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Kenworth Truck Co. Press Release / November 29, 2017 The 12 images featured on the Kenworth 2018 Calendar. .

Springfield News-Sun / November 30, 2017 Members of Springfield’s UAW Local 402 have started a letter-writing campaign to Ohio Gov. John Kasich and state lawmakers after Navistar lost its years-long hold on a contract to provide trucks for the Ohio Department of Transportation. Navistar, which employs more than 1,800 workers at its Springfield manufacturing plant and has thousands of retirees in the area, lost a bid to supply roughly 130 trucks to ODOT next year to Valley Freightliner, a Cleveland-area truck dealership. Navistar’s bid came in slightly higher than Freightliner, said Jason Barlow, president of the UAW Local 402. But both bids were close, he said, and a provision in state law should have kicked in giving preference to Navistar because of its larger economic impact on Ohio. But ODOT officials said the agency followed the rules of its bid process to get taxpayers the best value and that Navistar can bid on future annual contracts. The state’s decision could have a trickle-down effect, Barlow said, because townships and other local government entities often look to ODOT before making their own purchases. The Freightliner dealership is located in Ohio, but Barlow said that company’s trucks are manufactured in another state whereas Navistar makes them in Springfield. The 2018 bid included 128 trucks purchased from Valley Freightliner and three from Rush Truck–Cincinnati. The state evaluated eight bids, according to ODOT. Navistar has long had a hold on the contract, said Matt Bruning, an ODOT spokesman. From fiscal year 2002 to 2017, he said ODOT purchased more than 1,670 trucks from Navistar for $128.1 million. Freightliner received contracts for 73 trucks at $7.7 million during that span. “Ohio law is designed to give all qualified companies a chance to bid on our contracts,” Bruning said. “The goal is to get the best value for Ohio taxpayers. As has been the case for years, a company with a significant economic presence in Ohio was awarded the contract.” Officials from Valley Freightliner and the company’s corporate offices couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday. The UAW has started a campaign to send hundreds of letters to Kasich, ODOT and state lawmakers, requesting that they review the bids again and award the contract to Navistar. “I can’t believe that the state would award a contract to a company that has very little financial impact for the state other than a few dealers, over a company that has had a manufacturing presence in Ohio for over 100 years and currently employs thousands of Ohio citizens,” the union’s letter says. Navistar has been working with the Chamber of Greater Springfield to promote a “Buy Local” campaign encouraging local governments to purchase Navistar vehicles. Barlow pointed to language in state law that says to have a “significant economic presence” businesses must pay taxes and be registered in Ohio and have either 10 or more employees in the state, or have 75 percent or more of their employees in Ohio. Freightliner would qualify under that specific language, Barlow said, but the trucks are manufactured outside Ohio and said the language acts as a loophole. “Nothing against Freightliner, but they don’t have an economic presence in the state of Ohio other than some dealership network,” Barlow said. “If you have a dealership that has 10 to 20 employees versus a manufacturing facility that has 1,800 employees, and for every job we have, there are four others out there through the supply base — that’s a huge economic presence.” State Rep. Kyle Koehler, R-Springfield, said he’s looking into whether new legislation could clear up language in the bid process to prevent future disputes. “I’m trying to do everything I can within my power to help Navistar move forward with this,” Koehler said. “My hope as a state legislator is that I can change maybe how the state of Ohio looks at buying things that are made in Ohio. There’s currently some wording out there that helps businesses in Ohio but I think it’s vague and it needs to be strengthened.”

Did you call Watt's Mack and ask on availability of the 76MO213P1 complete assembly?

Automotive News - Reuters / November 29, 2017 FRANKFURT -- Germany's ZF Friedrichshafen, the world's second-largest auto [and commercial truck] supplier, said on Wednesday that its supervisory board chairman , Giorgio Behr, was stepping down. A company spokesman said Behr was giving four weeks' notice, but declined to comment further. Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper earlier reported Behr's departure, saying the move was due to a power struggle between Behr and the company's owners over strategy after they blocked a takeover of U.S. commercial truck parts supplier Wabco Holdings. The Friedrichshafen-based supplier wants to cut its dependence on combustion-engine cars, and has sought to build up its expertise in components for autonomous and electric vehicles. Earlier this year, ZF took a 40 percent stake in German lidar maker Ibeo Automotive and made an unsuccessful $515 million bid for Swedish brake systems group Haldex. ZF ranks No. 2 on the Automotive News list of the top 100 global suppliers with worldwide sales to automakers of $38.46 billion during its 2016 fiscal year.

