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Published on December 15th, Contran (Conselho Nacional de Trânsito / National Traffic Council) Resolution 640 now authorizes the use of A-double combinations up to 91 metric tons (200,621 lb). The resolution was born from requests from the sugarcane and grain sectors. The previous rule limited A-double combinations 74 metric tons (163,142 lb). The A-double combinations will utilize two three-axle semi-trailers and a two-axle dolly. Maximum allowed overall length is to be 30 meters (98.4 feet). .

Ford Trucks Press Release / December 30, 2016 How do you move the world’s longest and heaviest parade float and deliver the reliability needed for one of America’s storied parades? With a highly proven truck engine known for its hauling and towing capability – Ford’s legendary 6.8-liter V10 gasoline engine. Measuring more than 125 feet long and weighing more than 137,000 pounds, the Lucy Pet Products 2017 Rose Parade float is the longest and heaviest in parade history. It features eight dogs surfing on waves generated by a one-of-a-kind mobile wave machine in a 5,000-gallon water tank. Underneath its flower-coated exterior, this record-breaking float is powered by Ford’s 6.8-liter V10 gasoline engine and heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission found in the company’s F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks. “When we set out to break the longest and heaviest single-chassis parade float GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title, we knew we needed a bulletproof powertrain we could count on to reliably carry it down Colorado Boulevard for the Rose Parade,” says Joey Herrick, president and founder, Lucy Pet Products. “We’re confident that our surfing dogs, dancer JoJo Siwa, and all of our special guests are in for a smooth ride with the Built Ford Tough engine at the heart of our float.” The theme of Lucy Pet’s Gnarly Crankin’ K9 Wave Maker 2017 Rose Parade float is “beachside paradise.” Built by Fiesta Parade Floats, its centerpiece is a 5,000-gallon water tank. A portable surf machine will generate waves continuously along the parade route for eight dogs to surf. The dogs were chosen earlier this year in nationwide auditions. The float features a tiki hut, vibrant tropical fish and palm trees. A functional lifeguard stand on deck houses an actual lifeguard to direct the float driver, who is operating blind underneath it all. “Ford is proud to power the world’s longest and heaviest parade float,” says Kevin Koester, Ford medium-duty truck and Super Duty fleet marketing manager. “As the U.S. commercial vehicle sales leader for 31 years, we’ve seen a lot of applications for our vehicles – but hauling the world’s longest, heaviest parade float certainly stands out. With the broadest line of commercial vehicles available, Ford has you covered, whether you need a truck to haul soda, sand or surfing dogs.” The 6.8-liter V10 gas engine powering the Lucy Pet float came from a Ford F-650 truck. Ford is the only vehicle manufacturer to offer a gasoline-powered engine in the medium-duty truck segment. With 320 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque, the 6.8-liter V10 is available for F-650 and F-750, the biggest trucks Ford makes. Other hardworking applications for this tough powertrain include trucks used for construction, utilities, towing, beverage delivery and garbage collection. The V10 is available with a CNG/propane gaseous engine prep package for conversion to compressed natural gas or propane autogas. The Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 turbo diesel is also available for F-650 and F-750. It delivers a standard best-in-class 270 horsepower and 675 lb.-ft. of torque, as well as available outputs of 300 horsepower with 700 lb.-ft. of torque and 330 horsepower with 725 lb.-ft. Ford proudly builds F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks at Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, Ohio. Sales of the all-new trucks are up 59 percent year-to-date through November. .

Ford Trucks Brazil Press Release / December 16, 2016 . . .

Big Rigs / December 29, 2016 Australian Mercedes-Benz truck operators have gotten a nice surprise to coincide with the release of the company's new range of trucks. The company has dropped the price on more than 10,000 parts, with some price tags coming down by 30%. Its range of remanufactured parts has also been expanded, and the price on remanufactured engines and transmissions have been reduced by 30%. Mercedes-Benz hopes the price reduction on spare parts will make the new generation Actros that much more attractive to truckies looking for a new vehicle. "We want to make the business case for our truck even better by reducing the cost of our quality parts," says Mercedes-Benz Truck & Bus Australia director Michael May.

This video shows the Mack LR refuse chassis being retrofitted with Wrightspeed's "Route 1000" powertrain for WasteExpo 2016. Also shown is the retrofitted Ratto Group Freightliner Condor now working in Sonoma County, California. .

