MAN has become the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to send an autonomous truck onto the German motorway. On board of the test truck, which drove around ten kilometres on the A9 between the Allershausen and Fürholzen junctions, were Federal Transport Minister Dr Volker Wissing and MAN CEO Alexander Vlaskamp. MAN has been intensively driving forward the development of autonomous trucks for use in logistics hubs and for hub-to-hub traffic on motorways for some time and recently became the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to receive a Level 4 test permit based on the law on autonomous d ..read more

Giti Tire’s European truck and bus portfolio has utilised its latest tyre launch to highlight a move to a range of tyres delivering vastly improved Rolling Resistance Coefficient (RRC) – the Giti GDL617 Ecoroad. The new tyre, based on the popular Giti GDL617 long-haul drive pattern, features a new and innovative tread compound which significantly lowers hysteresis generation to raise the RRC up two grades to a B. Initially available in the popular size 315/70R22.5, it is aimed at pulling units for all long-haul highway application semi-trailer operations including, but not limited to, curtains ..read more

If you are not carrying out international transport these retrofit dates do not apply, however if you transit through northern Ireland they will apply. As recently updated the EU Commission through the Department of Transport and the RSA are implementing new legislation in relation to Smart2 Tachographs. G2V2 tachograph is required in all vehicles registered on or after the 21/08/2023. Vehicles engaged in international transport (including Northern Ireland) that are currently equipped with an Analogue or Digital tachograph system must be retrofitted with a G2V2 tachogr ..read more

Go-Ahead Ireland (GAI) has announced an extension of its existing sponsorship of the Dublin GAA adult leagues and championships across the four codes of Football, Ladies Football, Hurling, and Camogie until at least 2026. Dublin GAA’s club adult league and championships consist of 88 clubs, the majority of which are part of the GAI network of services and communities, with thousands of players competing in over 50 competitions across four codes. Go-Ahead Ireland is Dublin’s best performing and fastest growing public transport bus operator. The organisation has seen substantial growth since the ..read more

VDL Bus Roeselare, the new Flemish production facility of VDL Bus & Coach, was officially opened last week. In addition to the 27,000m2 production facility, this also launches the workshop, warehouse, and offices of VDL Bus Roeselare and VDL Bus & Coach Belgium nv. The site at Krommebeekpark 2, Roeselare, which covers an area of 77,000m2, has been in operation for some time. At VDL Bus Roeselare, there will be serial production of the new generation Citea, the 100% electric bus for public transport. The opening was attended by Flemish prime minister Jan Jambon ..read more

The hush afforded to kickers in Thomond Park will now be matched by a new fleet of Double Decker buses in Limerick City. Limerick’s city bus service, operated by Bus Éireann, is set to become Ireland’s first fully electric regional city bus service, as part of a €54 million investment by the National Transport Authority (NTA). The new services is were launched by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD at Limerick’s Colbert Station on Friday, 12 April. As part of the investment, a total of 55 new state-of-the-art double deck battery-electric buses, operated by Ireland’s national bus company, Bus ..read more

It’s been an uncertain time for Van Hool, their suppliers, staff and customers, however in the final statement issued by the company it seems certain that production will resume, and the brand has been saved. Many Irish Operators waiting for new vehicles have been assured that vehicles in production will be delivered, but as one operator said, they are not here yet. Let’s hope the future is bright. The curators (Liquidator’s) have reached a preliminary agreement with VDL Group (coaches and buses) and GRW, a partner company of Schmitz Cargobull (trailers). The board of curators at Van Hool, the ..read more

Since the last update from Fáilte Ireland, Ireland welcomed thousands of visitors to locations across the country with an exciting programme of events for St Patrick’s Festival Dublin and all around the country. “Dublin and six regional St Patrick’s Day celebrations took place in Cork, Killarney, Limerick, Waterford, Sligo, and Kilkenny. Followed by the Easter bank holiday, I hope you have had a busy and prosperous start to the traditional tourism season. Last week, we launched a new five-year plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in Co. Sligo. The Sligo Destination and Experience Deve ..read more

Innovation boost from the market leader: ten further developments Even greater stability, more protection against damage, easier to use – Krone Dry Box, the new generation of steel smooth-wall swap bodies from Krone, will be launched in 2024 with ten ingenious enhancements. To increase protection against damage, the front wall is now slightly recessed at the top, so that there is sufficient space even when cornering. In addition, the collision guard has been extended to 1,300 mm at the bottom. The new embossing in the front and side rails provides even more stability in the body, which also of ..read more

The liquid fuel distribution industry’s premier event, UKIFDA EXPO and Conference 2024, concluded its highly successful two-day run in Liverpool (10-11 April) with record attendance, insightful conference sessions and an impressive showcase of exhibitors. With nearly 1,400 attendees, 85 exhibitors and 24 speakers, this year’s event surpassed expectations, featuring high calibre stands and a thought-provoking conference programme that covered a wide range of topics crucial to the industry’s development. The conference sessions provided attendees with invaluable knowledge, from a look at what’s ..read more