This is an illustration of the US market (50-inch spread) Kenworth 6-rod suspension (KW6-50). http://www.stengelbros.net/Kenworth--Big-6-KW6-50-Rear-Spring-Suspension_c_1250.html Australia uses a 60-inch spread variant (KW6-60A).

Many R and RD models we exported years ago to central and South America didn't have heaters. All dealers had the option to delete it.

Transport Topics / November 28, 2017 WORCESTER, Mass. — The state Supreme Judicial Court has upheld rulings in favor of the truck manufacturer and the maker of a piece of truck equipment in a wrongful death suit filed by the widow of Northboro pitching star Mark Fidrych. The 1976 American League Rookie of the Year was found dead underneath his 10-wheel dump truck at his 107-acre farm in Northboro in April 2009. The medical examiner ruled that Fidrych, 54, died of asphyxiation when his clothing became entangled in a spinning component of the vehicle’s undercarriage while he was underneath, working on the truck. His widow, Ann Pantazis, sued Mack Trucks Inc., the maker of the truck, and Parker-Hannifin Corp., which had acquired the assets of Dana Corp. Dana manufactured the “power take-off” equipment that was part of the system used to raise and lower the dump-truck bed. Pantazis’ suit accused the companies of insufficiently warning of dangers posed by the moving parts. She had sought $5 million apiece from Mack Trucks and from the maker of the truck component before filing suit in Worcester Superior Court in 2012. In two separate summary judgment rulings, different Superior Court judges ruled in favor of each of the defendants. On Nov. 27, the Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the earlier Superior Court rulings. The SJC decision stated: “We conclude that where, as here, the components manufactured by the defendants included no design defects, and the risks posed by the assembled product arose out of the addition of other components and the decisions made, and actions taken, by downstream actors, the defendants had no duty to warn of those dangers.” Fidrych was a farmer and independent dump truck driver after his baseball career, which included one of the most magical rookie seasons in history. The curly-haired righthanded pitcher was only 21 in 1976 when he went 19-9 for the Detroit Tigers, starting the All-Star Game after winning seven of his first eight decisions. Nicknamed “The Bird” for his gawky resemblance to the Big Bird character on the PBS children’s show “Sesame Street,” Fidrych endeared himself to the nation with his colorful personality and offbeat antics. He would appear to talk to the ball, get on his hands and knees to groom the mound, and high-five teammates after they made routine plays. His baseball career was cut short by injuries, and he retired in 1983 at age 29. .

Two more companies commit to Tesla orders Today’s Trucking / November 28, 2017 SEATTLE, WA – Two more companies have added themselves to the list of those pre-ordering Tesla’s new fully-electric semi. Shipping company DHL, owned by Deutschhe Post AG, and Fortigo Freight Services said they each ordered a limited number of the trucks due out in 2019. DHL said its 10 trucks will be used for shorter routes, telling Reuters they would be deployed on shuttle runs and same-day customer deliveries, as well as being tested for fuel efficiency on longer runs throughout the United States. Etobicoke, Ontario-based Fortigo – one of Canada’s largest dedicated fleet management companies – said that in addition to testing the trucks, it would be offering a lease-back program to its drivers and independent contractors, if the testing phase is successful. The price for the base model of the trucks is US$150,000 for the 500-kilometer range battery, and US$180,000 for the 800-kilometer range battery, with US$20,000 due up front as a deposit. Elias Demangos, president of Fortigo Freight, said the company didn’t hesitate to secure a spot on the waiting list for the trucks. “The transportation and trucking industry has a legacy of being quite conservative in its approach to innovation, and needs to look towards the technology that will shape the future of the industry,” he said. Tesla told Reuters they will not be confirming which companies have ordered trucks, or providing a final tally of the number of trucks ordered. So far Walmart, J.B. Hunt, and Loblaw Companies have also confirmed they have placed pre-orders with Tesla, and will be putting the trucks on the road in Canada.

