NFDA Truck and Van Update

September 2013

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/ ‘We represent, you benefit’
Dear Colleague,
The NFDA Truck and Van Newsletter contains information on the market plus other factors facing the sector.
If you have any queries or questions concerning any of the issues raised in this month’s update, please do not hesitate to contact us here at the NFDA on the contact details provided below.
Finally, a reminder that you can now access the NFDA Truck website directly via - http://www.nfda-truck.co.uk/
I hope you enjoy this latest update.
Sue Robinson, Director NFDA Truck and Van
Tel: 0207 307 3599
Mob: 07774 107763
Email:
Twitter: @NFDASueRobinson
Steve Latham, Senior Operations Manager Truck and Van
Email:

IN THIS ISSUE:

/ ·  COMMERCIAL VEHICLES EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT BOOST TO AUGUST SALES
·  MECHANICS BENEFIT FROM DRIVER CPC EXEMPTIONS
·  VOSA MOVES TO GOV.UK SITE
·  ATF APPROVALS
·  VEHICLE SAFETY RECALLS
·  APPRENTICESHIPPOPULARITY SOARS WITH 1.4 MILLION APPLICATIONS
·  MORE ACTION NEEDED ON ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE SAYS CBI REPORT
·  LONGER SEMI-TRAILER TRIAL OPENED UP TO MORE OPERATORS
·  FRUIT4LONDON AIMS TO GO 100 PER CENT ELECTRIC AFTER FREE FLEET ANALYSIS
·  ATTENTION TRUCK & VAN DEALER MEMBERS!
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT BOOST TO AUGUST SALES
“It is encouraging to see that the commercial vehicle increased during August, with both the truck and van sector experiencing a significant boost in sales.” said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT’s van and truck registration figures.
New light commercial vehicle figures released today show overall sales were up 14.8% in August and up 9.4% year-to-date. Van sales increased by 11.1% last month whilst truck sales rose by 29%
Robinson continued, “Unlike the car market, commercial vehicle sales are rarely affected by the September plate change. The only exception is pick-ups that are often purchased as private leisure vehicles. Sales of these vans followed the trend last month recording a decline in sales of 5.7%
“Mid and large size vans performed very well in August recording increases in sales of 54.8% and 11.6% respectfully.
“The truck market also performed very well last month with registrations up 29%. However the poor performance recorded during the earlier part of 2013 dragged down the year-to-date figure to -4.8%.
“Encouragingly, after a very slow start at the beginning of the year, rigid truck sales improved in August, up by 17.8%.
“A strong indicator for future truck sales comes from the distribution and logistics industry as high street and consumer confidence directly affects their performance. Articulated tractor sales were up 48% in August and 10.2% year to date, suggesting growing confidence in these sectors.
“There is a general feeling in the industry that the latter half of 2013 will produce greater demand for heavy commercials driven by the price difference on Euro 5 & 6 engine trucks as well as the improvements buyer confidence and the economy.”
MECHANICS BENEFIT FROM DRIVER CPC EXEMPTIONS
Further to the NFDA and other trade bodies the Department for Transport will very soon introduce a regulation outlining two new exemptions from the requirement to hold the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification.
The first exemption benefits both mechanics and valets delivering vehicles as long as:
·  no goods or passengers are being carried
·  the vehicle is not being used for hire or reward
·  driving HGVs or PSVs is not the driver’s main job
·  the vehicle remains within 50km of the driver’s base
The second exemption benefits HGV technicians and mechanics and applies as long as the vehicle is being driven to a pre-booked roadworthiness test.
VOSA response
Between now and the date when the new regulations come into force for PSV drivers with acquired rights, VOSA will:
·  not prioritise pursuing Driver CPC infringements against people who would be exempt once the new regulations were introduced
·  not issue fines or penalties to those people
VOSA will take enforcement action against other drivers – and their employers – who should have a Driver CPC but who fail to comply.
VOSA MOVES TO GOV.UK SITE
VOSA has moved all its online information to the new GOV.UK website – the new single home for all government services and information.

New web address

VOSA’s corporate web pages have been redirected, so you don’t need to update your bookmarks, but you might want to make a note of the new address www.gov.uk/vosa
You’ll notice that the new website looks very different from the one it has replaced. The look is one obvious difference, but many of the other significant changes are less visible.

