Only 15 units ran off UK commercial vehicle (CV) production lines in April, -99.3 down year-on-year.The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) chief executive, Mike Hawes said that while unsurprising, the figures “illustrate the incredible challenge facing the UK commercial vehicle sector” as a result of the Coronavirus lockdown.
A total of 7,320 commercial vehicles were produced in UK factories in September, reports the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This figure represents an 11.7 per cent year-on-year decline compared with September 2018. Output for crucial overseas markets was up some 25.4 per cent, but production for the domestic market fell -44.5 per cent in the face of ongoing political and economic uncertainty.
Some of Europe’s best truck drivers will gather at the Goodyear proving grounds in Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg on September 28 and 29, 2019. They will compete in the 2019 International DAF Driver Challenge Final. With the event, DAF states it is promoting the skilled and demanding profession supported by its partners Goodyear and Dekra. In total more than 1000 candidates from 30 countries across Europe and beyond registered to compete in the national competitions from March to September.
Commercial vehicle manufacturing in the UK declined rapidly as a result of planned shutdowns in April. Just 2,162 units were produced, -70.9 per cent down on the previous month. The year to date figure remains positive, with volumes up 10.3 per cent as a result of domestic demand, though exports are still the majority, making up nearly 60 per cent of production in the first four months.
Lots of carbon dioxide is emitted unnecessarily every time tankers arrive at farms to collect milk. This is because the trucks use their oversized diesel engines to drive the pump that fills the tank. Technology company Semcon has now developed an electrical system for the milk pump that will reduce diesel consumption for a single truck by up to 5,000 litres per year. Noise and emissions at farms will also be reduced.
UK technology company Wheely-Safe has launched ‘Michelin Wheel Security and Tyre Pressure Management System Heavy Fleet’, a solution aimed at truck, bus, coach, trailer and heavy plant operators and designed to tackle the issues of wheel loss and brake and hub overheating. Wheely-Safe says this patented solution is the world’s first in-motion driver alert system that detects the onset of wheel loss before detachment; it also warns the driver of potential brake or hub issues that could lead to a fire if unchecked, as well as tyre over- or under-inflation.
Volvo has confirmed it will begin sales of electric trucks in Europe in 2019, with the first units being put into operation with selected reference customers later this year. As well as reducing CO2 emissions, Volvo sees the introduction of electric vehicles as an opportunity to reduce the number of trucks operating in peak hours.
Tesla has unveiled its electric Semi truck which has a range of 500 miles with a full 36.3-tonne load. It does 0-60 mph in 20 seconds with a full load, a task that takes a diesel truck about a minute. Without a trailer, the Tesla Semi achieves 0-60 mph in five seconds, compared to 15 seconds in a comparable diesel truck.
Michelin now offers truck drivers a new app that aims to “help them optimise their mobility and make their daily lives easier.” After a year of development in consultation with truck drivers, the tyre maker began providing new digital services via the Michelin RoadConnect application on 11 September. The app, says Michelin, is built around four main features.
The UK may have voted to leave Europe, but for the time being we are still subject to European regulations. The EU says that tougher CO2 standards for cars and vans will be introduced to help cut transport emissions and improve air quality in Europe. They form part of a package of measures announced by the European Commission, which for the first time will also include fuel efficiency targets for trucks.
ATS Euromaster has expanded its pilot truck services programme. The network is seeking to expand its service, maintenance and repair business with large commercial vehicle fleets. Phase one of the programme, launched in April 2015, marked the first time ATS Euromaster had expanded its range of services beyond tyres and wheels for commercial vehicles above seven tonnes gvw. Now a further 10 locations can provide SMR support to truck operators. They stretch from Glasgow to Exeter to cover key locations along some of Britain’s most significant transport routes, including the M1, M4, M5, M6, Felixstowe, and Tilbury.
When Tyrepress.com attended the first press day of last year’s IAA Commercial Vehicles show, we were surprised to find ourselves working in halls that effectively doubled as building sites. It turns out we weren’t the only ones to be less than happy with this arrangement, as show organiser VDA (the German Association of the Automotive Industry) says it’ll do things differently next year. In response to “a large number of requests from the media and exhibitors,” the press days at the 66th International Motor Show Commercial Vehicles will no longer coincide with the period set aside for the erection of show stands.
“It is encouraging to see that the commercial vehicle market continued to grow in February with registrations up 19.5 per cent”, said Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association. February marked the tenth consecutive month of growth in the CV market – up to 40,491 units. Van demand sustained its upward trend and grew 17.9 per cent, and for the second month running, truck registrations increased 31.7 per cent to 2,518 units.
SMMT
