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MAN investigates reports of unsafe truck modifications

1st June 2000, Page 6
1st June 2000
Page 6
Page 6, 1st June 2000 — MAN investigates reports of unsafe truck modifications
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• by Peter Lawton MAN is conducting an internal investigation following allegations that trucks were modified in a potentially dangerous fashion before being sold to Rugby Cement.

The German manufacturer admits it is looking into serious allegations which are said to include the following:

II Brake shoes and drums were removed from the second axle of at least one 6x2 truck to meet Rugby Cement's maximum weight restriction of 7.7 tonnes.

• Hear anti-roll bars may also have been removed.

• There are also thought to be further less serious allegations relating to weight-saving measures.

MAN confirms that an investigation is taking place but will not specify which particular modifications have caused concern. The changes may have been made to four tractive units by MAN Sheffield. They are thought to have taken place in January—a month before the dealership became fully owned by MAN.

Alterations of this nature require Notifiable Alteration Consent. which the Vehicle Inspectorate says would not have been given.

MAN company secretary and financial controller Geoff Scott and marketing director Alistair Williamson have said that an internal investigation will be completed in around four weeks' time.

Williamson says: "There is an investigation going on. I'm very concerned about these allegations—we wouldn't wish as a manufacturer to be involved in such things."

Rugby Cement's senior transport engineer Nigel Cook says: 'They are only allegations at the moment. I am in negotiations with MAN, I have had a meeting with them and they are going to get me some answers."

MAN Sheffield's general manager was unavailable for comment. Used truck sales manager at Sheffield John Taylor said he knew nothing about the allegations.


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