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Scania Group Press Release / February 21, 2019 Dutch crane truck specialist Martens Best has recently started operating its spectacular five-axle Scania R 500 with the biggest loader crane mounted on a truck in the Benelux – 57 metres [187 feet]. “Everywhere we go people are impressed,” says Managing Director and co-owner Chiel Martens. The new Effer 2255 with 8-extension in the main boom and an 8-extension in the heavy duty flyjib is the Italian specialised manufacturer’s flagship product with a horizontal outreach of nearly 49 metres. In its maximum configuration, the crane reaches a height of 57 metres. At short length it can lift 30 tonnes, which when fully extended is reduced to 300 kilos. That is sufficient for the types of lifting assignments Martens often carry out. “We especially use the superior height for lifting window frames and building panels,” explains Martens. “With our trucks we can perform jobs in places that are inaccessible to others.” Business started with a cart The all-Scania transport company has eight crane trucks – three five-axle, three four-axle and two three-axle vehicles. Chiel’s grandfather, Jan, started the business in 1958. During mornings, he tended his farm and, in the afternoons, hitched a cart to his horse to transport goods for the farmer’s guild. The transport business took off with more customers and in 1965 he purchased an Opel Blitz with a 2-tonne payload. A few years later, the first of Jan’s three sons Cees Martens, Chiel’s father, joined the company and subsequently his two other sons were also engaged. In the 1970s, Martens acquired its first Scania, which was used to collect milk from dairy farmers. “Scania always delivers” Martens purchased its first crane truck on 1978 while still providing other transport services. But from the year 2000, when the company received its 25-metre crane, this became the sole focus. “We’re well known in the Netherlands and have plenty of work in this segment,” says Martens. “From the start, we’ve been operating Scania trucks and are very satisfied of the product. Scania always delivers what we need and finds a solution for every challenge.” .

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Owner-Driver / February 11, 2019 Mack enthusiasts plan to celebrate 100 years of Macks in Australia at a Mega Mack Muster at Gatton, Queensland, on September 28 and 29. "The main thing is to tell anyone interested to save the date, because something big is going to be happening in Gatton," says Mack fanatic, Gary Richards. Gary’s career included roles as Mack National Marketing Manager and Volvo Group Australia National Product Manager. He retired in 2013 and now lives in Bendigo, Victoria, where he maintains a large archive of historic Mack records and photographs. He has teamed up with fellow Mack lovers Glen Beutel, Russell Simpson and Dennis Taylor to plan the Mack celebration at the Gatton Showgrounds, in conjunction with the Historic Commercial Vehicle Association Queensland (HCVAQ). Gary hopes the 2019 event will attract Macks representing every decade since their arrival in Australia. The format has not been finalised but is likely to include trophy presentations and an official dinner. Mack began producing motorised vehicles in the USA in 1900. The centenary celebrations at Gatton will mark the arrival of the first Mack ACs to Australia in 1919. It is believed none of the ACs which arrived in Australia in 1919 have survived. However, Tony Champion of Rockhampton, Queensland, imported a 1919 AC from the USA five years ago. Tony describes his AC as ‘a twin’ to the first AC imported to Australia in 1919. "They would have been coming down the assembly line in sight of one another," he suggests. He plans to take his AC to Gatton for the Mega Mack Muster, along with three or four other Macks from his private collection. For information about the HCVAQ annual rally and Mega Mack Muster like ‘HCVAQ Inc’ on Facebook or phone HCVAQ President, Ron Carroll, 0402 234 657. .

