Oman its a Scania

Posted on February 21, 2012 by admin

This is one of those quick news blogs that I thought you lot might just be interested in and also is pretty quick for me to publish. Sorry to say its another Scania, but I also just quite liked the photo!

The following info came with the photo as part of the Scania Press Release;

“In December of last year Scania launched V8 trucks in Oman for the first time, and recently, the first one was sold in the Arab country. The customer, heavy lift transport company Sinan Heavy Lift LLC, will use its new V8 to move heavy loads and transport its cranes, which have up to 1,000 tons of lift capacity. “This is the first R-series V8 ever sold within the region”, says Robert Hughes, Sales Manager, SATA LLC (Scania Trucks & Buses). “This increases the offering and range of vehicles currently being sold in the Gulf. Scania has just received new orders for two more V8 trucks: A second truck to Sinan Heavy Lift LLC and one to Mobilift & Partners LLC.”

SCOOP!! Cargo Undercover

Posted on January 25, 2012 by admin

Did you know this is a Ford Cargo? In an undercover guise obviously. The Ford Cargo is still produced by Ford in Turkey. This one was spotted in Portbury Docks on the back of an HC Wilson truck. Apparently it has come to the UK for crash testing. Judging by the undercover livery and disguised panels my detective skills hint towards this having been on road trials in Turkey or some where else. Looking how dirty it is, plenty of road dirt and covered panels mean it has been running about but without the public being able to see the finished truck. Now the road trials have finished this poor truck must have been short listed to come to the UK for crash testing R.I.P.

I have to admit that I have really struggled to find a great deal out about these Turkish built Ford’s. All I can tell you is what I have found on the Ford Media website. I’m guessing that this particular truck is a new version of the current range of Ford Cargo’s. It must be a new cab or at least a heavily face-lifted cab and likely to have a new engine or mechanical set up, as the last version was released back in 2004. I don’t know if the last version had adblue but this prototype has the tank, so perhaps this is a new engine to meet Euro emissions regulations. The Ford website says of the current range of Ford Cargo’s;

“Ford Cargo Tractors cover a range of 18 to 40 tons with different axle configurations, payloads, and chassis lengths. There are three different cab styles that enhance the versatility of Ford Cargo. These variants make it suitable for wide variety of customer needs. Ford’s heavy truck manufacturing experience dates back 40 years in history. The current Ford Cargo was launched in 2004 model year and was developed in 5 years.”

Then interestingly enough it goes on to say all about how much testing the 2004 released truck went through, including a trip to the UK for testing at the same place where this new version was being delivered too;

“The Ford Cargo Tractor was tested for 15 million kilometers (8 million kilometers road test, 4 million kilometers structural durability test, 3 million kilometers cab durability test) in total before it was launched. Besides the durability, noise, vibration, harshness and safety tests completed entirely in the virtual environment, actual field tests are also conducted. The durability tests were carried on Ford’s Lommel Proving Ground in Belgium. The durability of the Ford Cargo cabs was tested in Istanbul Technical University. Ford Cargo Tractor proved its durability and reliability after this long period of stringent tests. Ford’s reputation in designing vehicles with superior driving dynamics and comfort is also valid for Ford Cargo trucks. Ride and handling performance evaluations were done in MIRA test track in England in comparison with the products of other European heavy truck competitors.”

I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for anymore undercover trucks. Thats 2 within a couple of weeks, as some of my Twitter and Facebook followers will know, I spotted an undercover new Volvo here in Colchester, Essex. These things come in 3′s so what will be my 3rd?? Can you tell or show me? then send me an email or leave a comment with your undercover spots; ben@truckblog.co.uk

Probably The Best Mini Artic in The World!!?

Posted on January 22, 2012 by admin

Probably the best title on the blog ever! Ok ok that’s enough, you can have enough of a good thing I know. Carlsberg have just taken delivery of 14 of these Volvo mini artics, or Volvo FL-290 Urban Artic tractors, to give them their proper names. There are also 2 Volvo FM-330, 3 axle, 26 ton rigids in the deal too. The 16 new trucks will be split between Carlsbergs Warrington and Croydon depot’s.

