After a few abortive efforts to sell European-built commercial vehicles in North America, it now looks like Ford will be selling the Transit Connect in the USA. The vehicle being shown at the Chicago Auto Show is actually the facelifted next-generation Connect, not yet available in Europe. And there will also be an electric version launched next year, to be built by Smith Electric Vehicles here in Blighty.
The Liberal Democrats seem keen to attack road transport: Lib Dem transport spokesman Norman Baker has used the DfT's statistic that there was a 67% increase in dangerous truck prohibitions from 2003 to 2007 as justification for a move to rail freight - conveniently ignoring the massive improvement in targeted enforcement over that period. However, the DfT was quick to point this out, while the FTA said, "To suggest that Britain's congestion problems would be solved by rail is far too simplistic. The Liberal Democrats' anti-truck stance puts them in danger of throwing the baby out with the bathwater". Norman's made a few friends there, then...
Oh, and check out Norman Baker's rather tasteless FAQ page.
Truck parking is a topic which concerns most transport operators: it's good to hear that the Department for Transport is aiming to produce a national action plan on lorry parking this year.
Other news:
- Edinburgh is considering a consolidation centre
- Scania has rejected a takeover offer from Porsche
- Anti-fuel-syphoning devices grow in popularity