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Robert Snell, The Detroit News / October 25, 2018 Cabin for retired leader rises as feds question UAW spending Public records, blueprints and interviews offer insight into how UAW leaders spent money amid a widening corruption scandal. Detroit — A United Auto Workers nonprofit is building a custom-made, lakefront cottage for retired President Dennis Williams as FBI agents question union leaders' spending of membership dues and money from Detroit's automakers on personal luxuries. Public records, blueprints and interviews offer insight into how UAW leaders spent money amid a widening corruption scandal that is expected to lead to additional criminal charges. One previously undisclosed expense is the Williams cottage under construction at the UAW Black Lake Conference Center, a 1,000-acre retreat in northern Michigan financed with interest from the union's $721 million strike fund, which is bankrolled by worker dues. The UAW's nonprofit real-estate arm Union Building Corp. started building a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath, 1,885-square-foot cottage for Williams this year on the shores of Black Lake in Onaway, a half-hour drive south of Cheboygan. The cost of the cottage was unclear but the initial estimate was $285,000, a cost that likely increased due to labor costs. Williams retired in June and was implicated in the scandal one month later when prosecutors said he directed subordinates to use funds from Detroit’s automakers, funneled through training centers, to pay for union travel, meals and entertainment. The Williams cottage, featuring granite counters, stainless-steel appliances, a wood-burning fireplace, a wine cooler and a patio overlooking Black Lake, was under construction Monday, and workers were spotted on the lakefront property. Williams, 65, whose Michigan driver's license lists the Black Lake resort as his home address, could not be reached for comment. He has not been charged with wrongdoing during the ongoing investigation. Cabins at Black Lake have been provided for generations of former UAW presidents, but the Williams cottage is the first one being built during a federal investigation into union spending. "This is absolutely ridiculous, it's a dereliction of duty and a complete misappropriation of member dues," said autoworker Terry Bowman, 53, an outspoken critic of UAW leaders and a right-to-work activist who works at Ford Motor Co.’s Rawsonville Plant in Ypsilanti Township. Blueprints indicate the Williams cottage is the fourth cabin on the property. The cottage is being built as FBI agents question UAW officials' use of almost $1 million of membership dues on condominiums, liquor, food and golf in Palm Springs, Calif. Gary Jones held annual conferences in Palm Springs before succeeding Williams as union president. The timing of the cottage construction and appearance send a bad message to rank-and-file UAW workers, said Peter Henning, a Wayne State University law professor and former federal prosecutor. "This doesn't help the view that the leadership has feathered its own nest over advancing the cause of the members," Henning said. The Williams cottage is a contrast to the rustic lodging available to rent at the 241-room resort. Opened in 1970, the center features a campground, gym, Olympic-size pool and an adjacent golf course. The ashes of former UAW President Walter Reuther and wife May were scattered on the center’s grounds after the couple was killed in an airplane crash nearby. The UAW flirted with selling the Black Lake retreat in early 2010 during the Great Recession, citing shrinking membership. At the time, the retreat had lost an estimated $23 million during the previous five years and the UAW was forced to borrow to keep it afloat, according to Labor Department filings. "It’s not a big, fancy joint for the most part," said Kristin Dziczek, vice president of Industry, Labor & Economics at the nonprofit Center for Automotive Research, who stayed at the resort earlier this year for an industry event. "It’s not all granite counter tops and swankiness." The retreat is owned by Union Building Corp. Williams was president of the nonprofit, according to its most recent tax filing. UAW spokesman Brian Rothenberg declined to answer questions about the cottage or whether the union has provided federal investigators with records related to the spending. The U.S. Attorney's Office declined comment about the investigation. The cabin construction started after the union faced a serious budget crunch in 2014. In response, members approved the first hike in membership dues in almost 50 years. The increase generated more money for the UAW strike fund, which bankrolls the union's resort in Black Lake. Simultaneously, prosecutors and former UAW official Nancy Adams Johnson say Williams directed subordinates to save money by having Detroit's automakers pick up entertainment, travel and meal expenses incurred by "senior UAW officials, their friends, family and allies." Once members started paying higher union dues, a UAW subsidiary started acquiring new boats. On June 9, 2015, the UAW subsidiary Union Building Education Inc. registered two Lund fishing boats and two Aqua Patio pontoon boats, according to the Michigan Secretary of State. The purchase would have totaled $65,000 based on average retail price data compiled by J.D. Power. Union Building Education Inc. manages, operates, and maintains the Black Lake education center. The subsidiary posted a $2.8 million loss last year, according to its audited financial statement. The center requires about 2 percent of the UAW's annual budget, Williams told Automotive News this year. It is unclear who is using the boats, which generate little income for the Black Lake resort. Last year, Union Building Education Inc. reported $1,690 in "boat income," according to the group's audited financial statement. The source of boat revenue was unclear Thursday and the UAW did not respond to messages seeking comment. In September 2015, three months after the boat purchases, the government's investigation into corruption involving the UAW and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV emerged publicly. Since then, federal prosecutors have secured the convictions of seven people linked to a conspiracy in which the government says Fiat Chrysler funneled cash and things of value to UAW officials in an attempt to influence the collective-bargaining process. A team of agents from the FBI, Internal Revenue Service and Labor Department, meanwhile, have widened an investigation that has caused upheaval at the top ranks of the auto industry and raised questions about the sanctity of labor negotiations. In recent months, prosecutors labeled the UAW and Fiat Chrysler co-conspirators in a conspiracy to corrupt the bargaining process. In June, UAW delegates approved providing Williams with the use of a cottage. The Williams cottage was under development by that point. Union Building Corp. pulled a permit to replace a cabin with the Williams cottage in January, according to Cheboygan County records obtained by The News. The president of Union Building Corp. was Williams, according to the nonprofit's most recent tax filing. Several directors appointed to help oversee Union Building Corp. have been linked to the corruption investigation. They include former UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell, whose home was raided by federal investigators, and Vice President Cindy Estrada. Late last year, The News revealed federal agents were interested in Estrada and her predecessor Joe Ashton, a retired UAW vice president appointed to GM’s board in 2014, according to sources familiar with the investigation. Since that disclosure, Ashton resigned from GM's board and Estrada was transferred to replace Jewell as head of the UAW's Fiat Chrysler department. Neither Ashton nor Estrada have been charged with a crime. It is unclear when construction started on the Williams cottage, but the cabin's exterior appears close to completion. One set of blueprints from September 2017 labels the project the "Williams Cottage." The blueprints show the cottage will be wrapped in a stone veneer and topped with an aged copper metal roof. Inside, the kitchen will feature cherry cabinets with a "chocolate glaze finish" and walls covered in "white cedar shiplap." The cottage will include a gas fireplace in the great room, a wood-burning fireplace in the three-season room and "dapple gray" porcelain tile floors. The cottage has one more flourish, according to the project's blueprints. In Williams' master bedroom, behind a hinged bookshelf door, is a hidden storage room. “The UAW was created to represent employees in the workplace, not to buy boats at a vacation property up north or a cabin for Dennis Williams,” Bowman, the autoworker, said. “They are completely disregarding the membership and tapping into the good-old-boys club and using money to support former executives. This shows the divide between the rank-and-file and union executives and how little they think and feel about the actual rank and file.” Williams retired in June but already was planning on a prolonged stay in Black Lake. The cottage is listed as his home address on state registration forms for two new boats purchased this year that would have retailed for approximately $92,000, according to state watercraft registrations. One of the boats, a 24-foot Berkshire pontoon, is marketed as a "bar boat" for entertaining people on the water. The 2019 model was purchased in February and retails for approximately $55,000. Williams and his wife also registered a Lund 1875 Crossover XS fishing and skiing boat, according to state records. The boat, purchased in May, features a 150-hp motor that cost $13,000 extra, bringing the price to approximately $37,000. Both boats were purchased from a Lansing-area dealership. There is no secured party on either boat, an indication that no bank, credit union, finance company held a lien on the watercraft. .