The 14 urban artics are all factory built, which is a bonus as far as National fleet manager Neil Davis is concerned;

“Knowing that we can specify exactly the vehicle we want and that it will be factory-built to our requirements and not converted from a rigid gives Volvo a distinct advantage in the Urban Artic sector. Having something that is factory-built provides peace of mind.”

I have to say I thought that other manufacturers now offered factory built small tractor units, but perhaps they are still converting rigid chassis into tractor units. The press release from Volvo goes on to say;

“The Urban Artics will operate with single axle semi-trailers at a gross weight of 26-tonnes and are expected to cover around 35,000 to 70,000 km annually. A two-man bench seat is installed to accommodate a three-man crew if required for training purposes. The two Volvo FM 6×2 day-cab rigids feature a hydraulically-steered rear axle to improve manoeuvrability and are fitted with a nine-metre long curtain-side body and 2.5-tonne cantilever-type tail-lift. Power is provided by the Volvo 11-litre engine rated at 330hp. Low-profile Michelin Energy tyres are installed in order to keep the deck height as low as possible and to optimise fuel use. These vehicles will cover around 70,000-km per annum. Both artics and rigids are equipped with telematics and will carry out between 10 and 18 deliveries daily.”

DAF XT is Born – NOT Photoshopped

Posted on January 18, 2012 by admin

We’ve all seen the photo-shopped versions of a bonneted DAF, mostly the white one pulling a fridge trailer. In all honesty it doesn’t look to silly, for a few days I think it did get people wondering whether it was real or not. But now Dutch transport company A. Jansen BV, who are clearly huge fan’s of their natively built DAF trucks, have produced a real life bonneted DAF and have named it the DAF XT. I’m sure over the next few months this truck will make it to your regular truck magazine. On Jansen’s own website, there is this small explanation in the News section;

“Recently, A. Jansen B.V. on the occasion of its 40 anniversary presented a new car: the XT. This special model in cooperation with DAF dealer de Burgh in Eindhoven developed and produced. The XT, such as this implementation in the market will go (FTT XF type 105.460), is the successor of the legendary NAT models of DAF. The two new DAF XT’s battery from the end of February 2012 will abandon the fleet of A. Jansen B.V. and so also appeared on the Dutch roads.”

You can work out from the slightly dodgy translation, that there are now 2 of these real life DAF XT’s. The trucks have been produced to celebrate Jansen BV’s 40th Anniversary, just imagine what could happen when they reach the big 50!! Keep your eye’s peeled on the press, as I say i’m sure it will be making a lot or appearances. What’s your first impression? Is it like mine; The grill is too chunky, then email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk or you can leave a comment, or these day’s you can even get me on Twitter, @truckbloguk amazing stuff! Not sure who’s photo’s these are but if you let me know I can credit you. I would also like to say a big thank you to Graham Wilson for informing me of the DAF’s existence.

Lucky Little Trucker!

Posted on January 16, 2012 by admin

I think this foreign little trucker, could be the luckiest driver crossing the Fourth Bridge last year!! It looks to me a like a little 7.5 tonner with a 2 axle trailer, a slightly German look about it.

It’s Benz But Not As You Know It!

Posted on January 6, 2012 by admin

BharatBenz. That’s the name that all Indian truckers have on their lips…..perhaps.Yesterday a few Indian journalists were given a sneak preview of the BharatBenz. Daimler Truck’s subsidiary Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) revealed the new BharatBenz brand heavy-duty truck. This is the first-ever truck “Made in India”. BharatBenz will enter the ever growing Indian market for medium heavy-duty and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. This PR comes courtesy of Daimler. So you may well be able to see that the the truck has used the Mercedes Benz Atego/Axor cab and mirrors.

Andreas Renschler, the Daimler Board of Management Member responsible for Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses, said; “The trucks are based on existing Daimler commercial vehicle platforms. Indian specialists developed the trucks for the local market, where they are also built. This is the most effective way for us to participate in the growth of India’s volume segment. Our product range focuses on quality, reliability, and efficiency and particularly targets the modern domestic segment, which shows huge growth potential and reflects the growing demands of Indian customers.”

