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Run the exhaust through the dump body. Note the exhaust split and the spring-loaded mating flange...............http://eng.grunwaldtrailers.ru/news/17/new-grunwald-tipper-bodies-for-the-russian-market/

Truck News / March 2, 2018 DENTON, Texas – Peterbilt has announced several rebates for 2018 customers. Members of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) are entitled to a cash rebate of $1,500 when they buy a Model 579, 567, or 389 spec’d with a sleeper. Members of Landstar are being offered the same cash rebate. “OOIDA and Landstar and their owner-operator members are a vital piece of trucking in the U.S. and Canada and we are proud that Peterbilt remains their truck of choice,” said Robert Woodall, assistant general manager, sales and marketing, Peterbilt Motors Company. “As part of our ongoing support of these organizations and their members we are pleased to offer these rebates as a thank you for their continued loyalty and enthusiasm for the Peterbilt brand.” Members must be in good standing with OOIDA or Landstar for a minimum of 90 days prior to delivery. Rebate checks will be mailed directly to the customer from Peterbilt. Customers are limited to three rebates per calendar year and rebates cannot be combined with any other offers directly from Peterbilt. The truck maker also announced vocational customers who belong to the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NMRCA) or the American Logger Council (ALC) qualify for a $2,000 cash rebate when purchasing a Model 567 or 520 (567 only for ALC members). “Peterbilt’s vocational customers demand the most rugged and reliable trucks available,” said Woodall. “We are confident that customers in need of these trucks will proudly choose Peterbilt time and time again. Peterbilt is pleased to support their loyalty by offering these rebates.” Rebate checks are mailed directly to the customer from Peterbilt and customers are limited to three rebates per calendar year. These rebates may not be combined with any other offer directly from Peterbilt. Customers can expect rebates to take 6-8 weeks to process. Members must be in good standing with ALC or NRMCA for 90 days prior to taking delivery.

