Despite fluctuating growth rates throughout 2015, the UK continued its recovery post 2008, and there are now reasons to be cheerful in the year ahead. John Challen taps into RHA and FTA data and expertise, and highlights where operators might expect to spend more and less in 2016
Driver CPC
The latest round of funding for the Clean Bus Technology Fund has will see 18 local authorities across England retrofitting 439 buses with SCR (selective catalytic reduction) exhaust after-treatment technology.
Emissions Control
Four UK supermarkets have today (4 January 2016) cut the price of diesel at forecourt pumps to under £1.00 a litre – the first time we have seen such figures since 2009.
Fuel Pricing
Eddie Stobart has taken delivery of 25 MAN TGX 26.440 6x2 tractor units plated at 44 tonnes – and named one of them Josie-Mae, after MAN managing director Simon Elliott’s eight-year-old daughter.
Tractor Units
Haulage business Prestons of Potto has completed the restoration of a 1927 Karrier truck, which is now back on the road after an incredible 34-year project.
Lubricants & Systems
MCL Logistics has extended its 110-strong fleet with two new Volvo FH-500 X-Low Height 4x2 tractors.
Tractor Units
Members of the Transport Exchange online freight trading system with Teletrac Navman telematics on their trucks have reduced empty running from the industry average 30% to less than 10% by using the system to advertise available capacity.
Telematics
Transport Engineer’s newsroom is now closed for the Christmas period.
People
Construction contractor FM Conway has taken delivery of two Mercedes-Benz tipper grabs based on the low-entry Econic chassis, which offers major safety advantages compared to conventional trucks.
Tippers
Transport and distribution business Moran Logistics has taken delivery of 50 new MAN TGX tractors and says it will be adding a further 80 to its fleet in 2016.
Tractor Units
The AA has placed an order with Ford for more than 550 Transit Custom and Courier vans, taking its total order for the Transit Custom to almost 850 in the two years since the vehicle was launched.
Light Commercial Vehicles