Kent-based CS Bull Ltd is taking delivery of three new Iveco Stralis Active Space Super³ tractor units, each finished in a jet black livery and built for long-distance operations across mainland Europe.
Supplied by Haynes Trucks, the Stralis AS440S45T/P 4×2 tractor units are each plated at 40 tonnes and are left-hand drive coupled with long-range 1,160 litre diesel tanks and 100 litre AdBlue tanks.
Clive Bull, Managing Director of CS Bull says: “We’ve been running Iveco’s in our fleet since the mid-1980’s and the trucks have just got better and better. There is very little to distinguish between the modern heavy truck marques and in the end it comes down to personal preference. In the Stralis we have found a vehicle which is popular with our drivers, performs competitively on fuel and has excellent dealer back-up both at home and abroad.
Archive for December, 2009
Trio of Stralis 4×2 tractors from Haynes
Friday, December 4th, 2009
B JAY HAULAGE MOVES TO RENAULT LANDER OVER SCANIA
Friday, December 4th, 2009Shropshire based haulage company, B Jay Haulage, has taken delivery of a new Renault Premium Lander 410.32 with insulated tipper body, through Renault Trucks Midlands. The truck, which is fitted with a retarder and Optidriver + gearbox, is the first vehicle of its type to be built on a Renault chassis and was chosen by the company over its usual Scania.
The Renault Premium Lander will be used to transport aggregate and tarmac, mainly in the local area of Shropshire, but also on a nationwide basis. Shaun Coombes, owner, B Jay Haulage, says: “Our usual vehicle of choice has, in the past, been Scania; however we felt that the Renault Premium Lander offered fantastic value for money – it is a high spec., good quality vehicle and we are very pleased with our choice.
All in all the new Renault Lander has proven to be a ‘revelation’ to our, former Scania, driver and far superior to other vehicles of its type.”
Amey hits the road with help from Mudi Bond
Friday, December 4th, 2009Highway contractor Amey handed a major order for new trucks to Mercedes-Benz dealer Mudie-Bond, after winning a contract to maintain and improve the motorway and trunk road network throughout the West Midlands.
As well as performing routine maintenance, traffic management and incident response duties, Amey is also responsible for updating and improving technology systems and equipment across the region.
To service this contract, Amey has invested in a new fleet of 20 Mercedes 18-tonners – comprising 11 low-entry Econics and nine Axor – all of which were supplied by Mudie-Bond, Oxford.
Two of the Econic 1824s are barrier replacement rigs and fitted with Palfinger cranes, while the remainder are traffic management vehicles.
Mudie-Bond enjoys a long-standing relationship with Amey – unlike many of the vehicles it has supplied previously to the national highway operator, these latest trucks are based within the dealer’s area so will return to its workshops for all servicing and maintenance.
Operations Manager Alan Chambers says: “We’ve built up an excellent relationship with Mudie-Bond over the years and the service we receive is excellent.
“The breadth of the Mercedes-Benz truck range means we can source all the vehicles we need from one supplier. The Econics that we’ve chosen for our traffic management vehicles are particularly well suited to the task, their low chassis, low-entry cabs and air suspension making access extremely safe and easy for our operatives.”
Iveco shows the UK’s first 18m artic
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009Iveco has joined forces with the Freight Transport Association to call on the UK Department for Transport to allow on-road trials of 18m articulated trucks. As part of the programme, the firm recently ran a series of trials at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. These, in front of an audience of civil servants, trade associations, MPs and media, used the first 18m artic tested in the UK. The longest artic allowed in Europe is 16.5m; the extra 1.5m that Iveco wants will allow trailers to carry the equivalent of four more Euro pallets or eight roll-cages, equivalent to 12% more load capacity. The move would also allow hauliers to carry 48ft ISO containers.
BCA launches all-new website
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009Following a 12 month development project BCA has launched a brand new website with a raft of new features for customers.
The new site has a fresh design and enhanced navigation allowing customers to interact with BCA in a more intuitive fashion. The site now includes Auction View, Commercial Auction View and www.british-car-auctions.co.uk on one platform, improving accessibility and functionality for customers.
