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Navistar opens new reconditioning center in Melrose Park, Ill. Truck News / December 9, 2016 Marking a new chapter for its Diamond Renewal certified brand of used International trucks, Navistar held the grand opening of the company’s Used Truck Reconditioning Center in Melrose Park, Ill. The facility replaces the now closed Indianapolis Center and will act as Navistar’s new home for its 180-plus point inspection and servicing center, which examines the Diamond Renewal reconditioning process to ensure a consistent product is available to all International dealers and the company’s own 15 used truck sales centers. “One of the greatest advantages of a centralized Reconditioning Center is the ability to work hand-in-hand with the on-site product engineering and prototype team in order to fully understand product durability and use this knowledge to provide the highest level of service to our customers.” said Jeff Heichel, vice-president of used truck operations for Navistar. The Melrose Park location is fully scalable to meet demands and includes a wash bay, detailing and paint booth, welding room and a parts storage area. “We worked with the Local UAW to structure a competitive agreement which facilitated the work coming to Melrose,” said Kevin Turner, director of reconditioning operations for used truck organization with Navistar. “I’m very proud of our team for completing the move in record time and in line with Navistar’s lean principles.” The company plans to relocate its nearby International Used Truck Sales Center to the Melrose Park facility in the New Year.

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Heavy Duty Trucking / December 8, 2016 Westport has gained approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to equip 2017-model-year Ford vehicles with its WiNG Power System that enables the vehicles to run compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquid propane gas (LPG), also known as propane autogas. Vancouver, B.C.-based Westport gained approval for the F-150 5.0L CNG and LPG, Transit 3.7L CNG, F-450/F-550/F-650/F-750/F-59 6.8L CNG, and E-450 6.8L CNG. Westport has also streamlined the supply chain through a Ford-approved ship-through process for the F-150, F-250, F-350, and Transit. Westport has been certified under Ford's Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) program that allows the vehicles to retain their factory warranties after the modification. Related reading - http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/47841-chevrolet-gmc-increase-alternative-fuel-fleet-offerings/#comment-353606

Heavy Duty Trucking / December 9, 2016 The Colorado State Department of Transportation is working with private partners to explore the development of an energy-transfer highway segment. The project will allow real-world testing of a stretch of an electric grid embedded in a stretch of highway that transfers electricity to electric-powered trucks through a coil transmission and reception system. Much like a cell phone charging surface commonly used today, the project would use powerful energy coils to transmit electric power upwards and into energy receiving coils mounted on the underside of trucks traveling in the dedicated energy-transfer lane. Peter Kozinski is director of CDOT’s RoadX program - a forward-looking initiative that seeks out new, energy-efficient transportation technologies. He says the agency has been working with AECOM, a Los Angeles-based infrastructure builder for approximately 8 months to flesh out the beginning stages of the pilot program. “It is tremendous to see this leadership by Michigan which will accelerate progress across the nation. We are actively working with Michigan to develop our plan for initial and ongoing platooning operations in the state,” said Steve Boyd, Peloton’s VP of external affairs. “Our plan includes early activities to promote public awareness on the key role of professional drivers in our truck platooning system and the safety, efficiency and mobility benefits that this technology provides to fleets and the public.” “We feel the vehicle of the future will be electrically powered,” Kozinski said, “and yet the cost of battery packs, combined with range anxiety concerns are real barriers to widespread acceptance of this technology. Our goal with this project is to determine if this power grid and energy transfer system can work in real-world driving conditions.” Andrew Liu, vice president, AECOM Ventures said his company is a progressive, and forward-thinking road building and infrastructure construction firm that is committed to helping the United States move its road network into the 21st Century. “We’re already seeing the rise of all-electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles,” Liu said. “But what we have today are increasingly smart vehicles driving on dumb roads. And we want to help change that.” According to Liu, AECOM has been working with the Sustainable Electrified Transportation Research Center, (SELECT) at Utah State University on related projects that have shown the potential for an energy-transfer roadway. “SELECT has been working on static charging pads that can wirelessly transfer energy to city buses,” Liu explained. “We started talking to them about the feasibility of charging an electric vehicle while it is in motion. They responded by developing a ¼-mile closed loop track that can charge buses while they drive. And this is the basis for our pilot program with RoadX and Colorado DOT.” Currently, Liu says the SELECT closed loop track can charge buses moving between 35 to 40 mph with an efficiency rate between 85 and 95% transmitted by coils ranging from 6 to 8 feet in diameter. He says further work is being done now to determine if that high energy transfer rate can be sustained at higher speeds and in varying weather conditions, including rain and snow. Kozinski says currently RoadX and AECOM are in the preliminary stages of the project and hope to identify additional OEM, technology, and fleet partners, as well as identify the criteria for a test highway and optimal locations for the roadway. “We hope to have those goals accomplished in the next 6 to 8 months, and begin planning for actual construction to begin something in early 2018,” he said. Additionally, Kozinski says the project must overcome challenges including maintaining a consistent distance between transmitting and receiving energy coils to ensure efficient transmission of electricity as well as determining the environmental impact of the technology. “We can’t have a bunny hopping onto one of these coils and getting zapped,” he noted. Similarly, Liu says AECOM is working with its global partners to identify new technologies and procedures that might benefit the energy-transfer lane project as well as seeking 3 to 5 additional partner cities elsewhere in the country to conduct further studies. “Key areas of interest for us include “Key areas of interest for us include heavily congested urban areas as well as freight corridors,” he said. “We’re also looking to hear from other OEMs and interested parties. We view this as an open invitation for people, companies and organizations to get involved. Our feeling is the more people we have involved, the more successful this project will be.” Related reading - http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/47935-scania-tests-fast-wireless-charging-in-urban-traffic/

