Registrations of commercial vehicles rose strongly in November, up more than 22% month on month, and the market is on course to achieve its best result in five years, according to the SMMT.
Light Commercial Vehicles
Rental business Premier Truck Hire has made its first refrigerated vehicle acquisition, taking three temperature-controlled trucks, all based on 7.5-tonne DAF LF chassis with Gray & Adams insulated box bodies.
Temperature Controlled Vehicles
Asda Logistics Services has taken 50 dual-fuel Volvo FM methane-diesel tractor units for its new distribution centre at Asda Avonmouth, Bristol – the second largest single order for dual-fuel trucks.
Alternative Fuels
French haulier Souchon Services has added 44 MAN trucks to its fleet for long-haul transport and distribution.
Tractor Units
A new company has been launched to provide commercial fleet operators with combined tracking and camera technology to help protect against 'crash for cash' and other bogus accident claims – as well as to improve driver behaviour.
Telematics
ZF Transmission is celebrating a double milestone, passing the 750,000 production mark for its ZF-Ecomid manual CV transmissions worldwide, and reaching the half million at its plant in Boutheon, France, this month (December 2013).
Engine/Transmission Management
Plenty of bodybuilders argue that improving fuel returns is at least as much about the aerodynamics as it is about engine technology. Brian Tinham examines the claims
Aerodynamics
Dual fuel has more than merely caught the attention of the big boys. Brian Tinham talks to DHL and TNT about their major truck conversion programmes
Alternative Fuels
Despite the achievements of Euro 6, combustion engineering continues apace, with twin goals of improving efficiency and cutting CO2 emissions. John Kendall looks at the future for heavy-duty diesels
Engines & Engine Parts
Don't breathe a sigh of relief just yet. Last month, the Coalition stated its intention to provide £49m of funding to improve the development of engineering skills. Its announcement was timed to coincide with Tomorrow's Engineers Week – the campaign aimed at promoting careers in engineering to young people and women.
Apprenticeships
Following its range renewal in Lyon last June, Renault has now revealed its construction range. Ian Norwell went to a Barcelona granite quarry to check out the offerings for tipper and mixer operators
Tippers
A visit to Iveco's Madrid assembly plant enabled Brian Weatherley to quiz product director Martin Flach on what exactly operators can expect from the Italians' leaner, greener Euro 6 diesels
Rigids