Road transport industry news from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
Week two, January 2011
Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that during 2010 van and truck registrations posted an annual growth of 15.9%, "one of the best ever", according to Paul Everitt,
SMMT boss. This came as "volumes started to recover from the recession". Vans rose in all but one month in 2010, boosted by better than expected business confidence and improved output from the construction sector. Trucks grew fast in the second half of 2010 and ended the year on par with 2009 levels. "While we still have a long way to go to get volumes back to pre-recession levels, we expect more growth in 2011 and 2012," he continued.
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
As expected, "bus and coach registrations fell for a third successive year in 2010", down 13.3% on the 2009 total and 43.3% off the pre-recession 2007 total of 12,241, said Paul Everitt, for the SMMT.
There are some encouraging signs in the van-based bus and coach market, though bigger coach registrations remain depressed. Bus volumes have fallen 45% since 2007. "We expect further difficulties in the short and medium term, but hope that new, greener products can help seed pockets of growth," he continued. The very long lead times between bus and coach sales and registration delay the sector's apparent reaction to economic trends.
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
Sunderland- based NAC Group is ran an open day on 12 January, to show firms in the North East how they can get free advice and help to improve logistics and warehouse operations. In its first year, NAC has used Growth Logistics 2, an EU-funded scheme to help 58 firms in the region save almost £10m and create 41 new jobs. "There are a few days free consultancy left and we'd like to help firms make the most of them," said local businessman Dan Jenkins. "We've three firms joining us on the day that are in the project, they'll talk about their experiences and we hope they can help convince more to give the scheme a try."
More from Dan Jenkins on +44 (0)7 536 092 682 or dan@brightsparkspr.com
Register on-line and the organisers of the CV Show and Workshop 2011 will arrange a Fast Track entry ticket for you. "This means you'll beat the queues at the gates", said Show organiser Bob
Sockl. Simply go to either of the two Show websites, www.cvshow.com
or www.workshopshow.co.uk
and follow the link. The 30 March issue of Commercial Motor and 4 April's Motor Transport will carry the Show guide. This will list the 250 exhibitors, their exhibits and stand numbers. "The guide will help you help you plan your visit and make the most of your time this important commercial vehicle, road transport and automotive aftermarket event," says Sockl.
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
The trailer market in Western Europe grew by 11% in 2010 according to the latest survey by Clear.
"This would normally be a good result," says Gary Beecroft, MD. "But, as the market fell by 52% in 2008/9 it does not represent a spectacular recovery in demand." However he thinks that production grew by 47%, as destocking turned into restocking and exports recovered on top of extra domestic demand. His survey shows trailer demand uneven across the fifteen countries he checked; four, including France and Belgium saw trailer demand continue down in 2010, while six,

including the UK and Germany saw double-digit growth. All countries expect some growth in
2011 with most expecting more in 2012.
More from Gary Beecroft on +44 (0)2 088 928 379 or gbeecroft@talktalk.net
UK bus maker Optare says it has started the New Year well, with orders from Trandev for 11 more
Tempo buses. These will go to its London United and Yellow Bus subsidiaries. This means
Optare will deliver 27 Tempo heavy-duty integral single-deckers to Transdev in the first quarter of the year, worth £3.8m. Both firms will get 12metre Tempos but to different specifications. London
United is taking 23 two-door versions to TfL's "demanding" spec. while Bournemouth-based
Yellow Bus will take four with leather seats and wood-effect flooring. "That we can deliver these
Tempos to such different specifications shows how adaptable we are," says John Horn, sales director at Optare.
More from David Rowlands on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or drowlands@automotivepr.com
Coca-Cola Hellenic's fleet has won an International Fleet Safety Award from Fleet Europe for a safety project. This includes the Mobileye active fleet safety system. With the programme running, the firm recorded no collisions and found drivers' performance "increased significantly" and fuel efficiency improved. Coca-Cola Hellenic says it runs more than 20,000 vehicles in 28 countries.
