kscarbel2

11 hours ago, david wild said:

and poof one more gone.

But Hino, lackluster here in the past, is coming on strong over the last decade gaining massive market share.

As I've said before, all political parties should be banned. Clearly, they only serve to convolute government.

Elected government officials should "only" represent their constituencies*..........and nothing else.......such as a political party.

Representing the wills of political parties is not in their job description, nor in the interest of their constituencies .

* Constituency - a body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to a legislative body.

Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT)  /   May 27, 2020

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America announced it is discontinuing new truck sales. The move is a result of a re-evaluation by Daimler subsidiary Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corp. of its business situation in the United States and Canada. Going forward, the company will only provide service in these markets.

Truck sales will continue until remaining stock, both dealership inventory and MFTA inventory is gone and there are no additional new Fuso trucks to retail. MFTA plans for Fuso customers in the U.S. and Canada to remain supported through an authorized Fuso service network for warranty repairs, maintenance services, and replacement parts until 2028.

MFTA will continue to support the eCanter all-electric trucks that are in operation in the United States under the terms of each customer’s respective special lease. Customers such as J.B. Hunt and A. Duie Pyle have been testing the electric eCanters in last-mile delivery fleets.

The intention is to have current Fuso dealerships in the United States and Canada remain operational, and for new vehicle sales locations to have the option of continuing to retail available truck stock for a period of time.

MFTA plans to re-align its organizational focus towards service operations in the coming months, and to work with its U.S. and Canadian dealer partners to transition sales dealerships into parts and service-dedicated locations. The company plans to maintain its headquarters in Logan Township, New Jersey, along with its parts distribution and technical training centers, while continuing to employ a majority of its employees in the near term.

MFTA, part of Daimler Trucks Asia, celebrated its 35th anniversary in the United States earlier this year. The corporate office was founded in Logan Township in 1985, where it resides today. In late 2019 the company started shipments of the Fuso FE180 Gas truck, marking the start of sales for the gasoline-powered cabover Class 5 work truck. 

“Working with Fuso dealers, we have developed a strong team throughout the United States and Canada that always places the customer first,” said Justin Palmer, president and CEO, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America. “MFTA is fully dedicated to making this transition a smooth one for our customers, and we remain committed in supporting a parts and service network for many years to come.”

Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT)  /  May 26, 2020

Enhancements to the Detroit DD15 engine, combined with an expanded lineup of the DT12 automated manual transmission, have resulted in improved fuel economy, performance and durability, according to the company.   

The DT12 transmission has evolved into the DT12 On-Highway Series to offer three purpose-built options to meet the unique needs of various on-highway applications, all of which are now available to order: the DT12-HE, DT12-H, and DT12-HL. The DD15 Gen 5 engine has also been updated and engineered to improve efficiency for the Freightliner Cascadia, and it will be available for January 2021 truck builds.

The new DT12 Transmission Lineup

The all-new DT12-HE transmission option offers higher overall ratios for improved downspeeding and an improved oil system design, both contributing to increased efficiency. It will debut with Cascadia production beginning in early 2021, with additional model applications to be announced soon.

The DT12-HL is a lightweight carry-over option intended for weight-sensitive applications. The DT12-H is a revised designation that retains the same characteristics of the previous DT12. Both the DT12-H and DT12-HL are currently available for order in Cascadia builds.

The Detroit DD15 Generation 5 engine

The new DD15 Gen 5 engine includes increased downspeeding, improved combustion, and a new swirl piston design. A combination of almost 50% new componentry and fine-tuning by Detroit’s engineers results in up to a 3% improvement in fuel efficiency from propulsion alone, according to the company.

A new ball bearing simple geometry turbocharger reduces friction and allows peak power and torque to be reached faster in the Cascadia. Peak horsepower is now reached at 1,500 rpm versus the prior generation’s 1,625 rpm, and peak torque is achieved at 900 rpm versus 1,075 rpm.

Modified inlet ports in engine cylinders and a new piston bowl shape combine to create a swirl effect that creates a fuel spray pattern for better atomization. Along with an ultra-high compression ratio, the new swirl design piston makes combustion cleaner and more efficient than the previous generation of the DD15.

A new EPA GHG21-compliant aftertreatment system for the DD15 Gen 5 debuts a smaller unit design to reduce weight by more than 60 pounds while increasing nitrous oxide conversion and, dependent on duty cycle, allowing increased diesel particulate filter service intervals.

The DD15 Gen 5 also debuts ThermoCoasting, a new feature that prevents aftertreatment cool=down during a driving regen to keep the keep the system at the optimum temperature. To accomplish this, ThermoCoasting will engage engine brakes when necessary between 900 and 1,500 rpm while the engine mimics coasting by maintaining zero torque at the flywheel to balance power delivery.