Trump invites 'easy to win' trade war as tariff anger spreads Bloomberg / February 2, 2018 WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump invited a trade war after slapping tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, daring other countries to act on threats of retaliation. “When a country (USA) is losing many billions of dollars on trade with virtually every country it does business with, trade wars are good, and easy to win,” Trump said in an early morning tweet on Friday. Trump is facing anger from manufacturers and trade partners in China and Europe after announcing tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum for “a long period of time.” The formal order is expected to be signed next week. U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., cautioned “Trade wars are never won. Trade wars are lost by both sides,” in a statement. “If the President goes through with this, it will kill American jobs -- that’s what every trade war ultimately does. So much losing.” Trump in a follow-up tweet Monday morning warned of more trade actions ahead, casting them as reciprocal taxes, a term he has used for imposing levies on imports from countries that charge higher duties on U.S. goods than the U.S. currently charges. “We will soon be starting RECIPROCAL TAXES so that we will charge the same thing as they charge us. $800 Billion Trade Deficit-have no choice!” Trump said in the tweet. The aggressive stance has stoked fears of trade retaliation and roiled global markets. The U.S. dollar weakened for a second day against a basket of currencies, while equity markets across the U.S., Asia and Europe have declined. Trump hasn’t given the details of his proposed action on steel and aluminum tariffs, including whether any products or countries would be exempted. The planned tariffs, justified on the basis that cut-price metals imports hurt both American producers and national security, now raise the prospect of retaliatory curbs on American exports and higher prices for domestic users. While the practical impact may yet turn out to be limited, the political environment for global trade has just taken a turn for the worse. European equities followed Asian markets lower on Friday after losses in the U.S. the day before. Asian stocks had already built on losses seen in the U.S. the previous day, with shares in Hong Kong, Japan, China, Australia and South Korea weaker. Separately, the yen spiked and Japanese assets slumped after Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda discussed the timing of a possible exit from its stimulus policy in parliament. The official response in China, the world’s largest steel producer, was muted. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying merely said in Beijing Friday that China urges the U.S. to follow trade rules. Industry insiders were less restrained. The U.S. measures “overturn the international trade order,” Wen Xianjun, vice chairman of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, said in a statement. “Other countries, including China, will take relevant retaliatory measures.” Li Xinchuang, the vice chairman of China Iron and Steel Association, called the move “stupid.” U.S. allies, seeing their industries threatened, responded with bafflement and dismay. Some also panned the idea that metals imports pose a threat to national security. “Steel and aluminum imports from Japan, which is an ally, do not affect U.S. national security at all,” Japan’s Trade Minister Hiroshige Seko told reporters in Tokyo Friday. “I would like to convey that to the U.S. when I have an opportunity.” Toyota Motor Corp., which plans to build a new $1.6 billion factory in Alabama with Mazda Motor Corp., said the administration’s decision will “adversely impact” auto companies by raising costs and prices of cars and trucks sold in the U.S. That’s even as more than 90 percent of the steel Asia’s biggest carmaker needs in the U.S. is from the country. Trade groups representing automakers including General Motors and Toyota, plus parts suppliers like Robert Bosch GmbH, tried to warn the Trump administration of unintended consequences before Thursday's announcement. Asian automakers’ shares declined while U.S. carmakers -- already slipping because of weak February sales -- extended their drop after Trump’s comments. “These proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports couldn’t come at a worse time,” said Cody Lusk, president of the American International Automobile Dealers Association. “Auto sales have flattened in recent months, and manufacturers are not prepared to absorb a sharp increase in the cost to build cars and trucks in America.” Some automakers contacted by Automotive News before Thursday downplayed the potential effect of the proposed import limits on their operations, saying they use very little imported steel and aluminum. Ford sources 95 percent of its steel and 98 percent of its aluminum from domestic mills, spokeswoman Christin Baker said. The company is a large buyer of lighter-weight