Topics and policies

You can now see information from multiple government departments grouped by topic, rather than by department. For example, you can see how VOSA’s work contributes to the Department for Transport policy on making roads safer.
GOV.UK is focused on the Industries needs, not the needs of government. It has been planned, written, organised and designed around what you need to get done, giving you a single point of contact for all of your government services. The result is simpler, clearer and faster.
Visit the new VOSA pages at www.gov.uk/vosa
AFT APPROVALS
Find your nearest ATF on GOV.UK
Name / Location / Email / Telephone
Stuart Truck and bus / Exeter / / 01395 232800
Redfern Travel / Mansfield / / 01623 627653
Aquila / Whitchurch / / 01922 715027
Volvo / Stockton on Tees / / 01642 626160
Volvo / Chedburgh, Bury St. Edmunds / / 01284 850418
G Abbott / Northallerton / / 01677 422858 / 01677422579
Hammonds of Halesworth / Halesworth / / 01986 834097
Powerstart / Bradford / / 01274 309561
VEHICLE SAFETY RECALLS
Vehicle recalls for August 2013 are listed here. For further information on any of these recalls, visit the VOSA recalls database or contact the relevant brands dealership.
VOSA Reference Number / Make and Model / Issue
R/2013/076 / Honda – Jazz / Risk of Fire
R/2013/078 / Toyota – Verso-S & Yaris / Short circuit may cause failure of the power assistance
R/2013/090 / Jaguar – XF & XJ / Engine may cut out
R/2013/092 / Jaguar – XF / Fire may occur
R/2013/091 / Land Rover – Freelander 2, Range Rover Evoque / Fire may occur
R/2013/089 / Toyota – Yaris / Braking efficiency may be affected
R/2013/087 / Jeep – Grand Cherokee & Commander / Vehicle may roll away
R/2013/077 / Mini – Countryman and Paceman / Risk of Fire
APPRENTICESHIPPOPULARITY SOARS WITH 1.4 MILLION APPLICATIONS
Applications for apprenticeships have soared by nearly a third compared to 2012.
According to the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), more than 1.4 million applications were made over the 12 months ending in July, 32% up on 2012.
While the number of vacancies has increased from 101,000 to 129,000, this 27% rise is not keeping pace with demands with 11 applications being made for each vacancy.
Source - Transportnewsbrief.co.uk
MORE ACTION NEEDED ON ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE SAYS CBI REPORT
Business leaders fear that government talk of investment in the UK’s road infrastructure will not translate into action and could consequently harm the economy.
That’s the verdict of a new report from the Confederation of British Industry and accountants KPMG in which 65% of 526 business leaders canvassed said government policies would bring no benefits.
The report, called Connect More, also highlights growing dissatisfaction with the state of local roads with 73% saying they had deteriorated over the past five years compared with 63% asked the same question in 2011.
Nearly two thirds of businesses and 85% of multinationals said that domestic transport was a key consideration in deciding where and when to invest.
While there is confidence from a quarter of respondents that intercity rail travel will improve over the next five years, 44% said local roads would get worse and a quarter that motorways would also deteriorate.
Source - Transportnewsbrief.co.uk
LONGER SEMI-TRAILER TRIAL OPENED UP TO MORE OPERATORS
Longer semi-trailer use should increase following government’s decision to open up the 10-year-trial of their suitability to more operators.
Since the trial was introduced in 2012, 550 vehicle allocations have been made which means 1,250 remain unused.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) had run an online exchange for the permits in a bid to encourage greater use, but has now closed this system and welcomed the Department for Transport’s decision to extend the trial to more operators
Source - Transportnewsbrief.co.uk
FRUIT4LONDON AIMS TO GO 100 PER CENT ELECTRIC AFTER FREE FLEET ANALYSIS
Energy Saving Trust's Plugged-in Fleets Initiative shows potential savings for fleets through going electric;
Fruit 4 London, a small growing company specialising in the delivery of fresh fruit to offices in Central London, plans to go 100 per cent electric after taking part in the Energy Saving Trust's Plugged-in Fleets Initiative (PIFI) review.
Through the PIFI review, Fruit 4 London found that it would save £9000 per vehicle through switching to electric vehicles. This saving included lower running costs, 100 per cent capital allowances, the plug-in vehicle grant and no congestion charge in Central London.
Before taking part in the PIFI review, Fruit 4 London was already operating two electric vehicles, but was keen to explore the potential benefits from making its fleet 100 per cent electric through the free analysis and expert advice provided by the initiative.
Caroline Watson, Knowledge Manager from the Energy Saving Trust says:
"We are delighted to start seeing our original PIFI applicants successfully integrating plug-in vehicles into their fleets. The success of Fruit 4 London in looking to go 100 per cent electric should act as encouragement for other SMEs looking to make tangible financial savings through upgrading its fleets.
"Half of the places have already been allocated, from SMEs like Fruit 4 London to larger organisations like Iceland and Carillion, for free analysis through PIFI 100 which clearly shows that the interest in the plug-in vehicle market is growing. Early adopters like Fruit 4 London have already demonstrated a strong business case for the adoption of electric vehicles, and is setting an example for others to follow."
Local Transport Minister Norman Baker says:
"Fruit 4 London has taken advantage of government support in this area and realised that going electric makes good business sense and will help give them a competitive edge. Other businesses would be wise to follow.
"With new models coming to market every month from major motor vehicle manufacturers and running costs of two pence to three pence a mile, these vehicles are an increasingly attractive option for many companies operating in city conabations."
Last year's PIFI, funded by Transport for London (TfL) and the Department for Transport (DfT), demonstrated how public and private sector organisations in the UK, from SMEs to larger companies, could significantly reduce fuel costs and carbon emissions by integrating pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles into their fleets.
Following the success of PIFI, the Energy Saving Trust received additional funding from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles to establish the pIugged-in Fleets Initiative 100 (PIFI 100). This new advice service offers 100 organisations in England the opportunity to receive free analysis and guidance on how plug-in vehicles might work for them. Energy Saving Trust is working in partnership with EDF Energy and Route Monkey to deliver analysis which includes advice on electric vehicle infrastructure and optimising electric vehicles use.
Current PIFI 100 participants include Red Bull, Hobart UK, Birmingham City Council, South East Coast Ambulance Service, and the University of Leeds.
Source - Energy Saving Trust
ATTENTION VAN & TRUCK DEALER MEMBERS!
We are often asked why our newsletter is not distributed to more of your staff members, and therefore would like to request you to submit their email addresses to if they would like to keep up-to-date with all the latest news from NFDA.