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Murray Bridge’s primary producers can deepen their understanding of heavy vehicle compliance and safety with a no-cost workshop on 20 August, featuring expert advice and follow-up vehicle inspections aimed at reducing road risks and regulatory breaches.Heavy vehicle operators in the Murray Bridge area are getting a great chance to boost their compliance and safety understanding with a free, all-inclusive workshop happening this August. The session, dubbed 'Roadworthy Heavy Vehicles... Made Easy!', is designed to demystify regulatory details and improve vehicle safety practices. It’s scheduled for 20 August at the Murray Bridge Imperial Football Club, running from 9am right through to 3pm. The workshop primarily targets grain producers and other primary industry folks who own and run heavy machinery, with industry expert Bernie O’Hara from National Transport Consulting doing both classroom-style teaching and practical demonstrations. This event is part of a broader initiative led by Grain Producers SA (GPSA) in partnership with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and Primary Producers SA (PPSA), and it’s supported by the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative. The program zeroes in on key topics like road safety awareness, maintenance duties, and how to effectively use the NHVR Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual—think of it as a crucial compliance guide for producers. Attendees will also get help on how to navigate NHVR’s online platform, NHVRGo, which makes managing heavy vehicle permits and compliance a bit easier. Brad Perry, the CEO of GPSA, highlighted how practical this program really is. He said it’s not just about ticking regulatory boxes but making sure vehicles are safe, businesses stay protected, and operators can relax knowing they’re doing the right thing. Perry made special mention of the local mechanics who donate their time afterward to carry out follow-up roadworthy inspections. These inspections are a wonderful chance for producers to roll up their sleeves, put their new knowledge into practice, and verify that their vehicles meet all the legal standards—all under the watchful eye of experts. Though, it’s worth noting, those inspections aren’t unlimited; you’ve gotta book them through GPSA after the workshop if you’re interested. The Murray Bridge session is just the beginning—there are similar workshops planned in other parts of South Australia like Loxton, Narracoorte, Kadina, and Jamestown. All these sessions are tailored especially for primary producers, blending hands-on mechanical tips with regulatory info to lift overall heavy vehicle safety standards in farming and rural industries. The NHVR points out that these sorts of educational efforts are more vital than ever, given the special hurdles agricultural heavy vehicle operators face—they’ve got to keep up productivity but also follow strict road safety and maintenance rules. Around the country, the NHVR keeps organizing forums, webinars, and other events throughout the year, trying to keep operators up-to-date with compliance and best practices. This movement shows a clear shift toward proactive learning in the heavy vehicle world, aiming to cut down on non-compliance fines and, more importantly, improve safety on the roads for everyone. For producers, the workshops aren’t just about gaining knowledge—they also come with practical tools and personalized support to help ensure their vehicles meet all legal requirements and keep everyone safe as they travel on public roads. If you’re interested in attending the Murray Bridge workshop, make sure you register early because spots are limited. Producers should contact Grain Producers SA to save a spot and also to express interest in the free vehicle inspection afterward. 📌 Reference Map: Paragraph 1 – [1], [2], [3] Paragraph 2 – [1], [4], [7] Paragraph 3 – [1], [4] Paragraph 4 – [1], [2], [3], [5] Paragraph 5 – [4], [7] Paragraph 6 – [5], [7] Paragraph 7 – [1], [3], [4] Source: Noah Wire Services

Australian fleet operators are adopting advanced electronic braking technologies to overcome delays in pneumatic trailer brakes common in North American rigs, enhancing safety, fuel efficiency, and vehicle handling across mixed truck fleets.For fleet operators and transport businesses across Australia’s heavy vehicle scene, braking performance is pretty much everything—not just for vehicle mechanics but also for safety, smooth operation, and keeping trucks on the road. With a lot of European and North American trucks out there, understanding the key differences in their braking systems can really influence how fleet management is approached. At the heart of it, a big distinction comes down to how braking signals get sent from the truck to its trailers. European trucks mostly use Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) that utilize a high-speed Controller Area Network—CAN signal, to be precise—that communicates in real-time with all trailers linked to the truck. This technology makes it possible for the brakes across the whole setup to be applied or released simultaneously, which is especially important when trucks are zipping along at high speeds or pulling longer trailer