Michigan Law Opens a Door for Platooning Heavy Duty Trucking / December 9, 2016 Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) has signed S.B. 995 into law on Dec. 9, authorizing electronically coordinated truck platooning on Michigan roads by creating an exception to the state’s minimum following distance for commercial vehicles. Originally there was a minimum of 500 feet of following distance required by commercial vehicles, which presented a hindrance to testing and implementing truck platooning technology that requires at least two vehicles to follow closely. Using technology to link two vehicles together, a platooning truck can respond to braking by the lead truck in 10 milliseconds, bypassing a lag in driver perception and reaction time. “We are committed to advancing safety and efficiency in commercial trucking operations and accelerating the economic benefits that result from improving the movement of goods,” said Kirk Steudle, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation. “Michigan is proud to be a leader in paving the way for the deployment and growth of vehicle platooning technologies.” Connected and automated vehicle technology company Peloton applauded Michigan’s decision to support platooning technology calling it a “landmark law.” “Michigan now leads the nation in the rollout of commercial truck platooning,” said Josh Switkes, CEO of Peloton Technology. “We are proud to be working with forward-looking state leaders like those in Michigan who prioritize prudent, driver-assistive truck automation systems that will provide strong economic benefits and improve the safe, efficient movement of goods." Under the new law, Michigan DOT and State Police will review plans submitted by the operators of platoons before vehicles are allowed to use the technology on state roads. The law also requires that truck platoons allow access for other vehicles to move safely between platooning trucks. Drivers holding a valid commercial driver’s license must be behind the wheel of every truck in a platoon. Peloton is in a partnership with suppliers and truck manufacturers to create production-level platooning technology. While 11 other states have approved testing and trial activity, Michigan is the first state to support the deployment of platooning in commercial fleet operations. The company is currently preparing a plan for platooning operation to submit to the State of Michigan as required by the new law. “It is tremendous to see this leadership by Michigan which will accelerate progress across the nation. We are actively working with Michigan to develop our plan for initial and ongoing platooning operations in the state,” said Steve Boyd, Peloton’s VP of external affairs. “Our plan includes early activities to promote public awareness on the key role of professional drivers in our truck platooning system and the safety, efficiency and mobility benefits that this technology provides to fleets and the public.”

