NFDA Truck and Van Update

January 2014

‘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.

I hope you enjoy this latest update.

Sue Robinson, Director NFDA Truck and VanTel: 0207 307 3599Mob: 07774 107763Email: suerobinson@rmif.co.ukTwitter: @NFDASueRobinson

Steve Latham, Senior Operations Manager Truck and VanEmail: stephenlatham@rmif.co.uk

IN THIS ISSUE:

DECEMBER COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MARKET HITS 5 YEAR HIGH 2013 TOP FIVE VANS TRUCK TYPE APPROVALS MADE SIMPLER (VBRA) DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER NOW PART OF VEHICLE TEST THE LOWDOWN ON DRIVER CPC DVSA UPDATE 2014 COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SHOW

ATTENTION VAN & TRUCK DEALER MEMBERS!

DECEMBER COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MARKET HITS 5 YEAR HIGH

“It is extremely positive to see the 2013 commercial vehicle market rose 14.7%, making it the best performance in the last five years” said Stephan Latham, commenting on the SMMT’s van and truck registration figures.

New light commercial vehicle figures released today show 2013 total registrations grew 14.7% to 327,291 units. Vans rose 13.1% over the year registering 271,073 units, boosted by 32.5% growth in December. Truck registrations totalled 56,218 units in the year, up 23% as the move to Euro 6 fuelled growth.

Latham continued, “As expected December truck registrations were exceptional last month due to the change from Euro 5 engine specification. We anticipated high levels of registrations, but a 217% increase over that of December 2012 was a very pleasing result with a total of 11,351 vehicles registered.

“All sectors of trucks saw an increase in registrations, but the highest percentage came from the heavy over 16t market with a 465% increase over December 2012.

“Overall the 3.5t+ truck sector was up 23% in 2013 which is a clear reflection of consumer confidence and upturn in last year’s market.

“Van sales (sub 3.5t) impressed in December, indicating strong end-of-year dealer/manufacturer marketing in this sector along with greater confidence in the economic outlook of UK PLC”.

2013 TOP FIVE VANS

Make Model Total

FORD TRANSIT 44,143

MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 19,154

VAUXHALL VIVARO 18,177

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER 15,647

CITROEN BERLINGO 13,531

2013 TOP FIVE TRUCKS

Make Model Total

DAF TRUCKS LF 6,452

DAF TRUCKS CF 5,306

MERCEDES ACTROS 3,598

SCANIA R-SRS L-CLASS 2,978

MERCEDES-BENZ ATEGO 2,870

Data source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

TRUCK TYPE APPROVALS MADE SIMPLER (VBRA)

There are several known issues with the new Type Approval (EUWVTA) – it is expensive and complex to obtain, and more so costly to manage once it is in place for the truck dealers and ultimately, the customer.

A possible remedy will be through the VBRA/ VBTA controlling costs through its members co-operatively obtaining, holding and managing approvals for N2 and N3 category vehicles. Unfettered by high approval costs, dealers and customers should encounter fewer occasions across a wide range of base vehicles where approvals are ‘not available’ and fewer instances where IVA becomes necessary.

VBTA, a new division of the VBRA has members who choose to build on a wide range of chassis and must first meet membership standards for the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association, they must gain and keep VCA approval for Conformity of Production and VBTA will periodically audit COP as well – a triple audit process.

The benefits to dealers & customers;

VBTA concept derived after long discussions with DfT, VCA and OEMs A central listing of member companies available soon New additional bodybuilders members now joining Confidentiality of customer information – sharing approvals does not mean sharing

dealer/customer, marketing, specialist innovation, price or other sensitive information Each VBTA member operates individually, as now, thereby competing against each other to

stimulate a healthy marketplace Initial approvals and CoP protocols have already been submitted.

For more information contact: Malcolm Tagg FIMI Tel: 0113 253 8333 or info@vbtalimited.co.uk

DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER NOW PART OF VEHICLE TEST

Tests for diesel cars, vans and trucks are to be tightened up to ensure vehicles have a critical exhaust filter if one had originally been fitted as standard, Roads Minister Robert Goodwill has announced.

Garages and testing stations will check for a diesel particulate filter as part of the class 5 & 7 MOT test – or annual test for heavy vehicles – in February 2014.

