Fleet Issue 5 Aug-Sept 2025

Delo 400 XSP-SD SAE 5W-30 engine oil helps:

■ Increase fuel economy

■ Reduce inventories & misapplication

■ Offer protection in sub-zero engine starts

■ Extend drain intervals

■ Promote DPF protection & service life

To find out more, contact Certa, your Authorised Texaco® Lubricants Distributor. Email: lubricants@certaireland.ie Tel: 057 868 4500

fleet transport Magazine, d ’alton street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, ireland. f12 E7P2

tel: +353 (0)94 9372819/ 9372826

Email: enquiries@fleet.ie web: www.fleet.ie

Subscription Hotline: 094 93 72827

Editor: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

contributors: Cathal Doyle, Sean Murtagh, Paul White, Donal Dempsey, Howard Knott, Gianenrico Griffini - ITOY, Will Shiers - ITOY

Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Paul White, Cathal Doyle, Howard Knott, Newspress

Administration: Orla Sweeney

Email: enquiries@fleet.ie

Advertising: Mary Morrissey

Email: mary@fleet.ie

design: Crackerjack Design House

Printed in Ireland

At the recent Road Transport Expo (RTX) 2025 at the NAEC, Stoneleigh, England the organisers of the annual commercial vehicle and trade exhibition announced the expansion of its reach into Ireland with two brand-new, industry-focused events: RTX Northern Ireland and RTX Ireland.

These events will bring its unique “all about the road transport” formula to Ireland, specifically tailored to meet the needs of the transport industry across the island of Ireland.

First up, RTX Northern Ireland will take place in mid-April 2026 at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn. This will be followed by RTX Ireland in 2027 in the Republic (date and location to be announced), which will also showcase the latest innovations in the ever expanding transport sector.

wHy Ir ELAN d?

Ireland’s road transport and haulage industry is a dynamic and evolving market with unique challenges and opportunities. RTX Northern Ireland and RTX Ireland will provide dedicated platforms where professionals can connect, innovate, and grow.

To endure maximise impact, the organisers, who also host RTX Scotland have partnered with Export & Freight and Fleet Transport magazines - two leading

voices in the transport media—to create a platform where Ireland’s HGV & LCV operators, fleet managers, and transport professionals can come together to share insights and drive progress.

wHAT TO EXPE c T AT r TX N O r THE r N Ir ELAN d 2026

n Hosted at the vast Eikon Exhibition Centre site, situated just outside Belfast

n An extensive indoor and outdoor exhibition, to showcase the latest trucks, trailers, bodybuilders, telematics, and more.

n Ride & Drive Experience, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to get behind the wheel of the latest models from leading manufacturers, showcasing fuel and technology options.

n A thought-provoking seminar programmes, with expert-led panels and sessions on key topics such as decarbonisation, vehicle safety, and emerging technologies.

n Outstanding networking opportunities, including an informal drinks reception on the first evening-perfect for connecting with peers and industry leaders.

wHy E XHI b IT?

RTX Northern Ireland 2026 in association with Export & Freight provides an unparalleled opportunity for exhibitors to:

n Engage directly with senior decision-makers from across the Northern Irish road haulage sector.

n Generate high-quality leads that drive business growth.

Road Transport Expo (RTX) crosses the Irish Sea to establish RTX Northern Ireland & RTX Ireland

n Showcase and launch the latest products and services to an influential audience.

n Build lasting relationships with potential and existing customers, as well as industry stakeholders.

n Educate the market on how various solutions can enhance operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

n Boost brand visibility through support from a dedicated team and a suite of free marketing tools.

At the announcement Vic Bunby, Show Director, Road Transport Media commented: “Together with our Northern Irish partners, Export & Freight, we are committed to delivering an event that truly serves the road haulage industry on the island of Ireland. RTX Northern Ireland will be the go-to platform to explore innovation, stay on top of industry trends, and make the connections that matter. Join us in April 2026 - and be part of a new chapter for Irish road transport.”

Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor at Fleet Publications, which publishes Fleet Transport is pleased to support the launch of RTX Northern Ireland and RTX Ireland - two events that will bring a fresh, focused approach to the Irish road transport sector. “With decades of experience serving the industry across the Republic of Ireland, we recognise the value of creating platforms that drive progress, foster innovation, and encourage meaningful engagement. We look forward to working closely with the RTX team to deliver events that truly reflect the needs and ambitions of transport professionals across the island.”

Scania’s CNG Natural Gas engine with extended range

Scania has now launched a three-axle tractor unit with extended fuel capacity on its 460 hp Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powertrain. Scania engineers have designed a rack behind the cab to accommodate the extra fuel tanks, which facilitates the carriage of up to 220kg of natural gas. This option is available on a rear-steer tractor unit.

For more information, please email  Thomas.Diffley@westwardscania.com

New Super 11 diesel engine

Scania has now introduced a new addition to the Super engine range. This new 11-litre Euro 6 diesel engine comprises of 85% of the components in the 13-litre engine range. It is 85 kg lighter that the 13-litre, which increases payload and is up to 7% lighter on fuel compared to the 9-litre engine. The Super 11 is suitable for urban transport and light long-distance applications. It offers plenty of torque even at low revs. A broad torque band provides excellent drivability. In addition, Scania has developed a Variable Valve brake (VVB) on this new engine. This provides smoother and faster gear shifting. Also is a twin dosing system – this means AdBlue is sprayed into the turbo, and in return assuring lower consumption. This new Super 11 engine range is available to order today. Please contact the local Scania dealer for more information.

WESTWARD SCANIA

after the rumours of recent times, the official confirmation arrived at the end of July. iveco Group and tata Motors have reached an agreement to create a leading player in the transport sector with global reach, product portfolio and industrial capabilities. the news marks the end of a journey that began in 2021 with China’s state-owned faw ’s (first automotive works) failed acquisition of iveco for purely political reasons, the rapprochement with hyundai Motor Company with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in March 2022 to explore joint business opportunities, and iveco Group’s divestment of the firefighting division. that was announced in March 2024 and culminated in the effective sale of Magirus to the German holding company Mutares earlier this year.

The €3.8 billion acquisition of Iveco Group will take place through a voluntary Public Acquisition Offer (OPA) by Tata Motors. The Tata Motors takeover bid, which is expected to be finalised in the first half of 2026, is conditional on obtaining the necessary legal approvals - in the areas of mergers, foreign direct investment, the Eu Foreign Subsidies Regulation and financial regulation - and the separation of the Defence Business, which includes the industrial entities of Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV) and Astra. And it was precisely on 30 July that the

Tata Motors’ acquisition of Iveco Group will bring radical change

signing of the definitive agreement was announced for the sale of this later business sector by Iveco Group to Leonardo, Europe’s leading

company in the defence and security sector, for a total amount of €1.7 billion. Leonardo, in turn, last year established a 50/50 joint venture with Germany’s Rheinmetall - under the name Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles (LRMV) - with the aim of forming a new European core for the development and production of military vehicles. The divestiture of the Defence Business, which effectively cleared the way for the Tata Motors takeover bid, will create a national player in the land defence sector at a European level, with the size and skills necessary to compete successfully on a global scale.

Good news and some questions

The Tata Motors takeover, if successfully completed, would bring together the resources of companies with highly complementary product portfolios and capabilities, with essentially no overlap in industrial structure or geographic presence, creating a stronger, more diversified entity with a significant global presence and sales of more than 540,000 units per year. Together, Iveco and the commercial vehicle business of Tata Motors will have combined revenues of about €22 billion, split between Europe (about 50% of the total), India (about 35%) and the Americas (about 15%), and with attractive positions in emerging

markets in Asia and Africa.

The positive aspects of the agreement include a commitment from Tata Motors to support Iveco Group’s business strategy, to support Iveco in implementing and accelerating these plans, and to work together to ensure business growth. In the segment of transport vehicles, the Italian company has so far pursued a multi-energy approach based on offering vehicles with traditional diesel engines, natural gas engines (compressed or liquefied) and battery electric (BEV) and hydrogen fuel-cell (FCEV) trucks. This product development plan has been accompanied by a strategy of growth through partnerships. Examples of this are those with Hyundai in the field of fuel cells for commercial vehicles and buses, with Ford Trucks - the economic commitment is €343 million - for the joint development of a new generation of cabs compliant with Eu regulations for direct driver vision that will reach the market in 2028, and with Plus for autonomous driving vehicles. under the terms of the Iveco-Tata agreement, Iveco’s Board of Directors will continue to drive decisions for long-term growth and maintain the competitiveness of the business. This is a pragmatic approach, in many ways similar to the one successfully adopted by the American Paccar Group in 1996, when it acquired the Dutch truck manufacturer DAF. Tata Motors is also committed to the long-term development of the combined group and to no significant restructuring or closure of plants or production sites owned or used by Iveco Group. Finally, the Indian company guarantees the permanence of Iveco’s headquarters in Turin and the respect and maintenance of Iveco Group’s corporate identity, integrity, core values and culture, as well as its main brands and logos.

Gianrico Griffini - IToy

Introducing The ALL-NEW

Meiller Long Wheel Base Tipping Trailer

Setanta Vehicle Sales are excited to introduce the brand-new Meiller Long Wheel Base Tipping Trailer – fully 46 T compliant, allowing you to operate at Ireland’s maximum legal load capacity.

Key Specifications:

Capacity: 25m³ / 32.6 cu yd

Axle & Suspension: BPW with drum brakes & front lift

Automatic Dump Valve

Automatic Rear-to-Front Cover

Hardox Body: Floor – 5mm | Side Walls – 4mm | Front Wall – 4mm

Tare Weight: 7,200 kg

Ram: Meiller-manufactured, raises in 45s, lowers in 90s

Also available: a Short Wheel Base variant with a similar high-quality Meiller build. For exact specifications or to find out more, get in touch with our team today. We have these Long Wheel Base models in stock and ready to go.

With your appointment as Business Development Manager, what are your plans and objectives with Emerald Truck & Van Ltd., and IVECO in general.

My primary objective is to increase awareness of the IVECO Brand in Ireland. The main emphasis will be on our heavy product ranges – S-WAY for Transport & Logistics and X-WAY for the construction and aggregates sector.

Over your decades in the trade you have gained lots of experience which you can bring to the table at Emerald?

Absolutely. I commenced my commercial vehicle sales career back in 1984 and in 2024 I hit a personal landmark, celebrating 40 years in the industry! During this time, I have developed a deep understanding of the industry and made many friends and acquaintances across the country.

What are the USP/KPIs of the IVECO brand?

IVECO strengths include a focus on a long-term multi-energy approach. Beyond diesel, IVECO is developing other sustainable solutions like bio-methane gas, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. IVECO has a strong heritage and is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. IVECO has a remarkable history, legacy, and track record in product development and builds on its core values of versatility, robustness, durability, and performance.

IVECO has been particularly successful with fleets that operate a wide range of GVW’s from 3,500 kg up to 46,000 kg, providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ for many large and diversified fleet operators who need a wide range of vehicles for different applications and duty cycles.

The current Iveco light, medium and heavy duty ranges have never been as

One-to-One with Rod Hawkins, Business Development Manager, Emerald Truck & Van Ltd

strong, offering a full suite of applications

Yes, the diversity of the Iveco model range is unmatched in the industry. As I stated, we offer the complete weight range from 3,500 kg vans and chassis cabs right up to 60,000 kg & 80,000 kg STGO. FPT (Fiat Powertrain Technologies), part of IVECO Group, offers various power options, including Diesel, CNG, LNG, BEV and will also offer H2 in future.

With the Daily 4x4 and the Natural Gas powered Eurocargo and S-Way Natural Powers, they have a special niche in the marketplace

As the industry approaches the Eu Policy deadlines, currently 2035 for ICE vehicles up to and including 26,000 kg, and 2040 for ICE vehicles over 26,000 kg, Iveco is extremely well positioned to meet the growing demands of operators who need to reduce their carbon footprint. Iveco has adopted an open technology approach, recognising that the future of decarbonisation for transport and construction is ECLECTIC and not just electric.

For all commercial vehicle brands the dealer network and support services are paramount. Are there plans to add to the aftermarket provisions nationwide?

In Ireland we currently have a well-established and mature network with dealers in Dundalk, Tullamore, Sligo, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Enniscorthy. Our sister company in ulster, NI Trucks includes locations in Mallusk and Portadown as well as Service points in Coleraine and Claudy. We are always looking to develop our network to support our customer operations and there are also plans to expand this network further in the months ahead.

Parts and components availability for operators that have their own workshop - how well is this requirement of your business served?

As the sole importer and distributor for all IVECO products, parts and services in Ireland, we have excellent facilities and staff based at Emerald Truck & Van in Ballymount, just off J10 on the M50.

IVECO is renowned for efficient next day distribution of parts from its central parts distribution centre in Turin.

Relating to new and additional variants of the product line, is the S-e-Way Electric due here soon? What about the new medium and heavy and, provided by Stellantis, that will be badged Iveco?

The first S-e-WAY that will be available is the 26,000 kg rigid and details will soon be released to our customers.

We will be marketing a new range of small and medium vans from Iveco, the e-Jolly and e-SuperJolly – this new range of vans is expected to be released in uK and Ireland in Q1 of 2026.

2025 marks a special year for Iveco as it celebrates its 50th anniversary since its formation. Are there plans to honour the occasion?

Oh yes, IVECO proudly marks 50 years since its foundation in 1975, when five leading European industrial vehicle manufacturers came together, with a programme of activities to celebrate its rich legacy of excellence and innovation in the transport sector 2025. There has been various events held across Europe so far this year marking the anniversary of IVECO. We look forward to showcasing IVECO’s rich history in Ireland at the Fleet Transport Awards event on 16 October 2025 at Johnstown Estate Hotel.

Range Topping Tractor-units, Distribution Trucks & Electric Vans in contention for Fleet Transport Award’s

Irish Truck of the Year & Green Commercials Awards 2026

this year’s fleet transport awards irish truck of the Year & Green Commercials awards boast a bumper crop of thirty commercials comprising trucks and vans, all hoping for success at the awards Gala night taking place on october 16, 2025.

Ahead of that, all thirty contenders were gathered together for three days at the start of July at The Johnstown Estate in Enfield for assessment by an expert adjudication panel, consisting of driver trainers, commercial vehicle journalists, university lecturers in transport and engineering and fleet managers.

Working in pairs, the judges undertook a comprehensive review of each vehicle including a static inspection and on-road driving, while representatives from the truck and van distributors provided information on the technical aspects and merits of their vehicles.

Aspects taken into consideration included each vehicle’s overall appearance, aerodynamics, ease of entry and exit, driver comforts, ergonomics, safety enhancements, powertrain efficiency and overall visibility.

Representatives from ongoing awards event sponsors PTSB and ePower were on hand to observe and engage in the activities and were impressed with the high levels of performance and technology on display during the event. All are looking forward to the awards night when the category winners will be announced.

“Our 2026 Awards Gala marks 23 years of hosting the Irish Truck of the

Year Awards. Over the decades we have honoured the many brands and models who have excelled in terms of top class engineering and innovation, stemming from continued major investment in research and development. Our judging panel, selected from a number of commercial vehicle sectors, looks at these vehicles in different ways, coming up with a unified consensus in selecting and electing the prize winners. All will be revealed on the night,” said Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Publications, on behalf of the organisers.

“Of note within the line-up of contenders in the Flagship Tractor-unit class was the fact that all trucks complied with the new General Safety Regulations with their existing and new cabs, with preparation underway for future legislation, particularly from vehicle operational and driver performance aspects.”

In the Green Commercial of the Year awards, we have seen a growing number of established light commercial vehicle manufacturers offering electric options on existing models, and the sector has also seen newcomers, mostly from China, entering the European market with totally emission-free drivetrains.

In the van sector, the interest in zero-emission technology is increasing and the offering from manufacturers is becoming more attractive with financial incentives along with more competitive pricing. See the full line up of vans in contention on Page 76 and 77.

PTSB through its Asset Finance division provides solutions that meets the asset finance needs of businesses across the country. The team in Asset Finance work closely with customers that operate across a number of sectors and have established long term relationships with customers in the transport industry. The sponsorship of Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the year underpins their commitment to the transport industry.

Colm Furlong, Head of Asset Finance in PTSB said “At PTSB, we are proud once again to support the Irish Truck of the Year Awards – a celebration of excellence, innovation and resilience in the transport industry. As partners to businesses across Ireland, we in PTSB Asset Finance understand the critical role that fleet investment plays in driving growth, delivering for customers, and supporting more environmentally friendly transport solutions.  This sponsorship reflects our ongoing commitment to helping Irish businesses move forward, every mile of the way.”

RISH

RACTOR

G REEN COMMERCIAL AWARDS - T R u CKS

Standout Scania Sales by McElvaneys (Monaghan

& Dublin)

Cool Cat Plant services (swords, County dublin)

Two new Scania 560R 5-axle XT Tippers, complete with Fitzgerald and Thompson Bodies, retarders and many extras.

Mcardle international (dundalk & dublin)

Four plus one special new Scania vehicles have recently joined the fleet, consisting of four 660 S V8 tractor units and a 770 S V8 4x2 Highline

A new Scania 770 S 6x2/2 for Hanlon Transport.

Max trailer 3 axle Lowbed extendable to 13m with travel height of 350mm. On pendle axles, in stock.

Faymonville lifting bed extendable low loader, rear steer, double flip ramps, option of grid or timber flooring. Can be speced to suit your requirements. In stock.

2025 Schmitz 8.2m tipping trailer, electric cover, sealed tail board, galvanised chassis, front lift axle, auto dump on suspension, in stock,

2025 Feldbinder bulk powder tank, 2 pot, 3 lid, rear lift axle, ladder and catwalk, BPW axles, engine frame, can be supplied with or without power pack. In Stock.

New DAF Trucks Deliveries

tony dunne, dPl Group ltd (Kilmainham, County dublin) is pictured with Paul O’Reilly, Fleet Sales Manager, DAF Trucks Ireland, alongside the new DAG LF 260 18-tonne 4x2 rigid with Day cab and body fitted by Monread Truck Builders, Naas.

EBB Power (Rathcoole, County dublin), the paper and board supplier has acquired a new DAF XB 12-tonne 4x2 rigid, with Day cab, kerb side window and fitted with a curtainsider built by Monread Truck Bodies, Naas. Paul O’Reilly did the deal with Mark Forde.

MuTEC adds to its customer support fleet

MUtEC, the Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle dealership on the naas Road, dublin has expanded its mobile service fleet with the addition of another customer support vehicle, taking the number of fleet backups to six units. this new Vito will be dedicated to its daimler Bus division, enhancing the ability to provide mobile and offsite assistance to its Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach customers.

