole Vehicle Type Approval.  On Wednesday 5 November at Warwick, this event follows the very successful but heavily oversubscribed type approval seminars in August.  "We promised to arrange more and to give priority to people who were disappointed in the summer", said Robin Dickeson, manager commercial vehicle affairs at the SMMT.  "I'm pleased to say that we've arranged another two, both on Wednesday 5 November.  The first, in the morning, is for people who've not yet been to one of the SMMT Type Approval seminars.  "We gave priority to people on the waiting list after the last event and now have some places to fill."  The fee for the morning event is £50, payable in advance by credit card.  Places for SMMT members are free of charge.  "Changes in the law mean that Whole Vehicle Type Approval can start to bite from next April.  It will be a threat or opportunity, depending on each firm's approach.   Increasingly, from next April, it may be a case of 'no approval, no registration, no sale." More from Natasha James on +44(0)2 073 441 621 or njames@smmt.co.uk

'A' level Type Approval seminar

The second seminar, in the afternoon, is specifically aimed at SMMT member firms and within them, people who've already been to one of the Society's Type Approval seminars.  "This is 'A' level Type approval stuff," Robin Dickeson, manager commercial vehicle affairs at the SMMT.  "My colleagues will tackle the much-misunderstood issue of Types, Variants and Versions within Whole Vehicle Type Approval work."  This will be especially helpful and valuable for firms involved in multi-stage build jobs and their approvals.  "Understanding these relationships should help save substantial amounts of time and money and smooth the whole Approvals process.  It will require a good understanding of the principles but should prove time well-spent."  Dickeson says advice from SMMT experts has already shown member firms ways to make potentially huge savings.  "In the present climate, this is a vital benefit."  The SMMT is once again very grateful to the Volvo Group for its generous help in providing the facilities at its UK headquarters. both events, please will you More from Natasha James on +44(0)2 073 441 621 or njames@smmt.co.uk

Porche eyes VW

Just-auto.com reports that Porsche plans to own 75% of the shares in Volkswagen in 2009 "paving the way to a domination agreement" according to a company statement.  As VW has its own heavy truck range, controls Scania and has a big stake in MAN, the move would affect the structure of the world's truck making business.  There is no sign that a deal would affect the three truck brands' approach to truck racing. More from just-auto.com

Connaught hybrid cuts van fuel bills by 25%

Connaught Engineering Ltd says recent tests show that its Hybrid+ system cut fuel consumption by 24.7%.  The tests, done on a Ford Transit at government-approved emissions facility, show that what the firm says is the world's first commercially available retrofit system offers fleet users a cost effective way to cut van fuel van bills and CO₂, without affecting performance.  The firm says its patented system is available now and specified by an increasing number of high profile, blue-chip outfits to help cut operating costs and emissions.  The kit can be fitted in a day, costs £2,750 and, Connaught says, it doesn't affect the original vehicle makers' warranty. More from Chris Wakley on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or cwakley@automotivepr.com

Green jobs for the boys (and girls)

The UK Department for Transport says there are new jobs on the horizon as Britain leads a green motoring revolution.  The DfT said its plans could create up to 10,000 new British jobs as it announced new ideas to 'put Britain at the forefront of a green motoring revolution' by encouraging a mass market in electric and hybrid cars and vans.  The scheme could generate around a million green jobs by 2030, the DfT thinks.  Geoff Hoon MP, transport secretary said the Government wants spend £100m to make greener vehicles a reality.  "Electric cars and other low carbon vehicles, like plug-in hybrids, cut fuel costs and reduce harmful emissions. If we can inspire more people to use them, it will help us to make a positive impact on climate change." More from www.dft.gov.uk

DfT Green Van Procurement Programme

The DfT's low carbon vehicle procurement programme aims to spend £20m on the demonstration and use of lower carbon vans in the public sector.  Managed by Cenex, the deal has 10 firms short listed to bid; Ashwoods; Citroen; Ford; Land Rover and Mercedes Benz are in the running to supply low-carbon vans while Allied Vehicles; Electric Vehicles; LDV; Modec; Nissan and Smiths aim to supply all-electric vans.  Local authorities in Liverpool, Newcastle & Gateshead, Coventry, Leeds and Glasgow will be part of the first phase of the programme, as will Royal Mail; H M Revenue & Customs; the Metropolitan Police; Transport for London; the Environment Agency and the Government Car and Despatch Agency. More from www.dft.gov.uk

Bus and coach industry report

Truck and Bus Builder has published its fifth World Bus and Coach Manufacturing Industry report.  Written by leading transport journalists Eric Gibbins and Doug Jack the 26-chapter report sets industry-leading standards for authoritative comment and analysis.  It concentrates on vehicles above 7.5 tonnes and includes interviews with the bosses of the main Western European bus and coach makers.  Their views on the issues shaping the global industry make fascinating reading, as do the reviews and forecasts for all world markets.  The comprehensive updates on who owns whom across the industry and it supporting components business reflect recent changes and help makes this one of the most important reports in its field.  You can find a detailed description, chapter summaries and order information at www.truckandbusbuilder.com More from Jim Gibbins on +44 (0)1 984 618 707 or info@truckandbusbuilder.com

