The low-down on BMC
The demise of Seddon Atkinson has acted like a springboard for BMC sales, according to newly-appointed municipal sales manager Kevin Crowder. Talking to Motor Transport at this year's Chartered Institute of Waste Management Show (CIWM), the ex-Iveco employee explains that BMC has already signed-up 22 Seddon Atkinson dealers, and is optimistic that it will have between 30 and 35 on board by the end of the year.
"In its last full year of production Seddon accounted for 177 sales in this sector," he says, "and this is our eventual target. We have already sold 79 this year." He explains that Seddon Atkinson dealers are the perfect fit for the BMC product, not only because both marques are strong in the same sectors (refuse and construction), but because of the commonality in parts. "It is the same basic driveline," he says. "So we have a fully tooled and fully trained network from day one. And the dealers already have 60% of the parts on the shelves."
BMC's move into the refuse sector has been welcomed by RCV market-leader Dennis Eagle. MD Norman Thoday says: "Another manufacturer beating the low-entry drum is a good thing for the industry as a whole. When Mercedes-Benz entered the market with Econic it raised awareness of low-entry cabs. Dennis Eagle sales increased, and we expect the same to happen now."
VAT-free Combos sell well
Vauxhall says its Combo crew van is selling well, now that the "VAT situation has been clarified". Last year Vauxhall went to court to prove to Customs and Excise that the vehicle should be classed as a van rather than as a car - and should therefore be VAT-redeemable. "We weren't trying to con anyone," says van product manager Phil Harwood. "Under no circumstances are these vans bought by families, and the judge agreed with us. "Since then sales have really picked up."
Ford tippers to get ESP as standard
Ford will launch ESP as standard on Transit tippers and dropsides in September when it introduces the latest version of the Bosch safety system. The current technology is not available on vans with twin rear wheels.
Johnston sweep-up a big order
Johnston Sweepers announced a £2.5m order at the show, which will see it supply Go Plant with 35 truck-mounted sweepers. All but one of the bodies is a 650 model (the other being a 550), and the majority are to be mounted on Daf LF chassis. Among the four vehicles on its stand this year were the new C200 compact and C400 midsized sweepers, the latter coming with a Euro 5 power pack.
Scania Low Entry enters fleets
Scania found buyers for 40 of its low-entry trucks in the first year of production. Fleet customers include Coopers Hire, which has so far taken ten of them, Redditch Council and Biffa. Specialist vehicles sales manager Rob Boughton says Scania's modular system of building trucks means that the low-entry model uses mainly standard components. He says this proves advantageous to operators in the sense that it can be serviced and maintained at regular locations. He confirms that Scania will eventually look at other outlets for the truck, including the urban distribution market.
Isuzu grows in refuse collection
Isuzu had a large display of vehicles in customers' liveries, including a Farid-bodied household food waste collection truck. It is one of three similar vehicles about to be used in a defra-funded trial with Waste and Recycling Action Programme (WRAP). Waste food will be collected from households in three Surrey towns, then broken down to a resin before going into landfill - preventing the formation of methane. The truck has a water-tight semi-compactor body, which tips to 90 degrees.
Hippo Waste is also taking three Isuzu NQRs, the first 7.5-tonners on its fleet. The company provides an alternative to the conventional skip, leaving one-tonne bags for residents to fill with waste instead. It features a Solent Body Builder's tipper and Hiab crane with a 5.1m reach. Both trucks have automatic transmissions, as do 99% of the trucks Isuzu sells into the refuse industry.
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