News

Despite the recent failure of the Turkish Government’s tender for the project to build a third bridge over the Bosphorus, the deal may yet go ahead. Japanese firms Itochu, Obayashi, IHI and Mitsubishi have revealed that they are still interested in constructing a third bridge over the Bosphorus at Istanbul, as well as constructing the associated tolled highway.

2012 sees the start of a new wheeled excavator programme from Liebherr, and the A916 represents the first fruit from the project. Replacing the A316 Litronic, the new A916 has been developed to meet Stage IIIB emissions requirements and has an operating weight from 17-18.1 tonnes depending on specification. Power comes from a four-cylinder 110kW engine with common rail fuel injection, EGR and DOC – a DPF is available as an optional extra for those working inside buildings.

A new range of safety-focused automatic quick couplers will be launched by Geith at INTERMAT, specifically for mini excavators. The new QC35/40 hydraulic coupler is designed for use on mini-excavators from two- to four tonnes, giving the operator a fully automatic, safe change-over system without having to leave the cab. A patented double pin locking system ensures that the coupler retains the attachment in a safe position even if there is a loss of power, said the firm.

Mission Mitsubishi, a Mitsubishi dealer in San Antonio, has announced that Mitsubishi's i-MiEV Prototype will be taking on the historic Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which will take place in Colorado on 8 July, 2012.

The EU Human Rights Court has ruled in favour of two drivers who received traffic tickets from French authorities, but were not provided the means to contest them. Both men paid the fine required and one lost a point off his driver's permit. Both called for the reimbursement of the fine.

Trafikverket has informed Q-Free that the company will be awarded the contract for delivery of the congestion charging infrastructure in the Swedish city of Gothenburg.

Moscow's Directorate for Investment Project Support and Participatory Construction Oversight (Moskomstroyinvest) has introduced a huge programme for developing parking space in the Russian capital. It provides for the construction of at least two million parking spaces in the city by 2025.

PTV has beaten 70 competitors to win the prize for the best solution in the category Mobility and Logistics, in the Bitkom (the German Association of Towns and Municipalities) Urban Solutions Pitch.

According to a recent report from Pike Research, as manufacturing efficiencies improve and access to lithium expands, the installed cost of Li-ion batteries will fall by more than one-third by the end of 2017.

Major UK insurance company Aviva is said to be experimenting with an iPhone app that will offer discounts on car insurance based on customer's driving speed and style, according to reports in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

The Association of Global Automakers, which represents international motor vehicle manufacturers, original equipment suppliers, and other automotive-related trade associations, has testified about the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) proposed voluntary driver distraction guidelines stressing the importance of an objective, performance-based, and technology neutral approach.