UK truckers are the best road users

UK truck drivers are the country's best road-users, according to Britain's largest fleet of mobile property-maintenance van-drivers, which also rates parents on the daily school-run as the worst drivers.  These are among the findings of a survey of the drivers of Integral UK's 2,000 strong nation-wide van fleet for their opinions on other road users.  Given their need to attend urgent maintenance call-outs, the Integral fleet drivers highlighted problems with parking and loading, with 80% saying that loading and unloading is their biggest problem, while even more said that parking is becoming more difficult throughout the country. More from Louie Hadley on +44 (0)1 275 349 011 or louie@sturgessvandamme.co.uk

UPS first to take hydraulic hybrid vehicles

As part of a public-private partnership to increase the commercial availability and use of alternative fuel vehicles, parcel firm UPS just said it will buy hydraulic hybrid vehicles that the firm says promise 45 to 50% fuel savings and environmental benefits.  The technology, originally developed by the US federal laboratory of the Environmental Protection Agency, stores energy by compressing hydraulic fluid under pressure in a large chamber.  UPS was the only company in its industry asked to road test the technology two years ago and now becomes the first delivery to place an order for hydraulic hybrid vehicles.  "There is no question that hydraulic hybrids, although little known to the public, are ready for prime time use on the streets of America," said David Abney, UPS's chief operating officer.  "We are not declaring hydraulic hybrids a panacea for our energy woes, but this technology certainly is as promising as anything we've seen to date." More from Mike O'Neill on +1 (0)215-752-1429 or oneillpr@aol.com

Export success for GSPK

GSPK Mulitfuel Technology, of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire in the UK says it has recently done a "successful partnership" deal with ClearSky Solutions of Australia.  GSPK says it is the market leader in the manufacture and supply of dual fuel systems for commercial vehicles and can deliver fuel cost savings of between 10-15%. More from Sarah Hall on +44 (0)1 423 865 641 or sarah@multifuel-technology.com

£30m for electric vehicle technology

The UK Department for Transport wants vehicle makers to bid for a chance for a slice of a £10m project to run electric and ultra-low carbon vehicle demonstration projects, overseen by the Technology Strategy Board.   This will put around 100 electric cars provided to allow families and other motorists the opportunity to feedback the practical steps needed to make greener motoring an everyday reality.  At the same time, the DfT wants to spend £20m on to UK research into improving the technology that could make electric and other green vehicles more practical and affordable.  This follows new research that shows the UK power system could support widespread use of electric vehicles and their charging needs without needing lots more new power stations. More from www.dft.gov.uk

50 new Renaults for Shawtrack and 130 more on order

Mansfield-based bodybuilder Shawtrack Services, which designs and makes a wide range vehicle and plant transport bodies is taking 50 new Renault Premium 370.26 three axle trucks and has another 130 on order.  Nottingham based Renault Trucks dealers RH Commercials won the business.  All the new trucks have automatic gearboxes and will get low profile beavertail bodies and crane bodies, fitted by Shawtrack.  All will go to work in the firm's hire service arm, Shawhire.  "We evaluated all the other manufacturers and found that Renault offered a far superior service network," said Jeff Wright, sales director at Shawtrack. More from Penny Randall on +44 (0)1 582 479 619 or penny.randall@renault-trucks.com

Cards shuffled at TDG

Following its takeover by LIT plc, TDG, originally the Transport Development Group just got two new bosses.  Mike Branigan is chief executive officer of TDG Contract Logistics and Graeme Rooney is CEO of TDG Chemicals. Geoff Thomas is chief financial officer of TDG Ltd.  David Garman and Jeffrey Hume, previous CEO and CFO respectively have now left the firm.   "TDG is a great company and we are proud to be its financial backers," said Alex Paiusco, boss of LIT, now TDG's holding company. More from Amanda Jackson on +44 (0)1 254 851 680 or amanda@tigerfishpr.co.uk

California aims to cut truck emissions

Canada's CCJ news service reports that the California Air Resources Board's draft rules would require exhaust filters, a phase-out of engines older than 2010 models by 2022 and the use of fuel-efficient tyre and aerodynamic aids on many artic rigs. More from www.ccjmagazine.com

Renault's first nine months results

The Renault Group just reported consolidated revenues of €30,091m for the first nine months of the year, up 0.9%.  The firm's Automobile and Sales Financing activities grew 0.9% and 1.8%, respectively, over the same period.  Total revenues for third-quarter 2008 were €9,149m, down 2.2% on third-quarter 2007.  Renault says the sharp fall in European markets in the second half-year lead it revise its 2008 operating margin target of 4.5% for 2008 to between 2.5% and 3%. More from Jeremy Townsend on +44 (0)1 923 697 592 or jeremy.townsend@renault.co.uk

