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In the US, the many religions, from Lutherans and Baptists to Presbyterians and Episcopalians, to those of the Amish and Mormon faiths all live under one country's roof without any getting unreasonably special treatment. They all eat the same food, aside from the Jewish faith who sometimes go for kosher, a niche market. However, we have other issues. The entitled and minorities want government assistance in job placement, so now Joe and Sue Normal are discriminated against in job applications because they aren't minorities (Obviously, the most "qualified" individual should get the job, be his/her skin color white, purple or other). And every company's answering system wants to know if you want to speak in Spanish or English, which I have long found odd given that English is the defacto official language of the United States (If you want to speak Spanish, why did you come to the U.S.?) Paul, you all need to take your country back.

Radical Islamist? kills 5 in Melbourne ABC News / January 20, 2017 A young child is among five people who were killed when a car was deliberately driven into pedestrians in Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall. Police shot the 26-year-old driver, James "Jimmy" Gargasoulas, who had stabbed his brother in the arm early Friday morning. He is under police guard in hospital. At least 24 people were injured with five understood to be in a critical condition. The injured were taken to The Alfred, St Vincent's, Royal Melbourne and Royal Children's hospitals. A 10-year-old girl, a 25-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman died at the scene, while a 33-year-old man died in hospital on Friday night. A three-month-old died after being rushed to the hospital in a police car, and a two-year-old is in intensive care. Commissioner Ashton said at 1:45pm the vehicle entered the city driving erratically and did "burnouts" on the corner of Swanston and Flinders streets. "The vehicle proceeded up Swanston Street, then turned left into Bourke Street and entered the mall," he said. "We suspect that [the driver was] intentionally hitting pedestrians. Travelling at speed right through the mall. "It has then continued along Bourke Street, continuing over the intersection of Elizabeth Street and it has made its way up to approximately 501, or thereabouts outside the RACV Club in Bourke Street. "At that time, police intercepted the vehicle, as I understand it, they rammed the vehicle." Police said they believed the man was involved in a stabbing at 2:15am in Windsor, where he attacked his brother. Commissioner Ashton said the suspect was known to police and was also charged over an incident last weekend. "There is an extensive family violence history involved. He has come to our attention on many occasions in the past. We have mental health and drug-related issues in the background of this particular person," he said. "He has been coming to our attention more recently over recent days in relation to assaults, family violence-related assaults." He said they attempted to intercept the vehicle this morning but he was driving so erratically they called off the pursuit and called in the air wing. Commissioner Ashton said there was a woman in the car with the man as he travelled over the Bolte Bridge towards the city from Yarraville. She got out of the car on the bridge. He said investigators were trying to determine why she was in the car, or if she was being held hostage. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James "Jimmy" Gargasoulas, 26, the man who mowed down two dozen people in Melbourne's CBD on Friday, killing three and injuring 20 others, has a history of drug use, violence and psychological problems. Gargasoulas stayed with his mother in a public housing flat in Windsor, where he allegedly stabbed his brother, Angelo, in the early hours of Friday morning. Neighbours regularly heard arguing inside the Raleigh Street unit. The car Gargasoulas used to run down pedestrians belonged to 76-year-old Gavin Wilson, who lives at the housing commission flats. Wilson said Gargasoulas was a "nice kid", but on Wednesday night he became violent. He said he came into his flat with a Bible, sat down and started burning it before throwing the burning book into his face. "I flicked it onto the floor then he stood up and punched me," Wilson said. Gargasoulas then attacked him. "Give me your keys or I'll gouge your eyes out," Gargasoulas demanded. Gargasoulas' erratic behaviour dramatically escalated on Friday morning. In the early hours, Jess Bergin said she heard screaming outside her flat on the other side of road and looked out the window. "He had a knife and he was hacking at either a guy or a girl, I don't know," she said. They got into a waiting a car, except for the knife-wielding man, who began hacking at the car, she said. Gargasoulas, who also goes by the name Dimitrios, is currently on bail after being charged with family violence offences last weekend. He is known to police for drug related issues, family violence assaults and has "an extensive family violence history". Police began pursuing Gargasoulas on Friday in a maroon-coloured sedan after he took a woman hostage, who later escaped on the Bolte Bridge. Police called off the pursuit over concerns of public safety, just outside the CBD. The car was next seen doing "burnouts" and driving erratically at the intersection in front of Flinders Street Station. Gargasoulas was filmed hanging out the driver's window and abusing passerby. He then sped north towards Bourke Street, where he ploughed through the crowded shopping strip, killing three people and injuring 20. Police shot Gargasoulas in the arm further west on Bourke Street, dragging him from the sedan and making an arrest. He is being treated in hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A relative said Gargasoulas has had a drug problem and has been in and out of jail for car theft and drug offences. "Jimmy has always been a bad person," she said. "I knew it was him. I saw it on TV ... the picture of him sticking his head out when he was doing burnouts. "I saw a picture and I thought 'Oh My God, that's Jimmy.' I'm shaking. I knew it, as soon as I saw that picture I had this feeling. I can't believe this. "I bawled out crying when they announced that baby died. I'm shaking." .

