News. March 2008.

Mercedes-Benz is to make its ECO-Start anti-idling device standard across its 7.5-tonne truck range in the near future. The fuel-saving product, which was formerly known as Motor Stop Start (MSS), automatically switches off the truck's engine whenever it is on stop. It has been available on manual transmission Ategos for a couple of years now, but take-up has been minimal.

Mercedes-Benz truck sales engineering manager Nick Blake explains that ECO-Start's poor take-up has been "frustrating". He adds: "We have decided to take matters into our own hands. The best way to get the product into the marketplace is to make it free." Blake explains that it is difficult to estimate the exact fuel economy benefits operators will get from the system, as it depends on the type of use. Clearly, trucks that operate in congested city streets will achieve significantly better results than those used for trunking.

When MT tested an MSS-equipped Sprinter van in the London morning rush-hour in 2006, it achieved an improvement of 10%. Other independent tests revealed even greater savings. "Even if there's only a 5% reduction in fuel consumption, it's going to be wel-comed by our customers," says Blake.

ECO-Start will be officially relaunched in the Sprinter van at this year's CV Show. Although initially only available with manual gearbox vans, an automatic version is in development. This will open up the option to the numerous supermarkets that have adopted the Sprinter as their home-delivery vehicle of choice. Will Shiers, Motor Transport

Mercedes-Benz will be having a sales push on its Vito van this year, and is keen to close the gap between it and the Volkswagen Transporter. Although 2007 was a record-breaking year for both Sprinter and Vito, the latter's registrations trail behind those of its major competitor.

Last year about 8,000 Vitos were registered in the UK, giving it a 10.7% share of the UK's medium-van market. In contrast, the Transporter commanded 21.7%. "But we aren't going to buy market share," says Steve Bridge, director of van sales and marketing. "I am looking for growth, but it has to be profitable growth." He is anticipating sales of 9,000 Vitos this year, rising to 10,000 per annum over the next few years. Will Shiers, Motor Transport

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is urging the European Commission (EC) to include LGV-specific offences in its proposal to facilitate the prosecution of drivers flouting the law outside their member state. The call comes after the European Union's transport chief unveiled plans to reduce the number of foreign drivers evading prosecution. The proposal will see technical measures and legal instruments put in place to identify and prosecute EU drivers for offences committed in member states other than that in which their vehicle is registered.

However, the offences that the proposed Directive covers are not specific to LGVs, such as speeding, drink-driving, not wearing a seat-belt and failing to stop at a red light. The EC says it wants to see a system introduced within the EU which will make it easier to deal with these offences across national borders because they are frequently the cause of accidents. But FTA policy and communications managing director James Hookham says "a lack of political boldness and imagination" is preventing foreign LGV drivers that break the law being prosecuted.

Hookham says: "The EC's proposals need to be extended to the operators of visiting heavy goods vehicles and cover such matters as vehicle condition and drivers' hours rules. "When unsafe foreign vehicles and drivers are stopped there is no easy way to trace the operator or employer and deal with the causes rather than the symptoms." Hookham says this could be achieved through supplying in advance the details of the ownership and origin of all foreign-registered trucks entering the UK this could be paid for through a vignette charge on each vehicle.

The FTA's head of road freight policy, Joan Williams, adds: "The only way you are going to enforce properly and have fair competition is to share information. At the moment the sharing of information is patchy. This is a beginning of a process [but] it aligns with the principle we have been asking for: the exchange of information." Chris Tindall, Commercial Motor

According to ACEA (The European Car Manufacturers Association) registrations of utility vehicles in the Europe of 27 were up in February 2008 compared to the same month last year, the increase being 9.8%. In the over 3.5 tonnes sector, the increase was as high as 20.7%, with 34,934 vehicles registered. In the over 16 tonnes sector it was 19.4%, 25,634 units. For vans of up to 3.5 tonnes the growth was 7.6%, to 166,601 units. www.truckeurope.net

The number of trucks that Volvo delivered to customers in February was up nearly a quarter on the same month last year, according the manufacturer's latest figures. Worldwide, Volvo delivered 8,907 trucks, up 23% on February 2007, with almost all markets except North America showing sharp rises.

In Europe, 6,080 trucks were delivered, an increase of 38% on the year before, while in South America the increase was 66% (to 1,038) and in the Middle East 38% (561). The poor performance in North America, down 48% from 1,057 trucks in February 2007 to 554 in 2008, was partly attributed to a strike in Volvo's New River Valley plant in Virginia. However, the North American truck market has been under pressure since 2006. Volvo sold 37,000 trucks in North America in 2006 but this fell by more than 50% to 16,000 in 2007.

