Owners of Mercedes-Benz and Setra buses/touring coaches will soon be able to produce numerous spare parts quickly and cheaply at their own premises. They will need a certified 3D printer, a one-off registration process, and a license for the required part in the desired quantity to create the bus/touring coach company's own 'mini parts factory'.
Vehicle Parts
Devon’s DA Commercials is already saving time and hopes also to cut its fuel bill after specifying its latest Mercedes-Benz multi-wheeler with a 523bhp engine. Supplied by dedicated Mercedes-Benz Trucks Dealer City West Commercials, the Arocs 3253 tipper makes the steep ascent to the top of Telegraph Hill at Haldon, near Exeter, five times a day.
Tippers
A new Pirelli-branded range of commercial vehicle tyres from Prometeon Tyre Group has begun final user testing.
Tyres & RetreadsDuring operation of the vehicle with high loads on the engine, combined with an exhaust leakage in the engine compartment, there is a risk that the parking brake air tube can be affected by heat exposure. Remedy: retrofit a protection sleeve on the parking brake tube. Number affected: 1,007. No manufacturer reference given. Vehicle IDs: YV2RT40A0LB310274 to YV2RTY0F4LA861123.
RecallsThe wiring harness of the alternator may have been swapped with the wiring harness of the electric steering in the assembly procedure of certain vehicles. Remedy: check the affected lines and if necessary connect the correspondent wiring harnesses. Number affected: 1. Manufacturer reference: SRV2201. Vehicle ID: W1V9076332P369587.
Recalls
Affected vehicles may have been equipped with headrests on the front modular seat which do not conform to the design. Remedy: check the conformity of the front headrests (presence of the catch); in cases of non-conformity the front headrests will be replaced. Number affected: 359 and 708, respectively. Manufacturer reference: JAS and KVC, respectively. Vehicle IDs: VF7******M7858840 to VF7******MZ118882, and VF3******M7858906 to VF3******MZ119910.
RecallsOn certain vehicles with an OM654 classic diesel engine, the crankshaft might not correspond with the required specification. As a precautionary measure, the engines will be replaced on the affected vehicles. Number affected: 3. Manufacturer reference: SRV2209. Vehicle IDs: W1V9071332N110072 to W1V9071332N110515.
RecallsThe Certificate of Conformity (COC) paper contains the incorrect information. Remedy: customers are requested to return the old COC paper and a new corrected COC paper will be issued. Number affected: 968. Manufacturer reference: W1088. Vehicle IDs: JAANLR87EK7100045 to JAANLR87HK7101179.
Recalls
Renault Trucks is moving rapidly towards offering a full range of battery-electric commercial vehicles under a new brand: E-Tech. Toby Clark visited its Blainville factory in Normandy to find out what the plans are, take a look at some of the latest vehicles and see how they are made
Electric Vehicles
From 21 May 2022, the law will update to bring more vans and car/trailer combinations into scope for requiring a goods vehicle operator licence when used internationally – including between Northern Ireland and Eire. Lucy Radley explains the O-licensing system for newcomers
Transport CPC
Fleet operators across Europe have ordered, and in some cases, started using, full-electric HGVs. Below is a round-up of recent news, to help try to understand what is involved in integrating full-electric vehicles into fleets
Electric Vehicles