New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
FTA calls for urgent fuel duty cut
In its pre-Budget submission to the Treasury, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) is calling on Chancellor George Osbourne to slash fuel duty by at least 5p/litre and scrap the planned increase due in August. It argues that such action could save consumers and businesses £3.6 billion and prove to be a vital shot in the arm for the UK’s decidedly lethargic economic recovery. Osbourne is due to make the 2012 Budget statement on 21 March.Following sustained and concerted lobbying by the FTA and its partners in the FairFuelUK campaign, the last Budget saw two planned increases in fuel duty deferred and a reduction in fuel duty of 1p/litre, a move which saved businesses around £500m. Despite this, however, the price of diesel increased by 7p/litre in 2011.
“Never mind quantitative easing, cutting the still-disproportionately high amount we spend on diesel which is, after all, a business essential, would be a simple and effective way to stimulate the economy,” said FTA managing director of policy and communications James Hookham. “The billions that industry and consumers will save over a year would be invested elsewhere in the economy, giving the impetus to growth that is so badly needed.“George Osborne gave industry a lifeline in the last budget, but with the economy still in the doldrums and a new round of duty rises looming, we are asking the Chancellor to extend this logic further for the sake of businesses, consumers and UK plc. It is clear that the economy still needs it.”