British makers to press for 38 tonnes

13th September 1974, Page 51

13th September 1974

Page 51

Page 51, 13th September 1974 — British makers to press for 38 tonnes

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BRITISH truck manufacturers have decided to seek an increase in the gross weight limit to 38 tonnes for the 1978 model year. '

This was revealed by Sir Raymond Brookes, president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, at a press conference in London on Tuesday. Sir Raymond said that the British commercial vehicle industry was handicapped by the 32ton limit when all other Euro-. peen countries allowed 38 tonnes or more; eventually Britain, as a member of the EEC, would have to adopt 40 tonnes.

Mr David Focitn, joint md of Fodens, answering a CM question, said it was a combination of the industry'si suggestions for an interim stage — though manufacturers would in fact be happy to go up to 40 tonnes the suggested EEC international limit for 1980).

Mr Peter Redfern of British Leyland, Mr T. Debbyn of Vauxhall and Mr C. Weighell of Chrysler UK agreed that their companies, too, were ready for heavier gross weights.

Mr Weighell indeed thought 45 tonnes more realistic than the EEC's pro. posed 40 and suggested that a 50-tonne limit would be realistic, and achievable within 151/2 metres overall length.

He thought the height limit needed to be 4.3m, not the EEC 4m which was based on the Continent's lower bridges.

Mr Weighell said he understood that all UK motorways were built to take 11-ton -axles, so the adoption of 11tonne limits for motorways would be well tithin the design scope.

Sir Raymond Brookes emphasized that improvements in vehicle design had reached the point where the 38-tonne vehicle was entirely compatible with the current 32-tonner on safety, noise and other environmental aspects.

Outstanding 1974 show Earlier, ,Sir Raymond had said that the 1974 Lordon International Commercial Motor Show would be perhaps the most outstanding., ever staged in the UK, and possibly in the world.

It was being held in the wake of severe economic problems, and in the first seven months of 1 974 British commercial vehicle output had been 7 per cent down on the previous year, with new registrations down by 25 per cent. But export production had risen by 8.3 per cent — the UK industry had concentrated on exports, determined not to let down the overseas distributor.

Attacking the failure of successive governments to provide adequate roads 'Sir Raymond said that the crime was not that the heavy lorry was in the village High Street but that, in the Seventies, the village High Street remained a major trunk route.