MuTEC’s General Manager, Gary Green, commented: “Our customer’s needs and expectations are constantly evolving, and at MuTEC, we are committed to adapting our services to meet those demands. By investing in new service vehicles and expanding our team of skilled technicians, we can continue to provide exceptional support to our valued Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach customers.”

A unique new DAF XF 480 8x2 rigid equipped with a Crossland (Swatragh) built tanker was supplied to Kelly Environmental services, delgany, County wicklow. Additional embellishments were provided by TRP at the DAF Truck dealership, as ordered by Dave Kelly, company MD, with Paul O’Reilly.

Buying a new truck?

Check its safety rating first.

You can now find the safest heavy commercial vehicle for your fleet through Euro NCAP’s five-star rating system.

however normal the Mannheim may look from the outside, on the inside this 200-metre-long inland cargo vessel is nothing short of revolutionary. the engine room boasts a high-tech diesel-electric powertrain, with at its heart five powerful PaCCaR MX-13 engines supplied by daf Components.

Thanks in part to the formidable 530 hp PACCAR MX-13 engines built by DAF in Eindhoven, the Mannheim is 30% more efficient when compared

PACCAR MX-13 engines power 200-metre Mannheim inland cargo ship

with similar vessels equipped with a conventional powertrain. The ship’s NOx emissions are also five times lower. In addition, the diesel-electric installation makes the 4,600-tonnes Mannheim much quieter and more comfortable. The ship will be used by Rhenus Partnership – a subsidiary of the German logistics specialist Rhenus Group – for transport between Southern Germany, Antwerp and Rotterdam.

The powertrain offers a maximum horsepower of 2650 hp (1946 kW). An innovative power management system controls the number of MX-13 engines that need to be running and at what capacity. When the Mannheim is trans-

HysetCo, the hydrogen

porting a full load upstream, all five of the engines are used to generate the maximum amount of electricity. And when sailing downstream, one engine is often enough. This flexibility delivers significant savings on fuel and a major reduction in CO2 emissions.

An extra battery and an additional hydrogen-powered energy source even make it possible to shut down the engines temporarily so that the ship can be manoeuvred fully electrically – and emission-free – when in port.

The Mannheim can also sail with zero emissions when passing through towns and cities located on the river.

mobility pioneer, opens  a new hydrogen station at Paris-Orly Airport

as the European leader in “hydrogen mobility as a service,” with the world’s largest hydrogen fleet (800 vehicles) and the leading hydrogen station network in france (8 stations in the Paris region), hysetCo continues its growth by increasing hydrogen refuelling capacity at orly sixfold.

As the pioneer in hydrogen mobility, HysetCo is strengthening its network of hydrogen stations in the Île-de-France region - France. To support the growing demand for hydrogen in transportation, the company has increased the distribution capacity of its Paris-Orly airport station to 1 ton per day.

This project is the result of a collabo -

Munro Vehicles, scotland’s only volume production car company and the maker of the world’s most capable specialist electric 4x4 has confirmed a £17 million order book for its all-electric series-M Utility, truck and Chassis models, following an 18-month durability test programme designed to meet the needs of customers in mining, defence,

ration with Groupe ADP and is supported by the French government, the European CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) Transport program, and the Île-deFrance Region.

The Paris-Orly Airport site plays a strategic role in the deployment of hydrogen mobility in dense urban areas. Located in close proximity to major transportation flows — taxis, professional vehicles, travellers — the station is a key refuelling point for high-usage needs. With a new distribution capacity of 1 ton per day, it can now fuel more than 500

vehicles daily.

This new station replaces the first hydrogen station in the Paris region, originally settled at the airport in 2017. As airport access roads account for up to 30% of non-flight-related carbon emissions, this initiative illustrates a strong commitment to cleaner and more efficient mobility solutions.

Munro Electric 4x4 Vehicles announces next stage of its global business strategy

utilities, and emergency services. uniquely within the automotive sector, the testing has been conducted almost entirely off-road.

The all-electric Munro Series M is offered with a choice of two powertrains. The M170 is powered by an 85kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery pack. Producing 170kW of power and 600Nm of torque, the vehicle has a 2,250kg towing capability and a 1,050kg payload.

A more powerful M170 variant features an 85 kWh LFP battery pack and creates 280kW of power and 700Nm of torque. Its 3,500Kg towing capacity and

1050kg payload give it a competitive advantage over road oriented electric 4x4s.

Three body configurations are offered. The enclosed-bed utility model can effortlessly transport a fully equipped crew to even the most remote sites safely and comfortably. The open-bed Truck combines impressive space with exceptional cargo practicality.

Munro’s Chassis model is engineered to combine the unmatched off-road ability of its counterparts with complete versatility, giving buyers the freedom to create custom bodies to meet their mission-specific needs.

space, outer space, inner space and space age. all descriptors that are relevant to the Globetrotter XXl cab specified on the Volvo fh 500 aero 6x2 tractor-unit driven by fleet transport in the company of Martin tomlinson, head of Media & truck demonstration Volvo UK & ireland.

Notable on this press test and customer demonstration truck was its spaciousness. Roominess equals happiness, in that space provides a driver with a pleasurable working environment. The flat floor adds to the comfort elements as does the broader and more sumptuous bunk, while the sleek and neat dashboard area, together with the multifunctional steering wheel, ensures that every operational need is close to hand.

Volvo Truck design engineers created instant appeal with its new look FH flagship, revised a couple of years ago. The Aero version, which has an extended front end (by 24cm) meets the latest Eu length regulations. What has been achieved is improved aerodynamics and in return better fuel economy. For example, the airflow is strategically directed around the cab, significantly reducing air resistance, while ensuring that the glazed areas are kept clean. The result is less energy loss, lower consumption, and reduced CO2 emissions. Another wind drag saving is with the design and installation of digital mirrors, aka mirror cameras replacing the traditional winged framed ‘looking glasses’.

Volvo FH 500 6x2 Globetrotter XXL

operating costs without compromising on performance and reliability. The new Volvo FH Aero with I-Save delivers in many ways: thanks to its sleek front end, latest engine technology, and many driver assistance safety systems.

While the digital mirrors do require getting used to, particularly for drivers who wear glasses, the sharp display from the latest cameras positioned portrait style on the pillars is much better than the originals, further enhancing driving comfort and safety, especially when reversing and manoeuvring. The blind spot areas around the cab are reduced.

As the housings for the camera lenses are also narrow and short, they are less likely to get damaged along countryside routes or narrow lane ways.

What is also significant is that the Volvo FH achieved the top rating of five stars in the first ever Euro NCAP rating from the renowned European consumer test organisation. It has also achieved the City Safe award, designed to protect vulnerable road users in city traffic situations.

‘Euro NCAP’s five-star rating means that Volvo has shown excellent performance on criteria such as driver support and collision avoidance, delivering traffic safety for the driver and surrounding road users’.

Each and every day road transport operators face the challenge of reducing

Also noticeable on the front end section is that the flat panel above the grille is now much larger. This allows transport firms more scope when embellishing their names and logos on it compared to the previous edition, which saw many operators coming up with their own solutions that distorted the original look of the truck.

Delivering optimum power under the hood of the FH Aero 500 with I-Save is proven Volvo Group technology. The D13K 12.8-litre Euro 6e diesel produces 500 hp and 2800 Nm torque through turbo compound technology, which harnesses excess exhaust energy and

directly converts it into power by optimising for lower engine revs and increased torque. This, along with features like I-See for route-based adjustments and I-Shift for optimised gear changes, aims to significantly reduce fuel consumption.

The drivetrain is further enhanced by the latest generation of the renowned 12-speed I-Shift automatic transmission for smooth gear changes and effortless movement. Then there is the ‘Intelligent engine management’ system that adjusts consumption in real-time. For instance the predictive cruise control reads the road, proportionally providing just enough power when needed and cutting the fuel intake and injection on the downhill sections in an ‘eco-roll’ fashion. Various test drives trials have been recorded and reported by fellow International Truck of the Year jury members. One of the best test results recording an average consumption of

just 23.49 l/100 km, was achieved by Trucker magazine in Germany.

“The Volvo FH Aero topped the consumption charts, surpassing its nearest predecessor by an impressive 4.47%,”

commented Martin as we trawled our way around Warwick and on to various motorway, dual carriage and single lane national routes before ending up at Millbrook, Bedfordshire.

As already mentioned, today’s truck needs not only to be efficient, but also comfortable and safe, with driver retention a key factor, while it’s also important in attracting new drivers into the sector.

This Volvo FH Aero has no shortcomings in this arena. For starters it’s quieter than ever – only 60 dB(A) at 85 km/h, described by Trucker as “raising the bar” for combustion engines. The well proven Dynamic Steering system provides electro-hydraulic steering assistance for maximum precision and driving comfort. Other notable features that will appeal to drivers include the Camera

Monitor System and the ergonomic and spacious interior in this Globetrotter XXL cab, featuring lots of storage area for those long distance journeys.

In fact this model is specifically designed for long-distance transport, where, according to Martin, its aerodynamic advantages pay off the most. “For those driving shorter distances, the standard model remains an economical alternative. But for everyone looking to reduce operating costs, lower CO₂ emissions, and enjoy the highest driving comfort, the Volvo FH Aero is the perfect option,” he said.

On our test drive we had a full load of 44 tonnes gross but it never felt like it, and the powertrain ran like a train, not challenged or gasping at any time. Faultless.

Make/Model: Volvo FH 500 6x2 tractor-unit cab: Globetrotter Aero XXL (Extended front)

wheelbase: 4100 mm

Engine: Volvo Group D13K 12.8-litre Euro 6 diesel Power: 500 hp

Torque: 2,800 Nm

Transmission: Volvo Automated 12-speed I-Shift

Suspension: Air - front and rear

Axle ratio: 2.3:1

Fuel tanks: Diesel; 480 litres, AdBlue; 112 litres

Axle capacity: Front; 8.0 tonnes, Pusher; 7.5 tonnes, Drive; 19.0 tonnes

Tyres: Michelin X Line Energy; Axle 1 & 2: 385/55 R22.5, Axle 3: 315/70 R22.5

Extras: Alcoa Durabrite Alloy Wheels, Camera Rear Monitoring System, Single Bunk, 440 mm locker, 33 litre fridge.

Drive Further for Less

In transport, every drop matters. Whether you run a single truck or a fleet spanning the country, fuel costs directly affect your bottom line. For hauliers, fleet managers, truck service centres and workshops alike, the right engine oil is no longer just about protection — it is about squeezing maximum efficiency from every litre, cutting fuel bills, and keeping engines running cleaner for longer.

At Finol Oils, we understand what keeps your fleet on the road. That is why we are proud to supply the advanced TotalEnergies Rubia Optima XFE range to the Irish transport sector — engineered to deliver outstanding fuel economy and robust engine protection for the latest generation Euro 6 engines.

Pr OVEN S AVINGS. Tr USTE d P E r FO r MAN c E. Today’s commercial vehicles demand more from their lubricants than ever before. Tougher emissions standards, longer drain intervals, and heavier workloads mean your oil must do more than simply lubricate — it must actively save fuel and lower emissions.

The Rubia Optima XFE range does exactly that:

n rubia Optima 5100 XFE 5w-20: Fully synthetic, low-SAPS oil developed for the latest MAN and Scania on-road diesel engines. It carries MAN M 3977 and Scania LDF-5 approvals.

n rubia Optima 4100 XFE 5w-30: Fully synthetic, low-SAPS oil for on-road diesel engines needing API FA-4 spec. It carries Volvo VDS-5, Renault Trucks RLD-5, Mack EO-S 5 and DTFR 15C130 approvals.

n rubia Optima 2100 XFE 10w-30: Low-SAPS lubricant for on-road diesel engines needing API FA-4 spec. It carries Cummins CES 20087 and Ford WSS-M2C214-B1 approvals and meets the requirements of Detroit Diesel DFS 93K223. (Available exclusively on order)

These oils deliver proven fuel savings without sacrificing durability or performance. For fleet operators, this means reduced running costs, less downtime and engines that keep going, mile after mile.

wHy cHOOSE rU b IA O PTIMA XFE rANGE?

Fuel Savings — Specially formulated to lower friction and boost engine efficiency.

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OEM Approved — Approved and trusted by leading Heavy Vehicle Manufacturers.

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Finol Oils partners closely with workshops and service centres, giving your customers access to the very best for their engines. When you choose Rubia Optima XFE range, you offer fleet operators a high-performance, fuel-efficient engine oil approved and trusted by leading Heavy Vehicle Manufacturers.

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the term ‘racking’ is used to describe a skeletal framework, of fixed or adjustable design, to support loads generally without the use of shelves. it is usually qualified (i.e., pallet racking, tyre racking, drum racking, etc).

Racking systems are widely used in warehouses as there are considerable space advantages over floor storage and they provide for easy access and retrieval of goods. there are many different types of racking system. it is vital that racking systems are managed to ensure their continued safe use. all racking systems should be of good mechanical construction, of sound material, adequate strength and installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. the maximum safe working load and design configuration for any racking installation should be conspicuously displayed.

The requirements for the safe installation of racking vary according to the type and size of the system, and the nature of the building or area for which it is intended. Safe working loads, heights, widths and equipment tolerances should be set by the designers and manufacturers of the total system. The basic principles for safe installation are as follows:

n Racking should only be installed by competent people in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

n Racking should be erected on sound, level floors, capable of withstanding the point loading at each base plate.

n Where the racking design requires it to be secured to the building, only those building members that have been ‘proved’, by structural calculations, as able to resist the forces applied should be used. In such a case, the racking design should be compatible with the building layout.

n Double-sided runs should be connected and spaced using suitable run spacers.

n Where necessary, e.g., where lift trucks or other mechanical handling equipment are used, racking should

Safety with Warehousing Racking Systems

be securely fixed to the floor.

n Aisles should be wide enough to ensure that mechanical handling equipment can be easily manoeuvred. Widths will depend very much on the type of equipment used, e.g., some require a 90° turn to load and offload, some remain parallel to the aisle and have forks at 90° to the direction of travel.

n Beam connector locks (e.g., pins) should always securely fix the connectors at the ends of each beam, to prevent accidental uplift of beams, e.g., by lift truck.

n Racking should have a clear unambiguous notice securely fixed to it, stating the maximum load together with any necessary specified load configurations.

n The limitations indicated in the maximum load notice should never be exceeded. The weight of each palletised load should be established before a decision is made to store it in the racking. This is particularly important where different products are stored which may vary considerably in weight, or where a new line of product is brought into the warehouse for the first time. In some situations, it may not be necessary to establish the weight of each palletised load, if the racking system is designed and installed to meet the storage requirements of the heaviest palletised load in the operation. Nevertheless, the management system should ensure that all palletised loads intended for storage in racking can be safely stored in accordance with the particular racking design and installation.

n Racking should never be altered (e.g., by welding) nor components removed without first consulting the manufacturer. Before changing the position of adjustable components on racking (as supplied), the design limitations of the new configuration should be established and, where necessary, the safe working load notice amended. Adjusting the

position of the first or second beam from the bottom is normally the most critical alteration, which always requires a check on the rated carrying capacity of the rack.

n High visibility colours for key components of the racking, e.g., horizontal beams, will assist truck operators to correctly position the forks and avoid damage to the racking.

RaCK in G ins PEC tion and Maint E nan CE

In general, racking is manufactured from relatively lightweight materials and, as a consequence, there is a limit to the amount of abuse that it can withstand. The skill of lift truck operators has a great bearing on the amount of damage likely to be caused. Any damage to racking will reduce its load carrying capacity. The greater the damage the less its strength will be. To ensure that a racking installation continues to be serviceable and safe, there should be a system in place to ensure that inspections are made at weekly or other regular intervals based on risk assessment, and a written record should be maintained. ‘Expert’ inspections by a technically competent person should be carried out at intervals of not more than 12 months, which should result in a written report with observations and proposals for any action necessary. There should be systems in place for reporting damage and defects immediately they are observed. Employees should receive training, information and instruction on the safe operation of the racking system, including the parts affecting their safety and the safety of others.

More comprehensive information on the safe management of racking systems can be obtained in the uK’s Health and Safety Executive’s guidance document on Warehouse and Storage Safety, HSG 76, available at https://www.hse.gov. uk/pubns/priced/hsg76.pdf or from the Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (SEMA) website https://www. sema.org.uk/

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the spanish company societá officina Romagnola, or soR, has been manufacturing trailers since the early 1970s, with the company specialising in the production of refrigerated bodies. this particular focus on temperature-controlled trailers has generated a wealth of experience that is arguably unparalleled in the industry. headquartered in the town of alzira just south of Valencia, spain, soR produces all types of fridge bodies - from van and rigid truck to urban trailers, standard semi-trailer and special purpose models.

In Ireland the SOR brand is imported by Dublin based Transway Trailers, a respected company with over forty years’ experience in the business. Fleet Transport spoke to James Cleary, head of sales at Transway to find out more about the product and the company’s plans for SOR in the Irish market.

One interesting fact about SOR is that it shares the same parent company as that of Chereau Trailers, the French brand that has been well regarded by Irish refrigerated transport operators for several decades. The combined experience and skills within the two manufacturers should result in products of the highest quality.

Transway are confident that once operators become more familiar with

the brand and what SOR has to offer, they will be attracted by the quality of the trailers and the flexibility of the company’s production processes. The specific trailer making process, which includes features unique to SOR, has been key to the company’s success. Attributes such as the strengthened gooseneck chassis and strengthened front and rear frames are some of the key differentiators between SOR and other manufacturers. A reinforced rear floor section, an area where many trailers are damaged by forklifts and mechanical handling equipment - come as standard. This has been achieved with no perceptible increase in weight. Other interesting features are that the trailers offer an internal width of 2,500 mm wide and an internal height of 2,700 mm while managing to remain within an overall external height of 4,000 mm.

Transway & SOR Trailers - Bespoke refrigerated trailers of high standard

cal or ADR transport.

All manner of cooling units including dual evaporators from the main suppliers are available, as are meat rails, compartment dividers for the supermarket distribution sector, and standard split doors. Equally SOR can supply trailers with any preferred type of running gear from the main component suppliers. This also applies to landing legs and other ancillaries such as a range of diesel tanks to suit any operator’s needs. One additional feature that will be of interest to some is that the trailers can be produced and fully fitted out in Spain with all requirements including tail-lifts. Even the sign writing on the trailer can be done in Spain. SOR can also include a suite of telematics and certification for its products, a necessary feature especially for those specialising in pharmaceuti-

Trailers can be produced to any operator’s specification, to the point that there is no defined standard trailer making each trailer as such a bespoke unit. An operator can opt for different door openings, pallet carriers, or side skirts from an almost endless catalogue of options. Currently the lead-in times are around 12 weeks, which is manageable for most operators, and those who have taken delivery of SOR trailers to date have been impressed with the product.

