Cars race to euro 5 with their first Volvo's 07 June 2007

One of the most unusual and highly specialised fleets in the UK has taken delivery of four new Euro 5 compliant Volvo FH-440 4x2 tractor units - part of a total order for six. CARS, the initials stand for Classic Automotive Relocation Services, store, transport and arrange shipping for some of the most valuable and collectable cars in the world. The new trucks’ Euro 5 compliance is achieved using Volvo’s SCR technology and, because of the predominance of Continental work, all feature left-hand drive. AdBlue is readily available for the fleet via a 1,000 litre IBC on CARS’ Suffolk site as well as through the Volvo Dealer Network across the UK and Europe. Specification is high and includes Globetrotter XL cabs, Office Pack and independent air-conditioning units that can be used without running the engine – vital for CARS drivers, who can be away from base for several weeks at a time, working in Continental summertime temperatures of more than 40º C. The trucks venture as far afield as Russia and all areas of Eastern Europe as they collect and deliver cars for clients. These are the company’s first Volvo’s and were supplied to the Suffolk-based operator by Volvo Truck and Bus Centre East Anglia. All the trucks are on the Volvo Financial Services Contract Hire programme for a five-year term with R&M carried out by the supplying Dealer’s Chedburgh depot. All the trucks feature Volvo’s Dynafleet telematic system, which is primarily used for security with its tracking function. The trailers are also tracked and the Dynafleet package features Geo-Fencing for precise location of the vehicles should they venture outside defined areas. Much of the company’s work involves transporting individual cars or even entire private collections to just about anywhere on the planet the customer requests – door to door. CARS also offer a full customs clearance and temporary vehicle registration service as well as storage in two large, high-security, bonded warehouses owned by the company. Handling and transporting such precious cargo is a delicate job and customer’s cars are carried in a fleet of custom-designed and built, double-deck, fully-enclosed Löhr trailers fitted with hydraulically operated sides and roof – plus a race-car spec tail-lift. It is believed there are only 10 such trailers in Europe. Continental height restrictions, especially for vehicles transiting the Frejus and Mont Blanc tunnels, mean that the trucks must comply with the 4.0 metre overall height rule. This is aided by the ultra-low coupling height of 950mm and by running on 295/60R tyres. The trucks are plated for 28 tonnes GCW operation. CARS Director Jay Bullock says that the company chose Volvo and Euro 5 for safety and environmental reasons and the fact that Volvo had Euro 5 compliant engines readily available to order. Presenting a high-quality company image is also vital to the operation, he says. “Not normal is our business! Our customers demand very high quality service and the image of our vehicles is very important.” “The Euro 5 Volvo’s are state-of-the-art and we have good personal service from the Dealer. If one of our customers asks us to collect a three million dollar car at a certain time, we have to be there. These trucks could be meeting an Antonov cargo plane at Stansted one day to unload the cars belonging to the competitors returning from the Beijing to Paris rally and delivering a unique, classic car to a collector in Barcelona for a film shoot the next. We need top class trucks with best in the business back-up. That’s why we chose Volvo.”