Paul.......Halal certification......you've got to be kidding me. (Halal food is prepared according to Islamic law, and is free from pork products, alcohol and certain other ingredients) How many Muslims are in Australia? How many of them eat Vegemite? Three? In any regard, if Muslims want to immigrate to Australia, they should be willing to subjugate to the Australian way of life. And that includes consuming standard issue Vegemite. Otherwise, they should stay in a Sharia (Islamic) Law country if eating Halal foods is important to them.

UD Trucks Press Release / January 19, 2017 .

Volvo is aggressively promoting its I-Shift (mDrive) in North America. They always, ultimately, wanted the Mack brand truck to be composed of Volvo global platform components. The Maxitorque transmissions were never part of their plan.

New Kenworth T610 could reshuffle truck market Prime Mover Magazine / January 20, 2017 Kenworth’s new T610 model could be able to compete across a broader area of applications than any other truck currently on the Australian market. According to Peter Shields, Senior Technical Writer at Prime Mover, the new T610 brings with it an “extensive range of versatility” that could see it succeed not only in the 26- and 19m B-double market, but also in the infrastructure boom-led tipper-and-dog segment, and possibly even in Performance-Based Standards (PBS) applications. “Kenworth’s new heavy-duty model is arguably the brand’s most ambitious project to date,” he said. “Walking the line between traditional design and high technology, it’s short enough to fit into Australia’s 26m B-double envelope and thus able to go head-to-head with the increasingly bullish European cab-over faction – all while retaining that distinct North American spirit Australian trucking is so fond of.”

Transport Engineer / January 19, 2017 Wincanton has ordered 100 Mercedes-Benz Actros tractors as part of its expansion plans – and the logistics firm says this could be followed up with “future orders of a similar nature”. The new vehicles will enter service next month and, says Wincanton’s group fleet director Carl Hanson, the Actros tractors are “ahead of the game when it comes to safety”. Safety features include Active Brake Assist 4 (ABA4), which has the ability to recognise when a pedestrian steps out into the vehicle’s path from behind a parked car and automatically applies the brakes. They also feature Proximity Control Assist: when used in conjunction with cruise control, PCA ensures the truck maintains a pre-set distance from the vehicle in front, reducing the risk of rear-end shunts and promoting efficient driving in heavy traffic. Hanson says: “Maintaining the highest levels of safety is a top priority for us and for our customers... These newer vehicles not only include advanced safety features but, as sustainability remains a key consideration for us, they will also help us reduce carbon emissions from our fleet.” .

Commercial Motor TV - sponsored by DAF Trucks / January 19, 2017 .