One such large scale company is DG McArdle of Louth & Dublin. Feedback from the company has been very positive. David McArdle commented that he is proud that DG McArdle are leading the way in the adoption of SOR Trailers in the Irish market. David is confident in the quality of the SOR trailer and the support that you receive from SOR in Spain and also Transway here in Ireland.

Following DG McArdle’s lead, many other Irish transport company have also placed orders, taking delivery in 2025 and some repeating orders in to 2026. With full backup for parts and servicing including 24/7 European support available through Transway, the SOR trailer looks well placed to become as popular here as the brand is throughout Europe.

Text: Paul White – paul@fleet.ie

Moving Ireland’s energy

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Like bioCNG, a renewable gas that can be used as an alternative transport fuel to significantly reduce emissions.

BioCNG is a cleaner and efficient alternative transport fuel for Ireland’s heavy commercial trucks producing up to 90% less carbon emissions than diesel.

By supporting the decarbonisation of transport fleets and supply chains, bioCNG can play a major role as we move Ireland towards a cleaner energy future.

Learn more at gasnetworks.ie/biocng

Iveco is a full line commercial vehicle manufacturer covering all segments from light to medium to heavy duty applications. It starts with the Iveco Daily which caters for the lighter commercial van and chassis cab business from 3.5 to 7.2 tonnes GVW. The Eurocargo takes in the medium truck segment from 7.5 to 18 tonnes, with the S-Way coming in and crossing over from 18 tonnes to 46 tonnes GVW in the rigid truck and tractor-unit sectors.

Soon a complete selection of new electric vans and trucks will be made available throughout its range. The eDaily is already with us, to be joined by the S-eWay 18 tonne rigid and a tractor-unit version in due course. Further demonstrating its low emission mission, Iveco leads the way with Compressed Natural Gas offerings. The line-up includes the latest S-Way NP (Natural Power) tractor-unit, which now boasts more horsepower, alongside the Eurocargo CNG rigid and Daily CNG, making Iveco the only van and truck manufacturer with this complete marketplace offering.

As the Italian company marks its 50th anniversary since its formation, the Iveco Group has become a multi billion business (with an annual turnover of €14b) incorporating seven brands, 20 plants, 29 R&D centres and 35,000 employees. Iveco has since been taken over by Tata Motorssee News item.

Iveco ready for the road ahead

gathering in Turin where additions to the range were launched, including the new eSuperJolly and eJolly electric vans which are based on current Stellantis ProOne large and medium models. At the other end of the commercial weight spectrum, the new S-Way Artic, boasting 600 km range distance was revealed alongside a special Limited Edition S-Way tractor-unit.

Marking the half century anniversary, Iveco uK hosted a driving experience at Millbrook, which preceded the big Golden Anniversary

Among the topics discussed during the various presentations while at the former Bedford created test centre was the decline of the traditional 7.5 tonne GVW truck. For example, in the uK 20,000 units were sold in 1990 whereas last year this figure had dropped to a lowly 3,500. However it’s not bad news for all as in place of the 7.5t truck, Iveco has seen increasing sales success with the 7.2 tonne Daily van and chassis/cab, vehicles which offer a better payload, are easier to drive, and take up less street space in urban areas.

In the mid-sized truck segment the Eurocargo has been around for a

significant amount of time, but with continued refreshments and updates over the years it still has a relevance in the marketplace, particularly with the natural gas powered option.

Mentioning evolution or change, today’s S-Way has benefited from some modifications since launch and the Model Year 2024 version comes with the highest spec ever.

When the S-Way was introduced a few years ago, many customers and drivers were a little disappointed, feeling that the interior design didn’t match the striking exterior look and feel. Well, that void has now been filled with a modern, connected dashboard, exhuming higher quality than before. Arguably the best looking truck on the market, the interior furniture and fittings now matches the style outside, helping to elevate the brand and attract driver appeal.

Take for instance the new design steering wheel functions, and the multi adjustable steering column. There’s a new layout to the centre console with an electric parking brake instead of a lever; there’s now a stalk mounted gear selection with mode buttons and an intuitive 12” touch screen, placed just

above the air-con and audio controls. Plus the fitting of digital mirrors is significant plus. Interaction with the driver is through the Driving Style Evaluation programme and talking to Alexa will keep them entertained and guided along the way.

The Cursor XC13, boasting up to 580 hp is new, developed by the brand’s sister FPT Industrial. It is mated to the second generation TraXon 12-speed automated transmission from ZF and also features one of the highest powered engine brakes in the sector @530 kW. This engine block is lighter (by 114 kg) over the outgoing Cursor 13. A fuel saving of up to 7% has been accomplished, while with the CNG variant, which now reaches 500 hp, up to 8% fuel reduction has been recorded. On both drivetrains, changes to the rear axle ratios together with further aerodynamic enhancements have further assisted in reducing the fuel bill.

drive ensued.

Having experienced the vast multifaceted off-road track at the Millbrook facility over time, it was on familiar ground that we took the Iveco X-Way for a spin…..literally! Quite the opposite actually, as the 8x4 tipper gripped the slippery surface well, using some of the three special set ups for on and off road operations. This is the latest version of the multi axle rigid which replaced the underrated Trakker (and EuroTrakker before that). There is also a tractor unit variant available too. The front end has good ground clearance, and features a three part steel bumper, meaning that it’s cheaper and easier to repair and replace.

Moving down to a lower weight division, the Eurocargo powered by the FTP Tector 7 CNG engine is unique in this segment, covering from 11 to 19 tonnes and using low emission natural gas or almost emission free biogas.

From the three modes on the transmission: Eco, Normal and Performance, to the Advanced Predictive Cruise Control and associated Eco-Roll on board, driving pleasure is excelled, as we experienced during the test drives on the variety of tracks and routes at the uTAC centre. Everything worked well and as expected on a modern day truck. Take off was smooth on the loaded artic unit and an effortless

There’s a choice of ZF 8-speed automated or Allison automatic transmission. The Cursor 7 has been upgraded to deliver more power while using less fuel, and thanks to an interior makeover, now features a digital display and the latest GSR safety technology.

Once a new vehicle has been purchased with the new reg plates on, the Iveco Aftermarket programme kicks-in, offering and promoting various warranty, repair and maintenance and preventative maintenance packages initially for up to five years of first life ownership. All are tailored to meet the needs of the operator and driver alike.

As Iveco reflects on the past five decades of high tech engineering, it can look to the future with confidence with the present day line-up and with what’s in the pipeline ahead.

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

rTX 2025 –NAEC Stoneleigh, England –24-26 June

Warwickshire is noted for two historical aspects: the first Roman roads were built here and it is the birthplace of renowned wordsmith William Shakespeare at Stratford upon Avon. Another more recent happening within the county boundaries is the successful hosting of the Road Transport Expo at the NAEC, Stoneleigh. Now in its fourth year, it’s an event that has become firmly established in the commercial vehicle and road transport sectors.

News of the exhibition franchise coming to the island of Ireland over the next two years was warmly welcomed by visitors to the three day event held at the traditional agricultural show grounds, blessed by brilliant sunshine and increased footfall.

This first part of our review features the many product and services premieres and focuses on the ever stronger Irish presence spread all around the vast venue. Each exhibition hall was colour coded as was the outdoor arena sections, which made it easier for visitors to mark out what was important for them to see.

PrEMIErES

Early attendees were treated to the reveal of a striking new flagship ‘uK30 Special Edition’ XG+ 530 model from DAF Trucks, to mark a commanding market leadership milestone - 30 years as the uK’s number one truck brand. Finished in exclusive metallic ‘Racing Green’ paint, the anniversary edition truck also pays homage to DAF’s legacy of manufacturing in the uK, where DAF vehicles are built at Leyland Trucks in Lancashire. The interior features premium touches including unique Xtra leather

air seats and upper bunk – setting it apart as a true collector’s piece with functional appeal. Only 30 of the commemorative XG+ model will be built which, DAF believes, will signal a rush to place orders for the exclusive new truck. Customers can select from four versatile tractor configurations.

Green is more than the colour! IVECO has been a pioneer of alternative fuels for over two decades, with class-leadership in Natural Gas technology. A big surprise was in store at its stand with the all-new bespoke standout IVECO S-Way 500 CNG 6x2. Co-developed with Astra Vehicle Technologies, this 13-litre

xCursor 13 powered 44-tonne GVW tractor-unit running on biomethane for 500km is capable of delivering a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 95% versus an equivalent diesel truck. IVECO uK also displayed its highly adaptable Eurocargo CNG with a curtainside body, as well as showcasing the public debut of S-eWay Rigid, the 50-year-old Italian marque’s first eHGV to launched in the uK & Ireland.

Scania uK made its presence known at RTX 2025 with several stars vying for the limelight. Showcasing its full range of vehicles, applications and supplementary services, Scania had something for everyone attending. Stealing the limelight was the new 11-litre Super engine, making its first global appearance at the show. Available in 350hp (1,800Nm), 390hp (2,000Nm) and 430hp (2,200Nm) power options, the new Super engine has been designed to perform across a wide range of applications, from urban logistics to regional haulage. It features some key improvements, with up to 85% of its components shared with the Super 13-litre engine. With maintenance intervals up to 30% longer than its 9-litre counterpart, the new power unit will appeal to operators, as it increases uptime and reduces overall service costs.

Another debutant was the arrival of the Yutong TE7, set for uK, Asian and South American markets initially, with Europe to follow, once homologated.

Imported from China by Pelican Engineering, which handles Yutong buses and coaches for the uK and Irish markets, TE7 British customers can chose from a 100kW or 132kW battery pack, with the latter capacity version having a range of near 300km on a single charge, making it an ideal solution for urban deliveries and regional transport. With an unladen chassis-cab weight of under 3,000kg, the vehicle has been developed to be compatible with a range of body types covering the key sectors, including box, tipper, curtain side, compaction, and insulated bodies with three different electric Power Take-Off (ePTO) options.

Market leader in the uK, Hankook showcased a new line-up of truck, bus and van tyres. The South Korean manufacturer recently extended its offering for light commercial vehicles with the new Vantra Transit tyre range. Specially designed for vans, the stand-out features include high mileage, reliable safety and low rolling resistance. This new tyre development is Hankook’s response to the increasing use of commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to seven and a half metric tonnes for delivery purposes, a segment which grew by 15 percent throughout Europe in 2024. We heard that Hankook is now building a new factory in Hungary to supply the European market. It will produce 880,000 tyres a year in its first phase, rising to 1.2 million in phase two.

Hiab uK, made a number of announcements with new product launches and news of the establishment of a new headquarters in Wrexham due to open in 2027. Jason Stokes, VP, Sales & Services at Hiab uK, highlighted the new DEL Tail Lift and groundbreaking HIAB Merchant Cranes, alongside the Multilift Futura 12 which was making its first uK appearance. The HIAB X-HiPro 548 and HIAB X-HiPro 658 loader cranes were also on display. These top-of-the-line ‘heavy’ segment loader cranes feature the HiPro advanced remote-control system for precision, performance and control. Each features a range capacity over 50 tonnes with the 548 achieving outreach of 33.5m horizontally and 36m vertically. Alongside were the Dundalk built Moffett M4 20.3 NX & E5 25.3 NX truck-mounted forklifts with lifting capacities from 2,000-2,500kg. Each has an impressive powerto-weight ratio and can carry loads quickly and safely with the manoeuvrability of four-way steering. The MOFFETT E5 25.3 NX is also fully electric, perfect for quiet operations in residential areas or emission-restricted zones.

Another exhibitor that has strong Irish links was Thermo King uK, whose stand featured RTX debutant Kögel Trailer, imported and distributed in the uK & Ireland by Dublin headquartered Horizon Trailers. What was interesting about the Kogel refrigerated box semi-trailer was liveried in two clear messages: ‘All Electric Refrigeration, Powered by the Road’ and ‘Axle Power Energy Recovery System’. The semi-trailer featured a Thermo King A500E cooling unit with 38kWh battery, a BPW ePower Y2 axle recuperation system with integrated generation, along with Kögel telematics package. A front lift axle and BPW EcoAir disc brakes were also included in the spec.

Ir ISH cONNE c TIONS

Rightech is a new name in the truck sector, but its parent company Wrightbus, headquartered in Ballymena, is a long established bus and coach builder. With experience in zero emission technology, the company is now extending its expertise to electric trucks. The objective of the Rightech RT75 BEV 7.5-tonne chassis cab, originated in China, is to make the transition from diesel to electric affordable, with TCO less than the combustion engine.

Fresh from exhibiting at Multimodal 2025 at the NEC, Dennison Trailers highlighted some of its recent order build and sales, notably this double deck curtainsider semitrailer, one of ten units sold to Network International Cargo, which will transport groupage pallets Cross-Council through a Cork based haulier. Dennisons builds trailers in Naas and at its Lancaster plant in England.

Cameramatics has made great inroads across the globe with its fleet management systems and solutions which are created to enhance safety and vehicle performance, together with

protecting personnel. The Dublin headquartered company has also benefited from partnering with Geotab to further expand its customer base. It specialises in 360 degree visibility, driver monitoring and collision avoidance technology.

Trailer and bodybuilding experts Gray & Adams has produced this bespoke twin axle double deck supermarket spec trailer with Carrier refrigerator and tail-lift for the Spar franchise holder. The long established firm has manufacturing bases in ulster, Scotland and England.

Truckfile is a Tranzaura acquired company that specialises in asset management, fleet compliance and workshop supervision software that assists vehicle operators with maintenance programmes and tracking systems. Automated scheduling and digital record keeping are also part of its portfolio.

SDC Trailers is a regular exhibitor at RTX and had a number of double deck curtainsider semitrailers sold to British customers. Established in 1978, the company has production plants in Toomebridge and in England. It also distributes Westlake tyres, which also had a stand in the Green Hall area. Headquartered in China, where it’s the leading tyre brand, Westlake, formed in 1958, reached the number nine spot of the top 75 tyre brands globally in 2023. It sponsors Arsenal FC.

When Aquarius acquired Cubo in Ireland it expanded its range of products and services within and beyond approved systems that administer and report on areas such as fleet management, relating to driver and vehicle activity. This inter-customer integration approach means that continuous evaluation can bring further customer benefits and wider business efficiencies.

Recent featured case studies have demonstrated how Irish haulage companies are getting a return on their investment with Mandata Transport Management Software, through its Eureka subsidiary. Outlined at the show was the new Heavy Haulage Multi-vehicle and Resource Planning programme along with Aggregates Stock Control and Crane Hire Assist Panning and Tracking modules. Pictured on duty were Dan Marshall, Phil Newton and Richie Bird.

on the Van Hool stand were Gavin Ghong, Business Development Manager and Brian Cunningham, Managing Director, Brian Cunningham Transport (Castlebar & Dublin) and Ellesmere Port, England. The Mayo headquartered family firm, which has further expanded its tanker freight business in the uK, recently took delivery of a number of new Van Hool stainless steel semi-trailers to meet these new contracts.

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

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The Fleet Transport Awards & Networking event provides a positive platform to see the best in the industry honoured for their endeavours, while availing of an unequalled opportunity to network and liaise with colleagues and meet face to face with the players and buyers of Ireland’s top companies.

A table of 10 costs €1600 + Vat – price includes pre-drinks, 4 course gala dinner, wine and Awards presentation.

Individual tickets cost €170 + vat – – price includes pre-drinks, 4 course gala dinner, wine and Awards presentation.

So don’t delay book your ticket today by contacting Orla Sweeney 086 2439239 | orla@fleet.ie or Mary Morrissey 087 2178495 | mary@fleet.ie

an extravaganza of substance and quality was experienced at the iVECo 50xBeyond event, a spectacular four-day celebration in turin from June 12 to 15 to mark the 50th anniversary of the brand’s formation, featuring a powerful tribute to its italian roots, rich legacy, and vision for the future.

Held at the iconic OGR Torino – the late 19th-century rail industrial complex now turned into a hub of culture and innovation – the event provided a unique experience that combined innovation, heritage, and Italian style and design.

While the 50xBeyond gathering highlighted IVECO’s journey over the last five decades, the occasion also looked to the future, with the unveiling of a number of electric vehicles that extend IVECO’s sustainable offerings, including the IVECO S-eWay Artic heavy-duty truck, and the eJolly and eSuperJolly light commercial vehicles (supplied by Stellantis).

IVECO (Industrial Vehicles

50xBeyond - The IVECO world converges in Turin to

celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the brand

Corporation) was born in 1975 initially from the union of five historical commercial vehicle brands, namely Fiat Veicoli Industriali – which included Officine Meccaniche (OM) and Lancia Veicoli Speciali from Italy, the French unic and the German Magirus-Deutz. In 1986, IVECO acquired ASTRA and formed IVECO Ford Truck Ltd, a joint venture with Ford’s European truck business. Then in 1990 it acquired the Spanish Pegaso and followed that in 1991, with the purchase of British brand Seddon Atkinson.

In an opening statement, Luca Sra, President, Truck Business unit, Iveco Group said: “50xBeyond is a joyful celebration and a living expression of

The IVECO S-eWay Artic features a range of up to 600 km, cutting-edge LFP battery technology that delivers a total energy capacity of 603 kWh, with 97% usable energy, among the highest in the industry. With these models, IVECO offers an industry-leading battery warranty covering up to 10 years and up to 1.2 million km. The market-proven eAxle by FPT Industrial delivers bestin-class efficiency and energy management, while the elongated AeroCab is optimised for efficiency and truck-semi-trailer integration.

IVECO completes its electric offer of light commercial vehicles with the new eJolly and eSuperJolly: With the new eJolly and eSuperJolly, IVECO’s offering of electric light commercial vehicles is complete, covering all professional missions in all market segments. They have been described as the ‘the Jack-of-all-trades for urban missions’, offering versatility and load capacity, as well as extended range distance. Both models benefit from the peace of mind of 50 years of IVECO expertise and the support of its extensive network of professional dealers.

IVECO’s ‘spirito in movimento’, honouring five decades of radical innovation and setting the stage for our future. Throughout its history, IVECO has constantly evolved, anticipating the needs of our customers and meeting them through our pioneering spirit. Always looking to the future, we have shaped the transport industry with

groundbreaking advancements and vehicles that embody innovation, design and sustainability. Now we are ready for the next phase with our line-up that stands out for its unique combination of best-in-class innovation, reliability and sustainability. The road ahead will be even bolder, smarter, and more human. We will move forward in the spirit of progress - the spirit in motion that will drive IVECO into the future.”