You’ll have to wait til the 2nd March before the complete BharatBenz lineup in the 6 to 49-ton range is unveiled. The Daimler PR says; The BharatBenz heavy-duty truck will be built on the Mercedes-Benz Axor platform, and the future light and medium-duty trucks will be based on the Fuso Canter and Fighter series. The new trucks will meet India’s BS III emissions standard this is a similar standard to our Euro 3 emissions.

The PR goes on to say; “The light, medium-duty, and heavy-duty range of BharatBenz commercial vehicles will be manufactured at the new plant in Oragadam near Chennai in Southern India. Construction of the plant on an area of 160 hectares is almost completed, and production trial runs for engines and transmissions have already begun. The production facility has a total dedicated investment of over 44 billion Indian rupees (approximately €700 million). The plant’s initial production capacity will be 36,000 units per year and can be ramped up to 70,000 units per year. By the end of the year, the company’s dealership network will encompass around 70 locations throughout India.”

I often think how resourceful trucks are when it comes to third world markets. We have a range of trucks released over here, then 10 or so years later the same cab / truck is still being released as a new truck some where else in the world. So the Mercedes Axor cab isn’t exactly old but it’s being used in a new guise, apply a new grill (considered to be the face of a vehicle by many!), stick on a new set of badges and Bingo! you have a new truck range. I just thought you might like to read a bit what else is going on in the world of trucks, sometimes to much European stuff need’s to be broken up by a little “World News” and also it gives you some thing new to tell the wife!

Did you know you can still buy a brand new Iveco Turbostar cab?? Now on a Russian built Ural truck.

Alcoa 17.5 Inch Rims

Posted on December 21, 2011 by admin

How on earth I have missed this I have no idea! It’s only thanks to my G’day Mate Julian from Australia sending me the Alcoa April 2011 Newsletter I found out. When I went to the IAA Show in Hanover at the end of 2010, I found (and fell in love with!!) a little white MAN TGL which had fitted a set of 17.5 Alcoa wheels. I hunted and hunted about and asked in my best German and could not get any answers. Please read the following short snippet from Alcoa’s April Newsletter;

From April 2011 onwards, the MAN TGL series can be ordered with Alcoa forged aluminium wheels. The 17.5” x 6.75” hub piloted 6 studs on 245 mm bolt circle wheel is available at MAN in two finishes: Brushed and Dura-Bright®. MAN is the first truck OEM offering this new Alcoa wheel for trucks of 6-12 tons GVW. The wheel can also be fitted on the MB Atego, but is not yet available at Mercedes-Benz. Retrofitting can be arranged via the Alcoa distributors. For mounting the wheel on 6-12 tons trucks from other brands, please seek the advice of the Alcoa Sales Managers or contact us on info.wheels@alcoa.com.

NEWS: Scania to Slow Production Rate

Posted on December 20, 2011 by admin

Is the current world climate begining to take a toll on truck buying? Seems that Scania think so. This is what todays’s press release has to say;

Scania foresees a continued slowdown in demand in various markets and, starting in January, will lower the production rate at its units in Europe and Latin America. This adjustment will be handled within the terms of existing flexibility agreements at the company. Economic worries in Europe and the world have made customers more hesitant about investing in new products. In November 2011, Scania cut back its production rate by about 15 percent at the global level, but since then demand has deteriorated further.

“The slowdown in Europe and the Middle East has continued. Meanwhile we are also seeing a lower rate of order bookings from other markets.” says Martin Lundstedt, Executive Vice President in charge of Scania’s sales and marketing.

In Brazil there is uncertainty about the market trend during the first half of 2012 in light of the transition to new Euro 5 emission legislation and the trend of global demand for agricultural products and other commodities. At the global level, Scania will lower its production rate by about 15 percent starting in January. The adjustment of production levels will occur at Scania’s production units in Europe and Latin America and will be handled within the terms of the existing flexibility agreements between the company and the respective trade unions.

“This implies that we must gradually adjust staffing, which unfortunately means that we will be unable to renew the contracts of more than 1,000 fixed term temporary employees in our global production network,” says Anders Nielsen, Executive Vice President in charge of Scania’s production and logistics.

As a result of the production cutback that Scania carried out in November, the contracts of 900 of a total of 1,400 fixed term temporary employees at European production units were not renewed. The adjustment that has now been decided will mean that most of the remaining number of fixed term temporary employees in Europe will be affected, along with a majority of the fixed term temporary employees in Latin America.
For nearly two years, Scania has been working with short and stable delivery times, approximately 8 weeks in Europe, with the aim of getting the right signals to the production network as early as possible when changes occur in order bookings. This minimises inventory build-up.