aluminum, which it began using in recent years in body panels for F-series pickups and large SUVs. Mark Reuss, global product chief at General Motors, said 90 percent of GM's steel is sourced from the United States. “But whatever happens on those trade policies, we’ve got to be ready to defend and be disciplined around how we buy and how we develop and engineer," he said later Thursday. "That’s why taking a mixed material approach on some of these is a great hedge as well." Canada reaction Canada -- the biggest foreign supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S. -- said the measures were unacceptable while the European Union vowed to “ react firmly” with World Trade Organization-compliant countermeasures in the next few days. Australian Trade Minister Steve Ciobo called the move “disappointing” and said his country is seeking an exemption. The punitive measures would level the unfair playing field that has persisted for years, and make it easier for American companies to expand and hire workers, Trump said. U.S. companies from beer brewer MillerCoors to candymaker Hershey Co., which use aluminum for manufacturing and packaging, said operations would be hurt by the tariffs. “We buy as much domestic can sheet aluminum as is available, however, there simply isn’t enough supply to satisfy the demands of American beverage makers like us,” MillerCoors said in a tweet. “American workers and American consumers will suffer as a result of this misguided tariff.” Soybean response A U.S. move on tariffs risks provoking retaliation, particularly from Beijing. China has already launched a probe into U.S. imports of sorghum, and is studying whether to restrict shipments of U.S. soybeans -- targets that could hurt Trump’s support in some farming states. While China accounts for just a fraction of U.S. imports of the metals, it’s accused of flooding the global market and dragging down prices. What Our Economists Say... “China’s total exports of steel and aluminum are equal to about 0.5% of GDP, most of that from steel,” said Bloomberg’s Chief Asia Economist Tom Orlik. “Relative to fears from Trump’s campaign trail rhetoric, in which he threatened an across-the-board 45% tariff on all imports from China, these measures are extremely limited.” Trump announced the tariffs despite lobbying of his administration by foreign governments, and while Chinese President Xi Jinping’s top economic adviser is in the country on a mission to defuse tensions. The impact of the step hinges in part on which nations will be affected, said Alex Wolf, senior emerging markets economist at Aberdeen Standard Investments in Hong Kong, who previously worked at the U.S. State Department. “It’s not much ado about nothing,” he said. "But until we see the final scope of the tariffs and the response from global trading partners it’s hard to say it’s the start of a tit-for-tat trade war."

3MT247 is the Mack part number for the smaller later pyrometer gauge. https://m.ebay.com/itm/Pyrometer-Gauge-Kit-PAI-P-N-FPK-0473-Ref-Mack-85131532-3MT247-39MR2410-64MT324-/252570036049 1MT315P1 is the Mack part number for the older large pyrometer gauge.

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Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / March 1, 2018 Hyliion, which produces a hybrid electric axle system for Class 8 trucks, has created a trial fleet of trucks equipped with its 6x4HE system to allow fleets to test the vehicles out for free. The trial fleet is available for potential customers to test in their own operations for up to a week without any charge. Fleets will be able to use the electric-axle-equipped trucks in their daily operations to see if the trucks can actually work for them. Hyliion says that its technology can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30%. "We are excited to offer our customers the chance to test a Hyliion-enabled vehicle in their own day-to-day business operations," said Thomas Healy, Hyliion CEO and founder. “It is a big decision to adopt a new technology and the opportunity to take the truck for a trial run makes all the difference.” Hyliion will be showcasing its trial trucks at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition March 5-8 in Atlanta, Georgia. The trial trucks will be available to fleets starting March 12, and can be reserved through email trialtruck@hyliion.com, Hyliion’s website, or by calling 1-833-HYLIION. "The conclusion of the conference, these trucks will hit the road and be in customer hands," said Healy. “Our team is thrilled to offer this unique trial program.” . Hyliion will be showcasing its trial trucks at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition March 5-8 in Atlanta, Georgia. The trial trucks will be available to fleets starting March 12, and can be reserved through email trialtruck@hyliion.com, Hyliion’s website, or by calling 1-833-HYLIION. "The conclusion of the conference, these trucks will hit the road and be in customer hands," said Healy. “Our team is thrilled to offer this unique trial program.”

Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / March 1, 2018 Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. will offer a crew cab version of its Class 5 NRR cabover that will carry up to seven passengers. The NRR Crew Cab will have a 19,500-pound GVWR, Isuzu announced. “Last year, we unveiled our Class 6 FTR truck, which is already making major inroads in the marketplace,” said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada. “Now, we’re expanding the lineup even further with the introduction of a Crew Cab model in our Class 5 NRR series. This is further proof that Isuzu is committed to providing the right truck for every one of our customers’ needs.” Isuzu also announced additional details about its 2018 and 2019 model trucks. Highlights include: The only low-cab-forward lineup that includes two EPA-certified diesel engines and a gasoline engine alternative. Isuzu’s class-leading 5.2L Isuzu 4HK1-TC diesel engines provide B10 service life durability of 375,000 miles. Support features that help reduce operating costs, improve performance, manage risk and help protect owners’ truck investment. Cab/chassis combinations offer standard three-seat cabs or Crew Cabs with seating for a seven-person crew. Upfit applications accommodate vocational bodies up to 30 feet with the standard cab and 16 feet with Crew Cab models. GVWRs from 12,000 pounds to 25,950 pounds. N-Series Gas models feature a Vortec gasoline engine that is CNG/LPG alternative-fuel capable Production plans and key features for each of the available models: 2018 Isuzu NPR Gas Production began in January 2018. GVWR: 12,000 lbs. (class 3) Wheelbases: 109-176 inches with body lengths up to 20 feet. Powertrain: VortecTM 6.0-liter V8 gasoline engine generating 297 hp @ 4,300 rpm and 372 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm mated to 6L90 Hydra-Matic 6-speed automatic with double overdrive. Available with a CNG/LPG alternative-fuel-capable option. Crew cab option for up to seven passengers. 2018 Isuzu NPR-HD Gas Production began in January 2018. GVWR: 14,500 pounds (Class 4) Wheelbases: 109-176 inches with body lengths up to 20 feet. Powertrain: VortecTM 6.0L V-8 gasoline engine generating 297 hp @ 4,300 rpm and 372 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm mated to 6L90 Hydra-Matic 6-speed automatic with double overdrive. Available with a CNG/LPG alternative-fuel-capable option. Crew cab option for up to seven passengers. 2018 Isuzu NPR Diesel Production began in November 2017. GVWR: 13,000 pounds (Class 3). Wheelbases: 109-176 inches with body lengths up to 20 feet. Powertrain: Isuzu 3.0-liter 4JJ1-TC turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder diesel engine with a B10 durability rating of 310,000 miles generating 150 hp @ 2,800 rpm and 282 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,600–2,800 rpm mated to an Aisin A460 double overdrive 6-speed automatic transmission with lockup torque converter. Isuzu’s exclusive IDSS (Isuzu Diagnostic Service System) allows diesel-model owners to receive a detailed “Health Report” from Isuzu dealers on performance data. 2019 Isuzu NPR-HD Production began in January 2018. GVWR: 14,500 pounds (Class 4). Wheelbases: 109-176 inches with body lengths up to 20 feet. Powertrain: Isuzu 5.2L 4HK1-TC turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder diesel engine with a B10 durability rating of 375,000 miles generating 215 hp @ 2,500 rpm and 452 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,850 rpm mated to an Aisin A465 6-speed double overdrive automatic transmission with lockup torque converter plus PTO opening. Isuzu’s exclusive IDSS (Isuzu Diagnostic Service System) allows diesel-model owners to receive a detailed “Health Report” from Isuzu dealers on performance data. Crew Cab option for up to seven passengers. 2019 Isuzu NPR-XD Production began in January 2018. GVWR: 16,000 pounds (Class 4). Wheelbases: 109-176 inches with body lengths up to 20 feet. Powertrain: Isuzu 5.2L 4HK1-TC turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder diesel engine with a B10 durability rating of 375,000 miles generating 215 hp @ 2,500 rpm and 452 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,850 rpm mated to an Aisin A465 6-speed double overdrive automatic transmission with lockup torque converter plus PTO opening. Isuzu’s exclusive IDSS (Isuzu Diagnostic Service System) allows diesel-model owners to receive a detailed “Health Report” from Isuzu dealers on performance data. Crew Cab option for up to seven passengers. 2019 Isuzu NQR Production began in January 2018. GVWR: 17,950 pounds (Class 5) Wheelbases: 109-200 inches with body lengths up to 22 feet. Powertrain: Isuzu 5.2L 4HK1-TC turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder diesel engine with a B10 durability rating of 375,000 miles generating 215 hp @ 2,500 rpm and 452 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,850 rpm mated to an Aisin A465 6-speed double overdrive automatic transmission with lockup torque converter plus PTO opening. Isuzu’s exclusive IDSS (Isuzu Diagnostic Service System) allows diesel-model owners to receive a detailed “Health Report” from Isuzu dealers on performance data. Crew Cab option for up to seven passengers. 2019 Isuzu NRR Production began in January 2018. GVWR: 19,500 pounds (Class 5). Wheelbases: 109-212 inches with body lengths up to 24 feet. Powertrain: Isuzu 5.2L 4HK1-TC turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder diesel engine with a B10 durability rating of 375,000 miles generating 215 hp @ 2,500 rpm and 452 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,850 rpm mated to an Aisin A465 6-speed double overdrive automatic transmission with lockup torque converter plus PTO opening. Isuzu’s exclusive IDSS (Isuzu Diagnostic Service System) allows diesel-model owners to receive a detailed “Health Report” from Isuzu dealers on performance data. New Crew Cab option for up to seven passengers. 2019 Isuzu FTR Production begins in March 2018. GVWR: 25,950 pounds (Class 6). Wheelbases: 152-248 inches with body lengths up to 30 feet. Powertrain: Isuzu 5.2L 4HK1-TC turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder diesel engine with a B10 durability rating of 375,000 generating 215 hp @ 2,500 rpm and 520 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,600 rpm mated to an Allison 2000 Series automatic transmission with PTO opening. Isuzu’s exclusive IDSS (Isuzu Diagnostic Service System) allows diesel-model owners to receive a detailed “Health Report” from Isuzu dealers on performance data. .