Volkswagen Truck & Bus Press Release / January 19, 2017 Increase of 3 percent over the previous year 21 percent increase in sales of trucks in Central and Eastern Europe Renschler: “We are very satisfied with the increase in unit sales.” Volkswagen Truck & Bus sold around 184,000 trucks and buses under its MAN, Scania and Volkswagen Truck & Bus Brazil (Caminhões e Ônibus) subsidiaries in fiscal year 2016. This marks a 3 percent increase over the previous year. Of this, MAN Truck & Bus accounted for 83,200 vehicles, 5 percent up on the previous year. Scania unit sales rose by 6 percent over the previous year to 81,350 trucks and buses. On the other hand, unit sales at Volkswagen Truck & Bus Brazil contracted by roughly 17 percent to 20,370 vehicles, reflecting the protracted difficult economic situation in South America, particularly Brazil. Andreas Renschler, Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen Truck & Bus and the member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG responsible for commercial vehicles says: “The crisis in Brazil, Brexit in Europe and the difficult conditions in the Middle East made 2016 a turbulent year. Against this backdrop, we are very satisfied with the increase in units sales achieved. We owe this performance to our outstanding products and a motivated and customer-oriented team. In this way, we were able to more than offset the muted sales in some markets through sales successes elsewhere.” Business in medium-heavy and heavy trucks rose by 2 percent over the previous year. MAN, Scania and Volkswagen Truck & Bus Brazil sold roughly 165,810 trucks. At the same time, the individual regions painted a mixed picture: driven by the sustained economic recovery in Western Europe, the Volkswagen Truck & Bus brands achieved a 9 percent increase in truck sales over the previous year in this region. Gains were recorded in Italy, France and the Netherlands in particular. Truck sales in Central and Eastern Europe rose by a significant 21 percent. By contrast, sales in Brazil were down, contracting by 24 percent over the previous year to 16,270 units. This was due to the protracted macroeconomic difficulties and the difficult financing conditions. Unit sales of buses were also up in 2016. At a total of 17,780 units, the Volkswagen Truck & Bus brands recorded a roughly 4 percent increase compared with the previous year. MAN in the 4th quarter — platooning on the German A9 motorway and electromobility partnership Logistics group DB Schenker and MAN Truck & Bus have forged a development partnership for the deployment of high-tech trucks on the German A9 motorway, signing an agreement to this effect. For the first time, a logistic group and an automotive manufacturer will be joining forces in the development of networked truck platooning and testing these on the road. Looking forward, MAN Truck & Bus will also be working closely with Munich metropolitan utility Stadtwerke München (SWM) and urban transit company Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG) to conduct research into sustainable transportation models. In preparation of the next step towards electromobility, MAN Truck & Bus has entered into an innovation partnership with SWM and MVG. Scania in the 4th quarter — successful new-generation truck series, inductively charged hybrid bus undergoing testing in Södertälje The success of Scania’s new-generation truck series is reflected in numerous favorable comparison tests in the trade press. Nearly all aspects were praised — drivetrain, performance, comfort, brakes, visibility and steering. Among other things, the new Scania ranked highest in German trade magazine Lastauto Omnibus’ renowned 1,000-point test. Since the end of 2016, Scania has been testing a newly developed electric bus with inductive charging in regular city traffic in the Swedish town of Södertälje. This is the first test of this type under Scandinavian climatic conditions. Both the bus and the bus stops form part of a research project in which several organizations are involved. The aim is to develop a quiet and sustainable public transportation system. This is one of several projects being overseen by Scania to develop solutions for future mobility in urban transportation. Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus in the 4th quarter — capital expenditures in the midst of a crisis In December 2016, Volkswagen Truck & Bus Brazil adopted the largest capital expenditure package in its history. Volkswagen’s Brazilian commercial vehicle brand will be spending a total of some €420 million over the next five years to update its range on an ongoing basis, to modernize its production plant in Resende and to develop connectivity services. In this way, the company will be well positioned once demand for trucks and buses picks up again in Latin America.

Land Line (OOIDA) / January 19, 2017 Navistar has recently issued a recall for certain International trucks regarding an issue with batteries, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) documents. An electrical short caused by the defect can potentially lead to a fire. More specifically, certain 2017 International ProStar, LoneStar, 9900i and TransStar trucks are affected. A metallic battery cover latch may unlatch and contact the battery jump start stud, causing an electrical short to ground if the jump start stud is not covered, according to the NHTSA recall. Owners will be notified and instructed to have a dealer install a latch stop to prevent the latch from rotating to the unlatched position at no charge to the customer. Navistar expects the recall to begin on Feb. 17. For more information, call Navistar’s customer service at 800-448-7825 with recall number 16513. NHTSA’s official recall number is 16V-938.

Vegemite goes back to Australian ownership The Financial Times / January 18, 2017 Vegemite, the potently flavoured breakfast spread, is to return to Australian ownership after spending most of its near-century of existence in foreign hands, just as sales growth is starting to flag. Mondelez International [the snack and food brands of the former Kraft Foods Inc] is selling the yeast extract spread to Bega Cheese as part of a A$460m (US$345m) deal. The deal, which enables Deerfield, Illinois-based Mondelez to focus its portfolio on its more global brands such as Oreos and Cadbury’s, comes as sales of Vegemite stagnated last year at A$108m, and declined from A$109.6m in 2014, with the vast majority of those sales made in Australia. Barry Irvin, Bega chief executive, blamed lacklustre Vegemite sales on changes in “breakfast habits”. Irvin says Bega’s strategy to reignite sales was to encourage consumers to eat Vegemite at other times of the day and that other brands included in the sale presented stronger growth opportunities. “Aussies still love their Vegemite,” said Mark Topy, an analyst at Select Equities. “I don’t think Mondelez really knew what to do with the brand and I think an Australian company might have a better idea on how to grow sales. With a bit of brand management, you could see modest growth in Vegemite sales.” Investors applauded the deal, sending Bega’s shares up 11 per cent to A$4.99 in Sydney, with analysts saying it gave the company a level of diversification from dairy during a volatile time in the industry. The sale, announced on Wednesday, brings Vegemite’s ownership full circle back to its Australian roots where it was developed under the Fred Walker Company in 1923, when the eponymous businessman hired chemist Cyril Callister to develop a product to rival Marmite, the British spread that had become popular in Australia. The late Walker formed a partnership with US company Kraft in 1925, which then acquired the Fred Walker Company including ownership of Vegemite. The spread continued to be made in Australia. When Kraft split its international business into a separate company — Mondelez — in 2012, Vegemite became part of that company. As part of the deal, the Port Melbourne-based factory and its 200-strong staff will be transferred to Bega. Bega’s acquisition represents a shift in strategy for a company that has until now been mainly focused on the dairy sector. Since the former dairy co-operative listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2011, it has expanded rapidly. In 2015 it set up a joint venture with Blackmores, the Australian nutritional company, to export infant formula to Asia and develop “lifestyle nutritional” products.

