14 minute read
from the world of vans & pick-ups
by 4SMNI
IVECO has celebrated the 1,600,000th Daily vehicle rolling off the assembly line at the Suzzara plant (in Mantua, Italy), the celebrated facility that has always been a reference for IVECO’s light vehicle manufacturing.
The Daily is a truly iconic vehicle that has continuously reinvented itself for more than 40 years, pushing the boundaries of innovation, versatility and efficiency, anticipating the evolving needs of its customers. It has introduced many ground-breaking innovations and industryfirsts while remaining true to its DNA. These unique strengths are the foundation of the enduring success of the Daily in the market, which leads the high-payload segment with the 7-Tonne model and is a benchmark for natural gas powered light commercial vehicles. The milestone vehicle is the new Daily panel van, a 35C18H V, equipped with a 3.0-litre, 176-hp Euro VIE Heavy Duty diesel engine. Giorgio Ricci, IVECO Suzzara Plant Manager, commented: “We are extremely proud of this important milestone for our plant, which represents more than 40 years of Daily production. This vehicle is a benchmark in the market for its fundamental characteristics, such as its versatility, strength, robustness and performance, which have always set it apart from other vehicles. “With increasingly advanced connectivity to meet the business needs of customers, its focus on sustainability, and the traditional values that have always been a part of IVECO’s DNA, the new Daily is a high-performing and competitive travelling partner, with a Total Cost of Ownership among the best in its category.” The team at the Suzzara plant works in perfect synergy at every stage of the production process – from chassis assembly and cab bodywork, to painting and installation of the transmission, all the way to fitting of interior trim and final inspection. The factory also assembles special versions for military and firefighting applications. Since 2007 the plant works to World Class Manufacturing (WCM) standards, a production system that aims for zero faults, wastage and accidents. It involves a process of continuous development, focused on involving every individual operator in the production process. The plant has recently won the “Special Award: Excellent Culture of Improvement’’ bestowed by Agamus Consult, an international management consultancy firm, and German magazine Automobil Produktion. True to the motto, “Mastering the unpredictable”, with the aim of improving the technology and work environment within the scope of a difficult market and global situation, the Suzzara plant leverages the strategic leadership of its team to guide its people and processes, turning VUCA into an opportunity for continuous improvement.
New city-bus based on Renault Master ZE-h marks first OEM collaboration for Promech
Promech Technologies, the UK-based commercial vehicle technology, chassis and powertrain integration specialist, has announced a partnership agreement with Renault Group and its specialist vehicle subsidiary, PVI.
The Renault Master City Bus H2-TECH - an electric-hydrogen city-bus based on a Renault Master ZE-h platform – represents the first product development in the partnership and was unveiled earlier this month at Salon des Maires in Paris by HYVIA, a joint venture between Renault Group, European leader in electric LCVs, and the leader in hydrogen solutions, Plug Power Inc. The announcement signals the first major OEM collaboration for the newly-formed Promech Technologies company. Part of the Woodall Nicholson group of specialist vehicle brands, Promech is also receiving substantial investment for a new, 54,000 sq.ft. purposebuilt facility in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, scheduled for opening in autumn 2022. The Promech / Renault /Group / PVI partnership will also see the development of a wider range of city-buses with low-floor battery-electric / hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) technology for UK and European markets. A complete product line-up is expected to be available to order from 2022. The new HYVIA city-bus dovetails the automotive industry’s two leading New Energy drive systems – batter y electric and HFC – made possible by integration with Promech’s low-floor chassis and body transformation. The result provides scope to deliver rangeextending, zero-emissions vehicles to meet customer requirements across three distinct market sectors including city-bus passenger transport, urban distribution, and emergency services.
NEXT-GENERATION FORD RANGER DELIVERS HIGH-TECH FEATURES
Ford has put the global pick-up world on notice by revealing what it describes as the smartest, most versatile and most capable Ranger ever.
Using years of Ford truck expertise and deep understanding of truck customers, the company collaborated with customers around the globe to create a vehicle and ownership experience that next‑gen Ranger owners can rely on for their businesses, family lives and adventure. “With Ranger, we’ve had a big extended family for decades,” said Jim Farley, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company. “This truck has always been a trusted partner to small business owners, farmers, families, adventurers, commercial fleets and so many more in more than 180 markets around the world. And with the new Ranger, this is our moment to deliver. Not just a product our customers will love, but an always‑on experience that will help us build strong and lasting relationships with them. This is the midsize truck people will want to own and experience.” Order books for next‑generation Ranger will open in Europe in late 2022 for customer delivery in early 2023. The current Ranger is Europe’s pick‑up segment leader and recently set a new September year‑to‑date sales record of 45,539 units, with market share of 39.9 per cent.