Volvo Trucks Press Release / February 22, 2018 . . . . . . . . .

Scania Group Press Release / February 28, 2018 From adventures with drivers around the world, to innovations that are changing the world of transport, don't miss out! Click here: http://bit.ly/SubscribeToScania .

DAF Trucks Press Release / February 22, 2018 .

DAF Trucks Press Release / February 22, 2018 This short video will give you an overview of the new and improved driving features on The New CF and The New XF, and you can see for yourself how the best DAF Truck has just got even better! .

2019 GMC Sierra uses luxury to differentiate from Silverado, competitors Michael Wayland, Automotive News / March 1, 2018 DETROIT -- General Motors is aiming to differentiate the 2019 GMC Sierra from the competition -- and from its Chevy Silverado sibling -- through design, additional luxury amenities and technologies that the automaker calls segment-leading. It all starts with the tailgate. As the more premium offering from General Motors, the GMC will make its stand against increasingly luxurious versions of the Ford F-150 and Fiat Chrysler's redesigned Ram 1500, which launches this year with major fuel-saving technology upgrades, safety improvements and premium touches. One big weapon for GMC will be the coming forthcoming option of a carbon fiber bed in high-end models. For the vehicle’s arrival in the fall, improvements to the redesigned Sierra, aside from a bolder styling and weight reduction of up to 360 pounds, begin in the rear with a new standard, industry-first tailgate for its SLT and Denali trims -- both of which were being unveiled Thursday in Detroit. “The 2019 GMC Sierra is full of innovative engineering and smart technology that represent a giant leap forward for the segment and, for some cases, the entire industry,” said GM product boss Mark Reuss during the unveiling. The “MultiPro Tailgate” offers features and multiple positions that allow it to be used as a standing workstation, a step for climbing into and out of the bed or as a seat. An “inner” tailgate is part of the “primary” gate and can fold vertically down for easier loading or turn into a step, among other uses. The inner gate also features a load-stop feature to help keep cargo in the bed when the tailgate is down. It also can be used as an exterior table, while keeping the main tailgate up. Both of the gates are released by two buttons in the tailgate handle. “Being premium, it’s not just about technology in terms of information and electric technology. It’s about usability and real innovation,” Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global GMC, told Automotive News. “Anybody who uses a pickup truck bed, it’s going to make their lives much easier.” In the box, the next-gen pickup appears to have all of the additional features of the Silverado, including a roll-formed, high-strength steel bed; more tie-downs; and an optional 110-volt power outlet. It’s also nearly 7 inches wider than the current model. The short box offers 63 cubic feet of volume, GM said. Later in the model year, the 2019 Sierra Denali will be available with an industry-first carbon fiber composite box that GM is calling the "CarbonPro." It replaces the standard steel inner panels and floor with a lightweight carbon fiber composite that is 62 pounds lighter that the steel version. The box, Reuss said, “adds unprecedented strength and durability.” He noted it’s dent, scratch and corrosion resistant. “We can basically throw anything we can find at this and it just doesn’t leave a mark,” Aldred said. The company showed several items, including cinder blocks, being thrown into the bed during the pickup’s unveiling. Without the composite box, the pickup is up to 360 pounds lighter than the current model, according to GMC. That's 90 pounds less than the difference between the current and next-gen Silverado models, likely because of additional features in the GMC models. Other additions to the high-end Sierra models include a new trailering system that includes an app for remote monitoring and testing; customizable head-up display; and rear camera mirror. The Sierra SLT and Denali trims will come standard with a 5.3-liter V-8 and eight-speed automatic transmission. As with the Silverado, available 6.2-liter V-8 and 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel engines will be paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Both of the V-8 engines, as in the Silverado, will feature technology called Dynamic Fuel Management that can shut off cylinders, in a variety of combinations, to optimize performance and fuel economy. GM previously said the Silverado will offer six powertrain combinations, including the three announced Thursday for the Sierra. The company declined to comment on other engine offerings for the pickups. GMC didn't provide engine performance details. It also declined to provide information about trims other than the SLT and Denali, which make up 87 percent of the brand's crew cab sales. The current Sierra also is available in entry-level Sierra and SLE trims with a standard 4.3-liter V-6 engine. Reuss and other GM executives have promised a greater differentiation than ever before between the Sierra and Silverado -- starting with separate unveilings for the first time since 1998. The company declined to say what percentage of parts would be shared between the two vehicles. “The more they divert from one another the better,” Aldred said. “I think with the new Sierra, we’ve done that. Not only visually but with the technology we put in there.” Both are expected to begin production in the third quarter in Fort Wayne, Ind. GM also builds the pickups in Mexico. Photo gallery - http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=CA&Date=20180301&Category=PHOTOS01&ArtNo=301009998&Ref=PH&Profile=1262 .

If your Mack brand distributor is unable to resolve your truck’s issue, the next step is for their service manager to contact his district service manager (DSM) for assistance. The DSM has near-engineer credentials and is plugged in with Service Engineering. * All of the DSMs under the former Mack Trucks were some of the most brilliant men I have ever known.

Scania Group Press Release / February 28, 2018 Reading Buses have taken 17 new high-end Scania double decker biogas buses into operation. The buses, with bodywork by Alexander Dennis, service Reading’s busiest bus route, the Purple 17. This is the first frequent bus service in the UK that can carry two wheelchair users at once. “We’re delighted to have been able to work with Scania and Alexander Dennis on a pioneering high specification for these city buses,” says Reading Buses’ Chief Executive Officer, Martijn Gilbert. “These provide users with modern and eco-friendly travel including a range of features to aid customers’ journeys, with the latest digital connectivity and extra features for wheelchair users.” The buses feature two doors, one for embarking and one for disembarking, which reduces time at bus stops. They also feature 4G Wi-Fi as well as USB charging points and coat and bag hooks at seats. “Scania is firmly committed to driving the shift to more sustainable transport systems,” comments Mark Oliver, Scania Great Britain. “When operating on biogas, the carbon dioxide emissions of Scania buses are reduced by up to 84 percent compared to regular diesel. They are significantly quieter too, making them an ideal choice for urban operations.” .

Scania Group Press Release / February 28, 2018 Following trials, Scania’s first battery electric bus, the Citywide Low Floor, will from mid-March be operated in regular traffic in the northern Swedish city of Östersund. The three first buses will ply a 15-kilometre route with some 40 stops. With 10-minute charging, the buses will run every 15 minutes for a total of 100 journeys each day. Tom Terjesen, Editor of Norway’s leading trade magazine Busmagasinet and President of the International Bus & Coach Jury, recently had the opportunity to test the new buses. He found that the bus handles well on the road with minimal interior noise. “Normally a new set of sounds is detected in an electric bus when the diesel engine is removed,” he remarks. “But in Scania’s battery bus there’s hardly any noise at all. A little squeak from door strips is what we discover, but then we drive on icy and poorly ploughed roads.” Terjesen noted that even at the maximum speed of 70 km/h, there was insignificant noise from both wind and powertrain. “Scania has created a very good battery bus. A bus that is identical to the diesel versions of Citywide inside and out, but with a zero-emission powertrain.” .

