Page 15 - CTB N8 - 2014-04

COMPANY NEWS
Vice President Commercial Tyres Goodyear EMEA, Commercial Tyre Business asked that question. “It is important for us, since we have the experience in supplying fleets our customers believed that it was important for us to bring people together to look at what changes the
future held for the fleet transport sector,” explained Rzonzef. “It is clearly of prime importance that we look at how we can reduce, or minimise, fuel costs to the operators, but there are other areas of concern, regulations need some uniformity and clarity, and there needs to be a
push to recruit and retain skilled drivers. These are all issues revealed as core concerns to the fleet sector by our survey into future mobility.
“From Goodyear, we had addressed this by continual development of our tyre products, the FuelMax is the most fuel efficient range that Goodyear has produced to date and we are continually seeking improvements to reduce costs to the operators. The FuelMax range is suitable, if managed properly, for regrooving and retreading.
“We have our own three TreadMax hot cure retreading operations in Wolverhampton,
Wittlich and Rheims, and we have a network of Goodyear approved retreaders who retread only Goodyear casings by precure using our own tread bands and our methodology. This complete provision for Goodyear customers ensures that with proper tyre
management they can get the most cost effective use out of their tyres. “The Goodyear TreadMax, our mould cure offer, is very close to the technology used in the new KMax/ FuelMax new tyre offer. We are keen to develop our whole life package to the industry. The Next Tread is our pre-cure offer and is used by our authorised retreaders across Europe.” The key findings of the Mobility of the Future report have been rolled out to fleet managers across Europe. So, this symposium in Brussels was not solely aimed at the great and the good, but has been directed to the people who run fleets with large corporations, with local authorities and the aim is to plant seeds, to being people to think efficiently about costs and how they can be controlled, and to look to the future fleets and how the issues facing the industry and the challenges to come can be addressed by everyone involved in the industry.
Goodyear White Paper: Regulators the Key to Driving the Future of Road Transport
Goodyear launched its White Paper “Mobility of the Future: Smart Fleets and the Future of the Transport Industry” at the company´s transport industry symposium in Brussels recently. The key finding of the report is that regulators could be even more instrumental in driving the future of the road transport industry. The Goodyear White Paper includes new research results and provides actionable recommendations to European and national policy makers such as clearer incentives to establish fuel efficient fleets and further promotion of the EU tyre label to help maximising their potential.
Goodyear research shows that fleet managers believe that regulators play an important role in driving the future of the road transport industry. 53% of fleet managers favour more incentives for environmentally–friendly fleets, and 60% favour incentives for buying fuel-efficient tyres. One in ten (11%) fleet managers cite the impact of regulations as one of the top two challenges facing the road industry as a whole. Almost three in four (74%) fleet managers believe that reducing fuel taxes would have a positive impact on the road freight industry, and a further 72% support investment in
the road network.
Other key findings of the White Paper “Mobility of the Future: Smart Fleets and the Future of the Transport Industry” include:
Four in ten (40%) of fleet managers still cite rising fuel costs as their greatest concern;
To tackle the rising cost of fuel, almost all (92%) fleet managers say they measure their fleets’ fuel consumption;
Two thirds (66%) of fleet managers who use telematics also pass relevant information onto their drivers to help them improve the efficiency of their driving;
Hiring and retaining of skilled drivers is also a top concern for fleet managers, with one quarter (25%) citing this as their greatest or second greatest concern.
“Our research shows that the road freight industry is willing to become even more sustainable. It clearly points out that fleets are already investing in technologies reducing fuel consumption and need further support from European and national regulators. Our White Paper provides actionable recommendations how the institutions can help the transport industry to drive a sustainable future,” said Michel Rzonzef, Vice President of the Commercial Business Unit for
Goodyear Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Goodyear launched its White Paper during its second transport industry symposium in Brussels, focusing on the future of the road haulage industry. During the symposium solutions for achieving a sustainable freight industry were discussed, both through the role of regulation and vehicle technology. Recommendations towards European legislators:
Incentives for fuel efficient fleets; Promotion of the EU tyre label; Mandatory Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) for new commercial vehicles to enhance fuel efficiency;
Clarity on reforms to rules related to weights and dimensions of commercial vehicles;
Further guidelines on cross-border operations of larger vehicles;
More support to make the most from new telematics technology like harmonised standards for telematics;
Extra support from regulators to the road fleet sector to attract and retain skilled drivers.
“We looked at the future of the industry through the eyes of the fleets focusing on creating efficiency, innovation and dialogue. We are proud to offer analysis of both the challenges and solutions.
I am confident together, we can achieve the efficiency the industry needs. Goodyear is committed to play its role in driving a sustainable future for the transport industry,” said Darren Wells, President Goodyear Europe Middle East and Africa, in his speech.
The symposium brought together high level representatives from European Union institutions, industry and academia including João Aguiar Machado, Director General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, to discuss the findings of the Goodyear White Paper and the future of the transport industry. Goodyear’s Mobility of the Future symposium was the second of its nature, and highlighted the company´s continued support to fleets, the industry and regulators, as well as its continued commitment to its role as a key player in the transport industry.
Commercial Tyre Business 15