This is hardly the biggest issue on the dinner plate. But that said, I thought we were going to eradicate swamp-like antics. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen billionaire New York Jets' owner Woody Johnson, one of his campaign’s top fundraisers, to serve as the US ambassador to the UK. Johnson was vice chairman of the Trump Victory Committee, helping to raise millions of dollars for Trump's campaign. As many here know, big political donors, fundraisers and "friends" of successful presidential candidates have frequently been given US ambassador posts around the world, rather than people who are actually “qualified” to be ambassador in particular countries. A football team owner is not remotely qualified to be an ambassador. Johnson has never even lived in the UK. He is a spoiled rich kid always with money to burn, the great-grandson of the co-founder of Johnson & Johnson. Trump couldn't have chosen a more unqualified individual.

Ross tells Canada that U.S. will open NAFTA negotiations Automotive News / January 18, 2017 Canadian officials say billionaire Wilbur Ross, the nominee for U.S. commerce secretary, has indicated to them that a formal-notification letter to open negotiations on NAFTA will be sent to Canada and Mexico within days of Friday's inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. The U.S. wants to discuss country-of-origin rules, which govern how much content from outside NAFTA a product can contain and still qualify to be shipped duty-free. Country-of-origin rules affect automakers in North America. Under NAFTA, the country-of-origin threshold for preferential treatment for assembled vehicles is 62.5 percent. The Trump administration is expected to take a harder line on exactly what can cross the border duty-free. The U.S. also wants to discuss independent dispute tribunals, which the U.S. views as unaccountable and says give too much power to Canada and Mexico. Ross is on record as having called NAFTA the “poster child for unbalanced trade and investment.” However, Ross said in October 2016 that “in the case of the trade between the U.S. and Canada, it is relatively much better-balanced than is the trade between the U.S. and Mexico” so “Canada doesn’t have a lot to fear” with Trump as president. Already contacted Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland has already contacted Ross about NAFTA. When she was Minister of International Trade, Freeland helped seal the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in late 2016. She was recently named Minister of Foreign Affairs during a cabinet shuffle, but remains active on the NAFTA file. “The Minister looks forward to working very closely with the new U.S. administration, and with the United States Congress on issues of mutual interest, including trade and investment in various sectors,” said Freeland’s press secretary Chantal Gagnon on Tuesday. “We are clearly a pro-trade government and our deep people-to-people ties and strong integrated economies provide the basis for advancing our strong and prosperous partnership with our southern neighbour.” Gagnon said Canada has also discussed Trump’s proposed “border tax” with his transition team. “We have a constructive working relationship with the Trump transition team, and discussions are ongoing. This particular proposal is something that has been floated for quite some time, and is opposed by at least as many American lawmakers as support it,” Gagnon said, “but at this stage, we are going to continue to work with the incoming administration on the interconnectedness and to the mutual benefits of our two economies.”

