Movin’ On

Hello There!

We are moving to our new domain at etruck.com.au

It’s an opportunity to provide more of the same industry comment but with the bonus of more flexibility to develop the site and provide the Australian transport industry with an online resource it can use and a forum to discuss ideas.

CLICK THROUGH HERE 

Where to for Scania?

The latest moves in the Volkswagen, Scania and MAN saga leaves the Swedish truck maker in an uncertain position. After the relative stability following the takeover of Scania by Volkswagen and the decision by the German carmaker to adopt a hands-off approach to the Swedish company the latest developments are posing questions without clear answers.

It’s all about the numbers

With the release of a new 16 L engine Volvo Trucks can now claim to produce the most powerful production truck in the world. The new improved to FH16 pumps out a massive 700 hp and has been unveiled for the European market. How long the engine will take to arrive here for sale in the Australian market is a matter for conjecture.

Although the company is describing this as a major development for their engine and for their range, it is difficult to believe the extra power will make much difference to the driver or to the load on the road.

Saved by the radar

The power of some of the new technologies available in trucks is awe inspiring. Having driven trucks fitted with stuff like proximity radar it is possible to see how much safer trucks could be on the roads if there was enough money in the transport game to make it possible to afford some of the latest gadgets.

These two videos simulate a dangerous situation on a bend with and without proximity control and the difference is astounding.

Been there done that

Here is a great video on YouTube, it’s one of a series of adverts for a Dutch insurance company looking at the funnier side of life as a truck driver.

Shout it from the rooftops and stay safe

Isuzu’s Director and Chief Operating Officer, Phil Taylor. is drawing the industry’s attention to the yawning gap between the public perception of trucks on the road and the actual facts as they stand today. On reading the report from a recent survey into the public attitude towards the transport industry there is a very obvious lack of understanding in the public at large.

Volkswagen start in Brazil

The repositioning of Volkswagen has begun with the German carmaker selling off its truck and bus manufacturing capacity in Brazil to MAN, a company of which they still own 20%. The sale, worth US$2.4 billion, has been announced this week and will take effect in the first quarter of 2009.

US truckies want to haul bigger loads

The transport industry in the USA is trying to catch up with something the rest of the world has been doing for many years. They have decided to to lobby hard to get an increase in the allowable GCM on the roads of the United States.

Who should we believe?

Two separate surveys released in recent months appear to contradict each other with the results contrasting strongly in terms of the pressure trucking people are under when going about their work.

Fatigue issues hamstring operators

Fatigue issues hamstring operators

Inconsistent fatigue rules introduced in a mish-mash of forms and then delayed because neither the authorities or the operators had been correctly informed or prepared are causing consternation in the transport industry.