Carriers can comment on EPA’s glider kit emissions exemption plan until January 5 Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ) / November 28, 2017 Truckers and other industry stakeholders have until January 5 to file formal comments on the EPA’s proposal to exempt glider kit vehicles from the Phase 2 tractor-trailer emissions standards enacted last year by the Obama Administration. The EPA earlier this month announced its plan to reclassify glider kits as non-new vehicles, thereby restricting the EPA’s ability to regulate their exhaust emissions, and to repeal the glider kit-specific provisions of the Phase 2 emissions regulations. Public comments can be made at this link. The remainder of the Phase 2 standards will remain intact. The sweeping regulations call for a roughly 25 percent reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases of tractor-trailers by 2027, with phased-in benchmarks set in the meantime to help manufacturers work toward the EPA’s requirements. The glider kit regulations set by the Phase 2 rule are slated to take effect in January. The EPA likely will move quickly after the end of the comment period to finalize the rule and exempt glider kit manufacturers from compliance. The regs only applied to new glider kit vehicles, not those already in operation. The Phase 2 standards did offer a limited exemption for glider kit builders and individuals who build less than 300 kits a year. Manufacturers like Fitzgerald’s, and even some truck OEMs, can build thousands of glider kits a year, meaning they would have had to drastically alter their operations to meet the Phase 2 rule’s standards. The EPA claimed that 10,000 glider kits, which is roughly the amount sold each year in the U.S., produced nearly the same amount of emissions of greenhouse gases and NOx as 200,000 modern trucks and engines. Fresh research from Tennessee Tech University, published this year, refuted that claim, however. The EPA leaned on the new research in deciding to repeal the glider kit emissions regs set by the Phase 2 rule.

I never heard of a connection between Hughes and the A6M. It resembles the Gloster F.5/34. It has been claimed that the Zero's design showed a clear influence from British and American fighter aircraft and components exported to Japan in the 1930s, and in particular on the American side, the Vought V-143 fighter. Chance Vought had sold the prototype for this aircraft and its plans to Japan in 1937. Eugene Wilson, president of Vought, claimed that when shown a captured Zero in 1943, he found that "There on the floor was the Vought V 142 [sic] or just the spitting image of it, Japanese-made", while the "power-plant installation was distinctly Chance Vought, the wheel stowage into the wing roots came from Northrop, and the Japanese designers had even copied the Navy inspection stamp from Pratt & Whitney type parts." While the sale of the V-143 was fully legal, Wilson later acknowledged the conflicts of interest that can arise whenever military technology is exported. Counterclaims maintain that there was no significant relationship between the V-143 (which was an unsuccessful design that had been rejected by the U.S. Army Air Corps and several export customers) and the Zero, with only a superficial similarity in layout. The Zero resembled the 1937 British Gloster F.5/34. Performance of the Gloster F.5/34 was comparable to that of early model Zeros, with its dimensions and appearance remarkably close to the Zero. Gloster had a relationship with the Japanese between the wars, with Nakajima building the carrier-based plane, the Gloster Gambet, under license. However allegations about the Zero being a copy have been discredited by some authors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_A6M_Zero .

This Smithsonian video on Pearl Harbor is extremely well done. A lot of "never before seen" footage.

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Lost Tapes: Pearl Harbor Take an unprecedented look at the attack on Pearl Harbor entirely through news reports, public statements, recently declassified documents, and footage recorded in the days before, during, and after the event that shook the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3oRGVKAeKQ