Thanks to Wilson Pra for the photo from Brazil’s Fenatran Show.

Freightline Europe Update

Posted on December 15, 2011 by admin

Last weekend I put a post on HERE about Dutch company Freightline Europe’s unfortunate mishap in the snow. Just thought you might like to know that once it was upright again the damage didn’t look to bad! I reckon they could fix it or put a new cab on and a body and use it again. I guess it depends on what the insurers say and if the chassis has had a twist! The big Scania’s next move is unknown, but i’m sure if Freightline Europe do put it back on the road, we’ll soon find out. Thanks to Neil Jarrold of www.euro-wheels.com for the photo!

Snow Time for Messing About

Posted on December 10, 2011 by admin

Now the winter is with us, a quick stark reminder to all of you on the road, PLEASE BE CAREFULL! We can all think we have been there and done that when it comes to snow and ice on the roads, but it’s no reason to be complacent. Remember it can still catch you out, as this Freightline Europe driver found out, reportedly without any injury.

This came up on Facebook the other weekend. The little report underneath said the driver was unhurt, but the truck, as you can see wasn’t. As for the drawbar trailer, it was left just as a chassis. The accident happened late one night in Norway. The Dutch registered Scania was loaded with drinks and lost control on a bend. By my reckoning the truck may have only fallen on one side then onto the roof, as the cab doesn’t look too badly damaged, but I may well be wrong. Whether your in Norway, Spain or Bulgaria, just remember it can happen to the best of us, slow or fast ice and snow is still slippery! Here is a photo of the Scania in all its glory, before it’s roll in the snow. Picture is from Freightline Europe’s website, which is worth a look even if it’s just for the Gallery pages.

First new “Euro VI” Mercedes-Benz Actros delivered to France

Posted on November 27, 2011 by admin

The 1st new shape Euro VI Mercedes Benz Actros has been delivered to Transalliance in France. The truck was handed over as the 1st in an order of 500 trucks, to be delivered over the next few months. Transalliance is one of the largest logistics companies in Europe. Its fleet comprises 3200 vehicles, including 700 trucks from Mercedes-Benz.

This comes from the press release: The new Mercedes-Benz Actros is the first truck to be designed specifically for the Euro VI standard, which will become mandatory in 2014. Its pollutant emissions have been reduced to a barely detectable range. The new Actros model also sets benchmarks in terms of fuel consumption: in comparison to the established Actros, the new Actros designed to Euro VI standard results in a further 3-4 percent reduction in fuel consumption.

“For us, economy, safe driving dynamics and greater comfort for the driver are the most important characteristics of a truck. We are proud to have the first Mercedes-Benz Actros with Euro VI technology in our fleet,” declared Alexandre Michel from Transalliance. “Our efforts to support and actively promote future-oriented technologies are also being showcased in the technology days which we are currently staging at Transalliance. This event offers customers and employees an opportunity to catch up on the state of the art in our business.”

New SportsMAN for German Football Team

Posted on November 27, 2011 by admin

This little MAN TGL LX tractor and trailer have just gone into service, selling footballing merchandise at home and away games for German football champions Borussia Dortmund. The MAN press release states; “The semitrailer tractor has been specially adapted by the Munich Dax-30 Group to the club’s requirements and designed in the club’s colors. Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga team has been traveling to its games in an exclusive MAN coach for around ten years. “

The press releasegoes on to say; Andreas Lampersbach, Head of MAN SE’s Corporate Communications, added: “Our partnership with Borussia Dortmund is going very well for us. Following the new Team Coach and the Champion Mobile, the Fan Shop on wheels is the third customized vehicle that our engineers have put on the road for BVB.”