Scania Group Press Release / February 22, 2018 It’s the biggest and the best – the new Scania S-series cab. And for discerning transport companies, it is proving to be an ideal way to recruit and retain drivers, making it an increasingly attractive investment around Europe’s haulage industry. “We really wanted to provide a working environment that was spacious and enjoyable to be in—a truck that our drivers would take pride in,” says Simon Brett, third-generation owner of Bretts Transport, based in the UK city of Peterborough. A truck with a long list of benefits “We already know our drivers like the Scania product, but this time we can offer a higher specification for our latest units: a premium heated driver’s seat, electric roof hatch, additional storage both inside and out, an uprated media system, a bigger bed, fridge, microwave, the list goes on,” he continues. Bretts Transport specialises in the delivery of ambient goods into the retail, food service and manufacturing sectors. It currently has a fleet of 90 vehicles and recently took delivery of four Scania S 450s, making its fleet more than 90 percent Scania. An additional five S 450s will join Bretts’ line-up in April. Having previously operated Scania R-series trucks, Bretts Transport decided to take a step up into the spacious S-series. “Our drivers are vital to our business and without having the best out on the road, we don’t have a business,” says Brett. “We know our drivers work really hard for us and we ask a lot of them. In return, we want to offer them one of the best vehicles on the market.” S-series offers safety and comfort Uwe Schröder, owner of Uwe Schröder Spedition in Wunstorf, Germany, first saw the S-series cab at a trade fair and was immediately impressed. So was one of his drivers and Schröder decided to invest in four S-series tractor units. “It’s great for the drivers from a safety and a comfort perspective,” says Schröder. “It’s the best driver environment around.” Schröder emphasises the difficulties in Germany in recruiting drivers. By offering drivers the best possible work environment available, he hopes to attract drivers to his company. A cab created and designed for the driver In Italy, Piacenza-based Autotrasporti Mozzi has recently added 20 Scania S 500 tractor units to its fleet. The company, now in its third generation, is presently headed by cousins Geo and Giuseppe Mozzi. Over the years, it has consolidated and increased activity in waste management, as well as in aggregate and scrap metal transport. “When we decided to renew our fleet, we selected the S-series cab for its prestige,” says Geo Mozzi. “But it was equally important to reward our drivers, since the cab offers great ergonomics, comfort, driveability and was created and designed for the driver. Our drivers constitute our most valuable resource and for us it’s important to ensure their well-being.” .

Fleet Owner / February 28, 2018 Responding to fleet market demand for complete, body-ready chassis, Motiv Power Systems has unveiled its EPIC (Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis) all-electric family of chassis for 2018. Debuting next week at Ford’s Work Truck Show booth in Indianapolis, it is based on the popular E-450, F-59, and F-53 platforms. The EPIC all-electric chassis are production line ready, drop-in replacements for the equivalent ICE chassis and are available for a wide range of medium-duty body applications including walk-in vans, box trucks, school buses, shuttle buses, work trucks and specialty vehicles, according to Motiv. As a zero-emissions offering, the EPIC family of all-electric chassis qualify for regional and national incentive and subsidy programs including Volkswagen settlement funding. “Since 2009, Motiv has been dedicated to taking the guesswork out of adding all-electric vehicles to existing fleets. Moving from providing powertrain kits to manufacturing complete electric chassis is a natural evolution for us,” said Jim Castelaz, founder and CEO of Motiv Power Systems. “With the debut of the EPIC chassis family, fleet buyers and operators seeking un-compromised performance and functionality, together with dramatically reduced operating and servicing costs, now have a streamlined path towards that goal.” Having received Ford’s qualified vehicle modifier approval (EQVM), the new EPIC chassis family provides a broad range of capabilities in range, power, and capacity equivalent to common combustion alternatives with the added benefits of near silent operation and smooth power delivery, according to Motiv. Featuring Motiv’s award-winning Smart Power Control Technology, each EPIC chassis is available with universal charging compatibility and secure remote telematics and diagnostics for unparalleled charging flexibility and fleet/driver connectivity. “With nearly ten years of operations, and with more than 350,000 miles logged in major national fleet deployments, Motiv’s powertrain offerings have established a well-deserved reputation for reliability and scalability. These traits are also exemplified in the new EPIC chassis family as a turn-key, all-electric chassis,” said Kash Sethi Director of Sales at Motiv. “With EPIC, fleets can select chassis optimized for their specific range, payload, and route requirements. By providing an all-electric offering for fleet applications Motiv now closely mirrors the long-established procurement process for internal combustion engine powered chassis.” The new EPIC all-electric chassis will be on exhibit at Ford’s booth #3239 at The Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, March 7-9, 2018. Attendees wanting to experience the operation of Motiv power for themselves are encouraged to test drive an all-electric EPIC chassis powered AmeriPride walk-in van with a Utilimaster body, as part of a Ride & Drive event jointly hosted by Utlimaster and Motiv. .

