Prohire has a unique opportunity in being able to offer a selected number of nearly new DAF 55.180 14 tonne Curtain Sided bodied vehicles, available with tail-lifts and without.

All vehicles were registered in June/July 2012 and have vey low mileage.

For more information, please call Michelle Miles on 01782 555516.

Welcome to the second edition of our FleetForum enewsletter.
Following some very positive feedback from first edition, it hugely pleasing to find out that you, today’s fleet operators, value a totally independent viewpoint on the hot topics of our industry and a discussion point around some of the challenges we all face. With 2012 coming to a near end, it’s interesting to see how things have panned out for the industry that we know and love as for the first time in many years we have seen the resurgence in the HGV registrations whilst the LCV sector appears to have retracted as many smaller businesses struggle to find the momentum in confidence in order to replace their aging fleets. The green agenda has maintained its momentum too with the Renault ZE range now widely available and products starting to hit our streets but what perhaps is even more surprising is the fact that the best-selling model out of the ZE range appears to be the little Twizy. To some it’s not even on their radar, however, taking a closer look at it’s quirky nature, low cost of ownership and shear marketability in getting your message across to the public with emitting zero emissions, then there probably isn’t a more appealing little city vehicle on the market today.
In this edition we are focussing on the recently introduced piece of EU legislation called EC/1222/2009 which is all about tyres and how you as operators are now able to understand in a grading system, the safety and energy aspects of the tyres fitted to your vehicle. Now it might not sound that dramatic, but the lower the letter rating the better the tyre is in wet weather braking. With winter upon us, it is the time when the roads are at their most variable in terms of grip and so having the best tyres fitted at the correct pressures, is at least the very minimum we can all do as part of our duty of care obligations.
Our vehicle focus this month is on a new model just launched by VW that is a further edition to the ever popular Transporter range and it is a unique 100% BlueMotion designed 1 tonne van that now pushes the bar even higher in terms of fuel consumption and emissions when compared to the conventional competition. Another sign if we ever needed one that manufacturers are keen for us all to have even more economical vehicles and that the technology that adorns our passenger cars of today is in need of transferring across to the LCV products we all purchase.
Enough of the introduction, let’s get into this edition of FleetForum
1 – EC/1222/2009 – New European Tyre regulations come into force 1st November 2012
On 1st November 2012 the EC/1222/2009 regulation came into force and is the new legislation that requires tyres for private cars and light commercial vehicles, manufactured after 1st July 2012 and marketed in the EU from November 2012 onwards to carry a sticker or be accompanied by a leaflet on show in the point of sale.
For truck tyres, the regulation simply requires tyre manufacturers and distributors as well as vehicle suppliers and distributors to make the information available clearly. Labels stuck to new tyres are not therefore compulsory but, if labels are not provided, a leaflet in the point of sale or online documentation should be made available instead.
This is all very similar to the information provided on household appliances and the visuals will be very familiar to you, covering off 3 key areas of tyre safety and technology as is shown below.
These three characteristics should be taken as a starting point when it comes to choosing tyres. They should be considered in conjunction with other factors related to the customers’ business and their specific requirements as well as all future tyre replacements in life. Many clients will be now seeking to have the optimum tyre fitted to their vehicle which delivers the best wet weather grip coupled with the most energy saving and quietest tyre available, however what do all these ratings mean?
Energy Efficiency ratings
These relate to how energy efficient the tyre is in terms of its rolling resistance and fuel saving capabilities. Between two ratings, “A” and “B” for example, the difference in fuel consumption on a fully-equipped vehicle can be, according to Michelin, as much as 3 litres/100 km travelled. So how are the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions characteristics measured? Well to comply with the EU regulations, measurements are carried out using a calibrated rolling machine and all ratings are then awarded that correspond to the measured values which are then given in kilograms per tonne (kg/t)
These ratings will range from “A” (up to 4 kg/t) to “F” (over 8 kg/t), i.e. twice the initial coefficient. The “G” rating will not be used. Basically an “A” rated tyre is the best, “F” the worst.
Wet Grip Rating
Tyre performance when braking on wet surfaces is one of the main safety benefits provided by tyres. For a commercial vehicle decelerating from 60 km/h to 20 km/h for example, if a ‘B’ rated tyre takes 30 metres to slow down, then the ‘C’ rated tyre would take 15% or 4.5 metres longer.(see picture below)
How braking on wet surfaces is measured
The data is collected on test tracks sprayed beforehand to create a layer of water from 0.5 to 2 millimetres in depth. The ambient temperature and that of the ground are permitted to vary between 5 and 35°C. Track characteristics (type of coating, roughness, coefficient of friction on the asphalt, etc.) can also vary within the limits prescribed by the Legislator. The test vehicles are specifically designed for the purpose. Ratings will range from “A” to “F”. There will be no “G” rating and again the tyre rated “A” is the best option.
External Tyre Noise