The COE image is that of the all-new Chinese JIefang (FAW) brand "J7. This is lip service for being on the verge of a huge new engine contract. A world class truck, the cab was designed by Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A. .

Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) / October 24, 2018 Fuel efficiency for the VNR is more than a single feature—it’s a combination of customized solutions working together in perfect harmony to help you achieve the performance you want with the fuel savings you need. .

Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) / October 22, 2018 With a unique combination of cruise control, innovative camera and radar technology, Volvo Active Driver Assist helps drivers recognize and respond to changing traffic situations. Standard in new VNL and VNR models, Active Driver Assist helps reduce the risk of forward collisions. .

Cummins Press Release / October 26, 2018 .

Given you have a 675, I would change the ratio in your R170 from 4.33 to 4.11.

Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / October 26, 2018 According to Kenworth, its T370 models can now be spec’d with Fabco FSD-18A and FSD-20A front drive axles paired with an all-new Fabco TC-548 transfer case for exceptional durability. The two front drive axles are available with the PACCAR PX-9 engine rated up to 350 hp and 1,150 lb-ft of torque. Both models require taperleaf front springs, and are available with air or mechanical rear suspensions. Kenworth says it has designed the front drive axle configurations with the lowest possible cab and frame heights. This allows easier body access and permits body builder boom installations to remain under most height requirements in U.S. states and Canadian provinces. In addition, the transfer case occupies frame space inside the rails from 36 to 52 inches behind back of cab, which provides clear space behind cab for body builder outrigger equipment. The transfer case includes an air activated front axle engagement switch and dash mounted indicator light, as well as a switch to control the high and low ranges in the transfer case. The T370 is available with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 66,000 pounds, and can be specified with manual, automated or automatic transmissions. The Kenworth T370 is already available in 4x4 and 6x6 configurations with axle ratings from 10,000 pounds to 16,000 pounds. “The addition of the heavier 18,000-pound and 20,000-pound front drive axles expands the T370’s already excellent reputation for being a vocational workhorse,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “The PACCAR PX-9 offers excellent power in a smaller package to move more weight. When combined with the higher-capacity front axles, customers can benefit from more of the payload’s weight shifted to the front axle, while still taking advantage of the T370’s short, 109-inch BBC (bumper-to-back-of-cab) measurement.” .