Scania Group Press Release / November 28, 2017 Remi Skillingsås, Head of Transport at fuel suppliers Qstar knows perhaps better than anyone the value of fuel. This is why the company has always focused sharply on fuel-efficient vehicles – and skilled drivers. It all started with a modest filling station in Östra Husby in the county of Östergötland, Sweden in 1990. Today, you can see Qstar’s characteristically bright-red filling stations in 400 locations all over Sweden. The emphasis is on the whole country, because Qstar focuses intensely on covering smaller towns and rural communities where many larger companies wind up their operations. “This means that we have all kinds of runs: short and long, on country roads and on motorways. This variety has led us to always stress the importance of driving our tankers in a fuel-efficient manner,” says Qstar’s Head of Transport Remi Skillingsås. Qstar currently has its own fleet of two tractor units, eleven trailers and six drivers employed by the company. Also, the company works with subcontractors who drive another nine tractor units. Scania is the natural choice for Qstar, according to Remi Skillingsås. “After all, we want to have the best drivers. They need to feel happy with us and stay with us. That’s why we invest in the best vehicles. As a fuel supplier and haulage firm, we naturally want to take responsibility for our customers and for the environment. And that’s why we always want to improve efficiency and challenge ourselves,” says Remi. A fuel saving of five percent Qstar became interested in Scania’s new generation of trucks at an early stage for this precise reason. A fuel saving of five percent was enticing, and the decision was made to buy in a Scania R 500. “The savings promised have even been exceeded – our calculations show that we’ve reduced our fuel consumption by between seven and eight percent, which we’re extremely proud of,” he says. The new truck is not the only thing behind this reduction. Qstar has also used Scania’s driver coaching to hone the skills of its drivers and further reduce consumption, explains Teddy Soneland, whose role is “Driver no. 1” at Qstar and who is responsible for a large share of operations in the haulage business. “We’ve always driven economically, but to move up a notch in our development, we took part in Scania’s driver coaching. It’s meant a great deal to follow things up on a daily and monthly basis. Driver coaching also means that you never stagnate but instead always try to develop. Good can always be better,” he says. Teddy Soneland praises the feel of his new Scania. “I personally gain a great deal of benefit from Scania’s technical solutions, such as the cruise control with GPS. And the new gearbox with extremely good rollout,” says Teddy. Comfort is also worth a great deal, he adds. “I like the details, like there being a convenient place to put your flask, good storage spaces, opportunities to charge your phone, and being able to connect two mobile phones simultaneously – details that mean that being at work is enjoyable,” he says. Based on these impressive results, Remi Skillingsås is now considering a suitable reward for the company’s drivers. “We’ve achieved fantastic things, and we’re hugely proud of our drivers, who did all the work,” says Remi in a mixture of Swedish and Norwegian. “We’re now thinking about doing something for them in return, and we’ll see what that turns out to be.” Qstar’s five top tips for saving fuel: Hunt decilitres, not minutes (change your mental attitude). Always drive at the right speed (driving too fast is the single biggest drain on fuel). Make use of rollout on roundabouts and crowns of hills, for example. Use technical aids such as cruise control with GPS. Be extremely predictive. Read the traffic in advance. Braking wastes fuel. .

This product was introduced in 2014. With global markets in mind including the US, I wanted to share it. I think Ford did a nice job with it. .

General Motors Press Release / November 21, 2017 The 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD AllMountain concept, a one-of-a-kind snow-climbing machine, will debut this week at VailMountain. The SierraAllMountain concept takes GMC’s signature bold design and engineering excellence to new heights, adding tank-like tracks that help it navigate rugged, snow-covered terrain. VAIL, Colo. — The 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD AllMountain concept, a one-of-a-kind snow-climbing machine, will debut this week at VailMountain. The SierraAllMountain concept takes GMC’s signature bold design and engineering excellence to new heights, adding tank-like tracks that help it navigate rugged, snow-covered terrain. Built on a GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali 4WD Crew Cab platform, the epitome of GMC’s strength and design, the AllMountain concept stands ready to tackle steep slopes and extreme weather conditions. It combines the power of the 6.6L turbo-diesel V-8 engine and first-class interior appointments of the Sierra 2500HD Denali and adds enhanced capability and features through concept Mattracks® technology and GMC Accessories. “With GMC’s focus on premium capability and design, we wanted to ensure that this concept took these signature attributes to an entirely new level,” said Carl Zipfel, GMC exterior designer. “The SierraAllMountain concept Mattracks® technology enables the truck to conquer uncharted territory while highlighting premium interior features such as Bose speakers and upscale leather treatments.” Sierra AllMountain Concept Features: Mattracks® 150 Series Tracks with GMC Red finish Bodyside graphics Wheel well and underbody LED lights Snowboard Racks, associated accessories by Thule® Amplifier and Dual Pod Speaker Kit, associated accessories by KICKER® RIGID E-Series 30-Inch Light Bar Soft roll-up tonneau cover by Advantage Duramax® 6.6L Turbo Diesel engine with 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque Allison® 1000 six-speed automatic transmission The GMC Sierra All Mountain will remain on display at Vail for the winter season as part of an exclusive partnership announced earlier this year with Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN), the leading global mountain resort company. In addition to the main partnership with Vail Resorts, Inc., GMC has extended its presence by also collaborating with the Vail Valley Foundation and the Town of Vail. GMC will have a large presence in the Town of Vail through vehicle displays, courtesy vehicles, signage and special events. “The SierraAllMountain concept is perfectly suited for the outdoor activities offered at Vail properties,” said Rich Latek, director of GMC Marketing. “This unique concept truck is a fun way to attract attention to GMC and highlight our partnership with Vail Resorts.” A similar SierraAllMountain concept, built on a Sierra 2500HD All Terrain X platform, will be on display at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show. .