Volvo trucks contributes to safe traffic– vision zero 31 May 2007

Volvo Trucks have presented its contribution to increased traffic safety to Åsa Torstensson, Swedish Minister of Enterprise, Energy, and Communications and the national coalition for Vision Zero – a Swedish initiative that aims to reduce serious accidents on the road to zero by 2020. After many years of studying traffic accidents, Volvo Trucks places fatigue and alcohol at the top of the agenda as statistics clearly indicate that these factors contribute to a great number of traffic accidents. The Swedish national coalition for Vision Zero is headed by the Swedish government and the Swedish National Road Administration. The coalition includes some 40 companies and organisations who all contribute towards Vision Zero. At the meeting, Volvo Trucks presented its findings regarding fatigue and alcohol, and their impact on fatal traffic accidents. ”In addition to normal product development, Volvo Trucks is also very involved in general issues pertaining to traffic safety,” says Lennart Pilskog, Head of Public Affairs at Volvo Trucks. “We appreciate the opportunity of being able to take part in the national coalition for increased traffic safety. Together with other players and interested parties, we can reduce the number of fatalities in traffic.” Volvo Trucks has worked with alco-locks since 2002. The company advocates the increased voluntary use of alco-locks and in 2005 was the first vehicle manufacturer in the world to offer them as a factory-fitted option. Volvo Trucks also lists fatigue on the agenda as an important cause of traffic accidents. The research that Volvo has conducted shows that there are great similarities, but also differences, in how a tired driver and one who is under the influence of alcohol behave in traffic. Realistic tests have been conducted on Volvo’s test track and these tests are part of Volvo’s work to enhance systems that can be used to identify a tired driver.

Euro 5 SCR Axor lifts Trad to new heights 31 May 2007

East London-based scaffolding specialist Trad is gearing up for what it hopes will be an Olympic construction bonanza by moving to new, larger premises and investing in a fleet of clean, ‘green’ BlueTec® Mercedes Axor tractor units. Supplied by dealer Sparshatts of Kent, the 14 new trucks have 360hp SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) engines that meet super-tough Euro 5 EC emissions regulations which do not come into force until 2009. All are 4x2 Axor 1836 models with standard sleeper cabs, behind which are mounted Fassi 130A cranes capable of lifting one tonne at a distance of 10.5 metres. Their arrivals coincided with Trad’s impending move from its present four-acre home to a new, seven-acre site just four miles away, in Renwick Road, Barking. Group Managing Director Des Moore declares: “We now have a modern, environmentally-friendly delivery fleet and a purpose-built, much larger base right in the heart of the development area for the 2012 London Olympics. “So yes, of course, we’re very optimistic that we’ll be able to pick up valuable new contracts as a result of all the work that will soon be getting underway, right on our doorstep.” Founded in 1969 by Hayden Smith, Trad Scaffolding has since diversified into the Trad Group of construction-related companies. Trad Hire and Sales, its national hire and sales organisation, will shortly be taking delivery from Sparshatts of a 6x2 Axor 2529L with Euro 4 engine, Chelmer Truck Bodies platform body and Hiab crane, due to increased levels of business at its Stockport depot. The Axor tractors have replaced Trad Scaffolding’s previous, Swedish marque fleet. The operator originally sought quotes from five companies, before whittling them down to just two. “We plumped for the Axor because although they were by no means the cheapest, Sparshatts put together a very competitive deal using Mercedes-Benz finance,” reveals Transport Manager John Oates. “This, coupled with the uneclipsed reputation of the Mercedes badge for both reliability and quality, made it an obvious choice. “After sales back-up was a key factor too. We were impressed with the dealer’s presentation and it is now sending technicians to our site to carry out routine inspections and maintenance overnight, so we don’t incur any downtime. “And we wanted Euro 5 trucks because we all share a responsibility to do as much as possible to tackle global warming. As a pioneer member of Transport for London’s Freight Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) we are also hoping to secure reductions in the Congestion Charge, if not its elimination altogether, for those vehicles with the lowest emissions.” Mr Oates continues: “It is disappointing that having taken a lead in the operation of environmentally-friendly fleets, companies like ourselves are not being rewarded with the Reduced Pollution Certificates that would allow us to make significant savings on Vehicle Excise Duty because our trucks are not fitted with NOx sensors. “But I know that various trade bodies and manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz are lobbying the Department of Transport to point out the unfairness of this policy and hopefully secure a change of heart. Obviously, we hope they succeed.” Trad Scaffolding’s new Mercedes are working primarily in London and the south-east on projects of all sizes, ranging from high street refurbishments to construction of the new Wembley Stadium, for its long-standing client base. “The Axor only carry about nine tonnes on average and our mileages are very low, so we’re intending to run them for at least seven years,” adds Mr Oates. www.trad.co.uk