The third and final consideration within this legislation is around external noise and this is taken into account since it represents noise pollution. Obviously like all the other tests carried out, this is taken as a figure based on the optimum inflation and with this in mind, the difference in performance of a tyre rated with two lines and a tyre rated with one line is 3 decibels, which represents a reduction of approximately half of the external noise created.
How external noise is measured
The European regulation takes into account the number of decibels produced as a tyre rolls and compares it with the future target which will come into force between 2012 and 2016 (regulation EC/661/2009).
Three black lines indicate the poorest performance. The noise emitted by the tyre is over the value set out in the future standard but below the maximum currently authorised.
Two black lines mean that the noise emitted by the tyre is in line with the limits which will be applied in the future.
One black line means that the level of tyre noise is already 3 decibels below the future legal limit.
Again we are seeking here a tyre that has preferably one black line in order to be at the very cutting edge of technology. However the overall choice will no doubt come back to a compromise of noise V wet weather grip V tyre efficiency due to the fact that there is not one singular rubber compound that will satisfy the very best in all three camps simultaneously. Just look at Formula 1 and you will see that the very best wet weather grip tyres wear much quicker in the dry and longevity can be an issue. As said at the beginning of this article, it would be prudent for you to sit down with your vehicle / tyre supplier and discuss the virtues commensurate with your application in order to reach the optimum state and then for that to become your policy from that point on.
2 – A new model to help reduce fleet operating costs
Following in the successes within the car market of the pure BlueMotion models, VW have now announced a brand new version of the already successful Transporter range in the guise of the Transporter T27.114 BlueMotion van. This is the brand’s first full BlueMotion derivative with the goal of producing a van that is more fuel efficient as well as boasting reduced carbon emissions, thanks to innovative technological add-ons.
In recent years Ford probably had the most well-known of green vans in the “EcoNetic” Transit T280 (and more recently the T350) which was then joined by Vauxhall and their models under the “EcoFlex” banner. It isn’t too much of a surprise therefore that VW have finally brought this van to market, running directly in between their already established T26 and T28 models, but this time with just one choice of engine and what a cracker it is too. At 114ps (2.0 litre turbocharged engine) rated power in a 2.7tonnes GVW van, drivers can be assured that being green doesn’t have to mean that manufacturers are being stingy on the available power and driveability of the product and it ensures that they are driving a premium van whilst hopefully getting more van for their money.
Having already got BlueMotion versions already within the range, one wonders what the differences are between having a distinct BlueMotion model versus others available with BlueMotion Technology, or is it just marketing spin?
Well the answer lies in the following that the new Transporter BlueMotion is a model in its own right, and is the most fuel efficient van in the entire range. Reportedly to be extremely frugal in terms of fuel consumption and exceptionally green in carbon emissions, these are achieved by restrictions on weight, specification and option availability by only being available in one model, the T27 SWB 114PS panel van, so if you need a LWB then it will not be this specific van that’s for you.
VW report fuel consumption on the combined cycle being for a 1 tonne panel van, a phenomenal 44.8mpg and the carbon emissions are just 166g/km. These figures are extremely good, being akin to that of much smaller car derived midi vans of only a couple of years back. Based on this, VW claim that there is a fuel saving of 7.1mpg over the current 102PS Transporter model, and emissions of 32g/km less CO2.
BlueMotion Technology Transporters on the other hand have a pre-defined package of energy-saving technologies that are added to vehicles to improve fuel consumption and carbon emission figures and currently they are available on Caddy, Transporter and Crafter models.
Within the Transporter range, BlueMotion Technology models are available on 84PS and 114PS models and as a result the reported fuel consumption on the combined cycle of 40.4mpg and carbon emissions of 184g/km which are some 2.7mpg and 14g/km saving over the normal non BMT models.
So there we have it, 3 differing options within the same range of basically the same van, depending on how fuel conscious and green you wish to be. Ranging from the standard offering through the BlueMotion Technology (BMT) variants and now to the Full On BlueMotion Van, every operator now has the option of maximising their fuel returns should they wish to opt for a different model.
3 – Prohire News Update
Whether it’s in house training or actual building work going on at Head Office, life within Prohire continues to shape and evolve in line with client’s demands and expectations. Our apprentice programme also continues to flourish and plans for more growth in 2013 are being formulated across all industry sectors and weight ranges. We are in the midst of some very interesting discussions with the FTA and the Manufacturers concerning some of the forthcoming legislation that will be upon us all and shape our futures very soon and so once we have a complete picture of this, we will be happy to discuss with you, the best ways forward.
For more information in how the Prohire Team can help you improve your operational efficiency and overall cost effectiveness, please give us a call or drop us an email at the following:
t – 08432 909 089
e – enquiries@prohire.plc.uk
Thank you for reading FleetForum and we look forward to speaking with you soon.
Grahame Neagus
LCV New Business Director

