Archive for 2011

Ford’s new Ranger pick-up will make its UK debut on stand 4C20 at the CV Show.  The firm says this important new model has exceptional towing capacity of up to 3.3 tonne.  It also has a host of other clever ideas, including Adaptive Load Control and Trailer Sway Control and a rear-view camera system.  The new Ranger will be on sale this autumn.
More from Anne-Marie Chatterton on +44 (0)1 277 253 944 or achatter@ford.com

Van and light truck operators may be wasting money by dangerously overloading their vehicles.  So says a warning by TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation, after the latest Vosa effectiveness report showed that the van overloading prohibition rate rose from 66.9% in 2008/09 to 72.7% in 2009/10.  If operators fail to compensate for heavier loads by increasing tyre pressures to the recommended levels, tyres will wear more quickly, fuel use will rise and safety may drop.  The effects of overloading and under-inflation are very similar; heat build-up, increasing the risk of a dangerous blowout, particularly on high-speed motorway journeys, says TyreSafe.
More from Danny Rughoobeer on +44 (0)1 926 333 245 or danny@redmarlin.co.uk

The latest forecast from Clear suggests that Western European trailer demand will be at about 175,000 units a year by mid 2013, in line with the long-term average.  “One way of looking at the situation is that, in 2011, we are half way back to a healthy market from the nadir of 2009,” says Gary Beecroft, of Clear.  He says low demand for new trailers, between 2009 and 2012 has cut the trailer fleet for the first time.  “It will remain below two million until 2014.”  Last year’s European trailer registrations grew 10.6%, but that was against a 52% drop in 2008/9.   Beecroft says that curtain-side, box van and container chassis did particularly badly while refrigerated, tippers, tankers and bulkers fared better.  He expects widespread growth in 2011 and 2012 but thinks 2007 demand levels won’t be beaten in the next 10 years.
More from Gary Beecroft on +44 (0)2 088 928 379 or gbeecroft@talktalk.net

Nigel Base is the SMMT’s new Commercial Vehicle Development Manager.  He has joined the Society to take over from Robin Dickeson, manager, Commercial Vehicle Affairs, who leaves on 14 April, at the end of the CV Show.  Well known in the industry, Base is a qualified mechanical engineer with wide-ranging industry experiences, having worked for truck makers, dealers and operators.
More from Nigel Base on +44 (0)2 073 441 661 or nbase@smmt.co.uk

Alphatec says its new Welfare Van is the first of its type with Webasto’s Dual Top diesel-powered hot water and interior heater as standard.  Based on a Ford Transit long wheelbase high roof van, the new vehicle will take pride of place on Alphatec’s stand 4B24 at the CV Show in April.  The vehicle includes crash-tested seats, a galley area with microwave, sink with hot and cold water, hot drinks dispenser, towel dispenser, dining table and storage.  The private rear area of the van contains an electric flush toilet, elbow to wrist sink, hygiene and towel dispensers, clothes drying area and more storage space.
More from Georgie Georgiades on +44 (0)1 302 322 232 or georgie.georgiades@webasto.com

Manheim Remarketing’s latest monthly market analysis for vans show that average wholesale used van values fell by 2.8% to £4,023 in February, after three rising months.  The average age rose by two months to 52 and average mileage rose to 75,124.  Compared with February 2010, average values are just 0.2% or £10 higher, average age is two months lower and mileage is up by 1,228.  Car-derived vans bucked the falling value trend, with a 3.1% rise and, for all but large panel vans, average ages and mileages rose significantly.  “Auction lanes throughout the country remain full of buyers as demand is still strong, especially for vehicles in the £2,500 to £4,500 price range,” said the firm’s Tim Spencer.
More from Andrew Andersz on +44 (0)1 865 343 100 or andrew.andersz@jjmarketing.co.uk

World first for Handistep at CV Show Handistep says its first type-approved tow bar will make its exhibition debut at the CV Show next week. The new unit has twin full-width, anti-slip steps with red high-visibility reflective tape and is specifically designed to fit the Mercedes Sprinter and Volkswagen Crafter van ranges The new step fits all but twin-wheel, medium wheelbase Sprinters and Crafters and is available with either black or high visibility yellow treads and Handistep’s type approved reverse sensors. “The type approval to EEC 94/20 is an important first for us,” says the firm’s Mike Wood. “We’re developing a similar unit for the Transit range and will have that available soon.” More from Mike Wood on +44 (0)1 939 260 707 or mike@mikewoodsms.com

For the first time, the CV Show organisers won’t send Show passes in advance of the Show, which opens at 08:30 on Tuesday 12 April at National Exhibition Centre, near Birmingham.  But register on-line and the system will arrange a Fast Track entry ticket to the CV Show and Workshop 2011 for you to collect at the entrance.  This means you should beat the queues.  Simply go to either of the two Show websites, www.cvshow.com or www.workshopshow.co.uk and follow the Visitor link.  The system will give you a reference number and a barcode.  Bring that with you, scan it and the system will print your free entry ticket.  And that will get you £2.00 off an Early Bird Breakfast at participating restaurants at the NEC too.
More from Robin Dickeson on +44 (0)2 073 449 222 or rdickeson@smmt.co.uk

Tiss Security Systems says rising fuel prices have driven a “huge growth” in TankSafe sales in the past three months, many from international firms trying to control rising costs.  Recent developments in TankSafe’s design and the firm’s extension to US and Asian trucks as well as all European built trucks have also helped to drive sales.  The rapid sales increase has reignited Tiss’ efforts to add to their burgeoning distribution network of Agents and Distributors.  Tiss’ Director, Matthew Rose commented:  “Our market-leading range of TankSafe fuel security devices have massive sales potential throughout the world.  We are interested to hear from agents and distributors who are keen to help truck operators in combating fuel theft and increasing operational costs.”
More from Matthew Rose on +44 (0) 1253 400 401 or matthew.rose@tissltd.com

Dutch vehicle data and CanBus specialist Squarell will show its CanCliq, a contactless CanBus reader on its stand 4G108 at the CV Show.  The unit reads data from a vehicle’s CanBus system without direct contact with the vehicle’s wiring system.  The firm says the device, placed over the signal wires in seconds, reads and delivers information with 99.99% reliability.  This cuts the risk of voiding a vehicle’s warranty by breaking into its electrical system and causing electrical failures.  Squarell says CanCliq, which meets vehicle makers’ fleet management system information compatibility standards should dramatically simplify the installation of telematics and other on-board systems that need to read a vehicle’s electrical systems.
More from Mervyn Blank on +44 (0)7 827 953 777 or m.blank@aquarell.com