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Those Complaints
Page 49
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RARELY can there have been such a powerful expression of operators' views on vehicle design as was brought about by The Commercial Motor Fleet Management Conference, reported on pages 78 to 93 of this issue. In fact, by the morning following the conference three major chassis manufacturers had asked for verbatim transcripts of the discussion so that they could study in detail what was said. Indeed, The Commercial Motor has sent such a verbatim report to the chairman of each chassis maker—and a massive document it is, too!
Very many important and valid points, from both sides of the industry, were made. But the most frequently voiced request was for effective liaison between operator and manufacturer. Without any doubt at all, there is an urgent need for the many complaints about vehicles that are voiced to be properly discussed. Not all operators' complaints are fair. Maintenance is not looked at as closely as it should be; vehicles are not always operated at the weights for which the manufacturers build, and recommend, them. There is " shopping " for discounts.
In short, there are points on both sides of the fence. However, The Commereal Motor feels that there is no unbiased and independent body to which complaints can be referred for arbitration. We will provide this service. Each year a Fleet Management Conference will be sponsored. In addition, if operators write to this journal we will follow, the points through to the manufacturer. But don't think this is a blind, one-way service; if we think the operator is wrong, we shall say so. And if he is right, we shall say so, too!