Media statement | 31 March 2006

New information narrows scope of heavy vehicle safety action

Technical information provided by Ford New Zealand has allowed Land Transport New Zealand to limit the scope of a safety action announced on 20 March ordering Ford 'R' and 'D' Series heavy vehicles to be removed from the road.

Ford D-Series heavy vehicles may return to the road
D-series vehicles, most of which are trucks, are no longer affected by the safety action, and may return to the road. This means at least 2,000 vehicles may return to normal operations.

R-Series vehicles with single drag link assemblies may return to the road
R-series vehicles with single drag link assemblies are no longer affected by the safety action and may return to the road. Check sheets previously provided to operators by Land Transport NZ may be used to confirm that the vehicles are fitted with a single drag link.

R-series vehicles with double (front and rear) drag link assembles must not be driven until inspected and passed
R-series vehicles with double (front and rear) drag links and manufactured between 1968 and 1979 remain affected by the safety action. These vehicles must not be operated on the road until they are inspected by an independent heavy vehicle mechanic and cleared to return to the road. These vehicles include 133 buses, 73 motorhomes and 11 trucks.

Land Transport NZ will notify individual owners of affected vehicles by telephone and mail from Monday, 3 April 2006.

For more information:

Andy Knackstedt
Media Manager, Land Transport NZ
Ph: 04 931 8829  or  021 276 3222