The latest Volvo statistics also underline how much better heavier trucks (more than 16 tonnes) have been doing than those under 16 tonnes. In the year to date, deliveries in the heavier category are up 21% worldwide, to 17,356, while lighter trucks are down a quarter from 697 in 2007 to 522 this year. David Harris, Commercial Motor

Renault Trucks has increased production at its Blainville-sur-Orne, France plant to satisfy Eastern Europe's insatiable appetite for new trucks. Already this year production has grown from an average of 225 to 276 trucks per day, and Renault says a recent investment of €57m at the site means these figures will continue to rise. Will Shiers, Motor Transport

Mercedes-Benz is to launch a 3.2-tonne GVW Vito in September. It will be a definitive model on the manufacturer's price list, and will be based on the long-wheelbase 111 CDI version of the Vito. Steve Bridge, director of van sales and marketing at M-B, says the 3.2-tonne Vito will help M-B meet the demands of those customers that struggle to stay within the weight limits of existing vehicles, such as the AA and the RAC.

"We aim to profitably grow Vito sales volumes to 10,000 plus within the next few years." However, he goes on to say, there is no fixed time scale to achieve this goal, and it may well be affected by the limit on the number of vans the company is able to produce. Mercedes will also launch a 4x4 version of the Sprinter in June, and will begin testing an NGT (natural gas technology) Sprinter later this year. Roanna Avison, Commercial Motor

The European Commission has approved a reduction in taxes of 384 million Euros granted by the Italian public authorities to stimulate the production and use of bio-diesel by 2010. These are transitional measures which also introduce an obligation where bio-diesel supply is concerned: all suppliers of petrol and diesel on the Italian market will be obliged to make available a minimum quantity of bio-fuels. From January 1st 2008, the proportion of bio-fuels must represent 2% of the total volume of deliveries of the previous year. www.truckeurope.net

The European Commission has adopted a directive proposition aiming to facilitate the cross-border pursuit of road infringements which endanger safety. The proposed directive will cover four types of infringement: speeding, drink-driving, not wearing seat-belts and jumping red lights. These four infringements are the principal causes of accidents and deaths. www.truckeurope.net

Dutch group Raben has opened a new distribution centre in the Polish city of Robakowo close to Poznan. This centre extends to 26,000 m², has 38 loading bays and is able to accommodate 36,000 pallets. A large part of the space will be reserved for products from the German company Beiersdorf for whom Nivea Polska became one of its principal logistics centres last July. The new distribution centre will enable the group to cope with an increase in the number of its export markets. www.raben-group.com

The German trailer maker says it is now the second largest importer in many European markets and plays a leading role in Russia. Sales director Andreas Berndmeyer says the recent deal with Finnish bodybuilder Ekeri has given better access to Scandinavian markets and expects 'significant growth' in the next few years as a result. The deal complements its Danish operation, started in 2006. Elsewhere, Kögel is setting up a new factory near Stettin in north Poland. This will have a 5,000 unit capacity while investment in its main factory in Burtenbach, will hike production there by a further 25%. Andreas Lubitz, www.koegel.com

The Sellafield nuclear power station just got its first Citroën Relay Ready to Run Luton van, specified to work as an on-site laundry van. It has a full, hygienically washable interior and DEL 500kg tail lift with auto-erect safety gates. Buckstone Motor Bodies, which did the bodywork says that the advantage of its Citroën Ready to Run Luton vans is that they can be tailored for specialist use yet keep all the benefits of the standard product, such as the full warranty terms. Peter Dugdale, www.buckstonebody.co.uk

On its stand 6-320 at the CV Show next month, Krone says it will feature it Cool Liner Duoplex GFK. The firm says this gives the best combination of insulation control and bodywork stability for temperature controlled transport. Krone will also show its solid, reliable, and meticulously designed standard curtainsider Profi Liner, with integral load securing equipment. The firm says it is Europe's second biggest trailer maker, with a wide range of flatbed and box semi-trailers, skeletals, swap systems and bodywork.

Sam Jennings, www.krone-trailers.co.uk

Kögel Fahrzeugwerke GmbH, the German trailer maker says its turnover is up by 67% after its most successful financial year. Trailer production grew from 12,000 units in 2006 to 20,000 units in 2007, with turnover hitting a record €462m, up from €280m the year before. The firm also created 450 more jobs, taking its headcount to an average of 1352 people working in its factories in Burtenbach, Bavaria and Chocen in the Czech Republic. "2007 has far exceeded our expectations," said Alexander Tietje, chairman of the Kögel board of management. Despite a near 70% production hike, the firm 'could scarcely meet' the demand for its products. "This year we shall increase our production by around 60% to 32,000 units." By 2012, Kögel says it will produce 60,000 vehicles a year.