New Zealand Trucking / February 2019 Legendary South Island contractor Ken Harliwich in his 1916 White C Cab truck. Ken will have other magnificent pieces on display at Wheels at Wanaka. As preparation for the Easter Weekend’s Wheels at Wanaka show continues, it’s becoming apparent there’s never been anything quite like it before in the region – and possibly the country – in terms of variety, size, and interest. “With the catchline, ‘If it’s got wheels or tracks it will be on display’, the interest from all corners of the country and the equipment entered has even taken us by surprise at times,” said Colleen Nisbet from the event’s committee. Standout displays include Drivesouth’s car, truck and motorbike show; the Gough CAT Earthmoving Extravaganza, and the CLAAS Harvest Centre vintage farm fair with tractors, steam engines and farming heritage. The Highlands Parade Ground is where you’ll see and hear these old and new beauties in action. Held at the Three Parks, Wanaka, there’s ample space for the multitude of exhibits already confirmed, plus there’s the bonus of live earthmoving demonstrations. At any one time there’ll be 15 vintage machines that built this nation in action. HWR Richardson Group are Gold Partners and both Transport World and Dig This will have a significant presence, with their Ford Alphabet collection A-T, along with your chance to crush a car at the Dig This ‘Aggression Sessions’. Mack Trucks NZ (Motor Truck Distributors) and Kenworth (Southpac Trucks) are also supporting the trucking side of the event. “Wheels at Wanaka is a new vintage and classic car, tractor, truck, machine, motorbike and earthmoving extravaganza that will rotate every other year with the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow. We expect up to 15,000 people to attend. With over 50 acres of entertainment, Wheels at Wanaka will be huge and so much fun for enthusiasts and families alike,” said Colleen. Anyone can enter their unique ‘wheels’, and every online entry receives a free pass to Highlands Motorsport Museum. You can participate in the show, or you can simply watch it all unfold by purchasing a visitor ticket online. Every family visitor ticket purchased gets one free Highlands Go Kart Experience. Enter your wheels or purchase a ticket online at www.wheelsatwanaka.co.nz and check out the latest action at www.facebook.com/wheelsatwanaka Contact – Collen Nisbet colleen@wheelsatwanaka.co.nz .

I'm speechless. Well done.....bloody well done.

Paccar Australia / February 11, 2019 Australia is a big country, so road transport is critical to us all each and every day. This is a simple tribute to all those people “Going Places” every day, who help keep Australia moving ahead. .

BBC / February 21, 2019 "There are no words right now... heartbroken over the loss of my Monkee brother Peter Tork," bandmate Micky Dolenz tweeted. Tork, who played keyboard and bass for the group, was diagnosed with a rare form of tongue cancer in 2009. The family later released a statement in which they said they were "saddened" by Tork's death, but "grateful" for the "attentive energy and dedication of Peter's fans worldwide". "Peter's energy, intelligence, silliness and curiosity were traits that for decades brought laughter and enjoyment to millions, including those of us closest to him. "We ask that our family have time and space to grieve in privacy," it added. Tork's contemporary, Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, tweeted: I’m sad to hear about Peter Tork passing. I thought The Monkees were great and Peter will be missed. Love & mercy to Peter’s family, friends and fans. The Monkees - Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork - were brought together for an American TV series in 1966. Tork was born in Washington in 1942. He learned to play multiple instruments, including the piano and the French horn. As recently as October last year, he addressed "some concerns" about his health on Facebook. "While it is true that my health has required a little more attention these days, I'm feeling pretty good," he wrote. Discussing the show in an interview with Guitar World in 2013, Tork said: "I refute any claims that any four guys could've done what we did." He added: "There was a magic to that collection... they got the right guys." In 2012, following the death of Jones from a heart attack in February at the age of 66, Tork reunited with Nesmith and Dolenz for a US tour in what was the musicians' first live shows together in 15 years. .

Most likely, 6 to 12 months.

One or more people blew the whistle on Ford and now the automaker is in PR damage control mode. With Ford's deep pockets and "relationships", it can bury this better and faster than others.

Ford investigating possible problems with fuel economy, emissions tests Joe White, Reuters / February 21, 2019 DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. said on Thursday it had hired outside experts to investigate its vehicle fuel economy and testing procedures after employees raised concerns, and did not know whether it would have to correct data given to regulators or consumers. The investigation and concerns involving Ford's testing processes do not involve the use of so-called defeat devices -- hardware and software designed deliberately to deceive government emissions tests, Kimberly Pittel, Ford's group vice president for sustainability, environment and safety engineering, told Reuters on Thursday. The automaker since last fall has been investigating concerns raised by employees that incorrect calculations were used to translate test results into the mileage and emissions data submitted to regulators, Pittel said. Ford said it was evaluating changes to the process it uses to develop fuel economy and emissions figures, "including engineering, technical and governance components." Ford has hired the Sidley, Austin law firm to lead an independent investigation into possible discrepancies in calculations used to produce emissions and fuel economy figures, Pittel said. The company is using an independent laboratory to conduct testing. U.S. and California regulators have been cracking down on automakers for emissions cheating following revelations in 2015 that German automaker Volkswagen Group had used defeat devices to make models equipped with diesel engines appear to comply with emissions standards when they emitted far more pollution than allowed in real-world driving. "We have voluntarily shared this information" with the EPA and the California Air Resources Board, Pittel said. Ford notified the agencies this week, she said. The EPA said in a statement on Thursday that information from Ford's investigation is "too incomplete for EPA to reach any conclusions. We take the potential issues seriously and are following up with the company to fully understand the circumstances behind this disclosure." The investigation has started with testing of the 2019 Ranger pickup truck, and the company expects data back next week, Pittel said. Pittel said it was not clear what impact the review will have on advertised mileage or fuel economy data submitted to regulators, nor is it clear how many vehicles could be affected if Ford is required to revise the data. "We are going to go where the investigation takes us," she said. Ford has been embarrassed in the past by errors in fuel economy claims. In 2013, the automaker cut by 7 mpg the claimed fuel economy for its C-Max hybrid model following complaints that real-world mileage did not match the claimed fuel economy. In 2014, Ford lowered fuel economy ratings for six other models and offered compensation to customers.