Kenworth to Offer Paccar Fuel Economy Package on T680 Models Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / October 26, 2018 Kenworth has announced the that the Paccar Powertrain Fuel Economy Package will be available as a spec on T680 model trucks beginning next year. According to Kenworth, the new package combines the fully integrated Paccar Powertrain, including the Paccar MX-13 engine with a new 405-hp at 1,650 lb-ft of torque rating, Paccar 12-speed automated transmission, PACCAR 40K tandem rear axle, and enhanced Kenworth predictive cruise control technology. According to Kenworth, this package includes a new version of the MX-13 engine, featuring a new torque curve that further refines the engine’s fuel economy performance in line-haul and regional haul applications by lowering the engine’s horsepower rating while maintaining its torque. “This combination maximizes fuel economy and offers excellent performance for our customers,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “One of the bigger contributors is the deeply integrated predictive cruise control function, which varies the vehicle’s speed over rolling hills without reducing the average vehicle speed. The transmission software is also optimized for the PACCAR MX-13, allowing for lower engine RPMs at cruising speeds. At Kenworth, we’re continually researching ways to enhance spec’ing to find the best fuel economy combination available. The new 405-horsepower rating is just one example.” The PACCAR Powertrain Fuel Economy package will be available in the first quarter of 2019.

Ted, for what you do, I like the AC6. Click the link to the brochure...............https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/51804-rockwell-camelback/

International Truck Press Release / October 26, 2018 LISLE, Ill. -- Building on its commitment to offer customers the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO), International Truck is introducing the International LT Series MPG Package for Fuel Efficiency. "At a time when every one-percent improvement in fuel efficiency can save customers hundreds of dollars per truck per year, this new fuel efficiency spec package can help customers achieve major reductions in their TCO," said Michael Cancelliere, Navistar president, Truck and Parts. "In addition to savings from fuel efficiency, the LT Series MPG Package provides customers with upfront savings through cost-effective bundling of a range of aerodynamic, fuel-saving features." The LT MPG Package's highest-efficiency spec offers proprietary and supplier-provided enhancements, including an aerodynamic chassis package, predictive cruise control, air dam and bumper seal, as well as a roof fairing and extenders, chassis skirts and energy-efficient wheel covers. This spec delivers up to an 8 percent improvement in fuel efficiency over the International LT Series with just the roof fairing and extenders, air dam and bumper seal. "Spec'ing for fuel efficiency can be a complex process," Cancelliere said. "The LT MPG Package simplifies that process while reducing customer TCO." The International LT Series MPG Package is available in day cab, 56-inch hi-rise and 73-inch hi-rise/sky-rise cab models. It can be viewed from October 27 through October 31 at the International Truck booth at ATA-MC&E, Booth #5075 at the Austin Convention Center. Learn more about fuel efficiency at Internationaltrucks.com/mpg-news.

Scania Group Press Release / October 26, 2018 The Spanish food retailer Alimerka in the northern Asturias region has recently taken its 46th Scania Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) truck in operation. These trucks now constitute nearly two-thirds of Alimerka’s fleet. The latest addition to the LNG fleet features Scania’s new more powerful 13-litre, 410 hp, engine, enabling distribution services with a truck and trailer. Thanks to the twin LNG tanks, this truck has a range of up to 1,600 kilometres depending on the route and the type of transport. From its central warehouse in Lugo de Llanera, near Gijon, Alimerka distributes goods to its 173 supermarkets in Asturias and in the neighbouring regions Castile and León and Galicia. .