Ranger Life
“We’ve really packed a lot into the next‑generation Ranger to inspire owners to do more of what they love to do, with features that encourage them to explore new horizons,” said Gary Boes, Enterprise Product Line Management director, Global Trucks. “We’re truck owners too, and this passion for the Ranger lifestyle translates into a passion for the product. Ultimately, we want our customers’ experience with the pick‑up to enable and enhance their lifestyles.” Ford calls this “Living the Ranger Life,” and it’s something shared by every designer and engineer involved in creating the next‑generation Ranger. “Our team was focused on one goal – to make this Ranger the toughest and most capable we’ve ever created,” said Graham Pearson, Ranger vehicle program director. “They put it through one of the most exhaustive global testing schedules we’ve ever developed and would not rest until we were satisfied that it was Built Ford Tough.”
New Capabilities
Customer input was key to developing the next‑generation Ranger’s rugged new look. Ford spent a lot of time with owners around the globe, conducting more than 5,000 interviews and dozens of customer workshops to understand how customers used their pick‑ups and what they wanted and expected in the new Ranger. Visually, the next‑generation Ranger is bold and confident, with a purposeful exterior that shares Ford’s global truck design DNA. The design features a defined new grille, and signature C‑clamp headlight treatment at the front while a subtle shoulder line down the sides incorporates bolder wheel arches that gives Ranger a sure‑footed stance. For the first time, Ford Ranger offers matrix LED headlights. At the back, the taillights are designed in harmony with the signature graphics on the front. Inside, the car‑like cabin steps up, using premium soft‑touch materials, and prominent portrait‑style centre touchscreen with Ford’s signature SYNC connectivity and entertainment system.
Powertrain choices
Customers wanted a choice of more power and torque for towing heavy loads and extreme off‑roading, so the team added Ford’s proven 3.0‑litre V6 turbodiesel and developed it for the Ranger. It is one of three turbodiesel engine options available at launch. The next‑gen Ranger will also come with a choice of proven Single‑Turbo and Bi‑Turbo 2.0‑litre in‑line four‑cylinder diesels. The Single‑Turbo comes in two different performance levels and delivers power, torque and fuel economy, which is important to small business owners or commercial vehicle fleets. The Bi‑Turbo engine is a more sophisticated, performance variant for customers who want more power but need to maintain fuel economy.
Improved handling
To develop the ride and handling expected of a truck customer’s use for a wide range of work, family and play – engineers focused on the fundamentals. “We have a really wide spectrum of customers,” Pearson said. “On one end, you might have small business owners looking for very work‑oriented transportation. They want traditional two‑wheel drive with a single cab and a load box to transport their goods.
“At the extreme other end, you have the serious off‑roaders who really push their Rangers to the limit with endurance races like the Dakar Rally. The next‑gen Ranger will meet the needs of both types of customers and everyone in between.” Engineers moved the front wheels forward by 50mm for a better approach angle and outboard for better off‑road articulation, both of which improve the off‑roading experience. They also shifted the rear suspension dampers outboard of the frame rails to give drivers and passengers a better ride both on‑ and off‑road, no matter if they’re carrying heavy cargo for work, or just taking the family out for dinner. Customers will have a choice of two four‑ wheel drive systems – an electronic shift‑on‑ the‑fly system, or an advanced new full‑time four‑wheel drive system with a reassuring set‑and‑forget mode, designed for capability when and where customers need it. Off‑ road recovery is made easier with prominent dual recovery hooks in the front bumper.
Interior features
Customers wanted a flexible, modern cockpit that caters to both work and family duties. So, Ranger needs to serve as both a workspace and a haven, providing smart and connected features with more comfort and storage options than ever before. The heart of the Ranger’s connective experience is the large 10.1‑inch or 12‑inch touchscreen in the centre stack. It complements the fully digital instrument panel and is loaded with Ford’s latest SYNC system, which comes customer‑ready with its voice‑activated communications, entertainment and information systems. Additionally, there’s an embedded factory‑fitted FordPass Connect modem, allowing connectivity on the go when linked with the FordPass app, so customers can stay connected to their world. FordPass enhances the ownership experience with features like Remote Start, Vehicle Status, and remote lock and unlock functions via a mobile device. Many of the traditional driving mode controls have been moved from the dash and centre console to their own dedicated display on the SYNC screen. With one button press, drivers can go to Ranger’s dedicated screen for all off‑road and drive modes where they can monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch and roll angles and other controls. The screen also is linked to a 360‑degree camera to make parking a breeze in tight urban spaces or to assist when negotiating particularly tricky terrain while out exploring. In addition, customers can control Ranger’s new exterior zone lighting system via the touchscreen or the FordPass app, which means they don’t have to work, camp or do anything in the dark. Ranger technology will also be future‑proofed to accept Ford Power‑Up wireless software updates thanks to the embedded FordPass Connect modem. The design team also created clever storage and useful features for owners. There are not only places to store your phone or charge it wirelessly (where compatible), but there’s a large centre console bin to stash things. In addition, the door pockets are designed to carry more, the wide dash conceals an upper glovebox and there are storage bins under and behind the rear seats. The next‑generation Ranger will be built at Ford’s plants in Thailand and South Africa beginning in 2022, with other markets to be announced at a later date.