Kenworth Truck Co. Press Release / February 19, 2019 Introducing the PACCAR Integrated Powertrain — engineered to bring power and performance together, so you can maximize your investments mile after mile. .

Cummins Press Release / February 6, 2019 Clessie Cummins and his business partner, William G. Irwin, built Cummins around the concept when they adapted the diesel engine, a potentially groundbreaking technology at the time that had floundered in North America, for use in multiple applications. Little did they know their company would eventually expand to Brazil, China, India and the United Kingdom, to name just a few locations. The founders’ innovative and entrepreneurial spirit can be seen time and time again throughout company’s history and today through the advances Cummins is making in clean diesel and natural gas technology and in the exciting potential of electrification and other low-carbon alternatives. So, while the company will celebrate its history this year, Cummins will also embrace the company’s future challenges, both within its industry and in the communities where Cummins does business and its employees live and work. “Our employees tackle challenges every day, and to celebrate our centennial we want to say, ‘thank you,’ to each of them and their families,” said Cummins’ Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger. “Thank you for believing in our mission to power a more prosperous world and living our values each day.” .

European Truckmakers Fight New EU Emissions Regulations David Cullen, Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / February 20, 2019 Member states of the European Union and the EU Parliament reached a tentative deal on February 19 to establish tight carbon-dioxide emission limits for heavy-duty commercial vehicles. The two-tiered compromise agreement still needs to be endorsed by member states and the European Parliament, but those actions are regarded as formalities. The rules will require that between 2025 and 2029 new trucks must emit on average 15% less CO2, compared to 2019 truck emission levels. Then starting in 2030, they will be required to emit on average 30% less CO2 than in 2019. “Those targets are binding, and truck manufacturers which do not comply will have to pay a financial penalty in the form of an excess emissions premium,” the EU stated in a press release. On the other hand, making the new rule something of a carrot-and-stick deal, the EU also said it was “strengthening” incentives for OEMs to build low- and zero-emission trucks. In addition, the EU has established “specific measures” to ensure “robust and reliable data” on emissions, which will be obtained through onboard devices that “monitor the actual fuel and energy consumption of heavy-duty vehicles.” In December, the EU placed such CO2 standards on cars and light vans. The truck limits are another step in the 28-nation bloc’s stated plan to fight global warming by slashing greenhouse gas emissions to a “net zero” level by 2050. An EU statement described the deal as “a further stepping stone for modernizing he European mobility sector and preparing it for climate neutrality in the second half of the century.” “With the first-ever EU emission standards for trucks agreed, we are completing the legal framework to reach the European target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030,” commented EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete. “The new targets and incentives will help tackle emissions, as well as bring fuel savings to transport operators and cleaner air for all Europeans. For the EU industry, this is an opportunity to embrace innovation towards zero-emission mobility and further strengthen its global leadership in clean vehicles.” No sooner than the rules were announced, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) declared that it was “most particularly concerned about the highly ambitious CO2 reduction targets” set for trucks. “These targets are highly demanding, especially as their implementation does not depend solely on the commercial vehicle industry, and the baseline for the targets is still unknown.” The truck OEM members of ACEA are DAF Trucks, Daimler Trucks, Iveco, MAN Truck & Bus, Scania, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, and Volvo Group. ACEA’s main concern is a lack of infrastructure to fuel or charge the alternatively powered trucks that may need to be built to meet the CO2 limits. To that point, the association stated that "data shows that currently there is no public charging or refueling infrastructure suitable for electric or hydrogen trucks whatsoever. Even in the case of truck-specific filling stations for natural gas (CNG and LNG), availability remains very low and patchy across Europe.” In addition, ACEA argues that the need for the 28 EU member states “to implement an EU-wide infrastructure action plan is all the more urgent in light of the mandatory sales quotas for zero-emission trucks that the EU institutions have agreed to introduce from 2025 onwards.” “We can now only call upon [EU] member states to urgently step up their efforts to roll out the infrastructure required for charging and refuelling the alternatively powered trucks which will need to be sold en masse if these targets are to be met,” said ACEA Secretary General Erik Jonnaert in a statement. Jonnaert added that truck operators cannot be expected to ““suddenly start buying electric or other alternatively powered trucks if there is no business case for them and it is not possible to easily charge the vehicles along all major EU motorways. Policy makers must act to ensure that the zero-emission trucks that manufacturers will be mandated to produce can actually be bought and operated by our customers.”