Fittingly set in Turin, the birthplace of IVECO and home to its headquarters, Olof Persson, CEO of Iveco Group opened

of excellence, innovation, determination and performance. Alberto Alessi, Design Guide of Alessi SpA, outlined shared values of Italian creativity and industrial design, while former IVECO CEO & General Manager Paolo Monferino joined Luca Sra, and two-time World Rally Champion and former IVECO Dakar Rally Raid driver, Miki Biasion. Miki, together with Formula 1 race winner Riccardo Patrese (and IVECO Eurocargo owner) and MotoGP legend Dani Pedrosa, gave powerful personal accounts of perseverance and performance at the highest level of motorsport.

As a side attraction to the 50xBeyond was an impressive vehicle display showcasing IVECO’s legacy of engineering innovation and its continued evolution for the future. The brand’s heritage was represented by historical milestones such as the Daily’s very first model, which left the assembly line back in 1978, and the legendary TurboStar, a heavy duty truck that became a best-seller in Italy and a major player in the European market in the 1980s. Alongside was a display of IVECO’s sustainable future, showcasing the latest electric propelled trucks and vans.

bearing an exclusive livery commemorating the milestone. It includes 50-Year Anniversary logos on the cab colour and additional optional elements. The interior features customised mats, seat and seat belt covers, and a dashboard in leather with an Italian flag. The 250 unit Limited Edition can be ordered in white, grey, and champagne colours, in the 4x2 Diesel tractor-unit version.

On the final day, a celebratory parade with sixteen vehicles covering the history of the brand travelled a 14 kilometre journey through Turin city centre, starting from the Iveco Group Industrial Village at Strada Settimo to OGR Torino at Carso Castelfidardo. This convoy featured rare and symbolic models, vehicles dating back from the 1930s and 1940s such as the pre-War

The IVECO S-eWay Artic (tractor-unit) expands the brand’s electric heavy-duty line-up following the launch of the S-eWay Rigid last year. With an estimated range distance of up to 600 km, this new model offers an efficient zero-emission solution for long-distance and regional transport.

the first two days setting the tone for the celebrations to reflect on IVECO’s legacy and achievements and present a clear and bold vision for the next 50 years. under the theme of “Empowering Stories”, a star-studded line-up of guest speakers contributed their experiences

Also revealed were two new electric vans, resulting from the partnership with Stellantis ProOne, that expands the brand’s electric light commercial vehicle offerings, alongside the eDaily and the forthcoming eMoovy (from Hyundai). The medium sized eJolly, based on the Fiat Scudo, is a fully electric van covering from 2.8 to 3.2 tonnes GVW, designed for urban missions, while the Ducato based eSuperJolly, positioned in the 3.5-4.2t segment, proves over 420 km of range with excellent cost efficiency for mainstream delivery fleets.

Then there was the special IVECO S-Way Limited Edition Anniversario,

OM Taurus, the versatile OM Leoncino, the Fiat 690 and the IVECO 330 ANW Overland, known for travelling across remote areas in the 1990s, conquering extreme terrains and weather conditions. Also sharing the limelight were icons of modern power and performance, such as the IVECO S-Way Metallica and an S-Way used for transporting Ferrari F1 vehicles to races.

Throughout the 50xBeyond event a specially commissioned video called the ‘Spirito in Movimento’ inspirationally highlighted IVECO’s significant journey, reaffirming the brand’s ambition to remain at the forefront of the transport industry, driving sustainability, performance and customer success with that inspires it. The brand looks ahead to the future with confidence, backed by 50 years of innovation and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney -editor@fleet.ie

When I read Tim Casterton’s Trumpet Call piece in the July issue of “Fleet Transport” I was both delighted and very disappointed. I was delighted that Tim had set out the story of why, in the absence of the Navan Mines Ore trains that had already ceased to run, the major flow of freight on the Irish Rail system ground to a halt at the end of May. I was bitterly disappointed about this as I had bought into all the hype generated about rail freight development by Irish Rail and Government sources over the early months of 2025 which now appears to be going nowhere.

The current impasse seems to be setting this greener transport system back to where it was eighteen years ago. At that time, on behalf of the Irish Exporters Association and a number

From Where I’m Sitting – Howard Knott Is Rail Freight Development in Ireland really on track?

of its members, I set up the IEA Rail Freight Group and secured an early win which was the establishment of the Ballina/Dublin Port container rail service operated by Irish Rail for IWT.

Now I do understand that unless a port rail terminal can be built into a container terminal at the time of building of the quayside hard standing and location of the ship to shore cranes, as is the case at Waterford’s Belview Terminal, there are going to be major safety challenges and worries, so that moving the terminal out of the Common user Container terminal was inevitable. I also understand that locating the new and perhaps temporary terminal across the road from the main port entrance does have considerable merit, but that using it does impose a significant additional cost on the through shipment from the Ballina railhead for the 80% of traffic that is shipped through the Common user Terminal. It really does not appear to make sense to watch the new terminal facility being built and not to come up with a plan for its use.

The first thing is that Dublin Port is kicking on with a massive development plan to put into place the facilities that will enable the port to cope with the inevitable increase in freight traffic generated by a developing economy and huge population growth. If this traffic development was spread across all freight modes, the growth might be

more manageable, but when you see statistics showing for 2024 alone a growth of 11% in the number of Lo-Lo containers handled at the Port to just under 2,500 every day, and early figures for 2025 showing even sharper growth, then you realise that moving a rail terminal across the road makes sense.

The second thing is that Irish Rail may suffer some financial pain on its existing operations by incentivising the current cargo owners to continue to support the rail service by meeting at least some of the additional costs, but it does retain a traffic base for the eight-to-ten-fold increase in freight volumes foreseen in its rail freight strategy document. Once the recently ordered wagon fleet is delivered then it will become possible to increase train length from the current eighteen wagons to closer to the European standard of thirty-six wagons with the accompanying unit cost reductions. Again, if the ambition within the rail freight development plan is to be achieved and up to twenty of the current length trains are to be accommodated each day, then the “across the road” facility is the only realistic one.

I can only hope that the current impasse is addressed with some urgency and normal service is resumed before customers, both current and potential, lose faith in the whole concept of running their export and import container traffic to and from the ports by rail. There appears to be a separate issue preventing the provision of extra rail services to and from Waterford Port, but hopefully that will be resolved within a couple of months.

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JOHNSTOWN ESTATE HOTEL, ENFIELD, COUNTY MEATH

THURSDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2025

Business associates, clients, partners and friends are all welcome to attend the Fleet Transport Awards and Gala Dinner, which will take place on Thursday 16th October 2025 at the Johnstown Estate Hotel, Enfield, County Meath.

A TABLE OF 10 IS €1600 + VAT

Price includes pre-drinks, 4 course dinner, wine and Awards presentation

A SINGLE TICKET IS €170 + VAT

Price includes pre-drinks, 4 course dinner, wine and Awards presentation

Please reserve Seats €170 + vat or Table(s) of 10 @ €1600 + vat at the FLEET TRANSPORT AWARDS in the Johnstown Estate Hotel, Enfield, County Meath on Thursday 16th October 2025 commencing at 6.30 p.m.

Name of Company:

Invoice Address: ________________________________________________________________

Contact: ________________________________ Tel: ________________________________ Email: _________________________________________________________________________

Dress Code: Gentlemen – Lounge Suit. Ladies – Cocktail Dress

This Booking Form can be posted to Fleet Transport Awards, D’Alton Street, Claremorris, County Mayo F12E7P2

To book your place now at the Fleet Transport Awards contact Orla: +353 86 2439239 / orla@fleet.ie Mary: +353 87 2178495 / mary@fleet.ie

FLEET MARITIME

S HIPPING & F REIGHT N EWSLETTER –

Compiled by Howard Knott – howard@fleet.ie

Just over two years after the introduction onto stena line’s Rosslare/ Cherbourg service, the cruise ferry stena Vision will sail into Rosslare for the last time on 30 september.. this will mark the end of stena line’s operation of a freight and passenger service on the route. it will also sever stena’s relationship with Cherbourg and there will be a small number of redundancies there.

Speaking about the cancellation of the service, John Edelman, Stena Trade Director for the Irish Sea region said: ”Our policy is, as always, the care of our people and customers. We’ve already met with our colleagues and over this period of consultation we will be working with any individuals affected to consider all options, including redeployment opportunities. As we work through this change we will continue to support our colleagues at every stage.” He went on to say: “Our customer service team will be helping customers who have booked travel after September to keep any inconvenience to a minimum”.

freight service. The return of the cruise ferry James Joyce to the Irish Ferries’ fleet has enabled that company to deploy the Ro-Pax Isle of Inisheer onto the Dublin/Cherbourg route operating in conjunction with the W B Yeats in a

Stena Line pulls back from Cherbourg and puts focus on Ireland/ GB routes

game to the amount of freight coming through here, it was unbelievable”.

To facilitate the building work the port will close for six to eight weeks in 2026, and the project is expected to be completed by 2027.

freight only capacity and giving hauliers a daily service in each direction.

Stena had taken over the Rosslare/ Cherbourg service from Celtic Link Ferries in 2014 and, as part of the deal, took on the charter of the vessel that was re-named Stena Horizon. That vessel was moved to the Company’s Baltic services earlier this year.

While Rosslare Europort has not yet announced what operator might take over the berthing slots at the County Wexford port, hauliers and tourists will continue to be served by Brittany Ferries which is currently sailing from Rosslare to Cherbourg five times weekly, providing a high level of passenger and

Stena will also be able to enhance its Rosslare/Fishguard service following the completion of a £20 million facilities upgrade at Fishguard Port. The key feature will be the replacement of the 1970’s built linkspan, which has now reached its end-oflife, with a more flexible unit that is expected to be in service for the next 30 to 40 years. Speaking to the BBC following the announcement of this and further port development works, Pembrokeshire based haulier Peter Harding said that the news was very welcome. He commented: “It will make the loading and unloading a lot more efficient and quicker. And not only that, but it also won’t limit it to certain ships that can dock. Now other ships can dock as well. Going back six months ago, when Holyhead was closed, the staff and Fishguard as a whole really upped their

At the time of his announcement of the closure of the Cherbourg service, Johnan Edelman also announced the company’s intention to put a second vessel onto its Dublin/Liverpool route. This route, which was established in February 2024 following the withdrawal of P&O Ferries from the central corridor, has operated with a single freight ferry Bore Song. Despite the recent deployment by CLdN of four significantly larger freight ferries on the Dublin/ Liverpool route following the opening of greatly enlarged facilities at the Liverpool terminal, Stena is under considerable customer pressure to move this service to twice daily.

This extra traffic will be facilitated by a £17 million investment by Stena in its 12 Quays Development at Birkenhead. An additional 200 freight parking spaces have been put in place, enabling Stena to accommodate almost 30% more unaccompanied freight there. Between the services to and from Belfast and Dublin, Stena Line moved over 315,000 freight vehicles through the terminal in 2024, an increase of 20% over the previous year.

Further work on parking and office facilities is expected to improve traffic flow through the terminal and all the work is expected to be completed by early 2026.

Stena’s twice daily Belfast/Heysham freight ferry service will be considerably enhanced by the replacement of the current pair of vessels with the new-builds, the Stena Futura and Stena Connecta. The new vessels will offer 40% more capacity than the current ones and have been designed to operate within the physical capacity constraints of Heysham Port. Stena Futura is expected to enter service within the next couple of months with her sister ship following shortly afterwards. Speaking at the announcement of the lead vessel’s sea trials, Stena Line CEO, Niclas Martensen said: “It is with great excitement that we

announce that Stena Futura has successfully completed its sea trials. The Irish Sea region continues to be a booming market for Stena Line, and the significant boost these ships will provide to our freight capacity on the popular Belfast –Heysham route will be welcomed by the market.”

“These vessels represent a crucial step in our broader sustainability journey. By integrating battery propulsion and shore power capabilities we are making significant strides towards our goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030, reinforcing Stena Lines’ position as a leader in sustainable shipping”. Current plans are that Stena Connecta will, in addition to the other low carbon fuel options, be made ready for installation of rotors that will enable the vessel to use wind power.

stena Ports re-opened Berth no. 3 at holyhead on 17 July, some seven months after the structure had been severely damaged during storm darragh in december 2024. the re-opening enabled stena line and irish ferries to resume their traditional schedules. the return to these timings means that each time an irish ferries vessel leaves its berth there is a stena

To support the movement of additional traffic through the Port, Peel Ports, owners of Heysham Port, has launched a £10 million investment programme there. This work involves a reconfiguration of the trailer park to increase capacity for unaccompanied trailers, and the introduction of a new gate and terminal operating system to facilitate the quicker movement of trailers through the site.

Second Berth at Holyhead is re-opened

vessel just before or after it and then a gap of up to six hours before the next available departure.

The return to the previous schedules has been criticised by Irish and British hauliers but the schedule has been defended by Andrew Sheen, MD of Irish Ferries, based on the convenience that the established timings give to passengers both in cars and travelling as foot passengers.

The closure of Holyhead, which is Britain’s second largest ferry port, prompted the establishment of a North

Proposed uK/Eu Trade Agreement may boost freight volumes

there are also high hopes in the north wales area that the agreement reached at the UK/EU summit meeting on 19 May that proposes to revise the sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement (sPs) between the UK and the EU will make agrifood trade between them much cheaper by cutting administrative costs and red tape. the UK announcement of the proposed agreement says that the agreement will:

n Slash costs and red tape for businesses who export to and import from the Eu, making supply chains more resilient.

n Reduce delays at the border, ensuring food flows without waste.

n Mean British produce – from sausages to shellfish – can be sold to the Eu again.

n Make it easier to take pets on holiday to Europe.

Wales focussed regional Task Force led by the Welsh Administration’s Transport Minister. The port closure exposed the level of economic dependence of the region on the activities at the port and spending by people using the ferry. It also exposed how dependent Britain/ Ireland trade is on the port and the lack of alternative ports that can offer the same levels of service.

As the Task Force continues its work, it plans to bring proposals forward for the economic development of the Local area including major projects such as a Freeport tax-free Development Zone.

n Make it easier to move goods across the Irish Sea, so Northern Ireland can enjoy the same products as the rest of the uK

Traders and hauliers have been advised by the uK Authorities that they must comply with all existing docu-

mentation requirements and controls, including export health certification and border operating model (BTOM) measures. Customs and Rules of Origin requirements will not be included in the proposed agreement and must also be fully complied with.

Under the EU’s “Connecting Europe facility for transport (CEf transport) funding call for 2024, Rosslare Europort and dunkirk Ports have secured €19.2 million towards their “Green drift” project. the CEf-backed programme is part of the EU wider strategy to futureproof transport infrastructure against climate risks while maintaining trade fluidity. for ports which are positioned as a gateway for direct European freight routes, this upgrade is intended

Rosslare Europort & Dunkirk Ports secure major Eu funding

to mark a shift in regional logistics dynamics.

This funding

will enable the development of key emission-reducing port infrastructure, including berth development and Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) ramps at Rosslare, and onshore power supply in both Dunkirk and Rosslare ports. These works will help to address transport infrastructure resilience and adaptation to climate change.

The funding will support the extension and upgrade of Berth 3 at

Cherbourg rail link formally launched

on 17 July the first service train of the new Cherbourg/Mouguerre service operated by Brittany ferries subsidiary Bai Rail left the quayside freight terminal in Cherbourg. the €11.2 million terminal has been financed by local, national and EU funds and is equipped with lohR technology to facilitate fast trailer transfer on and off the wagons.

The service, initially operating with 6 weekly round trips is aimed at facilitating trailer and container traffic using

Cherbourg en route to and from Britain and Ireland using Brittany Ferries and other services.

The Port of Cherbourg and BAI anticipate a rapid growth in traffic on the route which avoids the congestion of the main rail freight hubs in France and are currently researching other routes into continental Europe.

the irish Bioenergy association (irBEa) has warned against the use of biofuel sourced from fraudulent suppliers operating in the irish goods supply chain. the warning comes in the wake of the adoption of hVo as a diesel

Amongst the Irish supporters of this service is Perennial Freight through its French associates AllianCeuropE. In a comment on the new rail link, Perennial Freight Group CEO, Chris Smyth said: “There is a big capacity issue on the Bilbao route, especially out of Rosslare each Friday night, so the train will now allow us to ship to Cherbourg and train to Mouguerre. This will mean that we can ship over the weekend and deliver the following week, so transit times improve, plus you don’t need to

Rosslare Europort to accommodate larger vessels. The extended surface will receive a concrete deck which will serve as a future marshalling area, which is especially important for unaccompanied freight.

The RoRo ramps will be refurbished and updated by replacing the steel deck of the ramp and completing a Hydro Electric upgrade. Berth 3 will also see the installation of onshore power connections for vessels using both Ports.

The projects are expected to be started shortly, aligning with the Eu 2030 climate and transport targets.

send trucks from Spain to Cherbourg giving better productivity on the European trucks.”

Irish biomethane market share slips

alternative by carriers including irish ferries, an Post and irish Rail. figures issued by the national oil Reserves agency show an increase of biofuel sales in ireland of 20% in 2024 and significantly greater volumes coming into the market from high-fraud prone countries.

Irish Ferries have switched their high-speed ferry Dublin Swift to use of biofuel and this has reduced emissions

from the vessel by 90%. Several local ferry and tourist boat operators working out of Irish ports have made similar fuel changes.

IrBEA has also stated that Ireland’s overall contribution to its own biofuels fell from 70% in 2023 to 21% in 2024 and this is seen as a major blow to the circular economy and the Government goal of developing up to 200 biomethane plants by 2030.

figures published by the irish Maritime development office (iMdo), in advance of the launch of its annual “irish Maritime transport Economist” show that 2024 was a year of strong growth in lift-on lift-off container traffic but returned more mixed results elsewhere.

Total container numbers shipped through Dublin Port were 885,435 TEu (twenty- foot equivalent units), an increase of 6% on the 2023 figure. 75% of these units were laden, with the balance made up of empty containers

Strong growth in container shipping movements through Irish ports in 2024

being brought into Dublin for loading or being shipped out where not required by operators in Dublin.

Waterford Port showed the steepest growth in container numbers, up 21% at 44,843 TEu, reflecting strong growth in exports from the region while at Port of Cork the 2024 growth was 16% to a total of 280,034 TEu. Container traffic growth through the Port of Belfast was much more subdued, showing a 2% rise in TEu to 220.595.