Can anyone shed any light on the “Munich Dax-30 Group”?? I have heard of them before, they obviously do plenty of truck and vehicle conversions, but when I type it into Google, it just comes back with everything related to the German Stock Exchange! Any ideas, then email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk

SCOOP!! New Mercedes Benz Actros named Truck of The Year 2012

Posted on November 25, 2011 by admin

Congratulations!! Well deserved in my opinion. Whether you love it or hate it you can’t deny either way it is the most striking looking truck sine the launch of the Renault Magnum. Agree or disagree? Leave a comment or send me an email; ben@truckblog.co.uk

Windy Scania

Posted on September 30, 2011 by admin

I often get these Scanis press releases and before now I have never been to sure if I can just copy and paste them on here or if I have to put them into own words?? So I have decided the first option is better for now until someone tells me other wise, why else would you send out press releases if you don’t want people to use them.

The facility, located at Scania’s research and development centre in Södertälje, will be able to simulate realistic environments ranging from dry Arctic cold to humid tropical heat as well as various wind conditions. Air temperatures can be varied from –35 to +50 degrees Celsius and relative humidity from 10 to 95 percent. In addition, the facility will be able to simulate wind speeds of as much as 100 kilometres per hour.

Wind tunnel simulation will make Scania’s development work more efficient and flexible while saving the transport, time and resources involved in testing trucks and buses in different climates.

The facility represents a further strengthening of Scania’s research and development department in Södertälje, which today employs 2,700 people. The facility will be completed in March 2013.

SCOOP!! New Russia Built KAMAZ

Posted on September 21, 2011 by admin

This one is straight from Daimler Groups Press release’s, but I thought you’d all want to see it. This brief summary is taken directly from the press release and is not the words of truckblog;

“At the COMTRANS commercial vehicle show in Moscow, Daimler Trucks and the Russian truck manufacturer Kamaz presented another milestone of their partnership: the public unveiling of their first jointly developed truck. The new Kamaz truck is equipped with Daimler Trucks components which Kamaz has modified for the Russian market.
In order to produce the new Kamaz truck, the two partners will work together even more closely in the future. In addition to the axle joint venture concluded in December 2010, Daimler Trucks and Kamaz will closely collaborate on truck cabs in the future. The two companies therefore singed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cab production today. Mercedes-Benz will begin delivering cabs to Kamaz in the second half of 2012. Later on, the cabs will be assembled at the Kamaz production plant in Chelny in the Russian republic of Tatarstan and will subsequently be industrially manufactured at the plant. The new Kamaz truck series featuring components from Daimler Trucks which will go into effect in Russia in 2014, meets the Euro V emissions limit. Andreas Renschler, Daimler Board of Management Member responsible for Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses, said, “We’re delighted to further expand our cooperation with Kamaz. Russia remains the largest truck market in Europe, with a market volume of 79,000 units over six tons GVW last year and almost 190,000 units forecast for 2020. Together with our partner, we are on the right track to offer state-of-the-art trucks for the Russian market.”
“

We’re Back!!!

Posted on August 29, 2011 by admin

Hello Hello This is Essex Calling!!

After how ever long it has been, we seem (fingers crossed), to be back and firmly away from what ever took over!! Not quite running at full speed but we are back and i’m not keen on the look so bear with and hopefully we’ll get back to the old theme and lay out that we are all familiar with.

I have to say the biggest thak you to the blogs, very own god, Mr Ewan Mcleod. The wifes best male friend he is but he is a big name in the world of mobile media, mobile phones and all things technical. It was he who got me blogging in the 1st place. Try checking out his site as an odd way of saying thank you………. Thank you Ewan.

http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/

New Mercedes Actros Should be Oscar Nominated!

Posted on July 17, 2011 by admin

Ged it, ged it??? Actros, actress……my comedic talents are wasted on you lot!
I have been in contact with Mercedes Benz Trucks UK and thought it only fair a do a bit more on this gorgeous new truck. Just look at it………….. that’s all i’ve got to say!!

As you have probably already read else where this is a completey new range of trucks. Chassis, driveline, engines and cabs are all new. Mercedes are bringing in the new range under the premise “Trucks you can trust”. The basis of this is the amount of testing that has been done, supposedly more than any other all new truck. The new Actros has undergone 2600 hours of fine-tuning in the wind tunnel, 50 million kilometres of engine testing on test rigs and in real-life operation, and 20 million kilometres on the road. The foundations for development were laid as far back as ten years ago, and Mercedes-Benz has spent five years testing the components and the complete vehicle. During this time, the new Actros clocked up around 20 million kilometres on the road, including intensive customer driving tests. On top of this, there were extremely rigorous tests on test rigs, torture-track tests and a series of other extreme examinations. The real-life road tests covered all climatic conditions as well as extreme road conditions and gradients, ranging from an Arctic winter to an extremely hot desert climate. Real-life testing also included customer driving tests in the new Mercedes-Benz Actros.