combinations. I mean, it’s pretty handy when everything works in sync, right? In contrast, North American trucks usually rely on pneumatic signaling for their brakes. That older-school approach has an inherent lag—basically a delay—between when the driver presses the pedal and when the trailer’s brakes actually respond. And let’s be honest, this delay can be pretty significant. At highway speeds—say, around 100 km/h—the rear trailer in an A-double combo might lag by up to 18 meters before braking kicks in. During that interval, the trailer is sort of pushing forward, which not only affects stability but also makes stopping take longer. This delay doesn’t just mess with safety; it also hampers operational flow. Plus, during acceleration, brakes on the rear trailers tend to linger longer than they should, which can lead to increased fuel consumption and quicker brake wear. Thankfully, electronic braking systems solve many of these issues. They send brake and release signals simultaneously across all trailers, making responses much more predictable and consistent. This synchronized operation improves handling, enhances safety, and gives drivers a driving experience that’s a lot more controllable—something pretty vital considering Australia’s often harsh and varied terrain. Now, a company like Knorr-Bremse has stepped in with some pretty clever products aimed at bridging this gap—kind of a game-changer, really. Their Trailer Roadtrain Module (TRM) and Trailer Electronic Braking System (TEBS) are retrofit kits designed to convert pneumatic signals into electronic ones. That way, operators can ensure that brake commands are transmitted promptly throughout mixed vehicle setups. As per the company, these solutions help kick the response time up a notch, making operations safer, smoother, and more efficient—especially when you're dealing with combination fleets that include both types of trucks. To give some context, industry data shows that systems like Wabco’s Electronic Braking System embedded into Iveco’s Stralis trucks can cut down stopping distances by up to 16 meters at 85 km/h. They balance braking effort, utilize engine braking, and distribute wear across the vehicle and trailers evenly, which translates to less maintenance and longer-lasting brake parts. Pretty handy, huh? On a broader level, integrating electronic control over brake pressure—like Bendix’s EBS or ZF’s electronic systems—has become pretty much the standard for boosting safety and performance worldwide. These systems make braking responses smoother, enable automated driver-assist features, and optimize how brake force is spread out—big pluses for keeping vehicles stable and under control, even under different loads. It’s been particularly noticeable in North America, where electronic brake controls are gaining momentum to improve safety, driver comfort, and in some cases, reducing the complexity of components. Knorr-Bremse’s electronic braking ecosystem doesn’t stop there. It includes components that come with ABS, Electronic Stability Programs (ESP), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), making braking quicker than manual inputs alone. Their systems even allow individual wheel brakes to be controlled independently—supporting advanced vehicle dynamic systems and paving the way for highly automated driving tech. Honestly, these are the kinds of innovations that show where heavy vehicle tech is heading—focused on safety, accuracy, and efficiency all rolled into one. For Australian fleets, upgrading to electronic trailer braking isn’t just a techy novelty; it’s a smart strategic move. It reduces operational risks, prolongs the lifespan of brake components, saves fuel, and boosts overall fleet performance. Knorr-Bremse’s dedicated local support, with trained service partners and ready spare parts, means modernization can happen smoothly with minimal downtime or disruptions. To wrap it up, whether your fleet primarily runs North American trucks or a mix of different vehicles, shifting toward electronically controlled braking systems offers clear benefits. These include safer operations, better fuel economy—thanks to less brake drag—less component wear, and more stable handling overall. As these technologies continue to improve and become more commonplace, aligning your fleet with these innovations isn’t just an option; it’s pretty much essential for staying competitive and safe in Australia’s heavy transport world. 📌 Reference Map: Paragraph 1 – [1] Paragraph 2 – [1] Paragraph 3 – [1] Paragraph 4 – [1], [4] Paragraph 5 – [2] Paragraph 6 – [3], [6], [7] Paragraph 7 – [4], [5] Paragraph 8 – [1] Paragraph 9 – [1] Source: Noah Wire Services

