Three SME companies have been awarded a share of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) £25 million fund, following the government’s competition for projects to help develop greener fuel technology and boost local industries.
Alternative Fuels
Construction industry haulage operator Ardula Group has acquired its first Scania truck – an R450 LA6x2/4MNA twin-steer tractor unit with the Highline cab – and ordered a further six, following Scania’s decision to invest in a new dealership in Maidstone.
Tippers
DAF Trucks is to demonstrate two vehicles at this week’s Cenex LCV 2015 exhibition and conference (Millbrook, 9 and 10 September) – its 12 tonne LF Future Truck Chassis Concept (FTCC) and a current-production CF Silent FTG CF440 6x2 tractor.
Rigids
DAF Trucks picked up three trophies at Ireland’s Fleet Transport Awards on 3 September, winning top spot for its CF Silent vehicle and technician of the year, while DAF operator Macroom Haulage won Irish haulier of the year.
Heavy Goods Vehicles
Spanish transport and logistics group Marcotran has signed a FleetFirst deal with Goodyear for the supply of new and retread tyres, as well as full tyre management across Europe.
Tyres & Retreads
Commercial vehicle rental business Truck Links is rolling out Verilocation’s vehicle tracking devices across its contract and spot hire fleet, to enable customers to access real-time driver and vehicle performance information.
Telematics
Federal-Mogul Powertrain has launched a high-strength diesel piston aluminium alloy claimed to allow shorter piston heights and more compact cylinder block designs, for reduced CO2 emissions.
Engines & Engine Parts
Online logistics platform Transport Exchange is now partnering with “10 of the leading telematics specialists” – enabling data from various vehicle tracking tools to be combined, and creating “the first system-neutral telematics integration platform”.
Telematics
Low-carbon commercial vehicle technology specialist Torotrak is urging bus and coach operators planning to buy hybrid vehicles to carefully research the engineering options before committing.
Alternative Fuels
Heavy-duty truck and plant tyre business Commercial Tyres Off Highway has taken delivery of a Mercedes-Benz Arocs, specially adapted to handle tyres and wheel assemblies weighing up to 2.5 tonnes.
Rigids
Haulage firm T Maxwell & Sons has marked its 40th anniversary with its first Euro 6 truck, a DAF XF 510 FTP Super Space Cab, which carries the firm’s original 1970s livery.
Rigids
Total commercial vehicle registrations accelerated in August, bringing the year-to-date figure to 255,849 – up by 19% on the same period last year.
Bus & Coach