I do love those test trucks. They are like a Hollywood superstar who doesn’t want to be noticed, so they wear a big hat, massive sunglasses and stand out like a sore thumb. They may as well just sign write the thing with new truck on test, ssssshhhhhhhhhh! Who is going to be the first to have this black and white eye night mare as a company livery?? Brilliant.

I sorry to say i’m not going to go into detail on the mechanical stuff, as I have never claimed to be mechanical in any way. Best to ask your friendly salesman as they will talk to you as if they know what they are talking about where as i won’t.
So onto the interior. Although you could claim that the interior does resemble the current Actros range, it is all new. I did hear that the trucks are using components and parts from the MB car range. There will be 7 new cabs in the range of which 5, yes 5, will have a completely flat floor, pretty impressive. Now as an ex Actros Megaspace owner, I can vouch for the comfort and space in the big cabs. The storage space was never more apparant than when the day came to empty the cab, it took me 2 car loads to clear all my gubbins out.

The seven cabs for the new Actros in detail are:
- The long ClassicSpace cab with a standard roof. 2.3 m wide, engine tunnel 170 mm. Headroom on the engine tunnel 1.46 m, in front of the co-driver’s seat 1.59 m.
- The long ClassicSpace cab with a standard roof. 2.3 m wide with a flat floor. Headroom on the engine tunnel 1.64 m.
- The long StreamSpace cab. 2.3 m wide, engine tunnel 170 mm. Headroom on the engine tunnel 1.79 m, in front of the co-driver’s seat 1.84 m.
- The long StreamSpace cab. 2.3 m wide with a flat floor. Headroom 1.97 m.
- The long StreamSpace cab. 2.5 m wide with a flat floor. Headroom throughout 1.97 m.
- The long BigSpace cab. 2.5 m wide with a flat floor. Headroom throughout 1.99 m.
- The long GigaSpace cab. 2.5 m wide with a flat floor. Headroom 2.13 m.

As i predicted on the blog a while ago there is going to be a GigaSpace cab, with a mind boggling volume of 11.6 cubic metres, a flat floor, 2.13 metres of headroom and more than 900 litres of stowage space. All that means to me and you is you will have more than enough room to swing the proverbial German cat! Mercedes say;

“At the heart of the interior is a concept which visually separates the easy-to-use cockpit from the comfortable living area using colour and geometric form. The functional area of the cockpit is finished in practical anthracite whilst the rear, ceiling and area around the co driver’s seat are appointed in a light almond beige colour.”

Along with all the other things you would imagine a new truck to have, including a top of the range, Mercedes Benz developed seat that is wider than the standard and incorporates a massage function……ooo-eerr!! In terms of height, the only thing that limits the new Actros is legislation: the previous MegaSpace cab is replaced by the spectacular GigaSpace cab, which opens up a new dimension in space. It is all but four metres high and, when it comes to spaciousness, trumps its predecessor by some 920 litres – almost a whole cubic metre. This extra space is reflected in a headroom of 2.13 metres throughout and a noticeably larger stowage capacity. The total volume of 11.6 cubic metres is a record for a European truck cab.

Just keep your grubby mits off those beige areas. Lovely as they are, i’m still not convinced they are a good idea in a working truck. As an owner driver i would and Mrs Truckblog would make sure it was kept clean. Saying that, all the area’s you are likely to be touching and standing in,all look to be black / grey coloured. Just not sure how the fleet trucks will fair after a few years on the road. But i have to say it does make for a lovely living area. You would struggle to haul yourself out of such a cab to go into oour crappy motorway services. Now here’s an idea, perhaps if your lucky enough to get one of these new cabs, you should park up and charge other drivers to come and enjoy your lovely new cab!! or better still perhaps Mercedes should take the new trucks to the plonkers who run our Motorway Services Area’s to show them what our drivers need to relax.
One new option you can spec is the “SoloStar Concept”. This gives a sort of corner sofa in the passenger side set back against the rear wall. Also as you can see below, there is what looks like a fold up/out table for you to sit and try to read up on the ever complicating drivers hours rules or some such!