Automotive News / December 11, 2016 Chevrolet's new nine-speed automatic transmission illustrates the difficulty of eking out fuel economy improvements as automakers work to meet increasingly stringent fuel efficiency standards. Launched in the Chevrolet Malibu in September, the nine-speed, co-developed with Ford Motor Co., delivers just 1 mpg more in highway driving than the eight-speed automatic it replaces -- up to 33 mpg in the 2017 Malibu from 32 in the 2016 version. General Motors plans to use the gearbox in 10 models across its brands by the end of next year. GM executives say the transmission adds refinement over the outgoing six- and eight-speeds, giving vehicles a premium feel. GM will also save money by using its own transmission. In the Malibu, for instance, GM bought the outgoing eight-speed automatic from Aisin AW Co. "The big goal when working with internal combustion engines is to keep the engine in the optimal operating position," said Chris Meagher, GM's executive director of electrical hardware engineering. He said the transmission's shorter steps result in smoother shifts. The next GM vehicles to get the nine-speed are the 2017 Cruze compact and 2018 Equinox. Ford has not announced which vehicles will use Ford's version of the nine-speed, said Ford spokesman Craig Von Essen. Related reading.....the Ford-GM jointly developed/produced 10-speed auto trans - http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46728-10-things-to-know-about-the-new-fordgm-10-speed-automatic-transmission/#comment-344801

Cummins Westport’s ISB6.7 G, a 6.7 liter midrange, factory-built natural gas engine is now fully available as a production engine for shuttle bus, medium duty truck, and vocational applications in North America. (Earlier post.) As previously announced, the engine has been available for school bus applications since May 2016 from Thomas Built Buses. The 6.7 liter engine platform has large OEM availability for midrange trucks, vocational trucks and mid size buses and the expansion of applications potentially available for the ISB6.7 G engine more than doubles its addressable market. The ISB6.7 G is based on the Cummins ISB6.7 diesel engine platform, the industry leader in the Cummins midrange engine family, and operates exclusively on natural gas, including compressed, liquid, or renewable natural gas (RNG). The ISB6.7 G is the second engine from Cummins Westport (CWI) to receive emission certification from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Air Resources Board (ARB) in California for meeting the Optional Low NOx Emissions standards. An engine of this size is a natural addition to CWI’s portfolio of natural gas engines. Many customers using school and shuttle buses, medium duty trucks, or vocational vehicles operate within a local area where the return to base nature of their operation allows them to use fleet-owned or growing publicly available natural gas fueling infrastructure. The ISB6.7 G offers the midrange customer an ability to take advantage of the most cost effective overall solution with the benefit of a low emission natural gas engine that has proven performance, reliability, and durability. In addition, operating on RNG offers customers a tremendous greenhouse gas savings opportunity versus fossil fuels. —Rob Neitzke, President of CWI The ISB6.7 G features the same advanced combustion controls with Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) as Cummins Westport’s ISL G & ISX12 G engines. NOx emissions of the ISB6.7 G are 0.1 g/bhp-hr—50% lower than the current EPA and ARB NOx limit of 0.2 g/bhp-hr. CO2 emissions meet the 2017 EPA greenhouse gas (GHG) emission requirements. All CWI natural gas engines are lower than the 2010 EPA standard for particulate matter (0.01 g/bhp-hr). The ISB6.7 G utilizes CWI proprietary spark-ignited, stoichiometric combustion with cooled exhaust gas recirculation (SEGR) technology. It features electronic control with programmable features, a closed crankcase ventilation system, and maintenance-free three-way catalyst aftertreatment. No diesel particulate filter or selective catalytic reduction aftertreatment is required. The SEGR technology was introduced with the ISL G in 2007, and was developed to meet 2010 EPA emission requirements. The cooled-EGR system passes exhaust gas through a cooler to reduce temperatures before mixing it with fuel and the incoming air charge to the cylinder. Stoichiometric combustion in combination with cooled-EGR offers increased power density and thermal efficiency. It also reduces in-cylinder combustion temperatures and creates an oxygen-free exhaust, which then enables the use of a three-way catalyst (TWC) for NOx control. The ISB6.7 G will be manufactured in the Cummins engine plant and offered in three ratings up to 240 hp (179 kW) and 560 lb-ft (759 N·m) torque. Power Take-Off and automatic transmission capability meet customer and original equipment manufacturer requirements. Base warranty is two years, with unlimited miles/kilometers. Extended Coverage options are also available. Partial funding in support of the ISB6.7 G engine development has been received from the California Energy Commission through its Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program in conjunction with the Gas Technology Institute.

