NEWS INDUSTRY
NEWS IN BRIEF
U
K commercial vehicle
manufacturing fell by
more than two thirds
(-69.9 per cent) in May,
according to the latest figures
released by the Society of
Motor Manufacturers and
Traders (SMMT).
In total, 2110 vehicles left
production lines during the
month, with the substantial
decline largely reflecting key
model changeovers.
Production fell for both
home and overseas markets,
down -35.6 per cent and
-84.8 per cent respectively,
highlighting the sector’s
reliance on exports. This
second consecutive month of
heavy loss meant year-to-date
output decreased for the first
time since September, down
-6.3 per cent compared withthe first five months of 2018.
“While key model changes
and fluctuating fleet buying
cycles were behind the second
month of significant decline for
CV manufacturing, we
shouldn’t ignore the wider
challenges facing the
industry,” said SMMT chief
executive, Mike Hawes.
“The large decrease in
output for overseas markets
highlights the sector’s
reliance on international
trade, particularly with the
EU, where more than nineout of 10 exports are headed.
Future growth is pinned on a
Brexit deal that guarantees
free and frictionless trade.”6 TRUCKING August 2019 http://www.truckingmag.co.uk
New service centre
Scania dealer Keltruck has
inaugurated a new service centre
in Lutterworth. The purpose-built
premises is located on the
Magna Park industrial
development close to the M1, M
and M69 motorways, and will
provide CV operators of all
marques with a comprehensive
range of aftersales services.
“We have had a presence in
Lutterworth for many years and
this latest investment
demonstrates our long-term
commitment, both to operators in
the area and sustainability,” said
Russ Warner, aftersales director,
Keltruck. Keltruck Lutterworth is
based on a 17,500 m^2 site with a
four-bay workshop and secure
parking for 26 trucks. The facility
includes a tachograph bay, brake
roller testing equipment and a
wash bay. In addition to vehicle
maintenance, a full service for
trailers, including double-deck
trailers and tail-lifts, is offered.
Keltruck said the premises have
been constructed to a high
environmental standard,
including water-saving features
throughout, lighting which is
automatically controlled and dims
with ambient light, and
roof-mounted solar panels to
save on power consumption.Krone buys Knapen
Krone Commercial Vehicle Group
has signed the takeover of 100 per
cent of the shares of Dutch trailer
manufacturer Knapen Group.
Subject to approval by the
respective regulatory authorities,
Knapen Trailers, one of the
European market’s leading moving
floor trailer makers, will become part
of the Krone Group. In a statement,
Krone said Knapen will continue to
operate as an independent
company within the Krone
Commercial Vehicle Group.
Knapen’s management team will
also remain at the helm without
reshuffle. In addition, the jobs at
Deurne and the highly specialised
Knapen sales network will remain
unaffected by the move. In line with
this, all Knapen products will
continue to be sold exclusively
through Knapen and its team.Real-world tests show platooning
has “great potential”
Model revisions spark “substantial”
decline in CV manufacturing
O
perating electronically linked trucks on
German motorways is “safe, technically
reliable and easily applicable in the routine of
a logistics company”, according to the
results of the world’s first field test with truck
platoons in real logistics operations.
As part of a research project sponsored by the
Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure
(BMVI), professional drivers drove two electronically
linked vehicles on the Autobahn 9 between the
Nuremberg and Munich branches of logistics company
DB Schenker over the course of seven months.
Having covered 35,000 test kilometres, the drivers,
who drove at a distance of only 15-21 m, said they felt a
“general sense of safety”. The field test also
demonstrated savings in fuel consumption.
BMVI contributed funding of around €1.86 million to
the project, which partners DB Schenker, MAN Truck &
Bus and the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences.
According to the project partners, the use of truck
platoons could ensure more efficient use of space on
motorways, less congestion and increased road safety.
“The mobility of the future will be automated and
networked,” said Andreas Scheuer, federal minister for
transport and digital infrastructure. “Of course, this is
also true for logistics. I therefore fully support the
industry in bringing technologies such as platooning to
market maturity.”
According to DB Schenker’s research, platooning can
be used extensively in the logistics network. Alexander
Doll from Deutsche Bahn AG said: “We have analysed
our European transport network and it is safe to say
around 40 per cent of the kilometres travelled could be
carried out in platoons.” For this, however, further tests
and ensuring the regulatory framework are necessary.
Customers would also benefit. “With platooning we
can offer even more reliable transports,” Doll said.
The trials found the platooning system installed in the
MAN trucks operated smoothly 98 per cent of the time.
Active interventions by the driver were necessary onlyonce every 2000 km – much less than expected.
In addition, the pilot project achieved a 3-4 per cent
reduction in fuel consumption. “We were able to show
platooning has the potential to contribute to the
reduction of fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions,” said
MAN chairman, Joachim Drees. “First and foremost, we
are pleased the system works reliably and can increase
safety on the motorway. Accordingly, platooning is an
important step for us on the way to automation.”
Scientists from the Fresenius University of Applied
Sciences investigated the psychosocial and
neurophysiological effects on the drivers, and found the
actual field test brought about a “significant change” in
their previously sceptical attitude. Drivers said road users
cutting in from adjacent lanes or cutting across multiple
lanes was “disagreeable”, but not critical.
“Due to the fast response times of the system, drivers
would now prefer a distance of 10-15 m,” said Professor
Sabine Hammer.
German truck giant Mercedes-Benz pulled the plug
on its own platooning R&D in January this year, citing it
found only minimal fuel saving benefits.
Platooning trials are set to take place in the UK
during 2019.Recent trial found MAN’s platooning
system worked 98 per cent of the timeSource: SMMT