Andreas Lubitz, www.koegel.com

Nissan says it will have a range of vans, pickups and bodied vehicles on its stand at the CV Show. These will include three converted Cabstars, a refrigerated and Crew Van Interstar, a Primastar and a Navara from the firm's recently-launched Good-To-Go range. The firm says it will also re-introduce its 'workhorse' pickup model, re-named NP300 at the event. The vehicle has a 1.1 tonne payload and some models can tow a three tonne un-braked trailer. It comes with a choice of single, king or double cab and with either 4x2 or 4x4 driveline. The single cab version three people, has a 2.2m load bed. The double cab model seats five.

Gloria Maydew, www.nissan.co.uk

With less than a month to go, this year's CV Show, from 15-17 April at Birmingham's NEC is already set to be the biggest and best yet, according to the visitor pre-registration figures from show organiser, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. "We've well over 13,000 people registered online at www.cvshow.com," said Tony Young, CV Show manager. "That's well up on the comparative figure for last year and we're confident that by the time the doors close on Thursday 17 April, we'll have seen that number more than double." The Show's sales and marketing consultancy, Crystal Communications says it sold the last available area of exhibition space last week and it now has a waiting list of 'hopefuls'. Outside exhibition space is full, too, with over 40 trucks on show. Robin Dickeson, www.smmt.co.uk

Renault Trucks has given its Kerax tipper a power boost, by giving buyers the option of its DXi 13-litre engine. The new truck, which received its world premier at the Samoter construction show in Verona, Italy, last week, is offered in 460hp (2,300Nm) or 500hp (2,450Nm) guise. Although both are available for order in right-hand drive, neither vehicle will make an appearance on Renault's CV Show stand. Will Shiers, Motor Transport

A windscreen-mounted digital camera with the potential to slash operators' insurance premiums by preventing fraudulent claims against them, has been launched by Vision-Techniques. The X-Driven, which is plugged into a truck's ciga-rette lighter, records a view of the road ahead and instantly downloads the footage onto its integral SD memory card.

It remains in the memory for between eight and 33 hours (depending on the recording quality setting chosen) before being overridden. The £250 device has G-shock sensors, which detect any sudden or sharp movements - such as heavy braking, swerving or a collision. Such manoeuvres automatically trigger the 'save' function, which permanently stores the footage from 30 seconds prior to, and 30 seconds following the event.

This allows you to see both the build-up and the aftermath, both of which could be invaluable in the case of an insurance claim. Similarly, the driver can manually save footage if he chooses.

X-Driven has a GPS facility, and interfaces with either Google Maps or Google Earth. This allows the viewer to see the vehicle's speed and location at the time of the incident. Vision-Techniques sales manager Andy Kendal says the device is already attracting a great deal of attention. Both Tarmac and Greggs are about to commence trials, and one police force is using it in its driver training vehicles.

"There's no reason why it couldn't be used to train truck drivers either," he says. But according to Kendal, one of the main benefits to fitting X-Driven is to improve your chances of winning insurance claims, and preventing fraudulent claims against you. He gives the all-too familiar example of a truck that hits the rear of a car. "Although there is clearly only one person in the car, five people claim whiplash injuries," he says. "Now you've got the physical evidence." Will Shiers, Motor Transport

Despite the ongoing slump in the US heavy truck market, Andreas Renschler, head of Daimler Trucks worldwide, insists: "Mercedes-Benz is steaming full-speed ahead - the three-pointed star is shining brighter than ever." Speaking in Stuttgart this week at the launch of the new Actros tractor, Renschler reported that Daimler-Benz's truck operation boosted its return on sales to 7.5% last year (up from 5.8% in 2006). This was in spite of the US heavy truck market, where it competes with Freightliner, Sterling and Western Star brands, falling by a whopping 41%.

Daimler's truck boss, however, is in bullish form, citing the fast-growing markets in Eastern Europe (up 20%) and Latin America (up 28%) as key contributors to the truck group's recent positive results and ongoing sales growth. Renschler believes that while Europe "is still the home turf of the three-pointed star, we're looking beyond to Eastern Europe for bigger growth". In particular, he says sales of heavy trucks in Poland have recently tripled.

Daimler's biggest target markets, however, are what Renschler calls the 'BRIC' countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China - where it intends to increase business either through its own products or via joint ventures with the likes of Hero in India and Foton in China. Reasserting Daimler's position as the world's number-one truck maker, Renschler also delivered a confident sidewipe at the recent takeover of Scania by VW, which could see closer ties between the Swedish truck maker and MAN. "We monitor mergers of other manufacturers with serenity," he says.

