News: March 2009

New Renault Trucks Euro 5 range: cleaner, higher-performance vehicles

Renault Trucks is now to market all of its ranges in Euro 5 version (and no longer only Euro 5 Incentive). This goes along with a slight increase in power and torque for all ranges: from 180 to 300 bhp for the Midlum, 270 to 460 bhp for the Premium Distribution and the Premium Lander, 380 to 520 bhp for the Kerax and 440 to 520 bhp for the Magnum. It should be noted that certain new engine versions are making an appearance, such as a 440 bhp entry level for the Magnum and a new 270 bhp version for the Premium Lander, while the entry level version for the Kerax (previously 330 bhp), disappears. According to Renault Trucks, these new power units should lead to a 1% reduction in fuel consumption for comparable version and gearbox, for the Premium Route, but 3 to 7% if the robotized Optidriver box is fitted. This is now standard on the Magnum 480 and 520 bhp. www.renault-trucks.com

European Parliament boosts support for the automobile industry in Europe

The European automobile manufacturers welcome the resolution adopted on March,25 by the European Parliament on the future of the automotive industry in light of the current crisis.

“The Parliament underlines that the financial and economic crisis causes serious problems and that the automotive industry is particularly hard hit. The Parliament puts its full political weight behind support measures from European institutions and governments and stresses that urgency is key”, says Ivan Hodac, secretary general of the vehicle manufacturers’ trade association ACEA.

The European Parliament calls on EU member states and Commission to:

* Increase the lending capacity of the European Investment Bank

* Speed up and simplify access to credit

* Coordinate fleet renewal measures throughout the EU

* Support measures to retain a high-skilled workforce

* Facilitate and sustain high levels of R&D

* Ensure a balanced and fair trade agreement with South-Korea

* Scrutinise new regulatory proposals to ensure competitiveness

“As the Parliament states, the current crisis is caused by the credit crunch and the rapid deterioration of demand. These factors outweigh by far the more structural issues that manufacturing sectors are facing in today’s globalised economy. The auto manufacturers have responded swiftly, but the extraordinary circumstances demand exceptional measures to ensure employment and investments”, Hodac adds.

The European automobile industry is a competitive, € 550 billion turnover industry with a strong commitment to manufacturing world-leading, high-tech automobiles in Europe. “The automotive industry is essential to the EU economy. It is the engine of the manufacturing industries, one of the biggest employers in Europe, the largest investor in innovation and R&D, and a formidable export force”, says Hodac.

Lower levels of automotive manufacturing in Europe have a large spiralling effect on the wider economy because of the thousands of small and medium sized companies involved in the supply chain, vehicle sales and after-sales services. Due to the crisis, sales have declined now for 10 consecutive months, with 2.3 million (-15.3%) fewer new passenger cars and commercial vehicles registered from May 2008 to February 2009 than a year earlier. Vehicle production is forecast to decline by 25% in 2009. www.acea.be

Productive news in Volvo’s chassis range

Volvo is developing its range of chassis for the les Volvo FH and FM. Amongst new elements the tridem 8x4 is noteworthy, a 3-axle configuration with air suspension and steering trailing axle. The combination of the trailing axle and the short base (3.7 m) helps manoeuvrability. Volvo also emphasises that the turning circle for a 32 tonne vehicle is no larger than 5.3 m. This tridem has been designed above all for tippers, mixers and tankers with a maximum weight of 42.5 tonnes. Volvo is launching several 2-axle air suspension configurations. www.vovlo.com

Deutsche Post buys 4.500 Iveco's

Deutsche Post has announced the acquisition of 4500 new Iveco vehicles destined to replace a part of the current DHL fleet over the next 3 years. These vehicles have been specially developed for Deutsche Post for parcels distribution. They are based on the Daily3.5 Tonnes with 116 bhp diesel engines. They have the Agile automatic box, catalytic convertors and particulate filters. The purchase forms part of the DP ‘GoGreen’ programme which aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 10% by 2012. www.iveco.com

New Daimler Trucks factory in Mexico

Daimler Trucks North America has opened a new factory at Saltillo in Mexico. It is expected to create 1,400 direct jobs and 200 indirect ones, in addition, it will generate 1,100 jobs within the local supplier industry. The investment amounts to 300 million dollars. www.daimler.com

Scania will deliver 72 buses for Helsinki public transport

Scania’s Finnish distributor Oy Scan-Auto Ab together with Lahden Autokori Oy will deliver 72 city buses for public transport in the Helsinki region. The contract is the largest to date for the two companies in connection with public bus procurement.

The buses will be delivered during 2009 to operators Concordia Bus Finland Oy, Veolia Transport Finland Oy and Westendin Linja Oy. They will be bodyworked by Lahden Autokori.

Finnish customers’ confidence in Scania’s high quality and low operating costs as well as good experience of the functionality and quality of Lahden Autokori bodywork were decisive factors behind the order.

www.scania.com