VW, Ford Considering Self-Drive Tie-Up as Talks Broaden Keith Naughton & Christoph Rauwald, Bloomberg / October 26, 2018 Talks between Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Co. on forming an alliance have broadened to include potential collaboration on autonomous driving and arrangements to make vehicles for one another. The potential cooperation on self-driving technology could result in significant cost sharing. Ford’s chief financial officer told Bloomberg News that talks are open-ended. “Collaboration isn’t being limited in any way whatsoever, whether it’s different types of technology, product segments or geography,” Ford CFO Bob Shanks said Thursday. “We’re having a very broad set of discussions about how we can help each other around the world.” Ford reversed declines on the news and rose as much as 0.8 percent to $9.06 as of 11:30 a.m. Friday in New York. Volkswagen shares also pared their drop in Frankfurt trading. A more significant alliance between Volkswagen and Ford has the potential to be one of the more compelling tie-ups for the industry. VW is the world’s largest automaker and has been spending tens of billions of dollars cleaning up after a diesel emissions scandal. Ford is embarking on a costly and years-long global restructuring and just abandoned a profit margin target it had set for 2020. Partnering with rivals is one way to lower costs and get new cars and technology to market faster. A VW spokesman said talks with Ford are progressing well, but refused to elaborate. Cooperation Talks When VW and Ford first announced they were exploring joint projects in June, the only area they specifically discussed was development of commercial vehicles. VW CEO Herbert Diess had said in August that VW is generally open to expanding cooperation with Ford beyond light commercial vehicles and noted previous joint projects worked out well. Ford has been struggling to reverse losses in markets including Europe and South America. It’s also in similar talks with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. to broaden an alliance that began to develop models for India and other emerging markets, including sport utility vehicles and electric cars. Together with its self-driving partner Argo AI, Ford has also said it’s open to outside investment, including providing autonomous technology to a second automaker. “With VW and Mahindra, we haven’t put boundary conditions in terms of where we could collaborate,” Shanks said. “We’re looking at the strengths and the gaps of each company on both sides of the table and trying to understand how we can help each other.” Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Hackett hinted that the partnerships were progressing when he spoke to analysts on the company’s earnings call earlier this week. “We look forward to sharing more about this global redesign of the company,” said Hackett, who is leading an $11 billion restructuring of the company. “We are going to be coming to you more frequently, including we’re going to talk about these strategic partnerships in the near future.” Shares Slip Ford shares slipped in early trading Friday after rising the most in more than nine years a day earlier. A $2 billion pretax profit in North America on the strength of sales of high-profit pickups and SUVs exceeded analysts’ expectations and was early validation for the automaker’s controversial decision to abandon sedans in America. Striking deals with VW and Mahindra could further improve Ford’s outlook. Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas predicts Ford will lose $3.6 billion in Europe from 2019 to 2021, making it the least-profitable automaker in that market. In South America, where VW also operates, Ford has lost more than $4 billion since 2012. Sharing costs to develop cars and new technology with another automaker could help reverse those losses. “In the world we’re in, where the future is so ill-defined because it’s yet to be created, companies are going to have to collaborate more together,” Shanks said Thursday during a break from meetings with investors and analysts in New York. “We have a history with VW. We get along with them. And if you look at the strengths and weaknesses of each of us, we match up really, really well.” The same is true with Ford’s relationship with Mahindra, Shanks said. “That’s very important in these types of collaborations because getting along well is a good part of the formula for success,” Shanks said. “There’s lots of examples where that hasn’t been the case and, ultimately, they haven’t succeeded.” Shanks wouldn’t say if there is a deadline for reaching deals with the automakers, but he said talks are proceeding with urgency. “We’re trying to get things done as quickly as we can because we’re all trying to improve the fortunes of each of our companies,” Shanks said. “So we’re moving to get clarity and get moving on to the actual collaboration as quickly as possible.”

Volkswagen deals ready truck business Traton for stock market listing Reuters / October 25, 2018 Volkswagen struck a slew of deals on Thursday to streamline its new Traton unit into a pure truck and bus business and prepare it for a planned stock market listing next year. VW’s legacy trucks unit MAN SE will sell a 76 percent stake in Renk AG and its wholly owned subsidiary MAN Energy Solutions SE to a subsidiary of VW, MAN SE said in a statement. The purchase price for the deals would correspond to the expected equity book value of the holdings at the end of this calendar year, estimated to be between 1.85 and 2.05 billion euros ($2.1-$2.3 billion). In addition, MAN SE’s 100 percent indirect ownership of MAN Energy Solutions USA, Inc., will be sold and transferred to a subsidiary of VW for a purchase price of around $99 million. The sale is expected to be completed by the end of 2018. “As a result of this transaction, Traton AG will become the lead company of a pure truck and bus group,” MAN said in the statement. VW is close to hiring Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan to help with a mid-2019 listing that bosses estimate could raise up to 6 billion euros ($6.8 billion). A domination and profit transfer agreement between VW and MAN will expire at the end of the year, meaning that the Wolfsburg-based auto maker would profit from any revaluation if the deals close before then. ($1 = 0.8794 euros)

They have better roads (and trains) than we have. Wake up call?