2018 Ford F-150 Car & Driver / November 2017 From top to bottom, the best pickup around. Period. The F-150 has been Ford’s top-selling model and company cash cow for decades. Matching its modern aluminum-body construction is a slew of advanced engines and high-tech driver assists. The handsome hauler can be outfitted for every job and every personality, with three cab and bed styles and numerous appearance packages. Its premier powertrain is a lively twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 producing 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, it’s capable of towing a best-in-class 13,200 pounds. From top to bottom, the iconic F-150 is the most complete and compelling full-size pickup to be found. Period. Highs Excellent engine selection, class-leading capability, innovative high-tech features. Lows Turbo engines fail to elevate fuel economy, late availability for the diesel, that’s about it. Verdict The F-150 is the most complete and compelling full-size pickup to be found. What’s New for 2018? On the surface, the 2018 F-150 is refreshed with new grille designs, bumpers, exterior lighting, tailgates, and wheels. Under the hood is where the most significant updates are. Every F-150 powertrain has auto stop/start technology. This includes an all-new base 3.3-liter V-6 (replacing the old 3.5-liter version), a second-generation 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6, and a heavily revised 5.0-liter V-8 with increased horsepower and torque. A diesel engine will join the party in spring 2018. Apart from the 3.3-liter V-6, every engine now pairs with Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission. Several models have revised interiors with new colors, materials, and options. The infotainment system adds optional 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity and a high-end Bang & Olufsen audio system. Among the additional active safety assists are adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality and forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection. What Was New for 2017? The 2017 F-150 lineup had mostly minor changes. The biggest addition was an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission that was previously only available with the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6. An available STX appearance package was new, too. The paint-color palette added Lightning Blue, Avalanche, and White Gold as well. Trims and Options We’d Choose While we’ve gushed over the rowdy Raptor off-road specialist and its predisposition for pure, dumb fun, the practical purchaser will prefer the regular F-150. The well-rounded Ford can be outfitted for every occasion, from a bare-bones workhorse (starting at $28,675) to a luxury limo costing as much as $65,000 for the top-tier Limited trim. We think the mid-level Lariat SuperCrew with the six-and-a-half-foot cargo bed represents the best combination of versatility and value. The 325-hp twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6 is the standard engine, but upgrading to the more powerful 375-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 only costs an extra $1600. That engine is responsive and quick, and it pumps out 470 lb-ft of torque. Adding all-wheel drive isn’t necessary for everyone, but the $3375 option is a must for harsh Michigan winters. Every Lariat has standout standard features such as: • Leather-trimmed front bench with 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat • 8.0-inch Sync 3 touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto • Proximity-key entry with push-button start • Dual-zone automatic climate control • Heated and cooled front seats We’d also opt for the Max Trailer Tow package ($1295), which adds coolers for engine oil and transmission fluid, an electronic locking rear axle (3.55 axle ratio), a 36-gallon fuel tank, a trailer backup assist, and more. This setup unlocks the F-150’s class-leading maximum tow capacity of 13,200 pounds. In total, our all-wheel-drive Lariat SuperCrew costs $50,910. In Depth: 2018 Ford F-150 - https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-ford-f-150-in-depth-model-review

