A new order of Truckman tops has been placed by Scottish Water with the British manufacturer Auto Styling. The utility company’s fleet of Toyota Hiluxes will be fitted with the tops, designed to have bespoke storage options from Auto Styling, including shelving, racking and cabinets for tools and equipment. Engineers can access the storage systems through two access points (rear and side) designed into the manufacturing process. This order follows on from a fleet of 35 Truckman Classic hardtops that were ordered by Scottish Water last year.
The order tops off an impressive business period for Auto Styling. The West Midlands’ vehicle accessory manufacturer and distributor, has recently announced a significant increase in turnover. Indeed, sales in 2012 topped £6.2m, up from £5.1 in 2011. This growth will mean the expansion into new units, and an investment of £250,000.
Ever thought of having a unique spare wheel cover? Or maybe advertise your business or club as you motor around? If that’s the case, you really ought to contact the guys at The Sign Maker. This family business is based in Devon, and started as a small set-up making wooden house signs! Now you can have your very own spare wheel covers, either as the semi rigid (hard outer shell, with soft vinyl on the sides) or fully rigid, with a lockable stainless steel rim. Obviously the latter makes most sense if you don’t have lockable wheel nuts to hold the spare in place. Prices start from £72 for the semi-rigid option, which has cut vinyl lettering and images (usually single colour) and up to £175.60 for a full colour stainless steel option. You need to be able to supply the artwork, or call the company and have a chat with them as we’re sure they could help out. We are speaking from experience as we are having a cover done to promote the magazine – appearing on one of Our 4x4s real soon!
Encouraging times ahead perhaps – from both manufacturers and TV companies. Fingers crossed, that’s for sure
The first Jeep product of the Fiat/Chrysler alliance is revealed. But will the all new Cherokee persuade potential Freelander owners to change tack?
Negotiations are progressing that should mean Indian-built Mahindras may make a reappearance into the UK market. One British importer, experienced in niche markets with 4×4 products from various different countries outside the UK, is understood to be in advanced negotiations to bring these ‘jeep’ vehicles back to these shores. While an announcement is not thought to be immanent, there is obviously a desire on both sides for this to happen. We’ll keep you posted.
A new model joins the UK Nissan Juke range. Slightly oddly called the n-tec (no capital letters apparently) it is aimed distinctly at those who are impressed with the latest communication technology. Based on the Acenta Premium model, it has smart gloss black 18-inch alloy wheels and 225/45 tyres, together with some other body accents, but it’s inside that really matters. The n-tec incorporates Google Send-To-Car technology which, ‘allows owners to plan and send their route to the car before they leave the house. In addition to being more convenient, it’s also safer – removing the temptation to plot a route when on the move.’ The Juke’s navigation system is integrated with Bluetooth connectivity for mobile phones and MP3 players. Drivers have direct access to Google’s Points of Interest database and can also request weather forecasts, local fuel prices and flight information. It is expected that the n-tec will become the best-selling Juke model. Prices start at £16,295 for the 1.6-litre manual, up to £20,000 for the top spec 1.6-litre DIG-T M-CVT model.
Nigel Fryatt – editor
Some weeks ago, while driving my truck one evening, I was a little concerned when the ‘low fuel level’ light came on. The worry was because according to the actual gauge, I had a nearly full tank. This meant that one of these things was incorrect, but which one? Since it was late, and I was in very rural Norfolk, and it was very, very cold outside – the temperature gauge actually said minus 9degC – I didn’t want the error to be the amount of fuel in the tank. Just an electric glitch on the low fuel light, surely…
Bob Cooke – contributor 
One good thing I have to say about the extended spell of cold weather – it forced me to resolve the immobiliser question that’s been nagging at me ever since I acquired the Cherokee. All the Cherokees of this era were fitted with aftermarket immobilisers for insurance purposes; in my excitement at finding a sound-looking 18-year old Cherokee with only 65,000 miles on it, I didn’t pay much attention to the fact that it came with only two keys – one for the ignition and one for the fuel filler cap – and no means of disabling the immobiliser should it set itself.
Hils Everitt – Editor at Large
It was great fun playing about in the snow on my local country roads in Kent – well… when access to them wasn’t blocked by people who got themselves stuck in their unsuitable 2WD vehicles. Come on people, listen to the TV warnings and don’t venture out if your vehicle can’t hack it!
Louise Limb 
Keep your voices low but while the Automobile Association may have been frantically busy with plenty of other stranded drivers this last month, the elderly blue Freelander has had absolutely no need of their services, stoically ploughing up and down the roads of the north of England with little more than an odd and so far, annoyingly elusive, clanking noise over the offside wheel arch for accompaniment.
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