Trump hints US 'One China' policy could end "I fully understand the 'one China' policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.” "I mean, look, we're being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don't tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn't be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea." "You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons, and China could solve that problem, and they're not helping us at all." "I don't want China dictating to me and this was a call put into me. I didn't make the call, and it was a call, very short call saying 'congratulations, sir, on the victory.” "It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call. I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it." President-elect Donald Trump December 11, 2016

You're so right, our intended expression doesn't always come across well (as intended) on a written forum. When I write "if what we are told is true", I do so with a serious tone. I'm not being sarcastic. The powers that be, the aristocracy including big business, uses information, and disinformation, to manipulate the masses, from getting the majority to stay in line, to buying the latest material items. There are always conspiracies, if we want to call them that, to discredit people, if not destroy them altogether. The battle for power in Washington is endless. "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." - Lord John Dalberg-Acton, 1887 Regarding Trump, Hillary and the 2016 election, I'm sure there are many pieces to the puzzle that we will never know. I imagine half of the story, from the beginning to the end, will remain forever secret. Reflecting on our generation, do you really think you were told the complete truth, and nothing but the truth, on how Kennedy was killed? On Watergate? On Iran-Contra? On WMD in Iraq as an excuse for us to enter the second Iraq war? Truth........has an unmistakable air of clarity. It's not rocket science. I try to post factual news, including direct quotes. I avoid unfounded conjecture, but will post articles that, I feel, have creditable substance. I'm a serious person by nature. I apologize if you perceived me as being sarcastic.

There's no issues regarding warranty. If you buy an Isuzu-branded truck, your Isuzu dealer will handle it. If you buy a Chevrolet-branded truck, your Chevrolet dealer will handle it.

"The gasoline-powered models will be assembled from complete knock down (CKD) kits in the U.S. at the Spartan Motors assembly plant in Charlotte, Michigan." http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40483-déjà-vu-gm-to-source-medium-duty-trucks-from-isuzu/#comment-293513

David and Paul, I agree with you. That said, I seriously doubt that Hillary Clinton will see time, because for decades, we've watched dozens of these types of people avoid it. Politicians and the wealthy aristocracy including big business leaders all successfully avoid prosecution, again and again and again. Recall, for example, the 2008 financial crisis. Nobody on Wall Street went to jail. Companies were fined, but none of the "people" who made the corrupt company decisions were prosecuted. They are the "untouchables".

Huh??? I don't at all feel that she has been framed? I don't understand how you came away with that, from what I wrote. Based on what we're told........that's all we common people know. We have no first-hand information. So you feel that Hillary is incredibly guilty of a wide range of illegal acts, however, you don't care if Trump flip-flops on a key campaign point and lets her walk free?

Based on what we 're told, you feel Hillary should be in prison. I don't disagree. "If" what we're told is true, how could she be allowed to be a presidential nominee? With that in mind, why has Trump done a 360, abandoning his firm position to put her in jail? Now, Trump wants to show kindness to Hillary and let her walk. Go figure.