DO YOU OPERATE VANS IN THE EU? THE RULES ARE CHANGING…
From 21 May 2022, anyone wanting to operate a light goods vehicle between 2.5 and 3.5 tons for hire and reward in any EU member State – including the Republic of Ireland - will be required to have a UK Licence for the Community if they want to use their vehicles.
The move is part of an EU wide change in the legislation covering operator licences, but it only applies to EU member states. Vans and other light goods vehicles which operate only within the UK will not be affected, nor will vehicles used as part of someone’s work, for example vans used by plumbers, electricians, or other tradespeople to transport themselves and their tools. To ensure that the necessary legislation is made in time, the Department for Infrastructure is working closely with the Department for Transport and DVSA in the production of a single piece of legislation which will make the changes on a UK-wide basis.
WHY ARE THE RULES CHANGING?
The EU adopted what is known as Mobility Package 1 in 2017, with the aim of tightening up the rules around the carriage of goods for hire and reward generally, by removing factors undermining fair competition between resident and non-resident operators and address shortcomings around how the rules were applied and enforced. The final elements of the mobility package will become law in all EU member states on 21 May 2022.
WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR NI LIGHT GOODS VEHICLE OWNERS?
If they don’t operate in the EU (including the Republic of Ireland) then they won’t have to do anything. The domestic Northern Ireland rules aren’t changing, nor are the equivalent rules in Great Britain. However, if they operate a light goods vehicle in the EU, they may have to take some action.
HOW WILL SOMEONE KNOW WHETHER THEY NEED TO ACT?
The new requirement applies only to vehicles carrying goods for hire or reward for someone else. So, if you carry your own produce, for instance, you won’t be affected. If you carry tools as part of your business, you won’t be affected. However, if someone pays you to carry something for them, whether it’s from Lurgan to Lisnabreen, or from Letterkenny to Laragh, you will have to have an operator’s licence.
WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR THOSE WHO’VE NEVER HAD AN OPERATORS’ LICENCE BEFORE?
New operators will have to apply for a licence. The requirements are essentially the same as for operators of heavy goods vehicles, with some relaxations around financial requirements and operating centres. For example, the financial standing requirement is £1600 pounds for the first LGV and £800 for each subsequent vehicle. And though applicants will have to have an operating centre, where their records are kept, this will not have the stringent parking requirements of an HGV operating centre. Applicants will have to meet the competency requirements, which could mean obtaining the necessary qualifications or contracting the services of a transport manager. For anyone who has been operating an in-scope vehicle for more than 10 years, there will be an ‘Acquired Rights’ process to enable them to be exempted from the competence requirements for up to three years, during which time they will need to either get qualified or find a qualified transport manager. The application process for acquired rights will be opened as soon as the online process is finalised, and dates will be released as soon as they are confirmed. Applicants will need to provide evidence that they have a 10 year history of work which equates to the functions of a transport manager.
WHAT IF SOMEONE USES LGV’S IN THE EU AND THEY’VE ALREADY GOT AN OPERATOR’S LICENCE?
For a person or company which already possesses a goods vehicle operator’s licence, the licence will need to be varied to include the light goods vehicles.
WHEN IS THIS HAPPENING?
The EU requirement will kick in on 21 May 2022. The Department is working with the Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Services Agency (DVSA) to set up the necessary webpages and application processes. However, for legal reasons it’s not possible to take applications until the legislation is laid in parliament, which should be around the end of November, so the dates on which the application websites will open will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.
WHAT SHOULD LGV OPERATORS DO NOW?
They should watch out for further information from the Department and, if they know of anyone who may be affected, they should also make them aware. Anyone who feels that their own business may be within the scope of the new provisions should take steps to find out more about the requirements. More information can be found at ‘New rules for international road haulage in 2022 | Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk),’ which includes a link to an email alert service.
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