More from Elliot Goff on +44 (0)1 748 900 258 or elliot.goff@thevehiclegroup.com
Van drivers have a poor record in roadside spot checks, with most prohibitions caused by overloading, according to Vosa's most recent Effectiveness Report. Mytyres.co.uk, part of online European tyre dealer Delticom AG, says the effect of overloading on tyres, which often under inflated, can be shorter life and a possible blow out. This is in addition to the risk of fines.
The firm says that overloading tyres, running them above their recommended load capacity also
"dramatically" increases tread wear, further cutting their life and so hiking costs. Overloaded tyres also mean poorer handling, with longer stopping distances and possible loss of steering control.
More from Chris Wakley on +44 (0)2 074 948 050 or cwakley@automotivepr.com
Ashwoods Automotive is on the shortlist for the Energy Saving Trust Fleet Hero Awards 2010.
The firm's Hybrid Transit is up for the Innovation in Car and Van Manufacture award. Ashwoods is the UK's largest make of low emission kit for vans and was named Europe's fastest growing clean technology firm in 2010. Its Hybrid Transit is Britain's best-selling hybrid van delivering a
15%+ cut in fuel use and CO
2
emissions. The firm now successfully sells a retro-fit kit for Ford
Transits and a retro-fit intelligent engine stop-start system.
More from Dan Jenkins on +44 (0)7 536 092 682 or dan@brightsparkspr.com
After a successful three-month trial at Hartshead Moor services on the M62, truck wash firm UK
Truck Clean, plans a 'massive' expansion, working with Welcome Break. This involves opening truck washes at strategic Welcome Break sites across the UK. The first phase includes South
Mimms on the M25 and Leicester Forest on the M1. Phase two includes sites on the M11, M62 and
M6 motorways. "The new venture presents a fantastic opportunity for enthusiastic, hands-on type managers," said Gary Taylor, MD. He's keen to talk to "dedicated and hardworking" people who would like to join the UK Truck Clean Group and be involved "from the very start". He's also keen to talk to new cash and account customers.
More from Gary Taylor on +44 (0)7 970 842 423 or gary@uktruckclean.com

The Tanfield Group Plc has sold its Smith Electric Vehicles operation in the UK to Smith Electric
Vehicles US Corporation, for $15m. Smith Electric Vehicles Europe Ltd will continue to work from its base in Washington, Tyne & Wear, servicing the UK market and its growing overseas client base. This includes fleet customers in Hong Kong, France, Spain, Germany, Ireland and Iceland.
The new owner, Smith US, has rapidly grown since its start in 2009, thanks in part to a $32m grant from the Obama administration. Smith Europe is the UK's largest producer of electric commercial vehicles, including vans, minibuses and trucks.
More from Dan Jenkins on +44 (0)7 536 092 682, or email dan@brightsparkspr.com
EyeDrive Systems Ltd will use its stand for the CV Show debut of its latest collision avoidance system. Mobileye C2-270 uses a windscreen-mounted camera and sophisticated electronics to detect pedestrians, lane markings and traffic hazards. The system will warn the vehicle's driver of potential hazards and, the firm says, "cuts traffic accidents by more than 50%." Mobileye's technology has to date been adopted by BMW, Volvo, GM, Nissan, Renault Trucks and Buick.
EyeDrive Systems Ltd is the exclusive UK and Irish distributor of the Mobileye Advanced Collision
Avoidance System in the commercial vehicle market. The system won the Brake Fleet Safety
Forum award for Best Fleet Safety Product of the Year 2009.
More from Elliot Goff on +44 (0)1 748 900 258 or elliot.goff@thevehiclegroup.com
On Tuesday 1 February, between 10:30-11:00, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders will run a free webinar looking at priorities and actions for the SMMT in 2011. Paul Everitt, SMMT
Chief Executive, will discuss the difficulties and opportunities ahead and outline SMMT's strategy for the year. The session will cover the economic outlook, the supply chain, support for innovation, major policy campaigns, collaboration, partnership and improving the profile of the
UK motor industry. You can register online at www.smmt.co.uk/memberservices
More from Robert Morbin on +44 (0)2 073 449 265 or rmorbin@smmt.co.uk
Kent-based Locks4Vans says it plans to use the CV Show to launch a range of new products including its new 'Ultimate' lock. This is a hardened steel slam lock that comes with keys or remote control. The firm, founded in 2003, exhibited successfully at the 2007 and 2008 CV
Shows. "We are looking forward to returning to the CV Show," said Andrew Dunley, director.