Scania Group Press Release / October 25, 2018 Most travellers on the newly-inaugurated Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge, the world’s longest sea crossing bridge, will use the buses and coaches that provide a 24-hour service, with departures every few minutes. Scania is supplying many of these buses and coaches, including 120 shuttle buses and at least 55 coaches. Scania has delivered the shuttle buses to be operated on the bridge by the Guang Dong (HZM). A total of 120 buses built in cooperation with Higer will be supplied over a 12-month period. On the first day of bridge operations, the first 40 buses started transporting passengers between Hong Kong and Macao. Since the shuttle buses operate 24/7, Scania is providing a total service package for HZM to ensure maximum availability. “The level of support being offered by Scania meets our aim of entrusting experts to maintain the buses,” says Zhang Guang You, Chairman of HZM. “That allows us to focus on our business of providing the highest levels of service commitment to our customers.” For passengers who wish to travel farther afield, at least 55 Scania coaches with bodywork from Marcopolo, as well as from other local Hong Kong bodybuilders, will be a regular sight on the bridge. These coaches will provide direct services to destinations that are beyond the boundary crossings served by the shuttle buses. The $20-billion bridge connecting Hong Kong and Macau to the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai was opened to traffic on 24 October. Travel between Hong Kong and Zhuhai/Macau boundary crossing points is 42 kilometres and together with the link roads the bridge totals 55 kilometres in length. .

Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / October 25, 2018 Groendyke Transport is buying the tank truck assets of McKenzie Tank Lines, a deal Groendyke says is the largest acquisition in its history and significantly expands its presence in the Southeast. Both companies are tank truck carriers that specialize in hauling petroleum products, chemicals and other bulk hazardous materials. The acquisition will increase Groendyke's terminal count from 30 to more than 40 and will increase the company's driver count by about 200 to approximately 1,150. The addition of MTL's business is expected to increase Groendyke's revenues by more than $40 million in 2019 to approximately $280 million. The companies anticipate a closing date of Jan. 1, 2019. "It has been our long-time goal to expand our operations in the Southeast," said Greg Hodgen, Groendyke president. "Our two companies have so much in common – from history to culture and values to emphasis on safety – this deal made perfect sense. We believe their people will make a great fit with our culture and way of running our business." Once the transition is complete, Groendyke, which is based in Enid, Oklahoma, will have terminals reaching as far west as Arizona all the way to the East Coast. It will give the company terminals in 15 states, adding Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina. Groendyke is a seven-time winner of National Tank Truck Carriers North American Safety Champion Award. MTL is a good fit for the safety culture, the companies noted in an announcement, pointing out it was one of the first adopters of collision mitigation systems and blind-spot detection systems, and a participant in a public-private partnership in the early 2000s designed to accelerate the development of such technology. "Our two family-owned companies have long histories and rich traditions in the tank truck industry," MTL CEO Jim Shaeffer said. "Moreover, our companies share a tremendous commitment to our people that includes their safety and well-being. We believe this change will ensure stability for our employees and create tremendous opportunities for them." .

Jason Cannon, Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ) / October 25, 2018 As powertrain electrification continues to surge in prominence, Paccar Chief Financial Operator Harrie Schippers says the builder of Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks plans to boost Research and Development spending by upwards of $30 million next year. The DAF CF Electric, LF Electric and CF hybrid trucks are currently entering field testing with European customers and Schippers says the company looks forward to customer demands for electric and hybrid powertrains in applications like refuse, urban delivery and product operations. “Longer term, electric vehicles will be competitive in more applications. While we are preparing for the long-term by making investments in alternative powertrain technologies, we do expect diesel to remain the most efficient powertrain technology in heavy truck applications for the foreseeable future,” he adds. “I think in the economics of diesel just makes sense and they’re going to continue to make sense for a long time. So it’s going to be the dominant power source for long-haul trucking certainly,” adds Paccar CEO Ron Armstrong. “There’s obviously going to be opportunities that will develop in urban areas that may bring about hybrids or electric vehicles and we’re prepared for those. We have a full suite of vehicles in terms of all-electric, heavy, light-duty both in North America and in Europe. So, we’re well-prepared for the places where it makes sense. We think there will be local geographies more than they will generally widespread displacement of diesel for the foreseeable future.” For 2019, Schippers says Paccar anticipates R&D spending to of $300 million to $330 million versus $300 million to $310 million this year. Capital investments could surge another $100 million. “These investments will develop the next generation of Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF trucks and enhance Paccar’s diesel and alternative powertrain technologies and add additional capacity and efficiency to the company’s manufacturing and parts distribution facilities,” he says.

