News

Nissan and Volvo are joining forces in the UK to boost sales of Nissan's light CV range and to offer a range of panel vans and chassis-cabs in the 3.5-tonne class. Right-hand-drive Atleon 7.5-tonners are expected before the end of 2008 they will also be made available through the network. Nissan CV boss Mark Lovett, a recent recruit from Renault UK, briefed CM on the group's strategy at the CV Show, explaining that CVs are one of Nissan's key growth areas.

Scottish Water chose the CV Show in Birmingham to confirm its purchase of 73 MAN trucks. The order includes TGL, TGM and TGA light and middleweight rigid chassis for tipper and tanker applications. Dennis Patison, Scottish Water's technical team leader, says: "Lead time was a priority for us, but the real requirement was for EGR. "AdBlue is an issue our drivers could do without and, for a water company, handling AdBlue could involve unnecessary risks," he points out. The water company completed a trial with various manufacturers before selecting MAN.

INNOVATIVE operator HNT has reduced its fuel bills by downsizing to a pair of new-generation Mercedes-Benz 5.0-tonne Sprinter 515CDI chassis-cabs. The Sprinters, which feature curtain-sided bodies by TGS, are 30% more fuel-efficient than the firm's previous 7.5-tonners. HNT MD Chris Potter says: "The idea is to achieve better fuel economy and so increase margins."

European Union (EU) ministers have been asked to include new EU member states Bulgaria and Romania in a convention that would prevent their truck drivers working anywhere in the EU if they were banned while working outside their home countries. The EU's 1998 Convention on Driving Disqualifications is designed to ensure that drivers from all member states lose their licences if they break enough motoring laws within a foreign EU country.

Naylors Garage of Leeds has taken delivery of the first Iveco Daily City Artic 65C18. It is equipped with Iveco's 3.0-litre HPT engine which delivers 176hp with 400Nm of torque on tap at 1,250-3,000rpm. The vehicle will be used with a bespoke trailer from Triffitt Trailers to recover broken-down cars, motorhomes and vans. All Daily City Artics sold in the UK are converted by Iveco's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) centre, North East Truck & Van's engineering division.

Seatruck Ferries has named former DFDS A/S CEO Ole Frie as chairman. Kevin Hobbs CEO of Seatruck says: "We are discussing a number of projects [with Ole] and we will be working closely with him as Seatruck moves forward over the coming months."

Rental giant Hill Hire says the lack of Vosa staff available to man its designated premises is threatening its business. Hill Hire has invested £350,000 per site on seven designated premises built to Vosa test station standard, as this was considered the most efficient way of servicing the 22,000 vehicles and trailers that must be tested each year.

A lorry driver has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving on the M20 in Kent. The man was arrested on 21 December 2006, following the death of two women after a collision between two trucks, a car and a horsebox.

PODs has staked its claim as the UK's first and, to date, only 'green' courier. Following a £2m investment in alternative energy, the company will use a fleet of delivery vans running on either electricity, LPG or a mix of low-sulphur biodiesel.

Tesco distribution drivers at Livingston near Edinburgh have voted to take strike action over a dispute with Tesco, which plans to change their terms and conditions when it moves to a new distribution depot 500 yards down the road. The Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) confirmed that 126 of the 143 drivers voted in favour of industrial action, though no date has yet been set for the strike.