Finally i’ll leave you with a cracking photo of this new truck. I hope that this wont be the last you here about it on the blog, as i’m hoping to have some more feedbck from Mercedes Benz them selves and you never know i may even get a test drive, well thats what i hope!! Good truck, sorry GREAT Truck, my predication and a fairly obvious one, this will be a clear winner in the Truck of the Year competition next time around.

East Coast Truckers Charity Convoy Under Threat

Posted on July 11, 2011 by admin

Now, if you live any where in East Anglia then you are probably more than aware of the East Coast Truckers Convoy. If you don’t know what the convoy is all about, here it is; This convoy is all in aid of charity and has been going since 1986. In its 25 year life the convoy has traveled 1700 miles, contained 2200 trucks, carried 2300 children, been seen by 1,875,000 people and now the Convoy is likely to be axed due to red tape. Around 80 trucks take children with special needs to Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park and Great Yarmouth for the day. Thousands of people line the route from County Hall Norwich to the seafront at Gt. Yarmouth via Pleasurewood Hills. It makes the children’s day to see everyone waving them on from any vantage point en route. The ECTC needs your support;

Click HERE to go to the online petition page and add your name.

Now to get the details right i am going to copy and paste the words from the East Coast Truckers Chairman, Rob Billman;

“On the 16th of May I attended a meeting with NCC, Norfolk police and the highways agency. Nothing unusual. A meeting that I would attend every year before the Convoy. It was at this time that I was told that Norfolk police could not supply an escort group for the convoy anymore. But they were willing to work out an alternative solution. They’re solution was for an 85 truck convoy to depart onto the roads of Norfolk with no escort meaning that the convoy would have to obey the highway code. This would cause chaos. This would also create risk of other road users getting caught up within the convoy creating a risk to the safety of the trucks and the precious cargo they would be carrying. To add to this, this would have the potential of extending the journey times excessively, thus causing undue stress on the children. I said that I would not allow this to happen.

So the bottom line was that I said, no police, no convoy. I have a duty of care to all those involved in this event, I saw no other option. Various other issues were brought up within this meeting regarding health and safety, the fact that the convoy stands with a 25 year accident free record apparently doesn’t count for much. Many phone calls were made between myself and Norfolk police over the next week. On the Saturday evening, I called a meeting of the Charities Trustees and guests. This meeting was to discuss my decisions and the way forward. A final plan was formed for one last attempt at trying to get this years convoy a police escort group. We had to finalise a plan, the media were already on the case and I was due in at Radio Norfolk on the Monday morning.

At 3pm on Sunday the 22nd a final agreement was made between myself and Assistant Chief Constable Wilkins. We finally had a convoy for this year. The limitations are as follows;
Each truck will only carry :1 driver, 1 child, 1 carer. No exceptions.
A maximum speed limit of 30mph
A fair result I think.

Rob.”

So there you go, now you may be thinking this all sounds like fun, but what is it like actually out there on the road with the convoy, well here is a video, not only does it look very well organised, but you have to admit it is an impressive sight too;

Right, what the ECTC needs you to do is, add your name to the online petition to keep the convoy going. To read more click HERE to go to the petition’s website. Why should such a successful event that raises thousands and thousands of Pounds for charity also become a victim of our great Country’s endless side show of red tape, ruining good things for good people?? This convoy just cant end, this year it is safe, but without your signatures of support there is a real danger that the 2012 convoy won’t take place, so please register your support.
Click HERE to go to the online petition page and add your name.

MAN Consistently Efficiently Tour Rolls on

Posted on June 13, 2011 by admin

As i wrote before MAN are currently running a huge European tour trying to prove that using the right equipment hauliers can save precious fuel and costs. The opening paragraph on the Consistently Efficient tour website states; “MAN Truck & Bus starts the “Consistently Efficient” Tour 2011 running from May 16 to June 17 through 20 major European cities in ten countries. MAN’s objectives are to provide comprehensive information on the subject of transport efficiency to customers and interested parties and to demonstrate how companies can effectively reduce the cost of operating their fleets of commercial vehicles while at the same time making a contribution to environmental protection. The tour blog shows transparently that up to 3 litres diesel per 100 km can be saved by trucks that are particularly efficiently equipped.”