David Cullen, Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / October 25, 2018 Traton AG, formerly known as Volkswagen Truck & Bus, reported on October 18 that at the close of the third quarter, the global OEM “remains on a growth path.” Specifically, the wholly owned subsidiary of Germany’s Volkswagen AG said it recorded “a significant increase in deliveries of commercial vehicles in the first three quarters of 2018.” Between January and September, Traton delivered some 15% more vehicles than in the same period a year ago. This amounted to 166,330 vehicles bearing the brands of MAN Truck & Bus, Scania, and Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus. “Our entire team did a good job in the first nine months," said Andreas Renschler, CEO of Traton AG and member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. “However, the very strong sales performance of the first half of the year tapered off slightly in the third quarter.” The number of vehicles delivered from MAN Truck & Bus rose by 15% to 72,040. Scania’s deliveries of trucks and buses climbed to 68,640 vehicles, or around 7% more than in the previous year. And driven by the economic upswing in Brazil, demand for Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus vehicles soared by some 43% to 27,360 units. In total, Traton delivered 145,070 trucks (+12%) and 16,390 buses (+22%). Traton credited “persistently positive economic performance in the most important markets around the world” with driving a tailwind for the business in the first nine months of this year. With a market share of some 31% in the first nine months of 2018, Traton said it remains the leader in the truck market of the EU28+2 region (EU, Norway, Switzerland). In South America, the Traton brands boosted their deliveries by some 40%, “compared with the very poor prior-year period.” T The OEM added that it “remains the clear market leader in the Brazilian truck market, accounting for around 40%.” The number of vehicles delivered in Russia jumped by some 17%, to 8,000 units. In Africa, the number of deliveries was stable at the previous year’s level But in the Middle East, deliveries were down by around 10% and in the Asia/Pacific region, they dropped by around 6% year over year, “driven by factors such as weaker demand in China.” Traton noted that it has expanded its presence in Asia by entering into partnerships. An agreement was made with Sinotruk for the establishment of a joint venture to develop a heavy MAN truck for the Chinese market. And in a deal with Japan’s Hino Motors, the two OEMs will cooperate in the fields of procurement and e-mobility. The OEM also is partnering with U.S. software firm Solera on fleet management, driver services and digital sales solutions. “Digital services are among the growth drivers of the future,” said Renschler. “We are already in a strong position in the digital environment and will follow this path consistently – using our own resources as well with as our partners.” In addition, Traton remains engaged with Navistar in the "wide-ranging strategic alliance" the U.S.-based OEM forged in 2016 with Volkswagen Truck & Bus. .

Fleet Owner / October 23, 2018 Allison Transmission recently began production of 1000 Series and 2000 Series fully automatic transmissions specifically designed for Chevrolet’s highly anticipated Silverado 4500HD/5500HD/6500HD medium-duty trucks. Allison Automatics will be paired with Chevrolet’s Duramax diesel engine—a combination that has powered nearly two million trucks. Among standard and available Allison transmission features in Silverado chassis cab trucks: Power Take-Off (PTO) option enables users to run power auxiliary equipment such as tow truck winches, hydraulic tools, dump truck bodies, water pumps, garbage truck compactors and bucket trucks Close-ratio six-speeds, with double overdrive, to climb challenging terrain and maximize fuel economy Available motorhome and emergency vehicle transmission applications. Allison Automatics allow rescue vehicles to get up to speed faster and ease the integration of body and pumping equipment Allison’s patented Continuous Power Technology delivers smooth, seamless, full-power shifts, as well as superior acceleration in the Silverado Ideal integration with the Chevrolet’s Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8. Under a collaborative engineering effort, the Allison 1000/2000 Series transmissions have been optimized to take advantage of the Duramax’s stout 350 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque Allison FuelSense electronic controls for increased fuel economy and Dynamic Shift Sensing could be available for future releases Allison Automatics provides value by combining enhanced performance and fuel economy, greater operational flexibility, and improved driver comfort and control with Allison’s reputation for uptime and reliability. “Designed for high performance and low maintenance, the 1000 Series and 2000 Series transmissions matched with Chevrolet’s Duramax diesel engines are an ideal combination, providing the precise power delivery and superior productivity commercial customers demand,” said Heidi Schutte, vice president, global sales at Allison Transmission. “Chevrolet and Allison engineers worked closely to provide the optimal integration.” The Allison-equipped Chevrolet Silverado medium-duty trucks are rated at up to 22,900 lbs GVWR and can be upfitted for urban delivery, construction, landscaping, emergency and numerous other commercial applications. Truck production is expected to begin in late 2018. “The truck line and powertrain have generated a great deal of customer anticipation and fill a gap in the medium-duty space,” said Tony Uebelhor, owner of Uebelhor & Sons Chevrolet in Jasper IN. “It’s a very durable, heavy-duty transmission that will do the job in any commercial environment.” .

