News: November 2007

Thermo King claims its new SLX range of fridges will be 20% more fuel-efficient than the most economical models currently available - its own SL range. The new models, which go into production in the second quarter of 2008, are also claimed to be more reliable and require less maintenance than their predecessors.

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During the course of 2008, Volvo Trucks will launch a new generation of FH and FH16. Production is scheduled for the autumn of 2008 but the new vehicles can be ordered from December 2007. These new vehicles will receive a totally new cab with the accent on comfort, functionality and security. There is expected to be more space and light as well as better stowage space. Moving about in the cab while standing should also be easier. The levers for the automatic I-Shift box and the Powertronic transmission have been moved slightly away from the driver’s seat, again to gain space. A wider couchette with an adjustable back is also planned. A Relax passenger seat is also worthy of note, a powerful audio system, a quality of cab light which Volvo describe as unique, along with better visibility in all circumstances. As for the FH16, the feeling of exclusivity will be even more apparent with, in particular, a bronze-tone finish to the dash.

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Some 250 people (industrialists, European parliamentarians, members of the European Commission) took part in a conference named 'The challenges of globalisation' for the HGV market, in Brussels. The EU is expecting an increase of 50% in merchandise traffic between 2000 and 2020. This would lead to 1.5 million more HGV’s coming into operation by 2020. Within this context, Fotis Karamitsos, logistics director for the Commission, supports the idea of a 'green corridor' designed for ecological vehicles involved in long distance door-to-door transport.

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The German 'Maut' toll is set to rise on October 1st 2008, by 0.6 to 6.2 cents/km depending on the emissions category of the vehicle. This corresponds to an increase which could be as much as 51.6%. The increase is justified by the German transport ministry in terms of the necessity of making a greater distinction between the various classes of emission. An ecological three-axle HGV will thus pay 10.6 cents per km and a truck with four or more axles, 21.7 cents.

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A straw poll among the 170 delegates to last week's Fleet Van conference showed that almost without exception they wanted van makers to come up fuel economy and CO2 data along the lines of the figures provided for cars. From 1 January 2008, all new vans will have to be tested according to a New European Driving Cycle, a car standard that combines both urban sub-urban driving, unladen. At the moment there is no obligation for van makers to publish the data, though it seems likely this will change. In the meantime, van operators at the conference said they are increasingly asked about fuel economy, emissions data and carbon footprints and want van makers to help sooner rather than later. Operators acknowledged that data derived from unladen driving tests would be a little unrealistic, but felt it would be better than nothing.

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As the exclusive pictures reveal, Mercedes-Benz is well advanced in the development of the heavy truck range it is expected launch in 2010, well ahead of the Euro-6 engine emissions deadline.

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Although the badge on the cab displays its Euro 4 compliance, the only unusual aspect of this FM400 tipper is the absence of the now-typical Volvo AdBlue tank. Tilt the cab and the truth is revealed: EGR equipment is located on the exhaust side of the 13-litre engine, complemented by a Holset Variable Geometry Turbo, which echoes the technology used by Scania on its latest Euro 5 engines.

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Electronic stability control systems are set to become compulsory on all LGVs used in the EU following the approval of global standards for this technology by the United Nations' World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations.

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Zahony Customs (Hungary) successfully welcomed the first NCTS/TIR transport which entered the EU from the Ukraine. The NCTS/TIR web-based application was developed by the IRU to help TIR carnet holders meet the new EU regulation requirements that will come into force in January 2009.

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Volvo Trucks is part of a group that aims to halve the climate impact of a typical Swedish long-haul transport operation by 2020 through reduced CO2 emissions. The group has already presented a report, entitled Climate Neutral Goods Transports on their Way, to the Swedish Ministry of the Environment it is now preparing a joint project to test the various suggested improvements.

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An agreement has been reached during a United Nations meeting in Geneva which would see all new trucks and buses fitted with electronic stability control (ESP). It is calculated that this system would save 500 lives and 2,500 serious accidents per year in the EU. ESP helps the driver retain control of the vehicle in a critical situation. New vehicles are set to be fitted with this as standard from 2010.

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One in eight trucks could be taken off Europe’s roads if Kögel’s Big-MAXX semi-trailer is accepted by the member states.