Transport Topics / February 20, 2019 Volvo Trucks delivered its first all-electric vehicles to two companies operating in Sweden. A refuse truck went to waste and recycling company Renova, and a distribution truck to logistics company DB Schenker and partner hauler TGM. Series production of a limited number of FL electric trucks, as well as heavier FE electric trucks, for the European market is slated to begin in the second half of the year. The absence of motor noise and exhaust emissions in test drives is seen as contributing to better working conditions for the drivers and a quieter, cleaner urban environment. The Volvo FL Electric and Volvo FE electric trucks are developed for urban transport applications including distribution and refuse handling. The Volvo FL electric has a gross vehicle weight of 35,274 pounds, while the Volvo FE electric has capacity for a GVW of 59,524 pounds. “Our close collaboration with drivers and customers has enabled us to develop, in a short space of time, electrified transport solutions that meet high requirements in terms of performance, driving distances, cargo handling and vehicle use,” Volvo Trucks President Roger Alm said in a release Feb. 19. At the same time, Volvo Trucks is “steadily reducing the environmental and climate impact of our diesel- and gas-powered trucks, primarily through energy-efficient drivelines,” Alm said. Volvo Trucks, whose North American units include Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks North America, is a unit of Gothenburg, Sweden-based Volvo Group. .

The impression I get is it is no longer culturally correct to set the benchmarks that have historically pushed students to reach their full potential. Our generations grew up realizing again and again that what we thought at first was impossible (or too hard)........is possible. Pushing the envelope, for us, was part of growing up. What's wrong with healthy competition? Poor letter grades embarrass one to apply themselves more........and there's no harm in that, in preparing for the real world.

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Most schools are getting rid of the class ranking system for graduating seniors. In the policy, numerical class ranks will no longer be calculated and there won't be valedictorians or salutatorians. Rather than raising the bar for our students, they are lowering it. Everybody’s a winner……even when they didn’t study hard and aren’t.

Ford Brazil in better times. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ford announces 6 new truck models and production of the 400,000th Cargo in Brazil June 16, 2015 .

Ford to cut products, jobs in South American shakeup Michael Martinez, Automotive News / February 19, 2019 Ford is ending production of a number of vehicles at its Sao Bernardo do Campo plant in Brazil and cut a "significant" amount of workers there as it attempts to save its floundering South American operations. Ford said Tuesday it will exit the commercial heavy-duty truck business in South America after it stops building its Cargo commercial truck lineup at the Brazil plant this year. Ford will also end production and sales of the F-4000 and F-350 pickups and Fiesta subcompact sedan in South America. The actions will result in a $460 million charge that will mostly be recorded in 2019, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About $360 million of that will be for "separation and termination payments for employees, dealers, and suppliers," according to the filing. The Brazil plant employs nearly 2,800 workers. It's unclear if the facility will close or receive new products. "Ford is committed to the South American region by building a sustainable and profitable business with strengthened product offerings, outstanding customer experience, and a leaner more agile business model," Ford of South America President Lyle Watters said in a statement. Ford said it considered selling its heavy-duty truck business as well as partnering to help reduce losses, but ultimately decided that there was no way to make money [in Brazil]. "We know this action will have a major impact on our employees in Sao Bernardo, and we will be working closely with all our stakeholders on the next steps," Watters said. "Working closely with our dealers and suppliers, Ford will continue to provide support for our customers with warranty, parts and service." Ford has been reviewing its South America business for months under CEO Jim Hackett's broad, $11 billion reorganization of the company. Ford lost $678 million in South America last year. In recent months, Ford said, it has reduced salaried and administrative costs in South America by more than 20 percent. It is also sharing product development costs as part of a partnership with Volkswagen Group to build edium-duty [mid-size?] pickups in South America and other regions. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ford to Exit Commercial Truck Business in South America Maria Armental, Wall Street Journal / February 19, 2019 Ford intends to stop making commercial trucks in South America and focus there on the more popular midsize pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles, the company said Tuesday. Ford is under pressure to improve its international operations after incurring losses at all of those units in 2018, including $678 million in South America. On Tuesday, Ford said it would end production this year at Brazil's São Bernardo do Campo assembly plant, ending sales in South America of Cargo, F-4000 and F-350 trucks once inventories are cleared. Sales of the Fiesta small car in South America also will end, according to Ford. It previously said it plans to end U.S. sales of the Fiesta and Focus compact car, amid weaker demand for smaller vehicles. Ford had said it was exploring alternatives for the São Bernardo do Campo plant, including a possible sale, but said Tuesday the business "would have required significant capital investments to meet market needs and increasing regulatory costs with no viable path to profitability." It estimated it would book about $460 million in charges before taxes, with roughly $360 million going to workers, dealers and suppliers. The company plans to continue to do business in the region, but "we're going to play to our strengths in South America," Ford Global Markets President Jim Farley has said. Ford, which is also winding down sales of the Focus in Argentina, has been cutting costs in South America, including reducing employee ranks by more than 20% over the past few months. The South American market also has weighed on General Motors, which has said it is taking steps to improve results in the region. GM continues to be unprofitable in South America despite years of restructuring, and is in discussions with its unions, government officials and dealers on a turnaround effort, the company has said. "The business climate there remains a challenge, particularly in Brazil and Argentina, our largest markets in the region," GM Chief Executive Mary Barra said last month. "This is driving unacceptable losses that need to be addressed."