Trump gives Wilbur Ross wide trade policy powers The Financial Times / December 10, 2016 Boost to Commerce secretary’s role could spark battle with Congress Donald Trump wants Wilbur Ross, the billionaire investor tapped for Commerce secretary, to oversee his trade policy, in a controversial move that could spark a battle between the incoming administration and Congress. Trump has agreed to give Ross, a close friend, responsibility for handling one of his signature campaign issues, the Financial Times has learnt. The move, which would cut the influence of the US trade representative (USTR), would boost the role of Commerce secretary, traditionally a weak cabinet position. But it could face resistance in Congress where there has been opposition to similar ideas in the past. “Secretary Ross will be our administration’s leader on setting many of our trade priorities,” Jason Miller, the Trump transition team spokesman, confirmed when asked by the FT about the move. Ross was one of the main architects of Trump’s “America First” trade policy. In interviews since the election, he has continued to be the most vocal advocate for a wholesale rethinking of US trade policy. His role is set to be formalised once the new administration starts in January, according to the Trump transition team. Trump will still appoint a USTR head. But the president-elect has backed away from his campaign vow to bring all of the government officials involved in trade policy into an “American Desk” at the commerce department. One person familiar with the shift said Ross would determine trade priorities and that the USTR would be required to implement them. Miller said the transition team was “still determining the exact lines of responsibility between Commerce and USTR”. But he said that 79-year-old Ross would play a much larger role on trade policy than previous commerce secretaries because of his relationship with Trump and his role shaping the president-elect’s trade message. He declined to comment on whether the Trump team had discussed the move with Congress. Ross has been an outspoken critic of past trade agreements and has argued that the US could better use its leverage as a major consumer market to force countries to buy more US goods to help narrow the trade deficit. “Free trade doesn’t mean dumb trade,” Ross recently told FT. “We should treat ourselves as the world’s biggest customer and treat nations that are selling to us as suppliers to us.” At a campaign rally in October, Trump pledged a “major reorganisation of our bureaucracy” to make Washington’s approach to trade more efficient. Congress has for decades aggressively guarded its constitutionally mandated oversight of international trade. Sandy Levin, the senior Democrat on the House ways and means committee, which has jurisdiction over trade, said a reorganisation would be an unneeded distraction for the incoming administration. “The main problem is not the organisational structure, it is the structure of policy,” said Levin. “Just throwing out this idea and that idea won’t work. I’m not a big fan of thinking you can just restructure.” By handing Ross oversight over trade while maintaining the administrative divisions, Trump may still provoke a fight with the House and Senate committees that have responsibility for trade in Congress. The two key committees — the House ways and means committee and the Senate finance committee — also have jurisdiction over tax reform, which is another priority for the Trump administration. Gary Hufbauer, an expert on US trade policy, said any effort by the Trump administration to have Ross lead on trade would mark a significant departure and face opposition. “Even doing it informally will create some friction with the congressional branch,” he said. The US Constitution gives Congress the power to regulate trade. The legislature regularly delegates that authority to presidents, doing so most recently in June 2015. But it also has rejected repeated attempts by presidents to fold the office of the USTR into the commerce department or otherwise reorganise the bureaucratic structures. Since the position was first created in 1962, the USTR has been a part of the president’s executive office, in a move that gives it additional authority internationally. It has a reputation for being a lean operation, in stark contrast to the sprawling commerce department, which has some 47,000 employees around the world.

Trump told the world that, if he were president, Hillary would be in jail. We all saw and heard him say it on TV with the utmost seriousness. Trump has since totally flip-flopped on that major campaign point. Trump has done a 360, now saying that putting Hillary in jail is "just not something I feel very strongly about." "I don't want to hurt the Clintons, I really don't," Trump said. "She went through a lot and suffered greatly in many different ways." One minute, he wants to put her in a cold prison cell. Now, he wants to aid and comfort an old friend. After "lock her up" chants started at Trump's post-election "thank you" rally in Michigan this week, he responded, "That plays great before the election -- now we don't care, right?" But people DO care. Trump’s supporters voted for him because they took him seriously. Now, he’s telling them all the promises he made was merely campaign rhetoric.