Welcome to this, our first FleetForum enewsletter, our new way forward in discussing today’s key topics of industry with you and sharing some of our solutions to the ever growing list of challenges we all face and launched in tandem with the growth of our LCV Division. Each month we will share with you our views on the hot topics and this month we have decided to commence with the forthcoming legislation around European Whole Vehicle Type Approval and its impact upon all us moving forward. In addition to the topic of the month, we aim to update you on other areas of Prohire news, General industry wide news including new vehicle launches and other key supplier information. Against a backdrop of forecasts that weigh heavily on the shoulders of many, FleetForum is designed to be uplifting and informative, discussing the topics that are of real interest and offering you solutions to reduce fleet management burden. It’s an exciting journey that we are all on and I hope that you find this new forum of value and of interest.

ECWVTA – (EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval)
Many of us are aware of this but many Operators, Body Builders and Dealers alike, are still unaware of its potential impact later this year. EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval is a way of making sure vehicles are safe to use on the road, without having to inspect and test every single one. Under the vehicle type approval system, a prototype is tested. If it passes the tests and the production arrangements also pass inspection, then vehicles or components of the same type are approved for production and sale within Europe, without further testing. Simply put, unless the vehicle you are purchasing is compliant with the new law when it comes shortly into effect then it will not be able to go into service. This means that the choices of Body Builders and Converters will become ever more important and the costs associated with such conversions, likely to rise as well as lead times potentially lengthening too.

So what does the law require?
In addition to the ECWVTA, in order to satisfy local markets like the UK there are 2 other routes to conformity namely NSSTA and IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval), both of which are illustrated below.

National Small Series Type Approval (NSSTA)
If small numbers (up to around 500) of vehicles are made, NSSTA could be a potential option for vehicles being sold within the UK. Once a vehicle type has been approved, more vehicles of the same type can be sold across the UK without further inspection. Conformity of production requirements will be more reduced than for ECWVTA. Again, there will be initial high costs. It is possible to sell within the EU but an NSSTA will not automatically be recognised across Europe like ECWVTA will. Instead type approval authority would need to be sought in the particular country the vehicle was being sold to. There are limits set by the directive to the number of units of one type of vehicle which can be approved per year.

Approval unit limits for NSSTA route are as follows
Special Purpose Passenger vehicles – 75
Minibuses, buses and coaches and HGV’s over 3.5t – 250
Lights vans and trucks less than 3.5t and trailers not more than 3.5t – 500

Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)IVA would be a suitable option for low volume production of vehicles sold in the UK as every vehicle needs to be inspected. There are no formal quality systems to demonstrate conformity of production as each vehicle specification will be different. It is possible for the vehicle to be sold in the EU but it would not be subject to the benefits offered by ECWVTA. Instead the vehicle would need to gain type approval authority from the country it was being sold to. IVA might be useful for body builders producing one-off trailers for example.