Scania Australia Press Release / December 21, 2016 Seaham, NSW-located Farragher Logistics focuses on refrigerated and fragile freight distribution, with a fleet of 15 modern Scanias ranging from a P310 rigid local delivery truck to the flagship R730 V8 prime mover, hooked up to a B-double set that covers 1100 km daily. Owner Rory Farragher is continuing the family tradition of Scania ownership, passed down from his grandfather. His devotion to Scania is not emotional: Fuel savings of $400 per week, per Scania, over his American trucks drives his bottom line profitability, and high torque engines cut trip times, leaving his drivers fresher at the end of a shift. .

Iveco confirms ProStar arrival Trade Trucks AU / December 21, 2016 Iveco Australia has officially confirmed it will be bringing the International ProStar to Australia next year in a range of specifications. The news follows ongoing speculation, including from Trade Truck’s Steve Brooks, as to what Iveco’s parent company CNH Industrial had planned for the International brand after taking over the rights from Navistar in October. While confirming the arrival date, Iveco says the new range will include a day cab, extended cab and integrated full size sleeper cab variants and a choice of five wheelbases. "All models will be powered by an E5 Cummins X15 SCR engine producing 550hp (410kW) and 1850 lb-ft (2,508Nm) of torque, and operators will be able to select from either manual or fully automatic EATON transmissions," Iveco says. "The model mix will see the ProStar well placed to handle applications including tipper and dog work, single trailer line-haul and 34 pallet B-Double duties." While the dealer network for the brand will be unveiled in the new year, Iveco says the ProStar model range will be available in the first quarter of 2017 alongside the truck maker’s Powerstar lineup.

Iveco Australia / December 21, 2016 The International ProStar will make its way down under in 2017, and be available in a number of different specification choices to suit a variety of local applications. On offer will be day cab, extended cab and integrated full size sleeper cab variants and a choice of five wheelbases. All models will be powered by an Euro-5 Cummins X15 SCR engine producing 550 horsepower (410 kW) and 1850 Lb Ft (2,508 Nm) of torque, and operators will be able to select from either manual or fully automatic Eaton transmissions. The model mix will see the ProStar well placed to handle applications including tipper and dog work, single trailer line-haul and 34 pallet B-Double duties. Among the options list available in the trucks will be a full multimedia system and slim line bullbar to maximise trailer set length for B-Double applications. The ProStar is expected to go on sale in the first quarter of 2017.

Hyundai Commercial Vehicle Press Release / December 25, 2016 .

Ford Trucks Press Release / December 29, 2016 Ford Trucks displayed its 2017 vocational heavy truck range at the Big 5 construction exhibition in Dubai from November 21-24. Trucks on display included model 4143M and 3543M mixers and an 1843T tractor. Powered by the new Ford Ecotorq engine family, the 2017 Construction Series now comes with greater power and more efficiency than ever to ensure customers can continue with their daunting tasks. With over fifty-five years of manufacturing expertise, Ford Trucks are tailored to meet the specific requirements of the Middle East market. Having an ambitious growth strategy and team, Ford has also announced plans for establishing a new office in Riyadh to further strengthen its presence in the region. Currently, the headquarters of Ford Trucks for the Middle East region is based in Dubai. “Offering a balanced blend of features, Ford Trucks Construction Series lands on construction sites with a single purpose; to make your project more durable and efficient,” said Emrah Duman, International Markets Director, Ford Trucks. “As a first step to expand our network with focus on retaining facility investments, we are thrilled about our upcoming office in Riyadh which will help us in further improving our service, and reduce response time to our customers.” .

Ford Trucks Press Release / December 20, 2016 .

Ford Trucks Press Release / December 20, 2016 .

Ford Trucks Press Release / December 20, 2016 After producing Turkey's first domestic diesel truck engine in 1986, Ford Otosan launched the 7.3-liter Ecotorq in-line six-cylinder engine in 2003. The Euro-5 emissions 9.0-liter Ecotorq was introduced in 2009. In 2016, Ford Otosan added to its Ecotorq powertrain range with a new 12.7-liter offering. Today, Ford Otosan’s 330 horsepower 9.0- and 420/480/500 horsepower 12.7-liter Ecotorq engine offerings with high pressure 2,500 bar common rail fuel injection are Euro-6 rated and Euro-7 capable. Euro-3 and Euro-5 emissions ratings are also available for country markets with lower requirements. With up to 50,000 hours of dynamometer testing, durable Ecotorq engines have a life span of over 1.5 million kilometers. .