There is no difference. Sandy Berger, David Petraeus, Oliver North and a long list of others (based on what we're told) are guilty to the same degree as Hillary Clinton. And yet, none of the them are in prison. There's an amazing double standard in how the "rule of law" is applied to the aristocracy versus the common people. My friend, how can you say that Petraeus was doing a fantastic job? He was passing state secrets to his lover (based on what we're told), who could easily have been a foreign agent. In doing so, he completely failed in his job at that point. He did "screw up", and I'm glad he was caught. We can't afford to have such employees "on the line" who are, clearly, unworthy of trust ("Loose lips sink ships").

Vlad, I thought you might enjoy this. Compared to a Trabant, the Volga is a nice car.

And in the same vein (based on what we're told), ex CIA head David Petraeus was found to have leaked state secrets, intentionally. And not only did he not go to prison, but he's on Trump's short list to be secretary of state. And what about Sandy Berger, who stole state secrets from the National Archives. Rather than go to prison, he received a mere slap on the wrist. There's far more to that affair than the American people will ever be told. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Berger) If "what the mainstream news says" is...........true, many of our Washington employees should be in federal prison today. But they're not.................... And now, not has Trump flip-flopped 100% on his position to put Hillary Clinton in jail (he told Americans that thousands of times over the campaign), but he invites Petraeus for coffee.

General Motors Fleet / December 5, 2016 Indiana business is the first to take delivery of all-new truck Harmony Outdoor Power Equipment (http://www.harmonyoutdoor.com/) in Auburn, Indiana, is the first small business to take delivery of the new Chevrolet Low Cab Forward truck. Owner Don Harter said he replaced his Isuzu NPR with a Chevrolet Low Cab Forward partly because the lack of Isuzu dealerships in the area made it difficult for him to service his old truck. “Now that Chevrolet is in the Low Cab Forward business, I can consolidate my business with one company for sales and service,” said Harter. “It makes our entire organization more efficient.” Video - http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/en/chevrolet/bcportal.html Harter chose a diesel powertrain to pull a custom-designed bed with a ramp. The business uses the truck nearly every day to deliver heavy outdoor equipment to customers, and with more than 5,000 miles on the Low Cab Forward already, the investment is paying off. “My drivers love how this truck maneuvers like a car and they also appreciate the quiet ride in the cab,” said Harter. “We are already seeing significantly improved fuel economy with the new Chevrolet Low Cab Forward, which makes it a great choice from a financial perspective.” The Chevrolet Low Cab Forward with a diesel engine starts at $48,375 and the gasoline engine version starts at $40,900. Low Cab Forward suggested MSRPs include a destination charge but exclude tax, title, license and dealer fees. Harter ordered his Chevrolet from Summit City Chevrolet, one of more than 250 Chevrolet dealerships across the country that sell and service Low Cab Forward trucks. “Our dealers have gone through rigorous sales and service training to ensure they can help customers pick the right truck, the right financing and upfit for their business,” said John Schwegman, director of commercial product, General Motors Fleet. “Our sales and service support doesn’t end at the dealership. We support our customers throughout the life cycle of the vehicle with a dedicated team of 42 product specialists at our Fleet Action Center. They are consultants and problem-solvers focused exclusively on small-business owners and fleet managers.” Harter took advantage of a new GM Financial commercial lease product called Right TRAC that can lower monthly payments with flexible residuals and no excess mileage and wear-and-tear charges. “Any time we can save money on an investment, we’re going to do it,” said Harter. “The Right TRAC lease option went a long way in helping us make our decision to switch to Chevrolet for the Low Cab Forward.” For more information, please visit www.chevrolet.com/lcf / http://www.gmfleet.com/chevrolet/low-cab-forward-trucks.html. . .