The Lo-Lo growth continued the trend of previous years of being, to some extent, at the expense of trailer traffic. Total trailer traffic shipped through Dublin dropped 2% to 944,296 units though this drop was partially offset by the 2% growth of traffic through Rosslare to 210,433 units. unlike previous years the growth in Rosslare traffic was on services to Fishguard and Pembroke, with trailers numbers up by 11% to 67,090. Continental traffic volumes at Rosslare were similar to 2023 while, despite the addition of extra capacity

Deepsea container shipping rates continue to drop

figures from supply Chain advisors, drewry show that in the period up to mid-July, overall container shipping rates for traffic that is not subject to a longer-term contract with any shipping line have continued to fall. its composite world freight index dropped by 56% in the last year with the average figure now Us$ 2,600 for a 40ft. container.

The sharpest drop has been in rates for containers shipped out of Chinese Ports to European and uS destinations, with the Shanghai to Rotterdam rate down by 60% over the year. When the

Estonian based Viking line has unveiled a design for a large electric powered ferry, to be named Viking helios, to operate on the 80-kilometre tallinn/ helsinki route. Viking stated that the

on all ferry services linking Dublin with Continental Ports, trailer volumes fell back.

The swing to hauliers shipping trailers on an unaccompanied basis continued through 2024 with a drop of 5% in figures for accompanied trailers through Republic of Ireland ports and an increase of 4% in unaccompanied numbers through Belfast and Warrenpoint. Information published by Irish Continental Group, which incorporates Irish Ferries and Eucon, along with other carriers, would indicate very strong figures for the container sector, while trailer volumes held steady in the first half of 2025. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, when announcing its first half 2025 throughput figures, noted that while overall Ro-Ro traffic through the Ports or Antwerp and Zeebrugge showed a slight decline on the 2024 figures, volumes moving to and from Ireland increased by 13.2%. These figures would be heavily influenced by the disruptive uS Trade policy now in play.

uS tariff package was announced in April rates spiked on almost all trades, but since June have now resumed their slow decline. This decline is mainly due to the delivery of a significant number of new vessels from Chinese and other Asian builders and the need to put them into service.

There had been an expectation earlier in the year that the cessation of the Houthi drone attacks on vessels seeking to use the Suez Canal rather than the routes around the Cape would also enable ships to resume normal routes, but there remains significant uncertainty

that the attacks could resume, meaning most container shipping lines have been sticking with the longer Cape of Good Hope route.

The one trade route that has encountered strong and increasing freight rates is that between Europe and the uS East Coast. East bound from New York to Rotterdam rates are up by 23%, though they are still very low compared to other trade routes, while westbound rates have increased by 3% over the last year.

Would Viking Line’s concept Electric Ferry work for Irish Sea routes?

ferry, being developed in conjunction with finland’s Rauma shipyard, could enter service in the early 2030’s.

The vessel would accommodate up to 2,000 passengers, 650 cars, and have a freight capacity of 2,000 lane metres. She would be charged at each port using chargers located there with a capacity of

30 MegaWatts.

The route length is similar to the Irish Sea routes including, Dublin/Holyhead, Rosslare/Fishguard and Belfast/Cairnryan so that vessel of similar specifications could suit them and meet all the requirements for the establishment of “Green” Ferry routes.

Improved vision. Streamlined for ef ficiency.

The Camera Monitoring System replaces the rear-view mirrors, using cameras on the side of the truck, improving the aerodynamics of the truck to save energy. It also opens up your visual field in both good and challenging conditions. Using infrared technology to improve night time visibility. The views on the displays adapt to the driving situation. Your efficiency. Extended.

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Business Health Check

Most transport firms associate the word audit with the annual check that accountants perform, however these are not actually audits as only large firms now fall into the actual audit requirement net. The second typical reference to an audit relates to the dreaded Revenue Audit where normally firms have the opportunity of disclosure (the opportunity to review actions done and explain these actions to Revenue prior to a full audit). If a full audit is deemed appropriate, or if Revenue require one, please remember that the State’s Tax Authority comes with two very important elements in its armament. One is usually information on the business from other sources, and the second is a detailed analysis of the business sector, based on information compiled from other audits.

During the annual accounts preparation the accountant will send out a junior to review ad-hoc invoices, perhaps check vehicle road tax details against the fixed asset register and quickly return to the office. Analysis of diesel records, drivers’ wages and expenses and general maintenance costs are seldom reviewed in any detail. Brief strolls around the yard at lunchtime or observant eyes to spot-check the fleet on the road are tasks rarely carried out by very professional but uninterested juniors, who are usually under work and exam pressure. The fee covers a brief discussion with the practice owner whose main interest is getting his/her fee paid.

An internal audit is where a company asks an unbiased third party (usually an accountant but increasingly not limited to that discipline) to review the business and internal processes, look at compliance issues, analyse the cost structures of the business, consider the internal controls in place, and give a comprehensive analysis of findings.

It is vitally important to get an individual who has knowledge and expertise in the specific sector. Approximately 50% of controls are the same in all businesses. It’s the remaining 50% of controls that need an individual with the knowledge to know what areas to review and can benchmark these against known norms.

A genuine question raised is why is an internal audit necessary? It no doubt adds cost to the business, when the owner oversees all areas of the business personally. Simple answer is that internal audits reap rewards even in the best managed businesses, and while the boss’ view of the business may be accurate sometimes, the nearer to the business the more difficult it is to see the ‘wood from the trees’.

An internal audit may disclose practices that are known to be incorrect. It possibly will highlight work practices and cost centres that management may never made aware of. The auditor will check internal control mechanisms so that proper control systems are in place to verify and monitor key revenue streams, from accurate, timely and comprehensive sales invoicing to proper debt control, and also the monitoring and costing of business purchases.

An internal audit may highlight inadequate control over purchasing systems and payment to suppliers. How are all receipts of purchases checked? A prime example is asking who monitors prices and actual volumes received for bulk diesel purchased. The two biggest cost headings in transport are diesel and wages. Other queries include what system monitors driver and staff hours, expenses drawn and also holidays and sick days drawn? How is overtime monitored, controlled and signed off on?

Many company vehicle garage/ workshops have little or no internal controls compared to third party

workshops. Not only is the allocation of parts to specific jobs and individual asset items needed to be monitored, but also a comprehensive review of labour and overhead expenses for specific jobs is required. A poorly managed unproductive internal workshop is far more costly than external maintenance that is fully controlled and monitored. A big issue in routine service costs is the time and expense to take units to main dealers and the inflexibility of main dealers to work during vehicle downtime. Because of the technical complexity of modern plant and warranty requirements, it may be feasible from a control and cost perspective for main dealer personnel to operate from a company’s own workshop on prescheduled service and warranty items. In relation to workshop costs, what portion is routine maintenance? What element is repair and what element and cost relates to driver damage and abuse? In relation to overheads what controls are in place? How are costs managed? How are these costs benchmarked? unless there is a clear understanding of what contribution overheads give to the bottom line it’s very difficult to tackle the issue properly. Cutting overheads may only contribute in the short term to an improvement in the bottom line, reducing administration expense can quickly become an expensive knee-jerk reaction so review and benchmark costs and productivity of overheads in line with the business. A prime example of overhead cost cutting is where the business owner takes on more of the daily routine work, tackling administration, transport management, maintenance and driving. Depending on the scale of the business some time on these functions may be necessary, but if the business does not have proper overall management because of unproductive use of time, the company will ultimately lose ground.

Internal audit is a process in the business to guarantee best practises and compliance and a further tool to aid the business to develop and increase profitability. They are not for external reporting to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) or Revenue but a means to safeguard the business and get the maximum return possible.

Evolution of MAN Diesel to MAN Electric

Wonder what Rudolf Diesel, the original pioneer of the diesel engine, would make of all that’s happening at MAN Truck & Bus in recent years? Back in 1997, the Munich headquartered manufacturer marked 100 years of that mechanical and engineering feat that still remains the most used propulsion system in commercial vehicles. While diesel is the optimum choice today, one of the fuels that Rudolf Diesel originally considered for his engine was vegetable seed oil, an idea that eventually contributed to biodiesel production. Proving that even back then the environment and sustainability was foremost in the mind of the inventor.

In keeping with that mindset, MAN Truck & Bus has been beavering away at developing zero emission technologies in the shape of electric motors, high power battery packs and charging infrastructure, firstly with its bus fleet and more recently with its truck and coach range.

In this way MAN is showing great respect to its mainstay engine founder, moving with the times and meeting legislative and regulatory challenges in order to seriously reduce carbon emissions in road transport.

From concept to prototypes, to full production, MAN’s journey towards an emission free truck range has been fulfilled in the various segments from long haul, distribution, construction and municipal. All variants of the new line-up were on display at the Audi Brand Experience Center, near Munich Airport and ready to be test driven.

future of MAN begins now, at this very moment. The entire MAN team is proud to be actively shaping the transformation from diesel to electric drive. Our highly efficient electric trucks will make locally emission-free freight transport a reality. This is an enormously important step towards achieving our goal of becoming CO2-neutral by 2050. The fact that we can

manufacture the electric trucks on the same production line as our state-of-theart diesel trucks also gives us enormous flexibility and increases production efficiency.”

The project has gained momentum of late. At the implementation of the first MAN eTrucks on the production line in Munich, MAN CEO Alexander Vlaskamp said: “The start of series production of our electric trucks is historic. It marks a turning point in our history! The

He continued: “We have invested almost €400 million in research and development to be able to offer our conventional truck product portfolio with battery-electric drive as well. The range extends from 12 to 50 tonnes and covers everything from refuse collection vehicles to long-haul trucks. We have done our homework. We aim to deliver the first 1,000 electric trucks by the end of the year. Depending on their use and electricity mix, this would save CO2 emissions comparable to those of a small town. That is enormous leverage! Politicians must now set the right course with regard to infrastructure

expansion and CO2 pricing so that the ramp-up in e-mobility continues to gain momentum.”

As highlighted during the product briefing, MAN’s extensive range of vehicles and cabs enable the eTruck to offer a wide range of applications together with even more bespoke options under MAN Individual programmes. For example, the eTGX flagship and TGS models cover from 4x2/6x2 rigids plus 4x2 tractor-units, catering for gross vehicle weights from 20 tonnes to (permissible) 50 tonnes, using numerous configurations to fit

battery packs on the chassis from three (240 kWh) to seven (560 kWh). At the lower end of the MAN eTruck range is the eTGL, coming in at 12 tonne GVW with 5.4t payload, using three battery packs.

Among the eTrucks driven was the MAN eTGX (ultra) 4x2 tractor-unit with GM (2.5m wide) cab hitched on to a Krone Dry Liner box semi-trailer. With 6 battery packs installed, around 500 km is achievable on this 42 tonne GVW articulated combination. It boasts 449 hp/330 kW pulled through a 4-speed gearbox.

A Krone Profi Liner curtainside semi-trailer was pulled by a MAN eTGX 4x2 (Polar Express) with GX (2.5m wide) cab and featuring the same specification and range distance as the previous model driven.

The MAN eTGS (with narrower 2.3m TM cab) with a Meiller tipper body with front lift axle, was also tried out on a longer test run, heading out into the countryside towards Eching to visit one of MAN’s Off-Road Test Centres. Here the variety of gravel tracks soaked up more energy (as expected) but proved that there was no shortage of power on tap. One feature we noted is that the newly modified Hill Hold system now engages for a prolonged period.

A similar version, the eTGS 4x2 with another type of Meiller tipper semi-trailer was taken out on the motorway route, and was noteworthy where a potential incident involving a wayward truck cutting into the thoroughfare from an access road was avoided thanks to the digital mirrors and blind spot detection systems on board.

Before that the first example driven was in the eTGS 4x2 rigid with Meiller Skip Loader, featuring 4 battery packs/333hp/245 kW and a potential 450 km. In all cases, the regeneration of the battery’s energy, through different stages was impressive over the varied terrains and landscapes explored.

Michael Zehmisch from the MAN Transport Solutions/eSolutions development team highlighted the ever expanding unique-to-brand battery charging solutions now available through public charging in 15 Eu countries. The credit card type system is linked to a number of preferred partners with 24/7 support hotline (combines trucks and charging). Approximately 1,000 eTruck charging points will be available for customers by the end of 2025. In partnership with Audi Group company AQ Automotive, and as part of the MAN Smart Charging Solution, the Smart Charging solution is now available. This 100% steel box type moveable battery charging structure can

facilitate up to four charge points and transmit over 400 kW charging power, with storage from 175 kWh to 1.175 kWh. “Transparent and attractive prices with our preferred partners and consolidated invoicing are also assured,” he said.

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

700 electric trucks sold – up to 740 kilometres range without charging

Before starting series production, Man manufactured near 200 electric pre-series trucks and delivered them to customers. these vehicles have already clocked up around two million kilometres in real customer use on European roads – some with daily journeys of up to 850 kilometres and

very low consumption of 97 kwh per 100 kilometres on average.

To date, MAN has received around 700 orders for electric trucks.

“Another advantage of the eTruck is its three to six modular NMC batteries, which come from the MAN plant in Nuremberg and offer a total gross

capacity of up to 534 kWh. This means that up to 500 kilometres can be covered without recharging. For even greater ranges, there is even an optional seventh battery, which makes it possible to drive up to 740 kilometres on battery power without recharging,” said Alexander.

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

Before you can take to the road as a learner truck driver, there are a number of stages to first get through. As outlined in previous issues, the first step is to take and pass the Truck Theory Test, an online exam taken at an approved Test Centre where you have to answer 100 multiple choice questions, (or 140 if you are you are doing the combined truck and bus test), some on general rules of the road, others specific to truck and bus. Once passed, and in combination with medical certification obtained from your doctor, you can apply for a Learner Permit for category C for rigid trucks, category D for buses, or both depending on what Theory Test you passed.

A Learner Permit is valid for two years and allows you to drive on public roads when accompanied by a qualified driver. This is suddenly where it becomes very real, particularly for learner drivers who have not grown up in and around trucks and don’t have any experience of the size and dimensions of such vehicles.

Before starting any journey the first step for a learner driver, just as for any qualified driver, is to undertake a vehicle walk-around to make sure the vehicle is roadworthy. That should include - at a minimum - checking oil and water levels and making sure there are no leaks where the truck was parked, ensuring all lights and indicators are working, that the wheels are correctly attached and the tyres are properly inflated and not damaged, and checking that there are no warning lights on the dash.

Climbing into a cab for the first time can be daunting for the learner driver. You sit much higher than in any Category B vehicle you may have previously driven which gives impressive visibility over other traffic, but you’re also very conscious of blind spots - notwithstanding mirrors far superior to those on any car of van. You also notice how far away the opposite side of the cab seems to be (in reality it’s not an awful lot wider than on some of the bigger vans), and via the mirrors, the bulk and length of the body behind.

Getting to know the controls is a mix of the familiar and strange. Steering wheel, foot controls, seat adjustments are all as you would find on a car, though it’s even more important to adjust the seat and steering to get the optimum driving position, ensuring you have full visibility from all mirrors. Other controls may be different, notably things like a retarder or exhaust brake that you won’t find on other vehicles. But overall anyone with a car driving licence should fairly

The steps involved in getting a truck driving licence

quickly feel at home with the operation of the truck controls.

Venturing on to the public roads for the first time you’re very conscious of the truck’s size, not just its width but also its length. But once you get a feel for how wide you need to keep out to avoid catching the inside of the vehicle around corners, it starts to become easier. A lot is to do with correctly placing the vehicle on the road to optimise safe progress for you and other road users. It’s notable how much concentration is needed, especially in urban driving where you have to be constantly alert to other road users. Continual use of the mirrors is essential, and planning and anticipation of what’s ahead or likely to happen is critical in avoiding potential situations. Your driving instructor will assess how many lessons you will need before putting you forward for your official test. Ahead of that, if you intend to work professionally you will need to sit and pass the CPC Case Study test - 45 multiple choice questions based around a series of hypothetical scenarios that you sit in an approved Test Centre.

The actual driving test comprises three parts. Firstly there is a walk around test which last about 30 minutes and focuses on the candidate’s ability to ensure the vehicle and its load are safe and secure. It typically includes checking for proper load securing, vehicle condition, and other safety aspects.

Secondly there’s a theory test where the examiner will ask questions about the rules of the road.

Finally there’s the actual driving test which can last from 60 to 100 minutes and includes a variety of driving situations and manoeuvres including reversing.

Pass them all and the successful candidate can apply for their category C driving licence and CPC card, not forgetting to also apply for a tachograph card. Then its time to go to work!

Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

MAN Truck & Bus Dublin Oak Road Business Park, Oak Cl, New Nangor Road, Knockmitten Dublin, D12 HP78, Ireland

Telephone: 01 419 1300 email: sales@mantrucks.ie

hundreds of thousands of European jobs are at risk unless urgent action is taken to address the commercial vehicle industry’s inability to meet 2030 Co₂ reduction targets, according to Christian levin, CEo of tRaton Group, the parent company of the scania Group, Man truck & Bus, neoplan, international (navistar) and Volkswagen truck & Bus and current chairman of aCEa’s Commercial Vehicle Board.

Speaking in Brussels, Levin warned that Europe’s truck manufacturers “simply cannot carry” the billions of euros in fines they face if targets are missed, and that the consequences would ripple far beyond the factories. “We are the bloodstream of society,” said Mr. Levin. “Transport is the reason Europe is so efficient. If we lose our competitiveness as an industry, we will lose the jobs, the logistics capability, and the position we currently hold as global market leaders.” under current legislation, truck manufacturers must reduce fleet-average CO₂ emissions by 45% compared with 2020 levels by the end of this decade. Miss the target, and they face a penalty of €4,250 per gram of CO₂ per vehicle, with fines potentially reaching €1bn per OEM. “If we miss it by 10%, that’s where we end up,” Levin warned. “And not because we didn’t do our bit. The vehicles are ready. But if the other pieces don’t fall into place, we fail.”

Christian outlined four critical conditions that must all be met if the sector is to succeed: the trucks, the infrastructure, the business case, and the demand.

On trucks, the message is clear: European OEMs have delivered. Every major manufacturer now offers battery-electric heavy trucks for sale, and production capacity is in place. “We can guarantee that we deliver vehicles,” he said. “You place an order, you get a truck.”

Battery-electric vehicle sales currently account for just 3.5% of the Eu heavy

By Will Shiers

– IToY uK

ACEA warns truck fines could kill jobs and competitiveness

truck market - a figure that must rise tenfold by 2030. Not all of the 45% target is expected to come from electrification: around 10% will be delivered through improvements in drivelines and aerodynamics. But that still leaves battery-electric vehicles needing to make up the remaining 35% - within just four-and-ahalf years.

