-NEWS-

Nissan Diesel tops export charts
We’re into the start of the second half of the year and interesting to note is that Nissan Diesel - which is changing its name to UD Trucks - has led the field in terms of truck exports for the year to date.

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Tools to help operators
FleetWatch has over many years highlighted the issue of the serious driver shortage facing the industry. It therefore comes as welcomed news that Foresight Publications, headed by Ken Ramsden, has come out with two new products designed as tools to assist operators in coping with the driver shortage problem.

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For those of you who haven’t heard, the implementation of the AARTO Act, originally set for the metropolitan authorities of Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay and the City of Cape Town on 1 July 2010 - and on 1 November 2010 countrywide - has been postponed. “We vow to ensure that the AARTO is implemented successfully in this financial year, ending 31 March 2011,” says the Road Traffic Management Corporation. Mmmmm!!!

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Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) are to invest around $200 million (R1.5 billion) in Detroit Diesel’s US engine plant substantially expanding production capacity.
Detroit Diesel’s fuelefficient engines with BlueTec technology are taking a pioneering role within the North American trucking industry when it comes to complying with US emissions standard EPA 2010. DTNA is the current leading supplier of EPA 2010-compliant Class 8 heavy-duty trucks.

The Mozambican government has ratified an agreement on transport of goods and passengers with Tanzania and Zambia that harmonises fees to be paid by transport operators.

The agreements will promote free circulation of people and goods in the territories of the three countries, develop a strong and competitive transport industry and guarantee a fair distribution of road traffic between the three countries.

The Mozambican government expects the agreements to promote the correct use of the existing transport infrastructures, ensure that fees are charged on a nondiscriminatory basis and provide adequate levels of public safety in road transport. The bilateral agreements do not replace previously signed agreements at the level of the Southern African Development community (SADC).

According to Oil and Gas Journal (O&GJ), in January this year South Africa had proven oil reserves of 15 million barrels. All of these reserves are located offshore of South Africa in the Bredasdorp basin and off the west coast of the country near the border with Namibia.

South African oil consumption is estimated to be 575 000 barrels per day (bpd) of which approximately 380 000 bpd is imported (67% of consumption). According to the Global Trade Atlas, the majority of South African oil imports are from Saudi Arabia and Iran followed by Nigeria and Angola.

The British Freight Transport Association (FTA) has rejected the Department of Transport's proposal for eco-driving training to become a mandatory part of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). The FTA says management of driver behaviour is more important than supplementary driver training which should be used as the last resort after fleet management options have been fully investigated. Source: Reeds Business Information.

Freezing cold temperatures of up to minus 30˚C during intensive handling tests on sheet ice, compacted snow and public roads were the conditions faced by the prototype of the Mercedes-Benz Vito with battery-electric drive when it successfully undertook and passed a series of the harsh winter tests near the polar circle. Despite being limited to a top speed of 80 km/h, the Vito with electric drive must pass the same tests which a combustion-engined Vito has to endure. The whisper-quiet, zero-emission van will now face endurance tests in the Alps, in the heat of Spain and also on other continuous operation routes.

The Vito with battery-electric drive is the world's first van available with an electric-drive system ex factory. The drive is designed to run on battery power and dispenses with a combustion engine. The Vito’s range averages 130 km with no loss in terms of payload or load volume compared to a conventional Vito.

The bell will toll

Truckers in Gauteng should know by October exactly how much they will pay per kilometre to travel on Gauteng’s new and improved freeways. This is when the Minister of Transport is expected to approve a tolling model provided by the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral).

Sanral say the numbers bandied about since 2007 varied between 50 c/km to 65 c/km for passenger cars rising to R3,50/km for heavy trucks.

Construction of the overhead toll gantries of the open-road tolling system (ORT) has been underway for some time already. Tolling on the 185 km of roads which make up the first part of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) will start in April 2011 and will make use of 42 gantries. Fleet operators and private motorists can start registering for using the system in January.

Vehicles using Gauteng freeways will be required to buy an electronic toll tag at a major retail chain or dedicated kiosk. This must be registered at a call centre or by going on-line and loading money onto the tag before entering the road system.

The roll-out of the GFIP is likely to be followed up by urban tolling in Cape Town, Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Sasol is awaiting a decision from the Chinese central government whether or not it will give the go-ahead for a large scale coal- o-oil project. On completion, the joint-venture between Sasol, the world’s largest manufacturer of oil-from-coal, and a leading Chinese coal producer, will manufacture around 100 000 barrels per day.

Asian vehicle manufacturers will be treated to a presentation of East London’s Industrial Development Zone's (ELIDZ's) proposed new multi-vehicle assembly plant in October this year.

Automotive Investment Holdings, which consulted on the project, say the overall plant is to provide a facility where different vehicle brands can be built using common amenities such as paint shop, body shop and trim and assembly lines.

ELIDZ will provide the facilities and a professional vehicle assembler will be contracted to build the vehicles. If all goes according to plan, the new plant will come on stream in 2013.

East London may soon be home to a number of different vehicle manufacturers who will share a single facility.

Zimbabwean truck drivers and motorists found operating vehicles emitting excessive levels of carbon dioxide could soon find themselves behind bars thanks to a nationwide clampdown initiated by the Zimbabwean Environmental Management Agency (EMA).

First offenders receive a R200 fine while second offenders face three months in jail without the option of a fine. Vehicles found emitting harmful exhaust emissions will be taken off the roads until they are repaired.

EMA education and publicity manager, Steady Kangata, says the operation will help highlight the dangers of pollution.

Hyundai South Africa is set to introduce four and eight-ton trucks into South Africa to complement its current range of commercial vehicles. Word has it that the company may open a separate commercial vehicle head office as well as a number of selected specialised commercial vehicle dealerships so as to place greater focus and accent on the commercial vehicle market in South Africa.