Big Rigs / January 18, 2017 Early in 2016, Daimler Truck & Bus Australia/ Pacific lifted the skirts for a little for a peek at new models and new direction under new management. At the time Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus general manager Michael May talked about improved Australianisation of Benz product and told me "we know we can do better”. Since then Benz's curtains of secrecy were ripped apart to expose the full line-up of Actros models in late October 2016. So just how have those plans for Daimler Truck eventuated? In the middle of the silly season, Big Rigs had the opportunity to interrupt play at the Australia versus Pakistan test at the MCG and ask the director of Daimler Truck & Bus, Daniel Whitehead, exactly that question. He told Big Rigs that the company certainly had set high expectations. "I can cautiously say those expectations have been far exceeded and as more customers get (Actros) vehicles on the road I think we are looking forward to having our truck in the market as mainstream product,” he said. Earlier in the year, Mercedes-Benz product boss, Mike May, told me that there was now a corporate realisation that the Aussie market is different to Europe, saying Mercedes- Benz product must adapt to Australian conditions. He said with the development of the new Actros line-up it was necessary to change the corporate mindset. "Rather than being an engineering company driving our products down into the market, it is now about making the application and the customer as starting points,” May said. He said his people need to spend more time in the customers' shoes, trying to understand the needs of an operator running up and down the West Coast, or wherever. Beside Mercedes-Benz, Whitehead's purview covers, among other product lines, Freightliner and Fuso products and even with the receding viability of the resources sector and the impact that has had on US sourced trucks, he is upbeat about Freightliner's performance. "Freightliner was the only American truck that grew market share in 2016. With the dollar and everything it has been a tough market but you can only compete against your competitors and as I said Freightliner was the only brand that grew market share in 2016 and we are very pleased with that.” And with the Japanese wing of the global truck builder, Whitehead said he was pleased with the 2016 performance. "Fuso had 10% growth, over 4000 units for the first time in a long time. Our Fuso dealers are very enthusiastic and a lot of them showed good growth this year and we've got new product coming later in 2017,” he said. But it is the Actros that has the Daimler Benz marketers excited. "I don't want to over promise and under deliver but so far everything we have seen and what we have done has over exceeded our expectations.” He reckons customers are "over the moon” with the truck's performance. "Our customers are seeing some amazing fuel figures. We can always tell you that but when our customers are telling us how good the truck is and how it has exceeded what we told them, that's what we want to hear,” he said. While Whitehead agreed there was a lot of hard work to be done to get the Mercedes-Benz product into the market as a mainstream competitor, he said: "We will get Mercedes-Benz to where it should be.”

UD Trucks Press Release / January 18, 2017 .

Hino Motors Finishes Dakar Rally 2017 at 8th Position Overall, Their First Finish in the Top 10 in Five Years. ―Team Also Makes its 8th Straight Victory in the Under 10-litre Class and Ups Its Own Record to 26th Finishes in the Rally― Hino Motors, Ltd. (Hino) raced in the trucks category of Dakar Rally 2017, which was hosted in Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentina from Jan. 2 through Jan. 14 (local time), making its first top 10 finish in five years since 2012. The team also won its 8th straight championship in the Under 10-litre Class, and upped its own record to 26 finishes since first entering the rally [*1]. After the original Paris-Dakar Rally―starting in Paris and finishing in Dakar―was called off due to political instability in 2008, organizers relocated the event to South America in 2009 and renamed it Dakar Rally. Since then, the rally has been gradually transforming from an exploration-oriented one on the roadless roads of Africa into a high-speed rally where contestants vie for speed over rough terrain. As Hino's rivals, most of whom were based out of Europe, pushed forward by increasing the power of their trucks that ran on engines with displacements of over 10 litres, and drew on their material might sending in larger contingents of staff and supplies, Hino has been steadfastly committed to racing the rally on its "HINO500 Series" trucks with engines smaller than 10 litres. This commitment was based on the team's motto "Softness overcomes hardness [*2]" and the handpicked team of the best and brightest has been working to strengthen their teamwork through the spirit of "valuing harmony." For the past few years, the team has been carefully studying the work of its rivals, and making thorough tunings to its racing trucks based on the uniquely Japanese version of "production craftsmanship." The team also sent all of its members on a month-long training camp to further strengthen the team's overall capabilities. As a result, driver Teruhito Sugawara (44 years of age) finished this year's rally in 8th overall among the 50 entrants in the trucks category, making this the team's first top 10 finish in five years since its 9th place finish in 2012. He also won his 8th straight championship in the Under 10-litre Class. Driver Yoshimasa Sugawara (75 years of age) finished 29th overall and 2nd in the Under 10-litre Class, giving the father and son duo their fourth straight 1-2 victory in the class since 2014. By continuing to take part in the world's top level race, Hino aims to share the excitement of racing with customers and motor sport fans around the world, and build on the spirit of challenge and technological capabilities honed through this experience to deliver products and services that benefit our customers around the world. *1: This was Hino's 26th finish in the race since 1991, not including 2008 when the race was canceled due to political instability. *2: "Ju yoku go wo seisu" is a phrase that is often used in jujitsu and other martial arts which explains how the soft and flexible will overcome the powerful and hard, and by extension how the feeble will overcome the strong. Comments Masakazu Ichikawa (Chairman of the Board, Hino Motors): We have been supporting the team all the while, and Mr. Teruhito's single-digit finish in the category was truly admirable. Mr. Yoshimasa did very well too. I am very happy of these results. Yoshimasa Sugawara (Team director and driver of Car 1): I'm very happy with Teruhito's finish in 8th place overall. We raced as we had planned and were able to win with a 1-2 finish. I am still full of energy. Thank you very much for your support. Mitsugu Takahashi (Navigator of Car 1): The rally seemed zip by in a blink of an eye, and I'm happy to have finished in good shape. The last SS didn't require any navigation, but in terms of the rally overall, there were many areas where navigation was quite difficult so it was tough. Teruhito Sugawara (Driver of Car 2): I'm glad that we were able to finish in 8th position overall. Besides the fact that our trucks have been vastly upgraded, I think the fact that there were many canceled stages and navigation was difficult this year worked to our advantage. That said, this outcome was not a fluke but the result of our hard work. We are looking to upgrading our trucks even more for the next rally. Thank you very much. Hiroyuki Sugiura (Navigator of Car 2): The SS today was set on agricultural roads with right angle turns appearing one after the other. Some sections had turned into muddy swamps and were quite risky as we had trouble bringing the truck to a full stop. In any case, I'm glad that we were able to finish the rally without any problems. This was the first single-digit finish for me so I'm very happy with these results. Seiichi Suzuki (Mechanic leader): I'm glad that we were able to finish without any major problems. I am happy about Car 2's 8th place finish, but I'm certainly not satisfied. We can do much more. Masaki Nakamura (Mechanic sub-leader): I'm relieved that the rally is over. It's great that we were able to achieve the single-digit finish that we were all aiming for. I'd like to give the mechanics a pat on the back for putting in such great work under harsh conditions such as high altitudes, the cold and heat. Hiroyuki Azuma (Mechanic): I'm glad that both trucks were able to finish without anybody getting injured or sick. That was a big thing for me. And I'm ecstatic about these great results. Koji Nakamura (Mechanic): Time just zipped by and it was over even before I knew it. The toughest thing for me was the little amount of sleep we got. That said, I'm glad that we didn't have any major problems. I am very happy with these amazing results. Junya Inoue (Mechanic): Two weeks just flew by. And I'm happy that the truck I was in charge of finished with great results. Kenji Kunimoto (Mechanic): While we didn't encounter as many problems as we did in our test run in the Silk Way Rally, but to be honest, things were much more hectic with two trucks. I think we did pretty well in terms of servicing work. It has been a great experience. Kohei Shimazaki (Support member): Driving the assistance car this year, it really hit me how you can't win against nature, what with the intense rain and cold. I hope I get to come again if the opportunity arises. Koji Tanaka (Support member): It was tough everywhere we went―the highlands, the heat, and this last bivouac. But finishing the competition with great results has a way of melting all that fatigue away. I'm relieved that it's over. Ryu Takashima (Support member): I played a support role and this was the first time I joined team. I had a great time, including the times that I would shout words of support when the going got tough. I hope to be able to speak the language better the next time I come.