A diesel particulate filter is a device fitted to a diesel vehicle which filters particulate matter from exhaust gases. It does this by trapping solid particles while letting the gas escape.

Filters must be ‘regenerated’ regularly, which involves burning the soot to gas at a very high temperature, leaving behind a residue. If not carried out properly, regeneration can lead to a build-up of soot, which can affect performance. Some diesel vehicle owners have opted to remove the filter, which makes their car illegal for road use.

In February, vehicles will automatically fail their MOT or annual test if a filter had been fitted as standard but is found to be no longer present.

THE LOWDOWN ON DRIVER CPC

There are now less than 8 months left before the 10 September 2014 deadline for lorry drivers with

acquired rights to complete their first round of 5 days periodic training.

Since Driver CPC was introduced in September 2008, over 300,000 bus, coach and lorry drivers have

now completed their first round of 5 days training. There’s also a further 132,000 drivers who have

completed 4 days worth of training and lorry drivers who are well on their way to completing their

first round of training.

Who’s done their training?

Here’s a breakdown of Driver CPC training that bus, coach and lorry drivers have completed from

September 2008 up to the end of December 2013.

Breakdown of how many days training 694,638 of bus, coach and lorry drivers had undertaken in 2013.

Operators may have both new drivers and drivers with acquired rights, with different deadline dates

and need to know the status of all their drivers.

Enforcing Driver CPC

We’re continuing to check the Driver CPC status of all drivers. In 2013 we took forward 36

prosecutions and imposed 50 fixed penalty notices to lorry drivers and operators, and 21 fixed penalty

notices to bus and coach drivers for failure to produce or have evidence of initial qualification, periodic

training or exemption. We imposed fines of up to £1000 to operators and up to £400 to drivers.

Not being aware of Driver CPC is no excuse. Professional drivers must complete this training if they

want to continue driving professionally.

DVSA UPDATE

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is putting its Vehicle Inspectors through a new training and assessment programme which is quality assured by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). Successful achievement of the programme will see Vehicle Inspectors receive IRTE’s industry recognised irtec Licence and IMI Awards QAA certification.

DVSA is aiming to provide its inspectors with highest quality education and training that is recognised throughout the industry.

DVSA Chief Executive Alastair Peoples said:

“My vision is that our Vehicle Inspectors will set the industry benchmark. We are investing in the future of our staff and training them to a very high standard.

“The industry has always valued the professionalism and integrity of our Inspectors and, with the new qualifications; they will deliver a first class service to our customers.

“As we continue to expand our network of Authorised Testing Facilities, our Inspectors will be more highly skilled than ever before and well equipped to meet the needs of a demanding industry.”

Steve Nash, CEO at the IMI said:

“Our relationship with IRTE to drive forward the irtec licence scheme within the sector has gathered momentum in the last 18 months. Not only have we seen engagement from the major manufactures in the sector, we have also demonstrated that the irtec licence provides a significant return on training investment through our research.

“The DVSA commitment further demonstrates the value and credibility of the irtec licence within the

sector and beyond.”

Ian Chisholm, Head of Operations and Communications at IRTE’s umbrella organisation SOE (Society of Operations Engineers) says:

“Through assessing and licensing road transport technicians on their skills and knowledge, irtec’s objective is to raise standards across the sector and thereby improve vehicle maintenance and road safety.

“As the agency responsible for setting, testing and enforcing vehicle standards across Great Britain, DVSA shares a common goal of promoting rigorous industry standards for vehicle maintenance.

“In putting their vehicle inspectors forward for irtec licences, DVSA is making a commitment to ensuring a standardised level of skills and knowledge among its testers, and is making a commitment to promoting overall vehicle safety and compliance across the road transport industry.”

2014 COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SHOW

Nearly 300 exhibitors have already signed up for the 2014 Commercial Vehicle Show with less than six months left before doors open to visitors.

Running from Tuesday 29 April to Thursday 1 May 2014, the Show will once again be held at the NEC in Birmingham. Organisers say the level of bookings show that business is looking good for the UK road freight industry.

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 rupal.rawal@rmif.co.uk if they would like to keep up-to-date with all the latest news from NFDA.