Locks4Vans says it leads the UK and Irish markets for extra automotive locks. Its T series locks are pick, drill, torque and bump-proof and the only Thatcham-accredited automotive locks.
More from Andrew Dunley on +44 (0)1 474 560 077 or andrew.dunley@locks4vans.co.uk
Nike Power Equipment will be at the CV Show for the sixth year, showing its range of commercial vehicle workshop tools. These include kits for spring-eye bush replacement and hydraulic tools for ball joint extraction and king pin replacement. The firm says it has worked with commercial vehicle repairers to design light, labour-saving tools for a wide range of jobs.
More from James Davies on + 44 (0)1 217 897 707 or james.davies@nikehydraulics.co.uk
MAN Truck and Bus says its confirmed attendance at the CV Show in April is a clear sign that confidence is returning to the UK transport industry. The firm says it will "return to Birmingham" with a "renewed commitment" and a range of products and services to help operators beat the transport and distribution problems of the next decade.
More from Paul O'Malley on +44 (0)1 263 715 900 or paul@hallspr.com
Alexander Dennis Limited has beaten off global competitors to win a £25m order for 120
Enviro200 midi buses for NZ Bus, in Auckland, New Zealand. The firm says the deal follows a

global tendering process that involved almost 30 bus makers from New Zealand, Australia, China,
Brazil and across Europe. ADL boss Colin Robertson says it is "major breakthrough" that may lead to orders for 200 to 300 more buses in the next three to four years. ADL will work with Kiwi
Bus Builders to deliver the first buses in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, with the rest following over the next 12 months. Kiwi is working on a new factory to build the buses from UK supplied kits.
More from Bill Simpson on +44 (0)1 483 571 271 or bill.simpson@alexander-dennis.com
The Gas Bus Alliance is a recently formed association of gas vehicle industry firms. It aims to help vehicle makers, dealer and operators with advice on "all aspects" of running low-emission
Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles. The GBA says that by bringing together expertise in a single alliance, it offers the transport sector one point of contact for CNG vehicle support. It says it can draw on experience including the development of gas engines, design, construction and operation of CNG filling stations and the buying and selling of gas together with total support for fleets of gas vehicles including Health and Safety and Training. The outfit says an early project is to work with MAN Truck and Bus UK, helping launch a CNG City Bus in the UK
More from Martin Carney on +44 (0)1 254 701 429 or alcarltd@hotmail.com
Würth UK, the local arm of the German tool, workshop equipment and supplier firm will be at
Workshop 2011, the maintenance and repair business exhibition that will run alongside the CV
Show at the NEC, near Birmingham in April. The firm has a special "cargo" division for commercial vehicle customers; its specialist items include air-line fittings and push-fit connectors, air and electrical coils, vehicle markers and reflectors and a variety of greases and sprays. Tools include power drive spanners for use on rounded-off nuts and bolts. Würth first used the show in 2009 as a way to meet new customers and is confident of another "great success" in 2011.
More from Claire Hallamore on +44 (0)2 083 196 448 or claireh@wurth.co.uk
At a recent FTA Transport Engineer's conference it emerged that a Procurator Fiscal has "invited"
Vosa to "consider taking a more active approach" to enforcing vehicle lighting and marking rules.
This follows a fatal accident in Scotland where a minibus collided with an unlit and parked semitrailer. The recently updated but perhaps patchily enforced Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations demand reflective conspicuity marking on trucks over 7.5 tonnes and trailers over 3.5 tonnes registered from 10 July 2011. "Properly applied conspicuity marking may help to cut the clear danger from unlit trailers," said Allan McKenzie, Deputy Head and Senior Manager Vehicle
Legislation, Public Policy and Vehicle Legislation at the SMMT. But the Regs require that vehicles over 2500kg are lit, if parked at night on a road with a speed limit of over 30mph."