The tour has so far been all over Europe, starting from Munich on the 16th May, to Prague, Breslau, Vienna, Eugendorf, Misano, Nuremberg, Leipzig, Hirschberg, Eindhoven, Frechen, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Lille, Vitoria, Estoril, Madrid so far into Valencia tomorrow (Tuesday 14th June), the finally onto Barcelona, Beziers and then back to Munich. You can follow the remaining days of the tour here at the tour blog. Don’t worry i have given my 2 pennies worth about not coming to the UK.

Here you can see 2 of the 3 artics on the tour, parked in Prague. All 3 trucks are supposed to weigh in at 38,500 kg, but i would like to know where the weight comes from. The trailers all have clear sides and are loaded with slogan’s from the tour. I’m guessing the letters/wording are all different weights??

Much more importantly sifting throught the pictures from the tour, that can be seen here on Flickr, this little yellow TGL is obviously taking part on the tour but i think for slightly different reasons. You can see it in the background from the different stops on the tour, but is liveried in “ProfiDrive – Safety & Economy Training”, i feel i need to find out more, i will go back to my excellent German source and see what she, yes she, can tell me.

MAN “Consistently Efficient” Tour 2011

Posted on May 17, 2011 by admin

The what i hear you say. The MAN “Consistently Efficient” Tour 2011 that’s what it says. I know i can read, i hear you say, but what does it involve?? Well the idea is that MAN are sending 3 trucks around Europe on a 10,000km trip to demonstrate how much fuel and CO2 can be saved in goods transport by road, using today’s technology. They are claiming with the right technology you can save 3 litres of fuel per 100km travelled. 3 MAN TGX artics set off from Munich yesterday on their 4 week tour of 20 European cities (although it looks to me like they aren’t coming to the UK!). There is a blog to follow the progress if you so wish, click here.

Nice yellow TGL in the corner of that picture by the way. Now because I’m not a literary genius, i don’t really know how else to say what the press release says, so i will paste in here the main info i think you’ll be interested in;

“On the Tour, two MAN TGX EfficientLine vehicles will be out to show that up to three litres of fuel per hundred kilometres can be saved in long-haul transport. The TGX EfficientLine, which was presented at the IAA in September 2010, is a truck designed for the highest level of fuel efficiency. And because the driver has a great deal of influence on the truck’s fuel consumption, an Economy training course at MAN ProfiDrive is included in the standard scope of delivery of the MAN TGX EfficientLine. In addition, the drive and suspension components, trailer, tyres, fuel and lubricants all influence the efficiency of the commercial vehicle. For this reason, MAN’s partners Castrol, Kögel, Michelin and ZF are also participating in the MAN “Consistently Efficient” Tour 2011.
The three MAN TGX trucks are carrying a very special cargo: the Tour’s messages – “Consistently Efficient”, “Save Fuel” and “Less CO2″ in the form of lettering over two metres high. A transparent tarpaulin enables an unrestricted view of the striking lettering.
In order to ascertain and verify the consumption values precisely, the three trucks have already travelled the identical route, fully laden and under completely realistic conditions. This measurement run was overseen by TÜV Süd (Technical Control Board), while the MAN TeleMatics® system provided a clear overview of the vehicle data. Fuel consumption was permanently monitored by means of fuel consumption gauges and verified when the tanks were refilled.”

It seems the city list is as follows, with dates. If your out on the continent you can pop along!
Tourplan
16.05.11 Munich
17.05.11 Prague
18.05.11 Breslau
19.05.11 Vienna
20.05.11 Eugendorf
22.05.11 Misano
24.05.11 Nuremberg
25.05.11 Leipzig
26.05.11 Hirschberg
27.05.11 Eindhoven
28.05.11 Frechen
31.05.11 Copenhagen
01.06.11 Hamburg
06.06.11 Lille
08.06.11 Vitoria
09.06.11 Estoril
10.06.11 Madrid
14.06.11 Valencia
15.06.11 Barcelona
16.06.11 Beziers

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