Mining / January 18, 2017 Caterpillar is developing autonomous mining truck technology for an expanded range of models, including other brands. At a recent Cat "MineStar" Command for hauling demonstration at the company’s facility in Arizona, Caterpillar announced a project to adapt hardware and software for retrofitting the Komatsu 930E mining truck with Cat autonomous technology. This interoperability initiative is driven by mining companies’ goal of reducing mining costs using their existing fleets. “Retrofitting technology is a proven means for mining companies to get the most from their assets,” said Sean McGinnis, product manager, Command for hauling. “And many mining companies operate mixed fleets of trucks. Developing autonomous systems for other brands of trucks will enable us to offer a total solution to these customers.” Additionally, Caterpillar is expanding the number of Cat truck models fitted for autonomous operation. The autonomous arrangement of the 797F, the largest of the Cat line with 363-tonnes (400 tons) payload capacity, is now being tested. Other models are being evaluated as Caterpillar works with mining companies seeking ways to lower cost per ton and enhance safety. The new Cat autonomous trucks will join the proven Cat 793F CMD in the autonomous mining truck line. A large fleet of the 227-tonne-capacity (250-ton) trucks has achieved a 20 percent productivity advantage over standard trucks working in an Australian iron ore mine. Also, the fleet and support staff have achieved zero lost time injuries since the first trucks started operating more than 3.5 years ago. In keeping with the retrofit trend, several of the current global fleet of 70 Cat 793F autonomous trucks have been retrofitted to operate autonomously. For more information about autonomous machine operation and other Cat MineStar System capabilities, contact a Cat dealer or go to: www.cat.com/minestar .

Who ever thought the "Baby 8" would have such specs ?