XL Hybrids to Electrify Ford's F-250 Pickup Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / February 27, 2018 XL Hybrids will offer an electrified 2018 Ford F-250 pickup to commercial and municipal fleets that will be unveiled at NTEA's Work Truck Show in Indianapolis in early March, the company announced. The battery-electric hybrid F-250 will be equipped with the vehicle modifier's XLH hybrid drive system that's expected to increase fuel economy by 25% and significantly reduce carbon-dioxide emissions. Production of the hybrid F-250 conversions will begin in March. The Work Truck Show is set for March 6 to 9 in Indianapolis. XL Hybrids will also make its technology available on more F-150 pickups, by adding SuperCrew models. The company now offers F-150s with its XLP plug-in hybrid electric system that improves fuel economy by 50%, according to the company. "Ford trucks are in high demand by XL's fleet customers, so we developed our hybrid-electric upfit solutions for both the F-150 and F-250 pickup to support needs for power, payload, as well as better fuel economy,” said Clay Siegert, the company's chief operating officer. XL Hybrids installs its XLH hybrid and XLP plug-in systems in several hours and uses Ford's ship-through process. The vehicle retains its factory warranty, and receives a three-year, 75,000-mile warranty from XL on the hybrid powertrain. XLH and XLP will also include the XL Link cloud-based big data analytics system, which collects millions of operational data points and miles-per-gallon performance, carbon dioxide emissions reductions, and other key performance indicators. .

Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / February 27, 2018 Coming off of a record year for North American Class 6-8 market share in 2017, Daimler Trucks North America is looking forward to a busy year as it keeps on top of its supply chain to meet high customer demand and readies for some big new-technology announcements. In a video conference call for reporters, DTNA President and CEO Roger Nielsen teased upcoming announcements about predictive maintenance, electric trucks, and further advanced driver assistance systems that can lead to autonomous technologies. The Truck Sales Challenge: Staying on Top of Demand Around the world, Daimler Trucks last year sold more than 470,000 trucks last year. In North America, Daimler Trucks North America posted record Class 6-8 market share of 39.8%, or about 151,000 trucks, buses and chassis. Driving that success, Nielsen said, were: More than 46,000 orders for the new Cascadia Increasing popularity of the integrated Detroit powertrain, with 96% of all Cascadias spec’ed with Detroit engines. The DT12 automated manual transmission goes into 75% of all Cascadias and Western Star 5700 (93% in the new-generation Cascadia). Detroit Assurance 4.0, the latest version of DTNA’s active safety system suite, which uses a camera system and radar to provide adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane departure warning, etc. “The penetration rate far exceeds what we expected,” Nielsen noted, saying it’s spec’ed in nearly 90% of Cascadias. Western Star was at an all-time high for order intake. Aftermarket parts sales; 2017 saw another parts distribution center open in Indianapolis, and Daimler expanded with its acquisition of the Mascot driveline reman business. For 2018, DTNA expects a “significant increase in overall sales,” to levels seen in 2015, if market conditions remain sustainable. January and February order intakes so far this year are at or near record levels. “To meet that demand, we’re increasing production capacity everywhere,” Nielsen said, noting that the truck market “has definitely headed up – it’s over-caffeinated like me.” Asked what’s driving the market, he said, “we’re seeing real demands from real shippers who need vehicles. As we survey regular customers, we are not seeing truck parked along the fence – they’re able to seat drivers.” However, he said, for all but a few DTNA customers, those truck orders are for replacement trucks rather than added capacity. In addition, he said, “the market does have an upper limit,” and the challenge in meeting the demand for new trucks will be the supply chain for parts and components. Daimler has flexible capacity to make models in more than one location. “When I look at the constraints our suppliers are facing, it’s not raw materials, it’s labor – people who want to come work second and third shift.” 2018 Goals: From Uptime to Electric Trucks Nielsen outlined six goals he has for Daimler Trucks North America in 2018: “Put our customers first in every aspect of our business.” Much of this revolves around uptime, he said, whether it’s designing reliability into new products, extensive product testing, improving turnaround time and transparency in dealer repairs, or using data to help give insights and speed decision-making. In data it tracks from a representative group of customers, 55% of repairs are not completed within 24 hours. While that’s an improvement, Nielsen noted, it’s still not good enough for fleets, who’d love to have repairs made during the 10-hour break time of the driver. The next step, he said, is predictive analytics. (See more below.) “Continue the Detroit success story.” In addition to high market penetration for Detroit engines and DT12 transmission, nearly 73% of DTNA vehicles have Detroit axles on the front and 46% on the rear axle. “Now we turn our attention to the continued successful rollout of the MDEC medium-duty line of engines,” the DD5 introduced in 2016 and the DD8 being rolled out now. “We are focusing on giving choices to our medium-duty customers that they don’t necessarily have anywhere else in the industry.” Successfully manage the market cycle. As noted above, expected high truck sales will put a strain on the ability to produce the trucks ordered. Someone wanting a truck delivered in the first half of the year is already out of luck. “We are a global company with a global supply chain, and frankly the difficult part of the task now is to manage the supply chain and make sure everyone keeps pace with demand.” Upgrade and expand the parts business. A new parts distribution center is opening in Des Moines, Iowa, bringing the total to nine, and more PDCs are planned for the West Coast. “With this, over 80% of dealers are now within 350 miles – less than a day’s drive – of a PDC,” Nielsen noted, allowing for next-morning or even same-day parts delivery. DTNA continues to expand its product lines of Alliance Truck Parts, and will be opening Alliance Truck Parts retail stores throughout the country. E-commerce, he said, is part of the picture as well. Leverage the global resources and technology of Daimler, especially in the area of truck electrification. Mitsubishi Fuso last year rolled out the eCanter, and just this month Mercedes-Benz announced a “baby 8” heavy-duty electric e-Actros for Europe. Nielsen hinted that we’ll see a truck electrification announcement here in North American mid-year. Drive future technology. “We want to put future technology out there that makes sense for our customers,” Nielsen said. “They don’t want new technology for the sake of technology; they want new technology because they believe it can give them a competitive edge in the marketplace and can reduce their real cost of ownership.” Daimler is spending more than 500 million euros, some $620 million, for research and development into connectivity, electric mobility, and automated driving for trucks. To help with these goals, DTNA has a couple of new executives. Sanjiv Khurana has been appointed to the newly created position of general manager of connectivity. Andreas Juretzka is heading up a newly created electric mobility group. Both report directly to Nielsen.

