Fleet news round-up: March 12, 2010
February registration fillip for vans
February UK registration data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show 10,348 vans and trucks registered in the month. Within that, there were 8,978 vans, up slightly, and 1,370 trucks, still well down. The rolling year total was down 32.2% to 220,521. This includes 188,048 vans, down 30.6% and 32,473 trucks, down 40.4%. "Despite the hesitant economic recovery, demand for new vans has picked up, though trucks still struggle in one of the most difficult markets since the early 1990s," said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. "We don’t expect a consistent recovery for some time, either for new vans or trucks, so durable growth in business investment and confidence is vital. The government’s 2010 Budget needs to deliver clear, supportive and dependable policies, including better access to business credit to sustain that recovering demand for vans and trucks."
AA deal goes to BT Fleet
BT Fleet has won a five-year deal to manage and maintain 2,500 breakdown assistance and recovery vehicles for the AA. Targets for the deal include maximum vehicle availability and minimum downtime for the van and light truck fleet. Janet Entwistle, managing director, BT Fleet said she was "particularly pleased" to have kept the business as the AA was the firm’s first major fleet customer.
RHA training at CV Operator Show
The Road Haulage Association is one of several exhibitors that will run training hot spots on their stands at the Show, planning to offer the latest advice to visitors. The RHA says training is now a vital part of the success of any transport firm but transport training needs change on an almost daily basis. To help operators cope, its training division, represented on the RHA’s stand number 5626, covers all aspects of training including Health and Safety, Driver Certificate of Professional Competence, Rescue and Recovery Driver CPC and the Professional Driver Update 2010.
Trucks to use Bristol car pool lanes
Trucks will be able to use the snappily named High Occupancy Vehicle lane on the A4174 Avon Ring road, thanks to the Road Haulage Association. When South Gloucestershire Council opened the car pool lane, the RHA asked that trucks be allowed to use it as the road gives access to the whole of the eastern side of the Bristol conurbation. The council refused. But when it published plans to lengthen the lane, the RHA tried again and the council agreed. "We are very pleased that councils now appear to be listening to us," said Mike Farmer, RHA regional director.
Mycompanyfleet wins KLM software deal
After a long selection process, Mycompanyfleet has won a deal to provide the fleet management systems for KLM Equipment Services, a subsidiary of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The firm will manage a fleet of 2,500 vehicles and equipment at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. KES runs a mixed fleet, ranging from small ground vehicles like light vans, coaches and mini-buses, to specialised power units, pallet loaders, aircraft tractors and lifting platforms.
Millbrook shows 3% saving from fuel catalyst
Independent tests on a so-called fuel catalyst, at the Millbrook proving ground late last year seem to show a 3% fuel and emissions saving for trucks. The Fitch fuel catalyst has its origins in the US around a decade ago and is now being distributed by Fuel Harmonics in the UK. This is the first independent verification of occasionally glowing reports in the past, including one from City of York Council. Fuel Harmonics invited John Lewis to provide Millbrook a 2004 Daf 85 with 1,014,886km on the clock for the tests. According to its report, dated 4 December 2009 and seen exclusively by Transport Engineer "the improvements are interesting".
New car CO2 report
The SMMT just launched its ninth annual New Car CO2 Report. This shows a 5.4% cut in average car CO2 emissions last year, continuing a now 12 year-long downward trend. The average new car sold in the UK in 2009 emitted just 149.5g/km of CO2, down 5.4% on the 2008 figure and 21.2% better than the 1997 base level. The rate of reduction was the best on record, three times the average rate achieved since data was first measured in 1997.
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