Five new Dafs for Comet

Hertfordshire based independent waste handling firm Comet Tankers to put five new Daf trucks to work in its 84 strong fleet.  Four are CF85 eight-wheel rigids plated at 32 tonnes; two fitted with vacuum tanks by Vallely and two, yet to be delivered, with French built Huwer combi units.  The fifth is a CF65 two-axle rigid at 18 tonnes with a Whale vacuum tank.  As the new trucks will do much of their work within the M25, all have Euro 5 rated engines to ensure they meet London's Low Emission Zone criteria.  The firm started work less than ten years ago with one truck; it now works across the South East, Midlands and North of England from five depots. More from David Rowlands on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or drowlands@automotivepr.com

VW Caddy Maxi Sportline's show debut

The new Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Sportline panel van makes its show debut at Interbuild 2008, at the NEC from 26 to 30 October.  The VW Commercial Vehicles stand in Hall 4 also features the firm's best-selling van, the Transporter, fitted with a Bott racking system, plus a Crafter Tipper from the Volkswagen Engineered to go conversion range of conversions and a Crafter panel van fitted with a Supertrucks glass frail carrier.  The new Caddy Maxi Sportline and the smaller Caddy Sportline, announced last month join the existing Transporter Sportline to expand the Volkswagen Sportline range to five models. More from John Rawlings on +44 (0)1 908 601478 or john.rawlings@vwcv.co.uk

ATS saves cash for blue light fleet

ATS Euromaster says West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service has taken advantage of the pan-government tyre framework agreement available to all public sector organisations across the UK by appointing Michelin and ATS Euromaster as its sole tyre and tyre service supplier.  "Since ATS Euromaster took over responsibility for supporting our fleet we have seen our average monthly tyre expenditure drop by approximately 20%," said Mike Walker, fleet controller for West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service.  The West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service fleet includes 125 vehicles, ranging from cars, vans and 4x4 operational support units through to water tenders and aerial platforms. More from James Keeler on +44 (0)2 083 991 184 jk@garnett-keeler.com

VW delivers 4.8m vehicles worldwide from January to September 2008

Volkswagen says its nine brands delivered 4.8m vehicles worldwide, up 3.9% in the first nine months of this year, pushing its market share up to 10.1%.  The firm says in September, a very difficult month for the automobile industry, the Group sold 550,000 vehicles, up 0.7% worldwide.  "Our target of selling more vehicles in 2008 than in 2007 remains valid," said Detlef Wittig, executive vice president group sales and marketing. More from Stella Pechmann +49 (0) 53 619 86 629 or stella.pechmann@volkswagen.de

Manheim Auctions CV Live beats 3,000 online sales

Manheim Auctions CV Live says its online sales have now topped 3,000 commercial vehicles.  The 3,000^th, a 2007/07 registered Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 309 2.2CDi LWB High Roof with 25,000 miles, was sold online at a sale in Glasgow to a buyer in London.  Since its launch in August 2006, CV Live has attracted nearly 18,000 online bids and generated sales in excess of £11.7 million.  Manheim says its industry leading live online broadcast of physical auctions continues to attract record numbers of bids.  CV Live connects buyers via the internet to live auctions in the auction halls of each of Manheim's seven dedicated CV centres.   The firm is now starting CV Live for Trucks following its successful launch at this year's CV Show at the NEC in April. More from Andrew Andersz on +44 (0)1 865 343 100 or andrew.andersz@thejjgroup.com

Second Truck & Bus World Forum

The second Truck and Bus Forum is planned in Gothenburg on eight and 9 December.  The first, at the same time last year in Lyon attracted 400 delegates from more than 15 countries.  The organisers say top people from world leading truck makers at the event include Leif Johansson, boss of AB Volvo, Leif Östling, boss of Scania AB, Andreas Renschler, head of Daimler AG's truck division and Håkan Samuelsson, boss at MAN.  Forum director Emmanuel Piegay says subjects for discussion include 'What will fuel costs be tomorrow?' and 'Energy cost as the key driver for tomorrow's transport' and promise lively debate.  The full forum programme is at www.tnbworldforum.com More from Emmanuel Piegay on + 33 674 11 97 57 or e.piegay@mail.itscongress.org

Volvo Trucks' income falls

Just-auto.com reports that after a record first half year of record sales and income, sales growth at truck maker Volvo decelerated during the third quarter, with the company blaming the downturn in the economy for the weaker results.  Net sales rose by 2% to SKr 69.6bn (£68.4) in the third quarter, but operating income dropped 37% to SKr 3,177m.  Earnings per share are down 36% to SKr 0.98.  The firm says it had seen a "significant impact" from increased costs for raw materials and components as well as a slowdown in demand and restructuring costs More from www.just-auto.com

LDV strengthens its fleet team

Van maker LDV says it has strengthened its fleet team adding two new fleet sales directors to its UK fleet sales efforts.  Carolyn Wall and Craig Judd will lead the national fleet sales team and develop relationships with key fleet customers. More from Sue Foster on +44 (0)1 902 714 957or suefoster@connect-group.com

And finally

New Scientist's Feedback page says that on the envelope of a discount subscription envelope offer that Time magazine sent to John Belcher were the words: "TIME - DO NOT BEND"  Hopefully everyone heeded the warning. More from www.newscientist.com