Ford Trucks Press Release / December 20, 2016 Today, Ford Otosan’s Ecotorq 330 horsepower 9.0- and 420/480 horsepower 12.7-liter engine offerings with high pressure 2,500 bar common rail fuel injection are Euro-6 rated and Euro-7 capable. To meet the strict emissions standards of today and tomorrow, Ford Otosan developed the “EGAS” exhaust after-treatment system shown in the video below. .

Kenworth Truck Company / December 22, 2016 Serving the food and beverage industry across 48 states, Navajo Express has a well-deserved reputation for excellent service and on-time deliveries. Based in Denver, this long-time Kenworth customer stresses that any success it has achieved rests on the hard work and day-to-day commitment of its drivers. “When our drivers succeed, we all succeed,” said Navajo Express President Don Digby Jr., whose father, Don Digby Sr., founded the company 36 years ago. “By giving drivers the right equipment that won’t break down, by giving them a quality cab and sleeper where they are comfortable driving and resting, they can have success.” To help recruit and retain top drivers, Navajo began purchasing Kenworth T680 76-inch sleepers in 2014. It now operates 437 T680s with the Paccar (DAF) MX-13 engine. “The T680 with PACCAR engine has been a very good truck for us with its aerodynamic fuel efficiency and, more importantly, the comfort it provides our drivers,” said Digby. “If you want the best drivers, you better have the best equipment. For us, Kenworth was a simple choice.” Today the Navajo fleet has grown to 831 trucks, including 700 Kenworths. Navajo driver Charlie Hamilton got his new T680 about nine months ago. “It’s a smooth ride, comfortable cab and one of the quieter trucks I’ve ever driven,” said Hamilton, now in his 17th year with Navajo. “Yesterday’s run I finished at 8.2 miles per gallon* hauling 33,000 lbs. So far I’ve put 124,000 miles on the truck and have had no issues, zero downtime.” On this particular day, Digby notes, 18 trucks are down system wide. “None of them are Kenworths,” he says. “The T680s and MX-13 engine are proven reliable.” So much so that Navajo will be purchasing up to 225 additional Kenworth T680s in 2017. Digby especially appreciates the power, performance, fuel efficiency and reliability of the MX-13 engine. “Our drivers prefer the MX-13 engine because it’s considerably quieter,” said Digby. “They’re standing in line waiting for the MX-13.” Navajo specs its T680s with many additional driver-friendly features like the Bendix Wingman Advanced system that delivers adaptive cruise control with braking features along with collision mitigation technology that can help drivers in collisions, potential rollovers, and loss-of-control situations. “We believe the T680 is the best truck on the road with features like the automatic-unlocking fifth wheel to limit the exposure of the driver’s rotator cuff,” said Digby. “These things are important to us and to our drivers.” When it comes time to spec new trucks, Navajo looks to its dealer, MHC Kenworth – Denver, for assistance. “We like to try new things, the latest and greatest in terms of driver comfort,” said Digby. “MHC is a true partner at bringing new ideas and new visions to the table. Plus, MHC Kenworth blankets the United States with coverage and is really able to help our drivers with any situation.” Hamilton added, “I haven’t been inside a dealer since I got my T680. It runs really well, smooth and quiet, and no downtime.” Kenworth is the driver’s truck for comfort and reliability. Concluded Digby, “We give our drivers the best piece of equipment on the road, to make sure they can achieve success. At the end of the day, they want to drive Kenworth.” .

Volvo Trucks USA / December 30, 2016 During a seven month project, Mammoet operates four transport units in tight rotation between Stewart, British Columbia and their customer in Redwater, Alberta. Additional trucks are brought in as required to support port operations and schedules. Mammoet is a specialized heavy lift and transport provider, operating globally with 5,000 employees. The company’s services focus on the petrochemical and mining industries, civil engineering, power generation and offshore projects. THE TRUCK AND TRAILER Truck: Heavy Haul. Model: Volvo VNX 630. Engine: Volvo D16 (600 hp) Transmission: Volvo I-Shift. Tractor: 8X6 (tri drive). Weight: 262,000 pounds (gross combination weight). Payload: 146,000 pounds. Length: 187 feet (overall combination). Wheels: 50. Fuel: Up to 300 gallons capacity. Features: 75 000 punds differentials. Low-bed ramps and wet kit to handle multiple trailer combinations. Headache rack for back of sleeper protection and chains and boomers. Pilot trucks for over-sized load. Trailer: 9 Axle Scheuerle ‘Canadian Highway’. Special trailer features: Extendable deck (61-100 ft); hydraulic suspension; kingpin or remote steerable axles. Pilot trucks: 7 escort vehicles for night travel. .