Kenworth Truck Company Press Release / January 18, 2017 The popular Kenworth T370 just became even more versatile thanks to the availability of wide base tires for applications requiring up to 20,000-lb. front axle ratings. Available in 385/65R22.5 sizes, from Bridgestone, Goodyear and Michelin, the tires were previously available only on all-wheel drive T370 steer axles with ratings up to 16,000-lbs. “These tires can now be ordered for new T370s with our heaviest non-drive front axles – rated at 16,000-, 18,000- and 20,000-lbs.,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “This provides a larger ‘footprint’ in vocational applications where off-road conditions, such as mud, can making driving difficult. The tires also comply with standards in certain states and Canada, which require larger tires to carry heavier weights.” According to Swihart, the Kenworth T370 is one of the most robust medium duty trucks on the market. “It can be spec’d light, or it can be spec’d heavy with 46,000-pound rear axles and 20,000-pound front axles,” he said. Non-drive front steer axles rated from 16,000- to 20,000-lbs. and 44,000- and 46,000-lbs. heavy-duty tandem-drive rear axles are available from Meritor and Dana. The PACCAR PX-9 engine in the T370 is available with ratings up to 350-hp and 1,150 lb-ft of torque. The Kenworth T370 is also now available with 4.9-inch fender extensions, which reduce road spray from the wide base tires. .

Fleet Owner / January 18, 2017 At the World of Concrete 2017 convention in Las Vegas this week, Mack Trucks introduced upgraded capabilities for its mDrive [aka Volvo I-Shift] automated mechanical transmission (AMT) with the addition of two new functions: rolling start and auto neutral. Both features will come standard on all mDRIVE and mDRIVE HD transmissions, the company said; proprietary transmissions engineered to work exclusively with Mack’s MP series engines [aka. Volvo D11 and D13 engines]. Mack said rolling start allows drivers to shift the transmission into drive without pressing the truck’s service brakes; eliminating the possibility of creating a bump in the paving surface, which is a critical benefit for paving applications, the OEM noted. The company added that its new “auto neutral” feature for the mDrive is aimed primary at construction applications, including concrete mixers, which rely on remote throttle controls. By automatically shifting the mDRIVE into neutral when the parking brake is set, the “auto neutral” function helps improve jobsite safety by reducing the possibility of the truck moving due to throttle application. Mack also announced the introduction of WheresMyConcrete, a cloud-based and telematics-connected dispatching, analytics and customer service tool being offered through Mack’s Fleet Management Services package that is now available for Mack ready-mix customers. The program aims to help improve asset visibility, dispatch efficiency and real-time data identification of concrete loads in the delivery process and is activated via Mack’s factory-installed GuardDog Connect integrated telematics platform.

Fed Says US Growth Continues Modestly as Job Market Tightens Transport Topics / January 18, 2017 The U.S. economy continued to expand modestly from late November through the end of 2016 as a tightening labor market helped lift wages and prices more broadly, a Federal Reserve survey showed. The central bank’s Beige Book economic report, based on information collected by regional Fed banks on or before Jan. 9, said firms and industries were optimistic about growth this year. Employment gains were characterized as slight to moderate, with most of the Fed’s 12 districts saying they expected the labor market to continue tightening. “District reports cited widespread difficulties in finding workers for skilled positions; several also noted problems recruiting for less-skilled jobs,” according to the report, released Jan. 18. “Most districts said wage pressures had increased.” The report underscores the U.S. central bank’s views that the economy is healthy enough to continue removing monetary stimulus. Fed officials raised their benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point Dec. 14, to 0.5% to 0.75%. They also increased the number of hikes they anticipate in 2017, to three from two, based on the median projection of 17 members of the Federal Open Market Committee. The Fed’s outlook for the economy is clouded, however, by uncertainty surrounding the fiscal policies of the incoming administration. While he promised spending increases and tax cuts in his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump has provided few details since the Nov. 8 election on the concrete policy proposals he intends to bring to Congress. Some Fed districts reported a rebound in confidence after the election, though the Cleveland Fed noted that it’s unclear how changes in regulations will impact investments. The Fed also noted that pricing pressure has intensified, with eight districts reporting modest inflation. The Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, excluding food and energy, reached 1.6% in the 12 months through November. Average hourly earnings rose 2.9% in December from a year earlier, the biggest jump since 2009, adding to confidence that inflation will continue to edge toward the Fed’s 2% target. Labor markets across the country “were reported to be tight or tightening during the period,” the report said. “A couple of districts mentioned layoffs, but even in those districts, as in other regions, most responding firms were said to have added employment, on net.”

