Bridgestone Corporation, based in Tokyo, Japan, has launched a joint programme to develop chemical recycling technologies that utilise used tyres to achieve high-yield production of isoprene, a raw material used in synthetic rubber production.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of India has proposed that rigid vehicles and tractor-trailer combinations be allowed to have up to three decks for the carriage of two-wheelers.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of India has proposed that the procedure for type approval and certification of Road Trains be in accordance with AIS-113 (covering trailers and semi-trailers in categories T2-4, being towed by N2-3 vehicles).

If passed through the European Parliament, the reforms will give operators the freedom to hire goods vehicles registered in a different EU member state, albeit with some restrictions on duration which member states may choose to impose.

The market for trailers and semi-trailers in Italy grew by 32.3% in 2021, from 11,414 units the year before to 15,097 units, according to ANFIA.

Despite supply shortages and production stoppages during 2021, the Brazilian truck manufacturers responded well to a market that grew strongly: According to data from Anfavea (National Association of Automotive Vehicle Manufacturers) sales in 2021 totalled 128,679, an increase of 43.5% compared with 89,678 units in 2020.

Production of trailer and truck bodies in Brazil during the third quarter of 2021 totalled  44,132 units, an increase of 22% over Q3 2020, according to ANFIR.

Trailer and truck body builders in Brazil are warning the price increases in raw materials will impact economic recovery and their businesses this year. In particular, the impact the increase in the price of steel – still the main building commodity – is likely to have a negative impact on sales and the ability of the manufacturers to supply customers in 2021.

At the end of 2022, Dr Holger Klein will replace Wolf-Henning Scheider as CEO and Dr Peter Laier will replace Wilhelm Rehm as head of Commercial Vehicle Solutions.

Fruehauf Ltd, based in Grantham, has made three appointments to its senior management team.

CVG has announced two new appointments to its executive team. Jeffrey Tritapoe will take a newly created role as Senior Vice President of Operations, and Daniel Mehringer will serve as Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning and Business Development.

Wieshofer, who joins the Austrian trailer manufacturer from Rosenhauer, will be responsible for restructuring international sales.