Barra, Marchionne, Hinrichs meet with Pence amid discord over NAFTA Bloomberg / November 27, 2017 WASHINGTON -- Top executives from the Detroit 3 automakers met with Vice President Mike Pence on Monday amid tension over the Trump administration’s efforts to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne, General Motors CEO Mary Barra and Joe Hinrichs, Ford Motor Co.’s president of global operations, discussed "trade, commerce and manufacturing policy and how it impacts their business." The meeting also included National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the vice president's office said. Automakers have plenty of issues to raise. President Donald Trump has pushed for companies to construct more auto assembly plants in the U.S., while also pushing for major changes to NAFTA. Trump’s negotiators want to increase the share of U.S. parts required for vehicles assembled in North America to receive duty-free treatment under NAFTA, a change that the auto industry has warned could undercut Trump’s America First goals. "We view the modernization of NAFTA as an important opportunity to update the 23-year-old agreement and set the stage for an expansion of U.S. auto exports," Matt Blunt, the president of the American Automotive Policy Council, said after the meeting. Blunt said that the automakers appreciated "the opportunity to directly address the industry's concerns with the administration's rule of origin proposal." Lighthizer is overseeing the renegotiation of NAFTA on behalf of the Trump administration. The latest round of negotiations ended last week with little progress. Mexico and Canada rejected the U.S. proposal to raise the minimum threshold for autos to 85 percent North American content from 62.5 percent as well as to require half of vehicle content to be from the United States. Meanwhile, the administration is conducting a review of environmental regulations enacted during the Obama administration that aim to boost the fuel efficiency of the average new car to more than 50 mpg by 2025. Carmakers say the rules are too aggressive and asked the Trump administration to reopen a review of the regulations.

As you can see, the Meritor (Rockwell) AC6S was available as recently as 2007 in the Super-Liner and Titan, as well as both Trident configurations (axle forward and axle back). Super-Liner HD Tractor 6x4 (2007).pdf Titan (2007).pdf Trident - Axle Back (2007).pdf Trident - Axle Forward (2007).pdf

The PDF is Australian market, where the AC6 was VERY popular on all brand trucks including Mack. ArvinMeritor AC6 Series 6-rod suspensions.pdf

Certainly stop-and-go situations like refuse and municipal transit are great targets, given the frequent ability to regenerate, and make brake shoe replacement a rarity.

Tesla Lists Electric Truck at $150K for Base Model Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / November 27, 2017 Tesla has posted the prices for its upcoming electric truck, the Tesla Semi, showing a base price of $150,000 for the base model. The base model will have a 300-mile range, less than the 500-mile figure given by company founder and CEO Elon Musk at the Tesla Semi’s introduction in late November. The 500-mile range version will sell for $180,000. The company is already accepting reservations for the vehicle at $20,000 a pop. The truck is expected to go into production in 2019. If you balked at the aforementioned base prices, Tesla will also offer a limited-edition Founders Series truck for $200,000, requiring a $200,000 reservation. Tesla will only produce 1,000 Founders Series Tesla Semis. Tesla’s vice president of truck and programs, Jerome Guillen, gave a presentation at an electric truck conference in Europe. While he was speaking about the Tesla Semi’s future in the European market, he did offer a few more details about the truck. For one thing, Guillen said Tesla would be its own first customer, using the Tesla Semi to haul cargo between its facilities in Freemont, Calififornia, and its Gigafactory just outside of Reno, Nevada, a route of about 260 miles. Most of what Guillen presented to the audience in Europe was a rehash of specs and expected performance marks that were given at Tesla’s official launch. However, he did comment that the truck would have a similar cargo capacity to diesel trucks, implying that the weight of the Tesla Semi would not be significantly more or less than an average Class 8 truck – something many skeptics doubt is possible. Guillen did not give an expected launch date for the Tesla Semi in the European market, but promised a vague timing that would come after “things are good in the U.S.”