Some Eu markets, such as Sweden and the Netherlands, are leading the way, but others, such as Poland and Spain, remain far behind. “This isn’t a technology problem anymore,” he added. “It’s everything else.”

The second hurdle is infrastructure. There are fewer than 1,000 locations in the Eu where a heavy commercial vehicle can be charged, and most of those are not equipped with the megawatt chargers required by long-haul operators.

The real bottleneck, however, is grid connection. “Even in my home country of Sweden, it can take 10 years to put a cable in the ground. This isn’t just about building chargers. It’s about getting power to them, and the permitting process is completely broken.”

For operators, switching to electric only makes sense if the business case stacks up, and today, it often doesn’t. “The diesel engine is still cheaper to run in most use cases,” Mr. Levin admitted. “We need to change that.” Solutions, he suggested, include a mix of carbon pricing, toll reform, tax breaks, and new financing models. “It’s absurd that fossil fuels are taxed less than electricity in Europe,” he added. “We need to make it more expensive to emit.”

Even with the right vehicles, the right infrastructure and the right TCO, fleet operators still need confidence that customers will pay, and keep paying, for low-carbon transport. “No one buys a truck for fun. It’s an investment. And if your contract only lasts a year or two, how do you justify buying a €300,000 truck?”

Longer-term contracts, clearer signals from government, and strong commitments from public and corporate buyers will all be needed. “Public procurement should demand zero-emission transport,” he said. “We have the supply. Let’s create the demand.”

Despite the urgency, Levin expressed frustration at the lack of dialogue with the European Commission. “We are not passenger cars. It’s a completely different business model, and right now, we’re being left out of the conversation.”

ACEA is now sending a formal letter to European Commission president ursula von der Leyen requesting urgent talks and an early review of the 2030 target. “We [European truck makers] fully support the goal,” said Levin. “But without action on infrastructure, TCO and demand, we won’t get there, and the fines will do real damage.”

Christian Levin believes Europe needs to take a tougher stance on legacy truck technology if it wants to meet its climate goals.

“From Euro-1 all the way to Euro-6e, the industry and legislators worked together,” he said. “We had clarity. When the new standard came in, the old one was banned. “You couldn’t register Euro-5 when Euro-6 came in. Basically, you closed the window.”

He argues that the same principle should apply today, to encourage uptake of battery-electric trucks: “It must be the same with low or zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles. And that’s not the case in Europe, but that is the case in China.” China, he noted, now has 30% electric truck penetration, driven by strong policy, swift regulation and targeted incentives, a contrast to Europe’s patchwork approach and slower pace. “We need to do something drastic,” he warned. “Otherwise, it’s four-and-a-half years to 2030. How should we go from 3.5% to 35%? It will simply not happen if we don’t change anything.”

AWARDS

& Coach 2026

The Fleet Bus & Coach Awards 2026 –Call for Entries!

Is your company leading the way in the Irish passenger transport industry? It’s time to get the recognition you deserve.

The Fleet Bus & Coach Awards return on Thursday 13th November 2025 at the Johnstown Estate Hotel, Enfield, County Meath—and we want to celebrate the best in the business. For years, these awards have recognised outstanding performance, innovation, and dedication across the sector.

This is your opportunity to:

n Showcase your company’s achievements n Gain national recognition

n Boost your profile with industry leaders and customers n Network with key players and decision-makers

Entries are FREE and open NOW, with a wide range of categories available. You can enter your own company, or be nominated by a customer, supplier, or industry partner.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the biggest celebration in Irish passenger transport.

Enter today and let your s uccess speak for itself!

CatEgoriEs

What category can my company enter?

You may enter as many category as you wish. Applications are open to companies/individuals to enter or be nominated by a customer, or supplier.

Applications are open to companies/individuals to enter or be nominated by a customer, or supplier.

Coach Operator Award –Town/City Service & Local Link Provider –sponsored by EVM Limited

Open to operators operating a scheduled local service in an urban or rural area.

Coach Operator Award – InterCity/Airport Service –sponsored by AdTec Aerauto

For operators running cross-country city to city and or long-distance Airport service

Coach Operator Award – Tours –sponsored by Daimler Buses

For operators providing extended tour service to national and international agents

Coach Operator Award – Tour Organiser & Coach Provider –sponsored by Volvo Bus

Aimed at operators which arrange and organise their own touring itineraries for both national and international visitors

Bus Operator Award (less than 10 vehicles) –sponsored by Harris Bus & Coach

For the typical small fleet operator, providing various services in their community, school transport, private hire etc.

Bus Operator Award (more than 10 vehicles) –sponsored by Clarke Autowash

For the larger fleet operator providing various services in their community, school transport, private operator etc.

School Bus Operator Award – Sponsor TBC

Aimed at operators providing service on school and student contracts

Safety Practice & Training Award – Sponsor TBC

Operators are all too aware of the risks associated with business, companies that have specific safety plans above the statutory requirements are invited to present their programmes and training structures in place.

Livery & Corporate Identity –sponsored by Brian Noone Ltd

Livery is the opportunity for an operator to catch the public eye and promote their services. Operators in this category are invited to share their thoughts and strategies behind their logo and design.

Care for the Environment and Sustainability –sponsored by PTSB

How operators are reducing their carbon footprint throughout day-to-day activities and at facilities. Proven methods of energy reduction accepted

Investment in Innovation – Sponsor TBC

Innovation can be the difference between success and failure. Entrants to demonstrate how innovation has saved  money and improved their efficiency

Women in Public Transport Award  –sponsored by Apex Buses

This category recognise the sometimes overlooked and forgotten contribution made by woman in the bus and coach sector.

Book your table now!

OFFICE PARK, KILL VILLAGE, COUNTY KILDARE

Tel: 045 878500 Email: insure@jfd.ie

Johnstown Estat thursday 13th

Business associates, clients, partners and friends are all welcome to attend the Fleet Bus & Coach Awards and Gala Dinner, which will take place on thursday 13th noVEMbEr 2025 at th a tablE of 10 is €1500 + Vat

Price includes pre-drinks, 4 course dinner, wine and Awards presentation a singlE tiCkEt is €160 + Vat

Price includes pre-drinks, 4 course dinner, wine and Awards presentation please reserve seats €160 + vat or table(s) of 10 @ €1500 + vat at the flEEt bus & CoaCh awards in the Johnstown Estate hotel, Enfield, County Meath on thursday 13th november 2025 commencing at 6.30 p.m.

Name of Company: ______________________________________________________________ Invoice Address:

dress Code: g entlemen – l ounge suit. l adies – Cocktail dress

This Booking Form can be posted to Fleet Bus & Coach Awards, D’Alton Street, Claremorris, County Mayo F12E7P2

To book your place now at the Fleet Bus & Coach Awards contact Orla: +353 86 2439239 / orla@fleet.ie Mary: +353 87 2178495 / mary@fleet.ie

The Kia PV5 Cargo.

Moving your business. Coming soon.

fleet Van & Utility Magazine, d ’alton street, Claremorris, County Mayo, ireland.

tel: +353 (0)94 9372819

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Printed in Ireland

d isclaimer: Fleet Van& u tility Magazine management can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of contributed articles or statements appearing in this magazine and any views or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Fleet Transport management, save where otherwise indicated. No responsibility for loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of the

Editor: Jarlath Sweeney

contributors: Cathal Doyle, Paul White

Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Cathal Doyle, Paul White

Administration: Orla Sweeney

Advertising: Mary Morrissey, design: Crackerjack Design House

material in this publication can be accepted by the authors, contributors, Editors or publishers. The Editor reserves the right to make publishing decisions on any advertisements or editorial article submitted to the magazine and to refuse publication or to edit any editorial material as seems appropriate to him. Professional legal advice should always be sought in relation to any specific matter.

Contract Hire I Rental I Refrigeration

One of the highlights of the recent Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in Birmingham was the premiere of a new electric van, the Farizon SV (SuperVan), which created much interest and curiosity regarding the product and brand itself. Confidence was immediate in discovering that the parent company, the Geely Holding Group is one of the biggest automotive corporations in China and owner of top marques such as Volvo cars, Polestar, Proton, LECV and Lotus among others. To give the company its full name, the Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group (China) has five plants in its home country. Its shield logo relates to strength in steel but is actually three letters: T, u and O, merged together. The T stands for technology, the u = userexperience, and the O = Zero emissions.

As and from this summer, Farizon is coming to Ireland, and will be imported and distributed through MMC Commercials, the Frank Keane Group company, long time associated with BMW, Mini, Mitsubishi and Fuso Trucks, as well as more recently MG, another Chinese brand that gained instant traction when introduced into the Irish market. MMC will market the Farizon commercial through strategically located dealers around Ireland.

Previewed by Fleet Transport during its Green Commercials Awards Test Days, the all-new born-electric Farizon SV heralds a number of unique features and advanced innovations, including drive-by-wire technology, a unique B-pillarless design and cell-to-pack battery packaging. These all combine to deliver market-leading cargo capacity, payload, range and an ultra-low loading height. But that’s not all, SV comes in a single highly-specified trim level that includes a unique payload monitoring system, heated seats, heated multifunction steering wheel, heated windscreen, 360-degree surround view, and a comprehensive array of ADAS safety systems. Also significant is that the SV has earned the highest Platinum five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

When developing the 3.5-tonne GVW SV, Farizon engineers undertook 2.8 million kilometres of pre-production testing.

The model line-up includes the option of 67 kWh, 83 kWh or 106 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, with one efficient, all-electric powertrain available, which produces 170 kW (231 PS) of power and 336 Nm of

Farizon has Ireland on its horizons!

The B-pillarless door opening aperture allows for easy load access

torque. The SV delivers a WLTP range of up to 551 km (city), and up to 400 km (combined), while a 20 to 80 per cent top-up charge can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. The SV is rated to tow up to two tonnes with a braked trailer. Other vital statistics include: Overall lengths from 4990 to 5490 mm; Wheelbases from 3100 to 3600 mm, Width – 1980 mm, Payload from 1170 to 1480 kg, Front and rear disc brakes, McPherson leaf springs and 16’ wheels. Notable too is that the aerodynamic drag is ultra low at 0.29 cd and that 145 mm super thin battery pack allows for more load volume – 6.95 m3 for the low roof version and up to 11.2 m3 for the high roof type.

2025 marks the point in time when Ford has extended its plug in hybrid (PHEV) technology to its ultra-successful Ranger pick-up model line. And if that represents a departure from traditional power sources for this sector, present and future customers of the popular 1-tonne Pick-up can rest assured that there is no compromise in performance between this new petrol-electric hybrid powered model and that available from the traditional diesel variants currently offered. In fact, the Ranger PHEV delivers more horsepower and torque, plus has the added benefit of zero emission driving. using the terminology of The Power & The Glory fits the billing of this multipurpose vehicle perfectly, with the latter referring to the significantly lower emission levels produced from the hybrid drivetrain. In fact the Ranger PHEV emits only between 70-72 g/km CO2, which compares very favourably against the 262-277 g/km of the Ranger 3.0-litre V6.

Not that this means a reduction in power or performance for the hybrid model: A 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine mated to a 75kW electric motor and 10-speed automatic transmission, produces 281 PS, delivers 697 Nm of torque (the highest ever for a Ranger) and provides 43km of electric drivability.

At the business end it can still tow 3.5-tonnes (6-tonnes TGM), carry a 1-tonne payload and offer the same off road capability. In addition the ProPower Onboard power source, available from the usable 11.8 kWh lithium-Ion battery, comes with a choice of 2.3 kWh or 6.9 kWh outputs, facilitating the use of heavy duty tools or leisure equipment remotely. There is one 10A socket inside the cabin and two plugs on the left side of the load bed. All of this is packed into the open back of Europe’s best selling load carrier. Another plus factor - it delivers lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than any previous model.

Made at Silverton, near Pretoria, South Africa for the European market, three model trim levels are on sale, the entry XLT and Wildtrak, along with a new Stormtrak style edition.

New Ford Ranger PHEV - The Power & The Glory

“Ranger PHEV can do everything Ranger does, with the added benefit of versatile electric power for more torque than ever, driving with zero tailpipe emissions in the city or running a worksite in the wilderness.”

Visually there is little to differentiate the PHEV from the rest of the Ranger family, with the only noticeable element being the slightly higher load bed, due to slotting in the battery pack underneath. Not a real issue.

There are a number of drive models within the hybrid system: EV Auto, which offers the full gamut of power,

“Ford knows pickups. Now we’ve combined decades of know-how, input from the customers that use Ranger for work and play every day, and innovative hybrid technology to create the Ranger PHEV,” stated Hans Schep, General Manager, Ford Pro, Europe at the launch.

with the dual propulsion systems working together. Then there is EV Now which is emission free motoring, and EV Later which preserves the electrical power and charges the battery pack while on the move. According to Ford figures, an impressive 3.1 to 3.2 L/100 km in fuel consumption is achievable, which equates to around 90 mpg. That compares favourably to the Ranger 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel’s homologated fuel efficiency of 10.0-10.6 l/100 km. The battery takes less than four hours to charge using a single-phase 16 amp charger, and with a full charge, is capable

of up to 43 km pure-electric driving –more than the daily driving distance of 52 percent of Ranger customers according to Ford research.

“The high torque output at low speeds and additional motor-braking from the pickup’s regenerative charging system support effortless acceleration and improved descent control,” according to James Cooper, Ranger Brand Manager at base camp in Reykjavik.

“Ranger PHEV’s e-4WD system can automatically send petrol, electric or hybrid torque to all four wheels to help tackle challenging terrain or suit specific driving scenarios – supported by a dual-range transfer box and rear differential lock. Drivers can choose between Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Tow/Haul, Mud/Ruts and Sand modes, and Ranger PHEV will adjust the torque distribution to the wheels for the best performance.”

For this powered variant, Ford engineers have also revised the suspension tuning for more comfort and assured on-and off-road performance compared with diesel-powered Rangers, taking into account Ranger PHEV’s unique chassis and weight distribution.

The scenic and rugged landscape around Iceland was a most suitable location for the inaugural press test drives in the new Ranger Stormtrak Double cab hybrid.

The many landmark highlights of the memorable 200km ride and drive

on-road and off-road experience through diverse landscape included stop-offs at Kleif Farm and Hveragerdi and the drive past Þingvallavatn lake, a popular fishing location.

As a user of diesel powered version of the previous and present Rangers, a vivid compare and contrast opinion was possible. True to say that with the petrol-electric drivetrain, the PHEV version was smoother to drive, had less friction on the steering and was much quieter in motion, especially on the road sections. Off-road, while engaging the 4A Mud & Ruts modes alongside the EV Ready selection and with need for the differential lock on the steep hilly sections, Ranger PHEV proved well able for the challenging, rugged terrain. The 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol is a well proven block within the Ford car and commercial family, so there is no lack of confidence in what it can do here. Another bonus is that there is no AdBlue required as per diesel engines.

Likewise, Ford’s SYNC 4A connectivity system with connected navigation and a 12-inch vertical touchscreen is easy to use, aided by the actual dials for the radio and air conditioning controls. Standard driver assistance technologies include Pre-Collision Assist, Lane Keeping Aid and rear-view camera.

As mentioned, like its siblings there are seven off road drive modes, with engagement activated through the allwheel-drive-dial on the lower part of the centre console. In addition, the new 10-speed Modular Hybrid Transmission engages and dis-engages the e-motor and petrol engine to increase efficiency and torque delivery for load-hauling and off-roading.Near-instant electric torque and the enhanced motor-braking also help maximise off-road capability and make lighter work of demanding conditions.

rANGE r rAM b LINGS: L AN d MA rk S & M ILESTONES

1998 - Ranger arrives in Europe & Asian markets with 3 body styles

2000 - Production begins in South Africa for European markets

2005 - Ranger Wildtrak trim level/specification introduced

2011 - New generation launched as a now global product - T6 platform

2018 - Ranger Raptor performance pick-up developed

2021 - Next and current generation model line launched

2025 - Ranger PHEV - plug in hybrid added to range

F O rd rANGE r IN FIGU r ES

n More than 5 million units sold worldwide in past 20 years

n Sold in 182 countries

n Produced at five plants: uSA, South Africa, Argentina, Thailand (2) and assembled in Vietnam.

Indeed, the PHEV is a welcome addition to the Ranger family, offering a more powerful, eco-friendly pick up that accommodates and accomplishes all on-road and off-road tasks.

n Commands 43.6% market share (2024) - up 17% in 2011

n Honoured with 25 major awards across Europe with current model

n 60,400 units sold in Europe last year

n No.1 best-selling pick-up in Europe in past 10 years

n No.1 best-selling pick-up in 10 European markets, including Ireland.

At the Iveco 50th Anniversary event in Turin, members of the International Van of the Year (IVOTY) jury discussed with Luca Sra about the new van products, how they fit within the brand, how they integrate into the network, the customer base, etc.

the first topic was about the eMoovy launched in hanover, followed by the Jolly twins announcement and where the desire came from to establish these new models into the the family.

The two little ones, the eJolly and the eSuperJolly, supplied by Stellantis, are going to be complementing the already wide and comprehensive electric lineup with the Daily range, giving to us extra opportunities and competitiveness in the unibody van segments, where maybe the specific specifications of the Daily range are not really relevant.

Why? Because we are super strong in the chassis category. So that’s the reason why we are introducing the eMoovy, provided by Hyundai to complement our strength, in the chassis cab segment. And now we’ve been putting together this supply deal with Stellantis with two very competitive products which will be offered and serviced across Europe throughout the Iveco dealer network.

and where is your customer base going to come from, as the majority may be using vans from this family already?

The customer base is already there with our dealers across Europe, who are already selling and serving vans. So it’s really about steering the mix and leveraging on the backup and the

One-to-One with Luca Sra, President, Truck Business unit, Iveco

experience that is already there. And so, I don’t see any issues.

will there be any issues with regard to stocking parts and components now that you have three extra brands to cater for within the ordering and stocking regime?

No, not really. I mean, we are managing a full line at our depots already. On the other hand, I do see the opportunity of extra revenues and profit out of the service, repair, and maintenance of these new units.

will you will focus on all European markets or select countries?

It’s going to be across Europe. It’s going to be helping and supporting ourselves towards the decarbonisation path and supporting the company future with regard to the big subject of the CO2 fines and penalties where, unfortunately, the European Commission settled the rule, while missing on the infrastructure. So having more tools available in our viewpoint is giving us more opportunity to do a job that we can do and are good at.

