SODERTALJE, Sweden, July 09, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Speaking at the German motor industry's press workshop in Frankfurt today, Hasse Johansson, Group Vice President and head of Research and Development at Scania, stated that heavy traffic in Europe can be reduced by 30 percent.
"Both wear and tear on our roads and damage to the environment could very definitely be reduced if national legislation permitted longer vehicles to be used on certain sections of road -- and road safety would also be enhanced," he declared.
Hasse Johansson was one of the invited speakers at the German motor industry press workshop in Frankfurt, which was held in advance of the international truck and bus show which will take place in Hannover in September. As head of R&D at Scania, he delivered an address under the title of 'The truck in the European road safety strategy'.
"The number of heavy vehicles on our roads could be reduced by 30 percent by altering national legislation to permit longer vehicles to use certain stretches. Vehicles up to 25.25 metres in length are already in operation in Scandinavia and interest in this type of vehicle is also growing in other countries, especially among transport buyers," commented Hasse Johansson.
A reduction in heavy traffic would yield major savings -- primarily in the areas of roads and the environment. However, hauliers would also benefit from modified legislation:
"Vehicle payloads would be increased by up to 60 percent with major financial savings which would ultimately benefit the consumer."
Other speakers at the Frankfurt workshop included Bernd Gottschalk of the German Motor Industry Federation, Eckhard Cordes of DaimlerChrysler, Hakan Samuelsson of MAN Nutzfahrzeuge and Jose Maria Alapont of Iveco.
For further information, please contact Urban Wastljung, tel. +46-8-553 836 74.
Scania is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks and buses for heavy transport applications, and of industrial and marine engines. With 29,1 00 employees and production facilities in Europe and Latin America, Scania is one of the most profitable companies in its sector. In 2003, turnover totalled SEK 50,500 million and the result after financial items was SEK 4,600 million. Scania products are marketed in about 100 countries worldwide and some 95 percent of Scania's vehicles are sold outside Sweden.
Scania press releases are available on the Internet, www.scania.com
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