Volvo Trucks USA / December 30, 2016 Rod Stanley has been driving trucks through the winding mountain roads of western Canada for virtually his whole working life. “It is always a spectacular view, with all the wildlife that goes with it – elks, bears, goats, sheep,” say Stanley. “When I’m driving through here I’m thinking about how lucky I am to get paid to travel on such roads. It’s definitely one of the best privileges of being a truck driver.” .

Kenworth Truck Company / December 27, 2016 Kenworth’s factory-installed, battery based no-idle system is designed to help long-haul fleets in hot and cold climates to reduce idling time and fuel usage without compromising performance. .

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The issue that Mack distributor principals are talking about now is they no longer have a big engine offering. While their North American competition offers the superb DD15, and DD16, and Cummins has a revised ISX15 (i.e. X15), North American Mack (and Volvo dealers) now abruptly find themselves with the D13/MP8 as their largest engine option. Now they flat out do not compete in the 15/16-liter market segment. The Titan was a sales disaster, but the big news is the loss of the D16/MP10 in North America. Volvo and its incompetent Mack brand management flubbed the U.S. market Titan idea from day one. Looking back at the RW6 and RW7 product, we of course sold 10 RW6s for every one RW7. Although I supported the idea of the Mack brand having a RW7-like truck for severe service, it first should have relaunched a RW6 "Super-Liner" product where there is: 1) a greater need, 2) an opportunity to juice up the brand again, and 3) far greater volume. I also didn't like the way the US market Titan was always shown pimped with tacky looking chrome trim that the Australian version never had. And as has been noted, the cheap chrome trim didn't hold up. As has been mentioned, the design of the Titan was created to meet the needs of Australia. For the US market, it should have had more "adaption". In summary, Volvo should have introduced an on-road US market Super-Liner III.........before launching a low volume Titan. The failure of the US market Titan all goes back to the incompetent Mack brand management in Greensboro, none of whom have a background in the truck industry. As Volvo brand US market sales continue to rise while the Mack brand remains stagnant, the future of the latter is looking more and more bleak. Mack brand dealers nationwide are missing deals right and left because their quotes are $10,000 to $15,000 higher than competing makes. Volvo is pricing the Mack brand out of the market. One can't help but wonder if Volvo is purposely doing so.

Syrian refugee who asked ISIS for €180,000 for bombings in Europe arrested in Germany RT / January 2, 2017 A Syrian asylum seeker has been detained in Germany on suspicion of asking ISIS for money to buy and booby trap cars to kill a large number of "non-Muslim" people in “Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.” The 38-year old man was detained early Saturday by German special forces in his flat in the city of Saarbrucken in the Federal State of Saarland. He was arrested after Saarland police received a tip off from the Federal Criminal police. According to the Prosecutor’s office, the man in custody contacted Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) terrorist group’s contact person in December “who he knew was in a position to obtain IS money for terror financing.” The asylum seeker apparently “asked him [IS contact person] to provide €180,000 so he [the suspect] can use the money to buy vehicles, which he planned to bobby trap with explosives,” a statement by the Prosecutor’s office reads. The Syrian asylum seeker planned to buy eight cars - €22,500 each - booby trap the vehicles and drive them into the crowds to “kill a large number of non-Muslim people.” He reportedly said 400 to 500 kilograms (882 to 1,100 pounds) of explosives would be placed in each car. According to a separate statement by police in Saarland, the suspect asked for the IS money to finance an “unspecified terrorist attack” in “Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.” Hugo Muller, Deputy Commissioner for the Saarland police said that the Syrian man planned to repaint the vehicles as police cars. "In his respective communications with contacts linked to IS, he [the suspect] offered or suggested to repaint cars to make them look similar to police cars, load them with explosives, position them in a crowd of people and then detonate them," Muller said. The 38-year old entered Germany in 2014 and after applying for asylum and was a granted a temporary residence permit.

Thank you my friend. It was very nice, but I'm glad to be back.