What is going to be key is to be ready and prepared by 2028 for the further jump in terms of CO2 reduction. So we’re going to have the full Daily range electrified, from panel van to chassis cab, plus a couple of product lines that are going to be inorganically incremental versus our standard range. It’s not really about selling those units to a vehicle customer, as a commercial vehicle customer will be ultimately an Iveco customer. So we need to be getting new customers while playing in a different arena, providing us and our dealer network extra revenue and extra margin opportunities.

so, in a way will the esuperJolly compete a little with the edaily?

the twin wheels, and so on and so forth, and that’s a market niche. If we go to the mass market, that is dominated by the car derived product, this is where, the eJolly and the eSuperJolly will be standing. So I don’t see any any real issue of of cannibalisation of those events.

since there are many stellantis van brands and toyota, and now with iveco also coming with a similar product in the market, how will you difference yourself from the other five competitors?

Through our dealer network. Because I personally believe that the vehicle footprint across Europe can bring a level of skills, knowledge, and competencies that a car derived service network doesn’t have. So this is going to be our real tool to differentiate and to put this eJolly and this eSuperJolly versus the rest. We can offer uptime to the customer, and this is something as

a concept that is not in the mind of a passenger car [dealer].

will the eJolly twins be built in right hand drive this time? Because i understand the hyundai eMoovy is left hand drive only. is that correct?

No. Because we are talking about two different animals, I would say. The Daily specs are fairly unique in terms of available volume, rear drive axle and

It’s on the radar. We have been looking into this for a while, and I can confirm that the eJolly and eSuperJolly are coming across to the uK and Ireland, so don’t worry!

But just on on the eMoovy concept, obviously it’s the beginning of a relationship with hyundai. do you have a bigger picture in mind? do you see an opportunity at the lighter end of the daily market with the eMoovy chassis cab particularly?

The eMoovy is playing below the current Daily range, playing in the chassis cab segment. While the Daily is playing in the large segment from 3.5 tonnes and above, the eMoovy is below that. So imagine a small chassis cab with a body to be fitted which will widen the winning

selling proposition, a unique selling proposition for us. what about the further electrification of the daily range? will there be four wheel drive versions?

There is always a revenue opportunity coming through and I tend to be totally unemotional and neutral. Let’s say if there is enough to be bringing volume, there will be an opportunity in term of design and development. If not, we’re not going to be putting money into a small scale operation that doesn’t make any sense from revenues and profit stand.

have you a prototype or a concept version of the edaily 4x4?

No. Not yet

will the eJolly be offered by the stellantis with hydrogen?

They are they are looking into this, but, it’s not relevant for the time being. So, you know, there is a lot of interest, but for the time being, it will not materialise. Why? Because, I mean, the

cost is way too high still.

The supply is very low. The refilling network is not there, and so if you’re grouping the first and second and the third, it’s not viable and sustainable nowadays. Different to say that we have to stay curious and really opportunistic to be technologically ready in case it’s picking up. And I believe that it could be definitely an option, eventually for long haulage to be qualified better on the last mile delivery, where I do believe that BEVs are going to be the winner in that road.

why did you choose stellantis as a partner, as you already have some cooperation with ford o tosan, which produces ford trucks and ford vans. was that an option?

The Ford Truck partnership is just with technology leadership, product cost competitiveness, cultural fits, proximity, and essential holders. If you’re grouping all of these, it makes things simply easier and less expensive.

Complied by Jarlath Sweeney, Chairman IVOTY

ireland has long held an affinity and affection for isuzu 4x4 all-wheel-drive vehicles. for over forty years, in fact.

Who can forget the illustrious Trooper 4x4, models of which were available in 3-door SWB and 5-door LWB forms, and sold in big numbers in Ireland and the uK.

Success of the Trooper paved the way for the first 1-tonne pick-up truck from the Japanese marque, the so-called TF. Then before the end of the first decade of the new millennium, the inaugural D-Max emerged. The timing was perfect as many Land Rover Defender owners were looking for a willing and able replacement and there was nothing forthcoming from the Solihull based British manufacturer back then.

With immediate effect, the farming, building and horticultural communities on both sides of the Irish Sea took to the D-Max in large numbers, appreciating its hardworking mentality, toughness and reliability. It met the standard needs of a multi-purpose, durable vehicle, with a wide open load bed, a 1.1 tonne payload, and a 3.5 tonne towing capacity.

Numerous awards have come Isuzu’s way, so much so that with all the trophies won, it would fill the back of the load bed! Among the accolades were awards for ‘Best Pick-up’ and Best All Terrain

ISuZu D-MAX –A Most Popular Pick-up

Workhorse’. In 2017, the Isuzu D-Max introduced a cleaner and more efficient 1.9-litre turbodiesel EGR engine, delivering 164ps and 360Nm torque. Among its advantages were the non-requirement of the AdBlue liquid urea additive that filters out emissions through the exhaust system. Isuzu brought the third-generation D-Max to the market in 2021, continuing the model’s success with the latest styling, technology, comfort and mechanical refinements, making the model even more popular. Actually the Harris Group, the Irish importers and distributors for the D-Max, found it difficult to keep up with the orders, such was the demand. That in spite of the fact that the factory in Thailand where the European models are produced churns out over 300,000 models per year.

quietest or most refined pick-up driven on road, a little noisy on motorway speeds. But bearing in mind the thin line between being a workhorse and an athlete, it excels off-road, where it feels more at home. It benefits from greater torsional and longitudinal rigidity for improved handling, stability and durability.

Looking to the future, Isuzu uK unveiled the production model of the zero-emission D-Max EV at the 2025 Commercial Vehicle Show, the first fully electric commercial pick-up in the European market to offer over 1-tonne payload, 3.5-tonne towing, and full-time 4x4.

The D-Max received a light cosmetic facelift two years after the 2021 launch, while also adding enhancements to the pick-up’s passive and active safety systems. updated features include Rough Terrain Mode (a smart Traction Control System for slippery and rocky surfaces with difficult traction), enhanced ADAS safety features, building on the very comprehensive set of features with new Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Turn Assist, Attention Assist, and Traffic Jam Assist), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), modernised, fully wireless infotainment and new digital reversing camera. Most significantly, D-Max comes with a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

What about its drivability, well there has to be a compromise here, durability versus smoothness. It’s not the

S PE c cHE ck

Make/Model: Isuzu D-Max LSE body Type: Double Cab pick-up

Engine: 1.9-litre turbo diesel RZ4t Euro6D

Power: 164 PS

Torque: 360 Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic 4WD

GVw: 3.5-tonnes

Payload: 1.1-tonnes

Towing: 3,500 kg

wading: 800 mm

Tyres: 265/60R18

Turning circle: 12.5 m

colour: Red Spinel Mica

Price: €55,630

dimensions

Overall length: 5,280 mm

Overall height: 1,790 mm

Overall width: 1,870 mm

wheelbase: 3,125 mm

cargo box length: 1,495 mm

Load width: 1,570 mm

Ground clearance: 240 mm

Load height: 490 mm

‘Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ biggest challenge in launching its new transporter t7 is to reassure its loyal medium sized van customers that it is worthy of carrying the illustrious transporter badge.

The T7 isn’t just a new version of Volkswagen’s tried and trusted offering in the one-tonne market segment. It’s a joint collaboration with arch-rival Ford, the third model to be produced as part of a collaboration agreement between the two brands. But with Ford being the lead partner responsible for designing and building the new generation products, can Volkswagen convince buyers that this generation van isn’t

Driven: The New Transporter - a Volkswagen through and through

the dash where the Ford has an open pocket. A flat floor aided by a stalk mounted transmission control on auto versions means a middle seat passenger’s leg space is not compromised, while allowing easy movement within the cabin. Multimedia and other controls are managed from a 13” centrally mounted touchscreen - it’s Ford software but tweaked to ‘Volkswagenise’ it.

Move back to the all-important load area and the T7 offers some significant improvements over its predecessor, including a 61mm longer load lengthmore than 3m long in the LWB model. There’s also an extra 148mm between wheel arches, an increased payload of up to 1.33 tonnes, and the T7 can carry up to 9 cubic metres of load volume.

merely a rebadged Transit Custom?

A good start is that the T7 is visually quite distinct to the Ford - from the front at least, with the headlights and grille in particular reminiscent of previous generation Transporters, while the rear lights bear comparison with those on the current Amarok. Climb inside, and despite the basic shared layout with the Transit Custom, Transporter aficionados will be pleased that the cabin looks and feels very much like a Volkswagen product. It utilises a familiar Volkswagen multi-function steering wheel and the driver facing digital display is similar to that in other Volkswagen products. Even the door fitments and pockets look as if they could have been lifted straight from the T6.1.

The cabin itself is well designed and laid out, with decent storage including a closed compartment on the top of

VWCI is offering the new Transporter in a choice of two trims, Trendline and PanAmericana, and in two body length variants. There’s a choice of three power outputs of 110PS, 150PS and 170PS from a 2.0-litre diesel engine badged as a TDI but carried over from the previous generation Transit Custom. 6 speed manual or 8 speed auto boxes transmit power to the front wheels. Plus of course there’s an all-electric version, the e-Transporter with two power outputs and a range of up to 320km, and from next year a plug-in hybrid variant.

Tested here is a long wheel base T7 in the higher Pan Americana spec with a 150PS engine and auto transmission. Standard equipment includes LED headlights, heated seats, eight way adjustable driver’s seat with two armrests and four-way lumbar support, rear view camera, 4 speaker sound system with

Apple Carplay / Android Auto connectivity, 3 LED Superbright lights in the load area, and all the latest ADAS safety equipment. PanAmericana trim includes off-road inspired details including special seat trims and wheels.

The new Transporter is a notably refined vehicle to drive. Good visibility from the driver’s seat and a comfortable driving position make munching up the miles easy. There is some road noise at national speed limits but no worse than one could expect from a panel van with bare metal in the load area. Performance from the 150PS diesel is certainly adequate, with the caveat that the van as tested was driven empty. An average fuel consumption of 6.7 litres/100km means the T7 should be an economical vehicle to run. Our only slight criticism is that the steering is quite light and lacking a little in feel compared to its Ford counterpart.

V E rd I c T:

The T7 is a worthy successor to Transporters of old. It may share a lot of parts with the Ford Transit Custom but Volkswagen has successfully retained the essential identity of the Transporter. It’s more practical than before, and with Volkswagen offering 5 Years Warranty, Servicing and Roadside Assistance, it will appeal to a broad swathe of commercial vehicle operators and drivers.

& Photos: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

if there was ever an unsung hero of the light commercial sector it is arguably the Mercedes-Benz sprinter. the reach of the sprinter covers every possible application in all areas of work and leisure, from emergency services, construction vehicles and minibuses to camper vans and of course the standard panel van.

Since its launch 30 years ago the Sprint is estimated to have achieved sales of more than 5 million units in over 130 countries.

Fleet Van & utility got behind the wheel of a special 30 Year premium edition to see how this icon has evolved over the past 3 decades.

Mercedes-Benz SprinterRunning for Three Decades

noted is that this Sprinter has a high stance and getting in and out would be eased by the addition of some grab handles

on the A pillar. A minor point perhaps, but when a driver spends a day climbing in and out when delivering parcels especially in wet or slippery conditions this small point can become a safety issue. In contrast, there are no less than four coat/jacket hooks!

Sprinter is normally offered in three versions of Base, Pro and Select. This 30 Year Premium edition builds on the Select specification and includes several additional features in the cab and cargo areas, as well as with the driveline.

While this limited-edition test van comes with some added extras, the story of the Sprinter is one of progression over time rather than having undergone radical changes at any stage. Through its evolution it has delivered several firsts within the world of light commercial vehicles, especially in driver and vehicle safety. Some of these features include Disc Brakes, ABS, Lane Keeping Assist, Active Brake Assist and Cross Wind Assist.

This special edition model as tested is a RWD Sprinter 319 High Roof panel van with a 3665 mm wheelbase. Climbing inside there is that familiar MercedesBenz feel of Germanic build quality from the trim and fittings. One small issue

In the cab the full Mercedes-Benz MBuX infotainment system with smartphone integration is included. First impressions can be that it is a little complicated, but after a little familiarisation it works well. Also included is a heated leather driver’s seat with armrest, a leather steering wheel, and a set of highly practical all-weather floor mats. Other welcome additions include an electric parking brake with a Hold function, cornering fog lights and attractive side-marker lights. The panelled load compartment is illuminated by LED strips and comes with access handles and sturdy lashing points.

The 2.0 litre 190 hp Euro 6 diesel offers 450 Nm of torque between 1400 and 2400 rpm. The wide torque band of the four-cylinder OM 654 combined with the Mercedes-Benz 9-speed G-Tronic transmission is what gives this Sprinter such a refined drive. The highly flexible 9-Speed works seamlessly even when operating it using the manual selection switches, and the drive is further helped with a well-chosen rear axle ratio of 3.923:1.

Sprinter is a refined and comfortable van to drive and offers positive stable feedback on twisting national roads or

when travelling at motorway speeds. Braking is nicely progressive and perfectly balanced for a vehicle of this size.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has always been a vehicle of its timeregardless of when that time may be. Back in 1995 equipment such as the MBuX Infotainment system, electric parking brakes or Cross Wind Assist did not exist. However, as these features were developed, they quickly became standard fitments – very often setting a benchmark for the industry in doing so. Thanks to the Mercedes-Benz programme of continuously developing systems, the Sprinter remains as important a vehicle today as it was 30 years ago.

Text & Photos: Paul White - paul@fleet.ie

The art of conversion was the topic of conversation at the MAN TGE Next Level briefing and test drive event in Munich recently. Held at the Audi Brand Experience Center, adjacent to the Franz Josef Strauss International Airport, the mission read: “We warmly invite you to an exclusive test drive of the full range of our MAN TGE Next Level – a special event that offers you a hands-on van driving experience. You’ll have the opportunity in Munich to experience all new features, different drive trains, gearboxes and bodies of the MAN TGE Next Level. The test drives will take place on highways, country and city roads and on the test track.”

The Art of Van Conversion: Perfected by MAN

Since its introduction into the Light Commercial marketplace, the MAN TGE, based on the Volkswagen Crafter (and made in Poland by VWCV), has found a niche in the 3.5 tonne plus GVW segments, with sales success mainly coming from HGV operators who appreciating the brand’s experience and expertise.

Next Level TGE brings a series of updates and upgrades, primarily with the vehicle’s interior fittings and the installation of additional safety equipment.

“A Premium van with Premium features” is how the modifications have been described. upon entry, one will immediately note the changes to driver orientation with the 10.4” MAN Media Van touchscreen and Digital instrument cluster, as well as a new multi-function steering wheel, keyless start and electronic parking brake.

With regards to comfort and safety features, there is a long list of standard equipment such as Parking & Speed Assist, Sidewind protection, Active Lane Keeping, Attention Warning, Blind Spot Warning and Drive Off Warning, many of these elements now required in the latest Eu General Safety Regulations. A test of a number of these features at the Audi Center Test Track proved their effectiveness in the prevention of potential incidents.

At the front of the Center was a fine exhibition of TGE panel vans and chassis cab conversion variants, some of which were carried out at the factory, with other applications undertaken by certified and authorised body builders and suppliers.

Among the many highlights was the Trigenius three-way tipper with thin Hardox steel panels from German manufacturer Meiller which offers up to 951 kg payload on the 3.5 tonne TGE and 3,600 kg with the 5.5 tonne twin-wheel TGE base. Also providing high payload but also with high load volume is the new BE Combi with its tandem axle/ wheel configuration that has a payload of around 2,650 kg and a load volume of 28 cu.m. The large box body can take ten Europallets and the adaptive tractor-unit type version has a gross carrying weight of 7 tonnes.

Alongside and based on the TGE 5.5 tonne chassis cab was an Ambulance from Ambulanz Mobile, while Eiber and Lamberet displayed a vehicle recovery transporter and Cool Box body respectively, built on the 3.5 tonne chassis. Also converted on the the 5.5 tonne panel van were two mini-buses/coaches from Lithuanian company Altas Auto.

All of the TGE versions driven were the 3.5 and 5.5 tonners, powered by the Volkswagen Group 2.0-litre TDI Euro 6e diesels. The 2.5 hour driving sessions took in routes in the main, typical terrain for this type of light commercial.

With outside temperatures in early July pushing the mercury gauge beyond 32 degrees C, it drove home the message that all vans should have air-con as standard. Driving around the city in sweltering heat in the TGE 3.140 panel van without air-con was certainly unpleasant. We called this model the ‘Sauna Spec’. That said, it drove well besides, so no fault there. Topping the range was the TGE 3.200 4x4 panel van. Sporting the legendary ‘VW Herbie’ paintwork and decals, this well specced model was in stark contrast to the aforementioned entry level TGE 3.140.

body and conversion manufacturers. “The aim is to secure the variety of individual vehicle solutions based on the MAN TGE with clear standards and to strengthen cooperation with qualified partners,” he said.

“Certification is carried out by the Bodybuilder Management Van and is based on a multi-stage testing process. Among other things, the quality of the finished vehicle, the successful completion of a compliance check in accordance with MAN speci-

Boasting Turn and Park Assist and the Active Safety & Equipment package, it was not short on comfort either.

cONVE r SION cONVE r SATIONS

The Meiller Trigenius and BE-Combi are the new additions to the ‘One Invoice Business’ package from the van division of MAN Truck & Bus. This means that 13 different body offers are now available ex-works. The assembled vehicles are covered by the MAN warranties and can be ordered directly from MAN by the customer and from a single source.

According to Thomas Pietsch, MAN Communications Manager Van, with the new Certified Van Partner Program, MAN Truck & Bus is establishing a binding quality framework for cooperation with

Certified partners benefit from closer ties to MAN: this includes joint sales and marketing activities, invitations to technical and product meetings, and access to technical information and training opportunities. Inclusion in the list of recommended body manufacturers also increases visibility in the MAN network and among end customers.

For MAN, the programme provides a clear picture and pattern in the development and expansion process, a reduction in service cases and a

fications, and the completeness and maintenance of the company profile on the MAN body manufacturer platform ABBI are evaluated. Only those who meet all the criteria will receive the certificate – valid for three years. Continuous monitoring and random quality controls ensure the sustainability of the programme.”

The business of the MAN TGE

strengthening of the brand through reliable partner standards. At the same time, customer satisfaction is increased through tested quality and coordinated processes.

“As a truck manufacturer, we have established a close relationship with the body manufacturers for decades. With the Certified Van Partner Program we are now creating a reliable basis for quality, efficiency and trust – to the benefit of our van customers and partners,” concluded Thomas.