Trailer-Body Builders / October 25, 2018 Kenworth is adding a factory installed twin-steer configuration to its T880S vocational model, the company said. The Kenworth T880S Twin Steer features a set-forward front axle with a 61-inch axle spread to maximize payload. The Kenworth T880S Twin Steer offers a short 114-inch BBC. This allows larger bodies to be installed farther forward and closer to the cab. “Kenworth continues to expand the excellent diversity of the T880 platform,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “The T880S Twin Steer is the next step in that evolution.” The 61-inch axle spread enables customers in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia to get a factory built T880S Twin Steer that meets Western Canadian tandem axle requirements, specifically for ready-mix application. It also means the Kenworth T880S chassis can be upfitted faster, saving three to six weeks in delivery times to the body builder versus other options, Kenworth said. For customers in the United States, the T880S Twin Steer addresses applications, such as ready mix, block trucks, cranes and concrete pumpers. Depending on the detailed specs, as well as federal and state bridge laws, the T880S Twin Steer can handle 1,500 pounds or more of additional payload compared to a non-set-back axle twin steer. “We strive to enhance productivity for our customers whenever we can,” Swihart said. “Kenworth has a long history of building factory twin steers, including the 72-inch axle spread available on our set-back axle T800 and C500 models.” The T880S Twin Steer’s front axles are rated at 40,000 pounds. The front-end components, including axles, springs and steering gears are shared with non-twin steer T880S. The front suspension is “equalized” between the front and rear steer axles for greater driver comfort and payload distribution between the two, the company said. The T880S offers the PACCAR MX-11 and PACCAR MX-13 engines up to 510-hp with torque up to 1,850 lb-ft. An Allison automatic transmission is available when ordered with PACCAR wide or standard track front axles. .

Der neue Ford. Sieg heil!

Ford, VW are in talks to broaden their alliance Keith Naughton, Bloomberg / October 26, 2018 Ford sees VW cooperation helping with small cars, overseas markets DETROIT -- Ford is in serious negotiations with Volkswagen Group to broaden their alliance beyond commercial vehicles in ways that would help Ford reverse losses in Europe and South America and share costs of costly technology and small cars. "We're having a very broad set of discussions about how we can help each other around the world,” Bob Shanks, Ford's chief financial officer, said in an interview Thursday. "Collaboration isn't being limited in any way whatsoever, whether it’s different types of technology, product segments or geography." The talks with VW are taking place at a pivotal time for Ford. While the stock soared almost 10 percent after the company beat earnings estimates, the automaker is restructuring globally and has backed away from margin targets that it had set for 2020. Partnering with rivals is one way to lower costs and get new cars and technology to market faster. Ford is in similar talks with Mahindra & Mahindra to broaden an alliance that began to develop models for India and other emerging markets, including SUVs and electric cars. "With VW and Mahindra, we haven't put boundary conditions in terms of where we could collaborate,” Shanks said. "We're looking at the strengths and the gaps of each company on both sides of the table and trying to understand how we can help each other." Hackett’s hint Ford CEO Jim Hackett hinted that the partnerships were progressing when he spoke to analysts on the company’s earnings call. "We look forward to sharing more about this global redesign of the company," said Hackett, who is leading an $11 billion restructuring of the company. "We are going to be coming to you more frequently, including we’re going to talk about these strategic partnerships in the near future." Ford shares rose the most in more than nine years Thursday after the company surprised investors with a $2 billion pretax profit in North America, on the strength of sales of high-profit pickups and SUVs. The result is early validation for the automaker’s controversial decision to abandon sedans in America. While there's still much to be done to update Ford's aging lineup and prepare for the self-driving future, the shares rallied after having plunged to an almost nine-year low earlier in the week. "There was fear that we might disappoint," Shanks said Thursday during a break from meetings with investors and analysts in New York. "There was relief that the business not only met expectations, but showed the strength of North America, the strength of Ford Credit and the fact that the overseas operations actually got slightly better.” VW history Striking deals with VW and Mahindra could further improve Ford’s outlook. Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas predicts Ford will lose $3.6 billion in Europe from 2019 to 2021, making it the least-profitable automaker in that market. In South America, where VW also operates, Ford has lost more than $4 billion since 2012. Sharing costs to develop cars and new technology with another automaker could help reverse those losses. "In the world we're in, where the future is so ill-defined because it's yet to be created, companies are going to have to collaborate more together," Shanks said. "We have a history with VW. We get along with them. And if you look at the strengths and weaknesses of each of us, we match up really, really well." The same is true with Ford’s relationship with Mahindra, Shanks said. "That's very important in these types of collaborations because getting along well is a good part of the formula for success," Shanks said. "There's lots of examples where that hasn’t been the case and, ultimately, they haven't succeeded" Hurried discussions Shanks wouldn't say if there is a deadline for reaching deals with the automakers, but he said talks are proceeding with urgency. "We're trying to get things done as quickly as we can because we’re all trying to improve the fortunes of each of our companies," Shanks said. “So, we’re moving to get clarity and get moving on to the actual collaboration as quickly as possible." The partnerships and a parade of new products coming next year, including the mid-size Ranger pickup and redesigned versions of the Explorer and Escape SUVs, will begin to show the shape of Ford’s turnaround plan, Shanks said. "Starting next year, the picture will start to come more and more into focus,” Shanks said. "It's something that won't be a big bang. It will be done as fast as we possibly can, but it will be done in chunks and pieces."