Owner/Driver / December 9, 2016 As announced in November, the ASX-listed K&S Corporation has been in negotiations with Scott’s Transport Industries (STI) to purchase the business, a deal of which has been struck. Confirming a binding agreement today, K&S will merge STI into its business from January 30 2017, with the company to handle STI’s employees, ongoing contracts and staff entitlements. According to K&S, the deal reached will provide it will access to a national fuel haulage arm and extra help with general and intermodal freight. "STI operates a general freight division and a fuel cartage division and has a number of blue chip customers in the manufacturing, FMCG, and fuel sectors," an ASX statement says. "K&S Corporation regards the proposed transaction as an excellent opportunity to further expand its K&S Energy division through the addition of significant fuel cartage operations. "The transaction will also provide additional volume to K&S Corporation’s existing intermodal and contract logistics divisions. "The transaction will lead to a more competitive and stronger combined business in an increasingly challenging environment." From an STI point, the ASX statement says the transporter has agreed: to a "nominal purchase price" for its assets; to rent a number of vehicles to K&S at market rates for up to five years; to, without obligation, sell rented vehicles to K&S; to allow K&S to see STI’s business financials; and to produce license and lease agreement by land owners who are related parties of STI for the remainder of the transport terminals currently occupied by STI. K&S predicts there will be a rationalisation of infrastructure to reduce operational costs and will undertake a review of STI’s current operations. K&S did not need shareholder approval for the transaction. .

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U.S. Xpress Commits to Nikola Truck U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc. Press Release / December 08, 2016 U.S. Xpress announced today that the company is one of the first and the largest truckload carrier to order the Nikola One™. The company expects the innovative zero-emission, hydrogen-electric semi-truck will be a part of its fleet when the Nikola Motor Company starts production in 2020. “Much like our recent collaboration with Freightliner and its Next-Generation Cascadia semi-truck, the Nikola One is another example of how U.S. Xpress continues to work closely with its manufacturers to identify opportunities where cutting-edge technologies and the latest advancements in clean fuels can be used to conserve more energy, lower gas emissions and reduce the overall carbon footprint of our fleet,” said Max Fuller, chairman and CEO of U.S. Xpress. Fuller continued, “From our very first day on the road, U.S. Xpress has been committed to being a leader in the trucking industry, and this mission starts with putting our drivers in semi-trucks equipped with the latest in high-tech safety features and driver comforts that will help protect them and everyone on the road around them.” “I am particularly excited about our partnership with Nikola Motor Company because it strongly positions U.S. Xpress at the forefront of the trucking industry and reinforces our commitment to having a bold sustainability program that helps preserve our valuable resources and create a better environment while still providing practical, cost-effective ways for our customers to ship their freight across the country,” said Fuller. Nikola One Unveiled to the public for the first time last week, the Nikola One utilizes a fully electric drivetrain powered by high-density lithium batteries. The electric semi-truck can generate additional energy on-the-go by its hydrogen fuel cell, which will give the Nikola One a total range of between 800 and 1,200 miles with the battery fully charged and the hydrogen storage tank filled. In addition, the peak output from the electric drive system will deliver more than 1,000 horsepower and 2,000 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to accelerate the Nikola One from 0-60 mph in 30 seconds or about twice as quick as a conventional diesel semi-truck found on the road today. “U.S. Xpress drivers are going to have one of the most environmentally sound trucks on the road that they are going to love to drive,” said Trevor Milton, CEO and founder of Nikola Motor Company. “Each state-of-the-art cab comes complete with full-sized beds, large closet, full size refrigerator and freezer, microwave, television, Internet and electronic climate control." About U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.: Founded in 1985, U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc. is the nation’s second largest privately owned truckload carrier, providing a wide variety of transportation solutions throughout North America. We are committed to being at the forefront of safety compliance, using comprehensive training for our staff and drivers and ensuring our trucks feature the latest safety innovations. With a dedication to minimizing our impact on the environment, U.S. Xpress is a SmartWay Transport Partner. U.S. Xpress affiliates include Total Transportation of Mississippi and Xpress Internacional. For more information, please visit http://www.usxpress.com.