According to Alexa.com BCA’s site attracts three times the traffic of its nearest rival.
Another major customer benefit is the introduction of a new and completely free auction catalogue search engine and stock locator for private buyers.
NEW DIGITAL TACHOGRAPH
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009Delphi, which has its sights on becoming a major player in the digital tachograph market, is introducing a new product, the EFAS 3. The tacho supports rapid printing, read-out and data download. Current systems can take up to two and half hours to download 28 days data, The EFAS 3 from Delphi will download this data in only 60 seconds.
Top Truck Bosses outline the crisis’ impact on the transport sector
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009CEOs of the major European commercial vehicle manufacturers met in Brussels with European Commissioners, senior officials and Members of the European Parliament to highlight first-hand how the freight transport sector and its millions of employees are affected by the economic and financial crisis.
“The reality on the road, in the workshops and in sales and manufacturing is harsh’, said Leif Östling, Chairman of the ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board and CEO of Scania. “It is important that EU policy makers are well informed about this situation and we have encouraged them to alleviate the enormous pressure on this important part of the economy.” Östling, accompanied by Aad Goudriaan (President DAF), Andreas Renschler (CEO Daimler Trucks) and Mario Astengo (Senior Vice President Iveco) met with the Commissioners Vladimir Spidla (Employment) and Antonio Tajani (Transport) as well as with Directors General and several key MEPs.
As a direct consequence of the economic downturn and credit crunch, transport demand has dropped sharply over the past year. Vehicle fleet operators often have a quarter of their trucks standing idle. This situation is unlikely to change until the economy starts recovering. Demand for new commercial vehicles has fallen sharply as well and the European manufacturers do not expect the market to pick up before 2011. Over the past year, they have already taken numerous measures to adapt output levels, but pressure on permanent employment levels is mounting.
At the same time, vehicle manufacturers go to great lengths to sustain investments in R&D, most notably in the fields of road safety and emissions reduction. Just the Euro VI emission requirements alone require immediate industry level investments of EUR 6-8 billion.
“We have seen recent initiatives by governments in other parts of the world to invest heavily in R&D that contributes to environmental and related sustainability goals, helping their commercial vehicle major manufacturers to keep their heads above the water and continue to play their important roles in the transition to a low carbon economy. We hope to see similar initiatives in Europe soon as well”, added Östling.
USED CV SALES AT LONGBRIDGE
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009Contract hire and rental specialist Fraikin is bringing vehicles back to the Longbridge site in Birmingham, the former home of MG Rover, with the opening in November, of its third dedicated used commercial vehicle sales location.
Spread over three acres alongside the busy Bristol Road South, this new sales site has the potential to display up to 350 vehicles of all shapes and sizes, from 3.5 tonne vans to 44 tonne tractor units and trailers.
Commenting on the opening, Alistair Wood, Fraikin’s Procurement and Services Director, says: “We wanted a high profile site which would generate both passing trade and be easy for buyers to reach – this area of land at Longbridge was available and ideal for our requirements. It will enable us to keep a wide-ranging stock of vans, trucks and trailers on-site at any one time, so there will truly be ‘something for everyone’.”
Iceni Trucks take on North London and East Anglia for Iveco
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009A new commercial vehicle dealer called Iceni Trucks has taken over the Iveco franchise for North London and East Anglia following a management buyout of the previous distributor Norfolk Trucks.
Iceni Trucks has taken over the leases and will trade from the existing dealer sites in Norwich, Ipswich and Enfield. The company will also offer both new and used commercial vehicle sales across the full Iveco range from 3.5 to 44 tonnes.
The new company will be led by Steve Fisher, Managing Director, and is based in Sprowston, Norwich. Its satellite dealerships are located in Great Blakenham, Ipswich, and Brimsdown, Enfield.
The previous dealer, ECC Trucks, renamed from Norfolk Trucks in July this year, entered into a ‘voluntary arrangement on the 25th September 2009.