With an output of 45,300 semi-trailers and rigid bodies in 2013/14, Schmitz Cargobull is one of the big players. Steve Banner looks at its changing trailer technologies
Trailers
Workshop equipment – including pits, lifting equipment, and the fixtures and tools required to make lanes and technicians more efficient – continue to improve. Toby Clark reports
Lifting Equipment
The dividing line between assembly and bespoke manufacturing can get blurred, particularly with truck production. Ian Norwell reports from Lancashire's famous Leyland DAF plant
Truck Aerodynamics
With eight of Fuso's 7.5-tonne Canter E-Cell now being trialled in Portugal, is the writing on the wall for electric trucks? Oliver Dixon reports
Electric Vehicles
Most of us have a love-hate relationship with deadlines: meeting them can be stressful, even costly, but beating them brings that sense of achievement. So it might be with Driver CPC (certificate of professional competence): with the vast majority of drivers qualified by the 10 September due date, we can relax. Ditto, perhaps, Euro 6: manufacturers met compliance targets and operators are running the trucks. So, again, job done.
Driver / People Management
In the face of pressurised budgets, local authorities need to make municipal vehicle fleets more efficient and cheaper to run, while meeting increasingly stringent environmental and safety standards. Toby Clark looks at technological developments
Telematics
Keeping buses and coaches roadworthy and costs under control is about attention to detail, all the way from driver walk-around checks to service inspection frequencies. Steve Banner reports
Road Legal
The latest products and services for the coach and bus market are set to hit the NEC, Birmingham, as Euro Bus Expo 14 opens its doors. John Challen picks out some highlights
Tyres & Retreads
Getting trailer specifications right is all about focusing on the operation and building on experience. But optimising them for efficiency and lifecycle costs requires a fresh look at available technology, suggests Brian Tinham
Braking SystemsTony Martyn has been appointed as engineering director for Wrightbus. He will reporting to group engineering director Brian Maybin. Martyn comes from Alexander Dennis, where he was group head of new product development. He also has more than 20 years of specialist commercial vehicle chassis and body design and manufacturing experience, gained in on and off highway sectors.
People
Iveco is showcasing a concept commercial vehicle at IAA Hanover (25 September to 2 October 2014) called Iveco Vision, designed for door to door delivery operations.
Green Vehicles
Solid fuel supplier CPL Distribution has extended its 90-strong fleet with a specially designed Isuzu Forward 4x2 rigid, with a split dropside body for kerbside deliveries of bagged coal.
Drop Side