Automakers will continue Mexico investments despite Trump Automotive News / January 18, 2017 Forecasting firm LMC Automotive expects automakers will continue to invest in Mexico over the next four years despite tariff threats and social media shaming from President-elect Donald Trump. The study, released Wednesday, said production south of the border for Detroit’s three automakers will increase through 2020, while production in both Canada and the U.S. is expected to fall. The percentage of Mexico-built vehicles sold in the U.S. is predicted to rise, too. And it predicts capacity investment in Mexico will grow at a much faster rate than in the U.S. “The U.S. currently accounts for two-thirds of North American vehicle production, but significant investment plans and decisions to re-source capacity from Asia and Europe to Mexico are expected to bring Mexican production from 19 percent of NAFTA today to 26 percent in 2020,” the study said. Despite its projections, LMC acknowledged Trump’s policies could impact future decisions. “The potential for penalty on vehicles manufactured within NAFTA but outside the US may impact existing vehicle sourcing and future [North America] production mix and vehicle decisions, many of which are already in process,” the study said. “Until specific policy is detailed, the environment is fluid and uncertainty remains high, as the industry plans for the future. Aversion to policy risk, and to the threat of negative publicity, has become a significant consideration for planners.” LMC expects overall U.S. vehicle sales to plateau around the 17.5 million mark through the end of the decade, and as a result, it says the number of vehicles sourced within North America will increase. More than 50 percent of that increase is expected to be in Mexico. Detroit 3 projections Among the Detroit 3, Ford’s Mexico production will increase the most (to 757,000 vehicles in 2020 from 387,000 this year) over the next four years, thanks in large part to shifting production of the Focus compact sedan from its Michigan Assembly Plant to Hermosillo, LMC predicted. GM’s Mexico production is expected to grow to 866,000 from 717,000 today, while FCA’s is expected to grow to 460,000, up slightly from 438,000 today. Over that same period, Ford’s U.S. production is expected to fall slightly, to 2,237,000 from 2,395,000. GM’s will dip to 2,301,000 from 2,396,000, while FCA’s will drop to 1,483,000 from 1,538,000. The percent of Mexico-built vehicles for sale in the U.S. will grow for nearly all automakers, LMC says. Ford’s percentage of Mexico-built vehicles for sale in the U.S. will rise to nearly 20 percent from around 10 percent today, while GM will see similar gains. Volkswagen’s percent of Mexico-built vehicles is expected to rise to 40 percent. The lone exception: FCA. The automaker’s Mexico sourcing will decline as it re-sources vehicles both inside and outside the NAFTA zone, LMC says, although Mexico-built vehicles will still account for 10 percent of its U.S. sales mix. More capacity The study expects North American production capacity will increase by 3 million units through 2023, and nearly half of that growth will come in Mexico. It says production capacity investment in Mexico will rise 47 percent. Investment in the U.S. will increase 12 percent, while Canada investment will fall 4 percent over that same stretch of time. The findings come despite recent announcements by Ford, GM, FCA, Hyundai and others about investing in the U.S., and in some cases relocating production back to the U.S. “There have been several recent announcements of investment in U.S. operations or the cancelations of investment in Mexico by OEMs,” the study said. “This appears to be the direct result of pressure from Trump holding to his campaign promise of penalizing companies for manufacturing outside the U.S. However, many of these decisions were already planned or were altered due to other factors, such as lower demand for small vehicles or shifting higher margin or complex vehicles to the US, and not solely the result of the pressure.” .

Yellen warns rates delay risks ‘nasty’ surprise The Financial Times / January 18, 2017 Fed chair says waiting too long could lead to inflation or instability Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen has warned that the US risks a “nasty surprise” if it waits too long to continue raising interest rates Yellen added that she expects the US central bank to tighten monetary policy a few times a year until 2019. But on the cusp of Donald Trump’s inauguration as an economy-focused president, she also said slow productivity growth meant the US’s “usual” rate of economic expansion would be “significantly slower than the post-world war two average”. Trump will inherit an economy in much stronger shape than the one left to President Obama, with Yellen noting in a speech that the US is close to maximum employment and that inflation is moving towards the Fed’s 2 percent target. Following the Fed’s December decision to raise short-term interest rates for the second time in a decade, Yellen said on Tuesday: “Waiting too long to begin moving toward the neutral rate could risk a nasty surprise down the road — either too much inflation, financial instability or both.” Delaying could force the Fed to catch up by raising rates rapidly, she said, which could in turn push the economy into a new recession. Providing new insights into the stance of Fed policymakers, she said: “As of last month, I and most of my colleagues . . . were expecting to increase our federal funds rate target a few times a year until, by the end of 2019, it is close to our estimate of its longer-run neutral rate of 3 per cent.” Longer-term, she said that while economists did not fully understand the causes of a slowdown in US productivity growth, the trend implied lower-than-average growth and a neutral interest rate of 3 per cent — a full percentage point lower than the Fed’s estimate three years ago.

I find it odd that neither President Obama nor President Xi* have ever mentioned MH370. I believe something significant happened, and they united to deal with it. * There were 14 nationalities represented in the 227 passengers and 12 crew on MH370. The majority, 153 people, were Chinese.