What is the likely impact?Potential increases in costs due to estimated costs for type approval, the selection of Body Builders to be used will be critical if vehicles are to be conforming with legislation, Finished vehicle lead times may increase and the choice of your supplier and their understanding of the legislation will be key in assisting you through the changes.

An old favourite comes of age
The all familiar Ford Transit range is soon to be going through its next generation change and certainly if the first pictures are anything to go by, it will see a radical departure away from its current guise with potentially different styles depending on the weight category. New more efficient and greener engines are promised building upon the already excellent credentials of the “Econetic” range where they already have the lowest CO2 rating of any 3.5tonne panel van. In addition to this, 2013 also sees the new Transit Connect coming to market with a completely different engine line up to the current model. A sample picture is shown below to gauge your views. As more information becomes available, rest assured, the Prohire LCV Division will be first on hand to share this with you.

Prohire News UpdateGrowth continues at a pace within Prohire PLC across all aspects of our Contract Hire and Fleet Management business with additional personnel being recruited as well as the winning of new clients. October and November 2012 will see our largest volume of vehicles in the last 3 years going on the road, many to core industry sectors like construction and the food distribution industries.

For more information in how the Prohire Team can help you improve your operational efficiency and overall cost effectiveness, please give us a call or drop us an email at the following:

t – 08432 909 089
e – enquiries@prohire.plc.uk

Thank you for reading FleetForum and we look forward to speaking with you soon.

Grahame Neagus
LCV New Business Director

Prohire are very proud to have sponsored the 2012 Motor Transport Awards category for ‘Fleet Driver of the Year,’ which recognises the outstanding talented men and women who are the Ambassadors of the road.

Andrew Morley, Sales Director at Prohire presented the Award to the winner Jim Whitmore, Dairy Crest. Jim has worked for Dairy Crest since 2003 and has proven himself to be an exceptional driver, with 100% attendance and a nine-year accident-free record.

Our new LCV Division has just been launched at the beginning of April building upon the successes and excellent foundation of the recent past and creating as a result, a class leading proposition that embraces everything that is great about our existing Customer Centric approach as well as much specific LCV related talent from across our industry.

This strategic development is key in our overall service offering and allows us to now be in a position to create and deliver added value solutions to all operators within this marketplace in a consultative manner that gives you a competitive edge coupled with the very best service provision. Heading up the new Division is Grahame Neagus – LCV Director who has spent 24 years in the industry and in his last role set up and ran the SCVU department within Lloyds TSB Autolease (latterly Lex Autolease) and was the winner of the Fleet News Best LCV Leasing Company Award in 2008 when with Lloyds TSB Autolease. Under Grahame’s direction, the Division will bring to market a whole host of brand new initiatives and solutions that have been required by our industry for some time whilst our focus will be firmly on being in a position to provide the very best customer care and service whilst being able to deliver fully consultative engineering and legal advice.

Accompanying Grahame are two other key industry players, both also coming across from Lex Autolease in Gary Hamilton as Business Development Manager and Stan Bennett as Fleet Engineering Manager. Both Gary and Stan have in excess of 30 years experience each from within the LCV and HGV marketplace, with Gary having worked at ARVAL prior to Lex Autolease on all types of sector sales including in the Public Sector arena, and Stan having held Fleet Engineering roles within the likes of BRS, NFC, The rail industry and then in the last decade, Lex Autolease.

Both Gary and Stan come to the new Division with the same single mindedness in the strategy of success that we are developing; based around the unique services we are able to now provide the industry. With the vast experience that the initial staff have coupled with the commercial vehicle experience of the rest of the people at Prohire PLC, the new LCV Division is set to be a major force within the market and is determined to lead not follow the industry in its approach and execution of the strategic
goals it has set.

A very exciting phase has now begun and that can only mean good news for those within our marketplace who are seeking a professional, understanding and cost effective contract hire and fleet management LCV provider to work with moving forward, whose foundation comes from a heavy truck philosophy and and whose business ethos is all about the delivery of the very best customer service.