A truck that will satisfy operators and long-haul drivers alike is how Mercedes describes its new 'third-generation' Actros, which made its official debut this week. The latest model boasts modest exterior styling tweaks at the front as well as a revised interior trim and instrument panel. With the driver in mind, the new Actros also boasts a fore/aft self-levelling top bunk, quick seat-back releases to allow easier access to the under-bunk storage area, a new shaving mirror, towel holder, table and in-cab compressed air outlet.

Although the Actros's current V6 and V8 engines remain (the new HDEP straight-six engines won't appear much before 2010), all road-going models now get the PowerShift 2 auto box as standard along with a revised air-compressor and two-stage water pump to minimise power losses and ultimately reduce fuel consumption. Other improvements include a new steering box, the option of Xenon headlights (with a lens that can be replaced without changing the whole unit) and a modified A-post and rain deflector. For full details see next week's CM. Brian Weatherley, Commercial Motor

TNT Express is launching an international road link to the Ukraine. This service connects the TNT European express road network to the night-time Ukrainian network. The new route will link the principal economic centres of the Ukraine, such as Kharkov, Dnepopetrovsk and Odessa to Europe and to the rest of the world via Kiev and the TNT road hub at Warsaw in Poland. The Ukraine saw annual economic growth of 7.4% between 2000 and 2006. www.tnt.com

The 2008 version of map&guide was presented by PTV at the CeBIT show in Hanover, which took place from March 4th to 9th. This new version integrates Navteq data for transport along with new navigation functions. It aims to be easier to use and includes numerous parameters such as the height and width of roads for example, and all the technical data of the vehicle. The zoom function has been improved as well as address verification and geo-coding. www.ptv.eu

Making its first public appearance at last week's Samotor construction show in Verona was the new 13-litre version of the Renault's Kerax heavy-duty tipper chassis. The DXi13 offers 460hp/2,300Nm or 500hp/2,450Nm, with Euro-4 emissions by SCR. Colin Barnett, Commercial Motor

Ricö, a German international transport company employing 3,000 and operating a fleet of 2,500 vehicles, has been declared bankrupt. According to a statement from the company, it is experiencing financial difficulties. The company was unable to find any solution with the banks to its lack of liquidity. Many vehicles are apparently immobilised in Poland. Director Jens Preuss has resigned. Björn Gröschner, formerly head of quality control, is replacing him for the time being. All transport missions currently underway will be completed. www.truckeurope.net

Trailer equipment manufacturer Kögel Fahrzeugwerke has announced historic results. The company has seen strong growth, with production moving up from 12,000 units in 2006 to 20,000 in 2007. Turnover reached 462 million Euros, up from 280 million a year earlier. Staff numbers were also up, from 900 in 2006 to 1,352 in 2007. The reasons behind these exceptional results were a favourable world-wide market and the extension of the semi-trailer range to include up-market models, according to Kögel. www.koegel.com

The IRU 6th Conference on CIS road transport organised in partnership with the CIS Coordinating Transport Conference and Ingosstrakh, this year focused on challenges facing tourism and passenger transport industry in the CIS region, including the development of international tourism by coach and urban passenger transport policies. www.iru.org

The Financial Times report that in a complex deal, Porsche plans to increase its stake in Volkswagen and VW will increase its stake in Scania to a majority shareholding of 69%. The firm also holds a 29.9 % stake in MAN, which in turn has a 17% stake in Scania. The FT says 'the outcome to what VW wants at Scania and MAN is difficult to predict.' www.ft.com

A safety device that detects and alerts drivers of fatigue is in the final stages of development. The system, which has been developed by Volvo Trucks, monitors the way in which the driver operates the vehicle, emitting an audible warning if it detects a particular pattern of movement changes.

So far the truck maker has only conducted trials on its Gothenburg test track, but this is about to change now that permission has been granted by the Swedish government to take the research Click Here to the open road. Lars-Göran Löwenadler, safety director at Volvo Trucks, says:

"The system has reached a stage where all that remains to be done is a final check. The point is to provide a warning at the right moment, but not unnecessarily. In order for the tests to be as credible and as realistic as possible, we would like to drive on actual roads as there are simply no test tracks that are adequate enough."

But there are plenty of restrictions: the sleep-deprived driver will be behind the wheel of a dual-controlled truck, and the second driver will be poised to take over the driving the truck will only be permitted to drive on selected dual carriageways, and will be equipped with rotating warning lamps and followed by a car that will alert other motorists that the test is taking place. Driver fatigue is shown to be responsible for more than 20% of traffic accidents. Will Shiers, Motor Transport