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

certified Van Partner structure Provider

Shelving systems

Fresh service conversion of panel vans

Combi (Basic/Shuttle/Mobility): 8+1 seats

Bott & Sortimo

Kerstner

MAN Individual

Minibus Intercity: 19+1 seats Altas

Minibus Coach: 16+1 seats

Box (with/without tail lift)

Tail lift panel van

Tipper

Altas

BE-Combi, Jung & Spier

Bär Cargolift

Meiller, Scattolini & Schoon

Of the 14 million vehicles sold worldwide last year commercial vehicles accounted for 16%.

North America was the biggest individual market with 4.5 million unit sales, 23% of which were commercials including pick-ups. No surprise that China was the next best auto market with 2.9 m (11% CV), while Europe accounted for 2.3m (13% CV).

The Stellantis Group’s Commercial Vehicle Division, which consists of six brands - Citroën, Fiat Professional, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall - commands a 30%+ market share in Europe, up 1.2% over the previous year. Ireland plays its part, through the multi-franchise holder the Gowan Group, with a leading 24.7% combined share last year. Stellantis also dominates the South American markets. Last year it produced over 1.7 m vans and pickups globally.

Stellantis ProOne is the Number 1 in the Light Commercial Market

under the united banner of ProOne, established by Stellantis last year, the philosophy going forward is based on five key elements: Product; Zero-emissions; CustomFit; Customer experience and Connected services, some of which ‘Fleet’ described in detail back then.

The refreshed product line up of small, medium and large vans includes the new improved Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV). Together with CustomFit, the Customer experience and Connected services, they all align to offer a 360 degree holistic approach. To date the extensive LCV range consists of 3 micro vans, 12 vans and 9 pick-ups, sold around the world but not in every market.

line - “You need it, We make it”. She highlighted that everything that is done there is efficient, producing high quality and reliable vehicles consistently. She mentioned that the Stellantis Group is in the unique position to have over 20,000 touch points within its dealer network, that is expert sales people, along with 550 approved suppliers and conversion partners.

The formation of CustomFit stems from the fact that half of Stellantis light commercial sales have some element of conversion or special application or fittings installed. Now, within six of its plants are designated areas for conversion, adaptation and body fitting.

At the Stellantis CustomFit Media Experience event at its Atessa plant, Anne Abboud, newly appointed Head of Stellantis ProOne was keen to emphasise the CustomFit strap

Atessa, otherwise known as Sevel Nord in the independent days of the Fiat Automobiles and PSA Peugeot Citroen companies, is the crown jewel in the corporation. Established 45 years ago, more than 7.5 million vehicles have been produced here on this vast plant, now covering 1.2 m sq.m, the biggest and busiest in Europe. There are three main unit blocks, producing the six Stellantis large van models, namely the Citroën Relay, Fiat Ducato, Opel/Vauxhall Movano, Peugeot Boxer and Ram ProMaster.

As well as supplying to Toyota Europe, another new customer is in the offing, with Iveco set to market this 3.5 tonner in electric form, which will be badged as the eSuperJolly.

80% of the light commercial large vans, chassis-cabs and chassis-cowls produced through fifteen different shifts by over 4,500 employees at Atessa are exported. 70% of the completed vehicle deliveries are undertaken by train, where 90 units are carried at one time, whereas three units can be transported by truck.

During the factory tour we were guided around the three main manufacturing and assembly blocks which are the BodyShop, PaintShop and General Assembly which includes the CustomFit department.

Having CustomFit on site ensures faster delivery times for the customer, while the wide choice of applications and auxiliaries available takes the stress out of specifying the vehicle or number of vehicles of choice. Apart from the body selection which now includes a large volume box body, there is a range of tippers and drop-sides as well as special utility and municipal fit-outs, double cabs and crew-cabs also. At the other end of the scale on the technical side there is a broad choice of engines, transmissions, load volumes, suspension, platforms and colours.

To suit all customers’ needs, there are two main levels of engagement. B2B

includes the conversions in house or ex-works through approved partners and this also incorporates approved supply partners.

Then there is B2C which caters for the recreational side of the business though its successful and market leading campervan cabin and chassis design. This is where the Fiat Ducato excels.

While at the plant, Anne Abboud launched the Cargo Box BEV, describing it as offering exceptional cargo capacity of 18.3 m³, complemented by a spacious interior with dimensions of 4,230 mm in length, 2,032 mm in width, and 2,150 mm in height. It is based on the ProOne’s generic Battery Electric Chassis Cab version, delivering 410 Nm of maximum torque and a power of 200 kW (270 hp). Paired with a 110 kWh battery it can provide for a driving range of up to 323 km. In addition, for customers needing extra cargo space, it will also be available in the L4 configuration, expanding the cargo volume to 20.5 m³ with an internal length of 4,500 mm and a height of 2,300 mm.

partners also enjoy the same 2-year warranty coverage as vehicles coming directly from the factory.”

Another area of particular interest for Stellantis CustomFit is the constant evaluation of its Caravan and MotorHome (RV, Recreational Vehicles) sector offerings, where Stellantis Pro One is once again the undisputed market leader. Mr. Leclerc continued:

“We have been working in this market segment since 2006 and have never stopped innovating or interrupted our constant dialog with RV manufacturers, seeking the most practical and functional solutions alongside them. To prove this is one of the smartest innovations in this sector, we have defined it as “BacktoBack”: in practice, we have managed to connect two independent driving cabins, which can thus be moved as a single vehicle, with evident efficiencies in terms of costs, logistic and environmental footprint.”

“The launch of the Cargo Box BEV confirms the outstanding journey of this plant dedicated to proactively and quickly meeting the needs of our professional clients, according to the principles of efficiency, maximum quality, and time to market. Stellantis Pro One’s offering is unmatched in terms of range breadth and flexibility,” said Anne.

Arnaud Leclerc, Global Head of Stellantis CustomFit, explained further: “The direct production capacity of our plants in the CustomFit sector is integrated and expanded by a global network of 550 authorised partners who interact with our official network, thereby ensuring an extremely widespread network of touchpoints. All fittings made by our

To further enhance the offering in the Large Van range, Stellantis ProOne is now introducing 22-kW AC charging as standard. A complete charge can now be conveniently achieved overnight, ensuring the vehicle is ready for use at the start of the next working day. 22-kW AC charging provides a full recharge in just 6 hours, half the time compared to the previous 11-kW solution.

Stellantis Pro One has sold over 2 million camper vans in the last 20 years, with 75% of the vehicle park built on the multi-award winning Ducato base. For 17 years running, the Ducato has been acknowledged as the Best Camper Van Base by German magazine Promobil.

“There can be no better summary of what we do than our motto, “Fit for Mission,” as demonstrated by the BEV version. We are ready to launch a BEV line-up to meet the demands of our most attentive and discerning clients,” concluded Leclerc.

TIME FOR CHANGE TIME FOR MAXUS

One of Ireland’s leading commercial vehicle brands.

If you’re considering a new vehicle for personal or business use, then MAXUS has you covered.

Visit www.saicmaxus.ie or scan the QR code to find your local MAXUS dealer

Edited by Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

Average cost of running car exceeds €10k annually

analysis carried out by oUtsurance ireland has revealed that the average cost of running a car in ireland in 2025 is €10,373, a figure that equates to approximately €28 per day. depreciation of a vehicle is the single largest cost, while fuel, maintenance

and insurance are also significant factors in keeping a car on the road.

Depreciation will be greater the newer the vehicle is. OuTsurance has calculated that a 2024 Hyundai Tucson valued at €40,000 will have depreciated by approximately €6,274 over the course of this year, based on standard valuation tools.

Petrol and diesel costs represent a significant outlay, with OuTsurance calculating a typical mid-sized family car like the Tucson doing 15,000 kilometres a year will use €1,560 worth of fuel based on typical consumption rates and the current price of fuel.

The survey didn’t include electric vehicles but for those charging at home significant savings on these figures can be expected.

Servicing and maintenance including costs such as tyre replacements cost the typical motorist €736 a year according to

Calls for continued Government support as EV sales bounce back

sales of electric vehicles are recovering strongly, with the latest figures for the month of July from the society of the irish Motor industry (siMi) showing that 4,913 EVs were registered during the month, an increase of 57% over the same month in 2024. so far this year 18,542 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 33.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when 13,866 electric cars were registered. overall for 2025 electric cars are accounting for 17.08% of the new car market.

Welcoming the fact that sales of EVs are now back to 2023 levels, Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, commented: “Notably, this means that

we have surpassed the 175,000 EV target (BEV & PHEV combined) for 2025 contained in the Government’s Climate Action Plan. This important landmark on the road to electrification could not have been achieved without the significant levels of Government incentives. If we want to continue this momentum, these supports must be maintained and extended well beyond the end of this year.”

the survey, while on average drivers pay €616 for car insurance a year.

Other significant cost factors in running a car include motor tax which averages out at €435 a year and the NCT test which costs €60 annually or bi-annually depending on the age the car.

Adding in costs for motorway tolls (€298/year on average) and car parking €484/year can significantly increase the budget needed to run a car for the year, said OuTsurance CMO Ian Kennedy. “The unforeseen costs of car ownership often catch people off guard. While most motorists factor in fuel and insurance, many overlook the expenses that can significantly add up like a new set of tires and tolls. Costs that haven’t been budgeted for can be tricky to deal with considering the impact of inflation on people’s purchasing power.”

Reiterating the Director General’s comments on the need to extend Government incentives, Oliver Holt, Geotab Sales Manager, uKI, noted: “While the rebound in Electric Vehicles sales in Ireland over the course of 2025 is to be welcomed we still remain miles off the

trajectory needed to hit the Government target of having approximately a million EVs on Irish roads by 2030. With the uK announcing a £650 million package of grants to slash electric car prices last month, the Irish Government will also have to consider whether a similar kickstart is needed to avoid up to €26 billion in Eu fines if emissions are not tackled by the end of the decade.”

ePower is one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of EV chargers for home, business and public usage as well as a supplier of solar panel solutions, and is once again, the title sponsor of the Fleet Transport Green Commercial of the Year Awards 2026 which are taking place at The Johnstown Estate Hotel in Enfield on 16 October 2025. Fleet Publications caught up with Brendan Crowley, Director of Public Charging and Ivan O’Connor, Commercial Sales Director to talk about what the company provides, and the state of the EV charging network at present.

ePower - charging Ireland’s EV network

what charging products does ePower currently offer for home and businesses?

ePower is one of Irelands largest installers of home EV chargers having installed over 14,000 chargers to date. We are very proud of our 5 star Google Review received from over 600 satisfied home EV charging customers. We offer a full range of chargers to suit all home owners, wall mounted, pole mounted, solar integration, with and without extended cables and more. ePower provide the end to end domestic installation service including assistance with the SEAI grant. ePower also provide home Solar PV installation service that is tied into your EV charging.

ePower are Irelands largest provider of business chargers. We supply and install chargers into offices, depots, car parks, retail outlets, factories, health centres and hotels. All workplace chargers are fully managed and maintained by ePower for total peace of mind. We provide the right charger for each situation be it a 22kW AC charger in a workplace car park to a lightning fast 400kW DC charger in a depot or a retail setting.

do you offer other related products that may assist in offsetting costs involved in EV charging, for example solar panels? are they marketed as an all-in-solution package?

ePower offers its clients a complete energy installation and management service which includes EV, PV and Battery Storage. Our solar PV division looks after domestic and commercial solar PV and

battery installation services and works hand in glove with our EV division to ensure that our customers have the convenience of a one stop shop and the receive a fully integrated end to end system that delivers optimism power efficiencies and cost savings.

do you offer specific charging solutions for heavy Goods Vehicles, both for depot and at public charge points?

what solutions can you provide for public charging?

We have several hundred ePower public charging locations, which are outlined on the ePower app, more recently in the past year or so we have added fully funded public locations, that is we have partnered with service stations, hotels and other outlets where we have carried out all of the infrastructural work and the partner location shares in the income of the location.

Heavy Goods Electric Vehicle

Charging is still somewhat at the early adoption stage in Ireland, and ePower has installed charging solutions at the depots of a number of truck and bus companies that have invested in HGEV.  For public charge points HGV is currently not used by the industry very often but we expect to have some interesting activity in that area in 2026.

HGEV Charging is very much about right sizing the charger based upon the vehicle usage patterns, energy load management that optimises the available power and integration with fleet management systems to ensure that

HGEVs are ready at time of departure with a sufficient charge to compete their journeys. ePower can advise any fleet manager on all of the above and show this in action with our clients.

what would you say are the biggest challenges companies like yourselves face in expanding the country’s public charging facilities?

In fairness to the Government they have supported the industry through ZEVI grants and are aiming for the objective of having EV charging available frequently to anyone travelling nationally. The biggest challenge is power supply, and ESBN work closely with us to get power for new locations. The issue is that the network is evolving and was not originally designed for EV, so there are hurdles which we are overcoming in partnership with them.

Can you outline the process and typical timeframes involved in establishing a new fast charger facility with regards to what approvals are needed, how you ensure there is adequate power supply available, etc.

We build both large and small facilities, and there is a planning exemption for smaller facilities, whereas with hubs planning permission is required. Power supply is something we look at well before embarking on a project. After we are approached by or make an approach to a potential partner, and agreement is made, typically there is a 6 -9 month period before a site is up and running. However this can vary a lot depending on power availability.

to date some public charging facilities are poorly designed, offering no shelter, often with cables that are not long enough to reach the charging connection point on an EV depending on its positioning, and no facilities for queuing vehicles waiting to avail of a charge space.  what kind of regulations and/or guidelines - if any -  are currently in place? does ePower have its own design guidelines and criteria when installing new facilities?

like with any other type of facility site competition and best quality locations will determine where the EV driver will stop. Of course there is also a balance between amount of investment and return, so as more and more customers move to EV, more resources are available to add extra facilities on each location.

while smart chargers typically enable charging times to be set for off-peak hours, what other functionalities are available that differentiate one product from another? for instance, if a visitor to your house wishes to charge an EV is it possible to easily identify how much electricity they used and what it cost?

ePower offers Company EV Charging @ Home services which distinguishes between company related charging expenses which we reimburse directly to the EV Driver versus personal usage by the family or guests that should not be reimbursed. The ePower app allows the

In many cases we are retrofitting EV on existing commercial locations so we work with the site owners to deliver the best facilities possible. There are ZEVI guidelines about spaces and accessibility, and space permitting we work to those. We endeavour to use equipment that is user friendly, for example recently in Greenhills Hotel in Limerick we have installed equipment that has lighter hoses due to a spring mechanism and allows customers to park facing in or out or whatever way suits and the connector can reach the car socket in every case. We have a project management team that plans every site in detail. We believe

home owner to easily and automatically categorise charging sessions into work, personal and guest  sessions.

ePower also offers chargers that support Vehicle to Home and also Vehicle to Grid functionality which are exciting new developments which in time will go a long way to supporting the grid and provide cost savings to home owners.

Plug and Charge is another feature supported by many of ePowers chargers and as more and more car makers support this functionality it will make the home charging experience even more seamless.

With Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

at the Brussels Motor show earlier this year, Mazda unveiled an all-new Mazda6e, a fast-charging 5-door hatchback that continues the legacy of the Mazda6 with a battery-electric powertrain.

The Mazda6e introduces the next evolution of the Japanese brand’s design philosophy, “Kodo: Soul of Motion”. Its smooth, flowing lines and sleek features give the car a strong yet refined

Introducing the Mazda6e

presence. The interior of the Mazda6e offers, as before, generous space to front and rear passengers.

The revised dash/ console area features a customisable 14.6-inch touchscreen, a 10.2-inch digital driver display screen, and a large head-up display. Advanced voice and guidance controls simplify interaction between the car and driver. Passengers can enjoy high-quality audio through a 14-speaker Sony audio system, while a 330-litre boot and a 70-litre front boot add practicality.

In Europe, the Mazda6e offers two powertrain options to match different

Hyundai goes large with all-electric Ioniq 9

hyundai new all-electric flagship has gone on sale in ireland. the ioniq 9 is a seven seat sUV that sits alongside the brand’s sante fe PhEV. Priced at launch at €78,495, it comes with a 110.3 kwh battery which can offer a wltP measured range of up to 620km. fast charging at speeds of up to 350kw is possible. an electric motor developing 217hp powers the rear wheels.

Offered in a single trim of Platinum, the Ioniq 9 offers premium levels of fitment and equipment. Inside there is leather upholstered electrically

adjustable front seats incorporating Hyundai’s Premium Relaxation technology while the second and third rows of seats also get their own ventilation controls. Two 12.3” screens are incorporated into a panoramic curved display and include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Bose surround sound system comes with no fewer than 14 speakers. A colour HuD displays important information to the driver. Outside you get 20 inch wheels and two-tone coloured bumpers. Hyundai is also offering the option to

Citroën has identified that the average price gap between a typical B-segment regular car and a crossover sUV model in the same class is in the region of a whopping €8,000. it’s hoping to capture potential customers of both with its new C3 which offers a slightly raised platform (it has a height of 1.5 metres) but a price tag on a par with regular B-segment contenders. Prices

preferences. The 68.8 kWh battery recharges from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes with up to 165 kW while the 80 kWh battery offers up to 552 km of range.

Nine airbags protect the occupants and Mazda’s Advanced Driving Assistance System helps drivers avoid potential hazards. The new Occupancy Monitoring System detects children in the rear seats and warns the driver not to leave them in the car unattended.

Blending Japanese craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and cutting-edge technology, the all-new Mazda6e will arrive in European dealer showrooms in September 2025.

purchase extra features such as light animations via a Hyundai smartphone app.

Down the line Hyundai will be introducing an all-wheel-drive version with dual electric motors, and the option of a six seat layout.

cathal doyle

4th Generation Citroën C3 and Ë-C3 are here

start from €23,400 for both petrol and electric versions, with hybrid models available from €26,800.

This is the fourth generation of the C3. It’s been one of the more important products for Citroën globally, accounting for 30%, or 5.6 million sales. Although priced at the cheaper end of the car market, the new C3 boasts some premium features, notably its advanced comfort seating previously only offered on larger cars in the range. It also comes with advanced comfort suspension, a feature typically found on bigger cars.

Offered in two trim levels, power options include a 100hp 1.2 litre 3 cylinder petrol engine matched to a manual gearbox,, a hybrid model featuring a 110hp 1.2 litre turbo matched with a 21lW electric motor and 6-speed auto gearbox, or an all-electric version which has a 44kWh battery and 113hp electric motor giving an WLTP range of 320km. For urban drivers a smaller 30kWh battery with a 200km range will follow later, as will an N1 classified commercial model with a choice of petrol or electric propulsion.

cathal doyle