Geely held informal talks with FCA before Daimler stock purchase Bloomberg / February 27, 2018 MILAN -- Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. held informal talks about the potential takeover of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles before the Chinese manufacturer turned its attention toward Daimler AG, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Li Shufu, the Chinese billionaire who controls Geely, approached FCA in the middle of last year as he was scouting for options to expand outside China, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the move wasn’t disclosed. Li opted not to make a formal offer as the two parties had different views on future valuations of Fiat Chrysler after the company’s five-year growth plan through 2018, they said. Representatives for Geely and Fiat Chrysler refused to comment. Automotive News reported in August that a Chinese automaker had submitted a bid for FCA, but that the bid was rejected for being too low. Automotive News did not reveal the identity of the Chinese automaker at the time. After the story ran, other Chinese automakers, including Great Wall, also expressed interest in some or all of FCA’s assets. Fiat Chrysler said in August it was “not approached” by Great Wall and that the carmaker is "fully committed” to a five-year plan through 2018. Since the Automotive News story ran on Aug. 14, 2017, FCA’s U.S. stock price more than doubled, before retreating slightly this month. FCA shares were trading midday at $21.69, down 7 cents. Fiat Chrysler has a market value of about $33 billion. Daimler stock buy Having moved on from FCA, Li announced the purchase of a 7.3 billion euro ($9 billion) stake in Daimler AG last week. With that deal, Geely has become the German company’s largest shareholder, while the investment is the biggest by a Chinese company in an international automaker. Geely already owns Volvo Car AB and last year agreed to buy an almost $4 billion stake in truckmaker Volvo AB. As Geely and other Chinese automakers seek to expand in Europe and the U.S., FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne has been a vocal proponent of consolidation, arguing that the industry wastes money by developing multiple versions of the same technology. However, since General Motors Co. rebuffed his idea for a merger in 2015, the CEO has switched focus to cutting debt and has said the carmaker no longer needs a partner. FCA is making progress toward a target to almost double profit by the end of this year from 2016, while the stock has also gained on speculation the company was seeking a combination with and was courted by Chinese competitors. The size of China’s car market has already surpassed the U.S. It’s one area where local companies like Geely and Great Wall Motor are encouraged by the government to go overseas to secure key technologies and access to resources.

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