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Hauliers have until 31 December to tell the European Commission (EC) what they think about a pan-European Union (EU) road charging system, and if so, what charges should be levied.

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Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses have presented, in Stuttgart, their projects for environmentally-friendly vehicles. With the programme entitled 'Shaping Future Transportation', Daimler intends to reduce the noxious emissions and consumption of its vehicles by going down the hybrid route. Daimler already has wide experience of hybrid fleets in Japan and the USA, and now wants to extend this experience to Europe. In 2008, the first Atego Bluetec Hybrid models will be delivered in France, Germany and the Czech Republic, while English clients will test 10 Mitsubishi Fuso Canter models. As far as alternative fuels are concerned, Daimler has opted for CNG (bio-gas) HVO, ethanol and bio-diesel (FAME). In time, Daimler wants to move to zero emissions thanks to hydrogen and fuel cells.

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Leaseurope, the European Federation of leasing company associations, has received with delight the written confirmation of the European Commission concerning the non-obligation of HGV (Heavy Good Vehicles) leasing companies to use the tachograph for internal movements. This means movements for maintenance, repairs, washing, between sites, pick-ups etc.

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Volvo Moscow has ordered 15 canvas-sided Fliegl semi-trailers, and MAN Automobile Moscow a further ten. This strengthens the partnership between the German manufacturer and the two Russian companies. Fliegl has also taken an order from Dutch company Moermanns involving twelve 3-axle lowered semi-trailers of SDS 480 T type (total permitted weight 48 tonnes) and five lowered trailers of type DTS 300, with a total permitted weight of 24 tonnes.

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Renault Trucks took over 1,000 UK truck orders in October alone, a record for the firm. "And by the end of the year we'll invoice more than 3,500 sales," said Laurent Farman, UK managing director for Renault Trucks. He also confirmed that the UK market is a priority for the French firm which aims to use 2008 to make good the European market share it lost through minor production problems in the early part of this year. In this context Farman expects Renault heavy truck production to rise from 180 to 300 units a day through next year. The firm also plans production plants in Turkey and Russia, which should help it meet growing demand from Eastern Europe. Its global order intake is up 64% this year, while that from Eastern Europe is up 235%.

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Scania says it has just delivered the first 10 'third generation' ethanol-powered buses to Busslink, which is responsible for Stockholm City Transport. Scania says the third-generation ethanol engines cut CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to diesel engines and that these are the cleanest buses in the world. They won acclaim from the Clinton Climate Change Initiative too. There are already some 400 older Scania ethanol powered buses in the Stockholm area and the city says it will only buy ethanol powered buses from 2010.

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The European Commission has entered into a partnership with the car industry 'to improve anticipation and management of change within the European Union's car industry'. This approach follows a forum on restructuring which took place last month in Brussels. Within the European Union, 12 million families live from the car industry. It employs more than 2 million Europeans and is behind around 10 million indirect jobs, representing some 3% of the EU's GDP. Vladimír Špidla, European employment, social affairs and equal opportunities commissioner, commented : "The sector is facing considerable challenges, amongst which are intensified competition and restructuring, but it also offers tremendous opportunities. Through this partnership, companies, trades unions, governments and regions are committing to work together to better prepare for change and to actively manage it". A new 'Restructuring' forum will take place on November 26th. It will focus, this time, on how small companies can adapt to change.

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DKV has signed a contract with a 30,000th service station. This makes DKV Euro Service the leading European network. The new service station is located in Istanbul, an important location in a country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

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FROM 23 TILL 27 NOVEMBER 2007

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Mercedes came up with one of the few surprises at the Amsterdam show. Both through the choice of the vehicle (a tractor unit equipped with an ultra-low Econic cab and a top-sleeper) and through the technology used. This NGT Econic runs on gas, but not only on CNG like most of its colleagues. It can also be fuelled with LNG, liquid natural gas made up 98% of methane, obtained after cooling to – 160°C. The difference lies in the pressure to which the tanks and injection systems are subject: 200 bar for CNG (in gaseous state) and only 2 to 4 bar for LNG (liquid). The greatest advantage of LNG is its autonomy, because 100 litres of CNG provides a range of 80 to 100 km, whereas with LNG the figure rises to 350 km, a distance comparable to current diesel engines. LNG has an octane level of 130.

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