GM breaks with Trump in call for national electric car mandate Ryan Beene & John Lippert, Bloomberg / October 26, 2018 WASHINGTON -- The Trump administration wants to end California’s requirement for automakers to sell more electric cars in the state each year. General Motors has a different idea: adopt the rule nationwide. GM plans to propose that federal regulators embrace a nationwide electric-car sales program starting in 2021, patterned on California’s so-called zero emission vehicle sales mandate that requires manufacturers to sell more EVs each year. The plan, to be proposed in formal comments to regulators, is one of the clearest signs yet of auto industry opposition to the Trump administration’s proposal to cap federal fuel-economy requirements in 2020 and unwind California’s power to set its own vehicle efficiency standards and its zero-emission vehicle mandate. Honda Motor Co. also took exception to aspects of the Trump proposal. The period for public comments to be filed ends at midnight on Friday. “We know that we can do better” than the Trump proposal, Mark Reuss, GM’s executive vice president of global product development, told reporters in advance of the deadline. “We know that the industry can do better than that.” GM says a nationwide program could put 7 million long-range electric cars on the road and slash 375 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, compared with existing zero-emission vehicle mandates. The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in August recommended keeping federal fuel economy requirements at 37 mpg from 2020 through 2026, instead of raising them to roughly 47 mpg by 2025 under rules by the Obama administration. The agencies also want to revoke California’s authority to adopt vehicle efficiency rules of its own, including its electric-car mandate. The agencies said the proposal would reduce societal costs by as much as $500 billion over a number of years and highway deaths by as many as 1,000 per year, in part by making newer, safer autos more affordable. Industry experts and even some on the EPA staff have questioned aspects of the proposal. While the auto industry sought relief from the Obama rules, carmakers view the Trump administration’s proposal as too aggressive. They fear it could force them to build vehicles for California and the 12 states that follow its standards, and another fleet for the rest of the nation, which Reuss said would be “very costly, and frankly unnecessary.” Automakers also worry about a drawn-out court fight between Washington and Sacramento. “GM is taking a leadership position in at least offering an alternative to what could be this endless battle between the federal government and California,” said Michelle Krebs, an Autotrader analyst. “Whether the administration will accept it, that’s another question.” In a statement Thursday, the free-market Institute for Energy Research said the existing standards are too aggressive, effectively requiring automakers to produce electric cars that consumers still purchase in relatively small numbers. The group supports the proposed rollback, claiming manufacturers must raise prices of more popular autos to compensate for losses on electric vehicles, unfairly penalizing suburban and rural consumers who tend to be more concerned about driving range and reliability. California and 18 other states plan to attack the EPA and NHTSA proposal as unlawful. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra on Wednesday called it arbitrary and capricious and said that it violates procedural requirements and EPA’s statutory obligation to reduce harmful pollution. Industry uncertainty In its comments on the U.S. proposal, Honda said it disagreed with the Trump administration’s plan for revoking California’s rule-making authority and that key elements of the federal government’s analysis on traffic safety are flawed and should be scrapped. Honda said pursuing the administration’s preferred option would “bring years of uncertainty for the auto industry” while state and federal regulators duke it out in court. “A far better path would be for federal and state policy makers to negotiate a national program that is acceptable, if not ideal, for all parties including automakers,” Honda wrote. Honda recommended that the EPA maintain greenhouse gas targets that grow tougher each year instead of freezing them as the agency has proposed. “The industry is united in its request that the agencies work out an agreement with California,” Honda said in its comments. After initially heated rhetoric when the proposal was released, U.S. and California officials agreed to hold talks to explore whether uniform standards nationwide can be maintained. Senior U.S. officials have also said they’d like to reach a compromise, but no deal has materialized thus far. Krebs said GM is taking this step because it’s concerned that the U.S. could fall behind Europe and Asia in the development of electric cars. The automaker is also hoping officials will enhance the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric-car buyers, which will soon begin to be phased out over several quarters for GM, Tesla Inc. and others, she said. To be sure, GM stands to benefit if the proposal gains traction. It’s readying a range of new electric cars and plans to begin an EV-based robotaxi business in the coming years. GM’s proposal seeks “additional consideration” for electric vehicles placed into autonomous ride-hailing fleets. Reuss said a national electric car program would ease some of the challenges that this type of vehicle presents to all automakers. “I believe it will facilitate more makers to be able to really focus on development of electric vehicles more efficiently and take the guesswork out of what we think may or not happen,” he said. “We’re making bets on a lot of uncertainty, which is highly destructive to capital.”

Ted, when M-B introduced single leaf front springs on the Actros, they were actually introducing Hendrickson product. Hendrickson produces the most of the steel spring suspension for European truckmakers. Hendrickson continually developed better and better metallurgy, reaching the point where they can offer a durable and lightweight single leaf design. That said, if I was running the outback, I'd go with a 3-leaf design. I know the folks at Hendrickson. Their ongoing research in metallurgy is impressive.