Maruti Suzuki is diversifying beyond traditional car manufacturing by amending its MoA to enter EV infrastructure, vehicle leasing, used car sales, carbon credit trading, and recycling, signalling a strategic pivot towards sustainable and integrated mobility solutions in India.Maruti Suzuki, India's top passenger vehicle manufacturer, has recently taken a bold step to reshape its business future by amending its memorandum of association (MoA). Basically, this change allows the company to venture into a wide range of new sectors—especially those driven by sustainability and innovative mobility solutions. This strategic shift means Maruti is expanding far beyond its traditional role of making cars, branching out into areas like vehicle leasing, subscription-based mobility services, integrated fleet management, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, used car sales, trading carbon credits, and even recycling vehicles at the end of their life cycle. This kind of corporate evolution really underlines how Maruti Suzuki recognizes the rapidly changing automotive scene. You know, with shifting consumer tastes, a lot of technological innovation, and increased competition from both established players and newer startups in mobility services. Even though the company used to dominate with about 50% of the market share in India’s passenger vehicle segment, recent data suggests that’s dropped to around 40%. The MoA, which received approval from the board and still needs shareholders to give the thumbs up at the upcoming annual general meeting, clearly signals Maruti’s desire to diversify income sources, grab emerging market opportunities, and beef up its service offerings to stay competitive. It’s pretty clear that this expanded scope will allow Maruti Suzuki to roll out and run a whole bunch of new services. They include vehicle leasing, last-mile mobility solutions, and subscription plans—trends that are gaining ground everywhere, especially with consumers leaning towards flexible vehicle usage and ownership options. Interestingly enough, the company’s also planning to get into the used car market more seriously—buying, refurbishing, certifying, and selling pre-owned vehicles through a mix of digital, physical, and hybrid platforms. Yeah, that segment’s booming in India, largely because more people want affordable ways to get around. And as part of its future plans, Maruti’s looking to build and operate EV charging stations and battery swapping hubs—pretty much as part of a bigger plan to push electric mobility. They aim to install fast chargers roughly every 10 kilometers within the biggest 100 cities, mostly to reduce “range anxiety”—you know, the fear of running out of juice—and provide solid after-sales support for upcoming electric models like the eVitara and eVX. The eVX, which is Maruti’s first electric vehicle, is said to offer over 500 kilometers of range—pretty impressive—aimed to compete strongly in the Indian market. And, interestingly enough, there’s talk about exporting these EVs to Europe and Japan, which could boost the brand’s reputation globally in the electric sphere. On top of that, Maruti’s thinking of making electric vehicle ownership easier with financing and leasing options, better charging stations at homes and dealerships, and integrated solutions that help preserve resale value. Basically, they’re trying to position electric cars as mainstream, not just niche offerings. You see, the whole idea is to build a comprehensive EV ecosystem that encourages widespread adoption without all the usual headaches. The company’s sustainability ambitions are, well, equally broad. They’ve got permission to trade carbon credits and green instruments, aligning with worldwide environmental standards and corporate responsibility goals. Plus, they’re going to focus on recycling and processing end-of-life vehicles and scrap materials—metals, plastics, rubber, even electronic waste. This move ahead of tighter regulations and growing consumer expectations really underscores how seriously they’re taking environmental issues. Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to recycling is also evidenced through its joint venture with Toyota Tsusho Group—called Maruti Suzuki Toyotsu India Private Limited—which is all about systematically dismantling and recycling vehicle waste. This not only helps manage environmental concerns like illegal dumping and soil contamination but also fights against climate change impacts. The collaboration follows strict norms such as the EU’s End-of-Life Vehicles and Batteries Directives, showing how diligently Maruti aims to meet high environmental standards globally. And it’s not just about manufacturing cars anymore. Maruti is also eyeing future mobility options—think carpooling services like a potential ‘Maruti Poolkar’ initiative, and expanding EV charging networks under brands such as ‘Maruti Suzuki Smart Charge’ and ‘Maruti Suzuki Charge Hub.’ These ideas really point to a broader, integrated vision—one where vehicle production is just one piece of the puzzle, and providing a whole ecosystem of services is the ultimate goal. They seem determined to capture value across the entire vehicle lifecycle and stay ahead of customer needs, especially as transportation moves toward sharing and electrification. All in all, this strategic push into mobility services, EV infrastructure, green initiatives, and advanced vehicle lifecycle management signals a pretty significant transformation for Maruti Suzuki. It’s not just about holding onto their market leadership anymore but pivoting effectively so they’re ready for the future of electric and shared mobility — which a lot of experts believe will shape the global auto industry in coming years. Honestly, it’s pretty fascinating to see how they’re planning to adapt and grow in a rapidly evolving landscape. Source: Noah Wire Services