Blowin’ in the wind Paul Menig, Fleet Owner / November 27, 2017 One of my favorite songs over the years is Blowing in the Wind by Peter, Paul, and Mary. I thought of this line while considering the specifications given for the new Tesla Semi. Before I go further, a confession. I worked with Jerome Guillen, the manager for the Tesla Semi, when he was at Freightliner, now Daimler Trucks North America. At first he was a consultant from McKinsey helping with cost reduction. Then he became the program manager for the Freightliner Cascadia, which hit the market in 2007. I have a lot of respect for Jerome. He’s got a doctorate in physics, so he knows his stuff both technically and from a business perspective. Like some other editors, I’ve got a few questions regarding the specifications on the new product from Tesla. I was impressed, almost to the point of disbelief, by the aerodynamic spec of a CdA of .36. In the work I’ve done, I usually see percentage improvements in aerodynamics. Few, if any, have revealed publicly their aerodynamic performance specification. I’ve worked on reviews of GHG2 regulations and thought that was way beyond realistic. But, it turns out it is much better than the results for the average production vehicle, but not beyond what has been demonstrated in concept vehicles. It is in the GHG2 rules as meeting the highest aerodynamic level of Bin VII. The images in the release show a truck with cameras instead of mirrors. Well, that’s not legal. I’m not sure our government is about to change that. Certainly, not in time for a production release in 2 years. The government cannot work that fast. I look forward to having an independent, respected group run a test. What’s missing for me, is the wind average aerodynamic performance. Winds hit a truck at all angles at the same time that they slice through the air going forward. Come to think of it, the truck is so good, it might make sense for another truck maker to buy into Tesla to use some of those trucks to help with its average for GHG2 production. But, then, why did Toyota and Daimler sell their stakes in Tesla in the last few years. I heard Elon Musk talk about jack knifing of semi’s. I’ve been working on braking systems and advanced safety systems for many years. Most jack knifing accidents were eliminated with the advent of ABS. Further improvements in semi safety were made with those fleets that chose roll stability control, a different accident. Finally, as of August 1 of this year, all semis should have ESB (Enhanced Stability Control) with braking at each individual wheel end to avoid loss of control. I don’t see the claim for the Tesla Semi as any better than every other semi in production now. (As a side point, in Europe it’s called ESP for Enhanced Stability Pneumatics. But it acts as if it has ESP and can understand what the truck is thinking.) Price may not be as prohibitive as some are suggesting. This vehicles saves the cost of an engine, transmission, driveline, and two axles. That’s a lot of expensive metal and electronics that are eliminated. They are replaced by expensive batteries, and 4 wheel end motors. Costs of those items are decreasing. Europes coaches and buses are moving to electric quite quickly, which should help with the wheel end motors. Batteries are decreasing in cost as well. Cost might not be as bad as you think. The claims made about no breakdown in a million miles seems a bit of an overoptimistic marketing ploy. I believe I heard some disclaimers such as regular maintenance and such. Electrical connections almost always have some issues along the way. One more comment on the specs. What will it mean for a fully loaded tractor/trailer rig to go from 0-60 mph in just 20 seconds? You better have that load in the trailer secured exceptionally well. Next up? The Nikola product introduction. Stay tuned. It likely will not be as electrifying.

Tesla announces Semi prices, raises reservation cost to $20,000 Neil Abt, Fleet Owner / November 27, 2017 Tesla announced on its website the price for its Semi Class 8 electric truck will start at $150,000 for a model with a 300-mile range, and $180,000 for a 500-mile range. The company also said it increased the per-order reservation price for the trucks to $20,000. At the unveiling event earlier this month, CEO Elon Musk said that figure was $5,000 per vehicle. In addition, Tesla said it was offering a “Founders Series” model for an upfront charge of $200,000, which guarantees receiving one of the first 1,000 Semis produced. Tesla claims the truck will have the lowest cost of ownership when it hits the road in 2019. It said electric energy costs are half of diesel and that the Semi will provide at least $200,000 in fuel savings over the life of the vehicle. Additional information such as the weight of the vehicle and other specifications have not yet been released. Separately, officials with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach told the Daily Breeze they have met with Tesla engineers to learn about the truck. It is part of the effort to reach zero emissions for all on-road equipment by 2035, said Chris Cannon, director of environmental management for the Port of Los Angeles.