More from Allan McKenzie on +44 (0)2 073 449 202 or amckenzie@smmt.co.uk
The South African Road Federation, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the
University of the Witwatersrand will host a four-day event, focused on truck dynamics. The event will run from 18 to 21 April at Glenburn Lodge, South Africa and will include presentations from three of the leading researchers in heavy vehicle dynamics: Chris Winkler, Tom Gillespie, and
Steve Karamihas. The details are on the university's website at www.wits.ac.za
, in the Upcoming
Events area.
More from Frank Kienhöfer on 00 27 (0)11 717 7320 or frank.kienhofer@wits.ac.za
Zeta Automotive says its EconoSpeed dynamic throttle control system won the GreenFleet 2010
Innovation Award. The system is a dynamic throttle controller that allows an operator to set a vehicle's maximum road speed, engine speed and maximum rate of acceleration. Zeta says the

system has produced some "striking results" during trials. Fitted to Mercedes-Benz Sprinters in some of Britain's best known fleets, EconoSpeed cut fuel use by up to 15%.
More from Errin McNamee on +44 (0)1 206 500 826 or emcnamee@thechameleongroup.co.uk
Sovereign Horseboxes of Wolverhampton has put a Volvo-based luxury demonstration truck to work. This follows the production of a Volvo-based bespoke horsebox for Nina Emery of Moss
Farm Shop in Cannock. The vehicle, a 240hp FL 4x2 rigid, has "high quality" materials, handcrafted parts and finishes. Sovereign was so pleased with the vehicle that it built another as a demonstrator. Walsall-based Volvo truck dealer Hartshorne supplied both new trucks.
More from Ian Strachan on +44 (0)1 543 490 932 or ian@strachan13.freeserve.co.uk
Robin Dickeson, the SMMT's commercial vehicle man will retire and leave in mid-April, so the
Society needs a new commercial vehicle affairs manager, a champion for the SMMT's 100 or more commercial vehicle members. If you'd like the job, Katie Milbourn, head of personnel at the SMMT would like to hear from you. You'll need to know and be known by the UK commercial vehicle and road transport industries. You'll also need to be able to speak for the industry to a wide range of audiences. You should know what makes dealers tick and how to work successfully with other trade associations and with government agencies. If you think this could be for you, you'll find the details on the SMMT website www.smmt.co.uk
; go to 'About' and then 'Vacancies'. The deadline is 10 February 2010.
More from Katie Milbourn on +44 (0)2 073 441 618 or kmilbourn@smmt.co.uk
GreenFleet magazine reports that the first of eight hydrogen fuel cell buses went to work in
London on 18 December. The buses have been developed by ISE, Wrightbus and Ballard and run on the RV1 service between Aldwych and Tower Hill. It will make this Britain's first zeroemissions bus route. The project will cost £19million over four years, jointly funded by TfL, the
Department of Energy and Climate Change and the European Union via the Clean Hydrogen in
Cities project.
More from www.greenfleet.net
Some of the answers to questions provoked some lively debate. The answer to Nr 19 is Alan Alda, not Alder; my apologies to the gentleman. The Doldrums, in question 35 are in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans, not just the Indian. It is a band of light and unpredictable winds around the equator. I got that wrong too. But the Tour de France was the subject of most concern. I gave
Lance Armstrong as having won the race a record six times, which is what his website said. Many cyclists insist he won seven times. Then the Tour de France website told me that Fabian
Cancellara won the 2010 event. But it didn't tell me that a drug abuse query raises continued questions over his victory. So I may have inadvertently misled you; more apologies to all concerned.
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk
New Scientist's Feedback page says reader Robert Milne got an unusual e-mail from environmentjob.co.uk about courses and events on the topic of "Sustainability". One of these, at the UK's Centre for Alternative Technology, is a "Compost toilet taster day".
More from www.newscientist.com

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