Buoyant market in Scotland
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With attendance up by almost 11%, you'd think that manufacturers exhibiting at this year's Scottish IRTE Show would be pleased. That didn't stop a couple claiming it was "quiet", and questioning the need for one more show. However, 3,550 visitors begged to differ. CM's Bill Brock joined them at the SEC in Glasgow.
• Volvo's new FM range, launched last month in Europe, made its UK show debut in Glasgow. The FM7/10/12 models will replace the successful FL range. Production of the new models will begin in Sweden but Volvo's Irvine plant will phase out the existing models by the turn of the year and will start to build the new models from January 1999. The FM features a more aerodynamically efficient cab range with extra space inside. A wider chassis maximises the spring base for stability; power comes from a new and revised range of more powerful 7.3, 9.6 and 12.0-litre engines; ail with electronic engine management to enhance torque at low revs. The new series of VT light-action gearboxes combine with lighter clutch operation to reduce driver effort by up to 50%. Drum brakes are still specified all round but disc brakes are currently under development and will appear on FH models next year. • The high value of sterling is putting domestic trailer manufacturers like Crane Fruehauf under a lot of pressure. Where it can score points more easily, with UK operators at least, is in terms of service and backup. The company is able to provide an almost bespoke specification without demanding premium prices—almost every Speedliner model is said to be a special. The latest super-light version weighs less than 5.9 tonnes, thanks partly to an alloy bulkhead, roof, side raves and rear barn doors. The front kick strip is an integral part of the chassis with cross bearers spaced at 360mm centres. A front lift-axle increases the unladen weight to about 6.4 tonnes.
• While Seddon Atkinson has become even more integrated within the 'veto Group since new managing director Giuseppe Franchi arrived from Turin, it's still steering its own course using major proprietary components in its product lineup. It remains to be seen how far the new 41-tonne weight limit will increase demand for three-axle tractive units, but it had a 23.340M 6x2 on show just in case. The specification looks fairly standard, with the 10.8-litre Cummins M11 engine, Mentor axles and two-bag air suspension. Demand is evenly split between mid-lift and mid-steer axles. SA doesn't have a mid-lift steer axle to offer at the moment but is believed to be working on one. !veto showed examples of its 6x2 EuroStar and 4x2 Eurotech tractors—both equipped with semiautomatic EuroIronic transmissions—and has launched its new EuroTech Cursor, which will save up to a tonne in unladen weight (see pages 20-24). lveco's Trans°Ivor financial services package, introduced into the UK this May, is to be extended to cover all European outlets.
• Success with the XF and the launch of the CF models have reestablished Leyland Daf at the top of the HGV sales league, with an 18% share of the market, above Scania and Volvo. Since May, more than 600 85CFs and 75CFs have taken to the road. There's also good news for the LD plant at Leyland: Paccar plans to build RHD 75s and 85s and LHD 65s there, moving production from Daf Eindhoven which is running close to capacity. This will create 300 jobs, bringing the workforce to more than 1,000 for the first time since LD was formed back in June 1993, The lsuzu assembly operation is expected to move out around the end of the year, making way for production on the new range in June. RHD 65s are already built at Foden. Like the XF range, the 85 Series is powered by Daf's new 12-litre engine which has proved to be exceptionally fuel efficient. The 75 Series has a new 9.2-litre engine. Both new power plants are 24-valve models which meet the Euro 2 emission limits while retaining mechanical injection.
• Since January Volvo has been marketing the Mitsubishi Canter for operation at 3.5-7.5 tonnes— annual sales are expected to reach 800. Around 200 6.3-tonne chassis with high-spec crew-cabs have been sold to car recovery firms with a few going to local authorities. The Canter 35 can now be specified with a turbocharged version of its 2.8-litre diesel engine, boosting maximum power at 4,000rpm from 94hp to 116hp. A taller final-drive ratio makes this model more suitable for relaxed longer haul operations.
• Tyre companies are convinced the way to maximise tyre life and minimise fuel consumption is to design specialised tyres for each axle position. Dunlop's new 513341 on-rood tyre has been developed for the steer axle; it's claimed to give improved handling, steering control and wet grip, Wider ribs and a square shoulder design are said to get more rubber in contact with the road. Clean grooves minimise stone trapping and should facilitate regrooving, while the deeper (15.5mm) tread offers an increased service life.
• Foden's Alpha range, which supersedes the construction and distribution 3000 and 2000 Series, no longer uses GRP cabs although Foden says it could revert to GRP for a big order. Retrimmed and rebadged, bets 85 Series steel cab assumes a new identity while retaining the narrow overall dimension associated with the cab it replaces. It only adds about 100k9 to the unladen weight. The double-drive A3-6T.T. tractor unit is a new addition to the Alpha range, powered by a Caterpillar CIO 380 engine. Specified with an Eaton 16RT50 14316 gearbox and RT52/153P tandem bogie with Mentor (formerly ROR) axles and Peterbuilt air suspension it weighs in at 7.84 tonnes. Foden offers Cat and Cummins engine options but the Cat powers 70% of production, which on Foden's awn models is running at about five vehicles a day.