Jim Park, Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / February 19, 2019 In a seeming repeat of last year's performance, Daimler Trucks North America said it is effectively sold out for the remainder of the 2019 model year. The company sold a record 175,950 units in 2018. It was the largest year ever for retail sales in the history of the company, said Richard Howard, DTNA’s senior vice-president – sales and marketing. "By March of last year, we were technically sold out for the whole of 2018," Howard told a press gathering in Palm Beach, Florida. "And in terms of business performance, today, we are effectively sold out for 2019. It's a great position to be in." In terms of New Cascadia registrations and sales, DTNA was sitting at just under 90,000 units as of last month. Howard predicted DTNA would "punch through the 100,000 mark" during the first three months of 2019. "That is quite an amazing number for a truck that has been on the road for such a short period of time," he said. The New Cascadia was first unveiled in 2016. Production ramped up to full capacity during the second quarter of last year and has been going full-bore ever since. Daimler has taken steps to ensure that all those spots on the assembly line turn into actual sales. "Back in July of last year, we conducted a deep review of dealer orders and purged 45,000 orders to ensure those we had were based on actual customer demand not just speculative orders from the dealer network," Howard said. As well, Daimler moved to a dealer allocation system in 2018 to ensure a fairer approach. The company reviewed order intake again in the fall and concluded it had lower than normal cancellation rates, which historically run at about 3%. "Today, we are at about half that cancellation rate on our backlog, and we still have more order intake than we can handle in 2019," noted Howard. Howard attributed the high market acceptance of the New Cascadia to the integrated Detroit powertrain and the advanced safety systems. He said 95% of all DTNA customers choose Detroit power and the DT12 automated transmission, while 75% of the customer base choose Detroit Assurance as their safety system of choice. "Customers have told us that prior to the introduction of Detroit Assurance, their incident rate was as high as 1 in 5 in any given year. They now claim it has dropped to 1 in 20," said Howard. The New Cascadia will launch later this year in Australia, while the classic Cascadia will see the end of its run by the end of 2019.

I'm wondering aloud if it would be a Mack 88AX246P3, which many Mack gasoline engines used.

This doesn't surprise me a bit. For one you have Hackett, who is clueless about commercial trucks and South America. On the other hand, you have Brazil's economy in the basement for several years now and a government that is clueless on how to turn it around. Due to the latter, none of the truckmakers including VW are making any money now. On the other hand, remember that Ford made Ford-Otosan the head of Ford global commercial truck sales some time ago. With that decision, Ford was telling Ford Brasil (it's own unit 100%) that they had to do more, or it might be the end. When Ford put the Ford-Otosan go-getters in charge, Ford invested heavily in Turkey with Otosan and now you have the world class F-MAX. And, Ford invested heavily in the world's largest heavy truck market - China - with partner JMC to produce China market variants of both the Cargo and F-MAX.