Canadian government orders 10 million face masks from GM

Greg Layson, Automotive News  /  May 26, 2020

General Motors Canada says employees at its factory in Oshawa, Ontario, will manufacture 10 million masks over the next year for the government of Canada. Production began Tuesday.

GM Canada originally announced in late April that it would use its idled assembly plant to make face masks for health care workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

The automaker said Tuesday that it will manufacture the face masks at cost for the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Minister of Public Services and Procurement Anita Anand said the agreement ensures “a steady and reliable domestic supply of this vital equipment.”

David Paterson, vice president of corporate and environmental affairs at GM Canada, would only say that the price was “very competitive” and that the automaker could offer an “assured supply” of masks, and do so quickly.

Paterson said the world is scrambling to manufacture personal protective equipment and that Canada alone will need an estimated three billion masks per year.

“The most valuable thing we offer is a guaranteed source of material,” he said.

Mask making in Oshawa is based on the process GM is using at its plant in Warren, Mich., that began a month before the work in Ontario.

Paterson said the automaker has no plans to make masks for its own employees, saying the Oshawa-made masks will be “100 percent for Canadians.”

“We already have other sources for face masks [for GM Canada],” he said. “We have our PPE requirements covered for Canada.”

It’s all part of the automaker’s global supply chain.

GM Canada President Scott Bell called the deal with the federal government “one of the proudest moments in our history.”

The company said it received its medical device establishment license on April 22. Over the course of a little more than three weeks, and with support from GM’s global supply chain, the company sourced materials, built a ‘Canadian Mask Making (CMM)’ clean room with enhanced safety protocols, installed the required equipment and recalled and trained 60 workers for two shifts of production in Oshawa in partnership with Unifor.

“Unifor members in Oshawa are highly skilled and proud to help GM make whatever our country needs to get through this pandemic,” Unifor President Jerry Dias said in the same statement.

The modern Oshawa assembly plant that produced its last vehicle on Dec. 19 dates back to 1953 and has produced everything from the Chevrolet Bel Air to the Chevrolet Silverado. 

The plant has been reduced to a stamping operation, building parts for discontinued models, although GM Canada said that work had not started yet. However, until the pandemic struck, it had been stamping parts for the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, where the automaker builds the Chevrolet Equinox.

The parts program gives the Oshawa plant a lease on life, albeit one that employs just 300 or so people, instead of the 2,600 that had been assembling cars and trucks for years. Each aftermarket part produced there will be built for 10 years.

Ford throws lifeline to suppliers facing cash crunch

Keith Naughton, Bloomberg  /  May 21, 2020

The automaker is helping keep key component suppliers afloat by paying invoices early. Ford plans eventually to expand the program to other manufacturers across its supply base.

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. is helping some of its suppliers survive a cash crunch by paying its bills early to ensure that critically needed parts keep flowing to its auto factories.

The Detroit 3 are restarting production after shutting down for two months to slow the spread of the coronavirus. That has caused a cash-flow crisis at many suppliers that don’t have deep capital reserves.

Ford burned through $8 billion in the first three months of the year, but it has built up a substantial cash pile by suspending its dividend, drawing down its credit lines and selling junk bonds. Now it is helping keep key component suppliers afloat by paying invoices early.

“In light of current market conditions, Ford is creating an early-payment program for our supply base,” Jennifer Flake, a company spokeswoman, said in an emailed statement. “This new voluntary program creates access to cash flow and working capital to Ford suppliers.”

The automaker, which is projecting a $5 billion operating loss for the second quarter, said it is making these early payments to a small group of key suppliers it declined to identify. The company plans eventually to expand the program to other manufacturers across its supply base, Flake said.

5 hours ago, carlotpilot said:

the pictured truck most likely had a 534 gas engine and a5x4 trans.` could have been an 1160 cat

That is a beast. Thanks for posting.

2 hours ago, TS7 said:

The Florida Coronavirus Website whistleblower was arrested last year and charged with cyberstalking, looking at 12 months in jail. Who's corrupt now.

You're right.

1 hour ago, Outbehindthebarn said:

Was this also true for the Western Superliner's?

Yes.

Ford plant worker tested positive for Coronavirus, sending thousands of factory workers home early after second day open

CBS Chicago  /  May 20, 2020

Chicago’s Ford assembly plant sent thousands of workers home early on Wednesday only two days after reopening because an employee tested positive for the novel Coronavirus.

The unexpected dismissal came after Ford reopened Monday. Production was set to resume Tuesday night.

Ford had implemented temperature checks, installed social distancing reminders and redesigned work stations for safety. Ford said the company has been cleaning and disinfecting all areas that the ill employee might have touched.

“I’m worried right now,” said employee Timothy Shy. “This is the second day, and we are already hearing about this.

Production was temporarily halted at part of the facility and the main plant.

“Social distancing doesn’t really work,” said employee Billy Cowart.

There are changes from the social distancing reminders outside to temperature checks and re-configured work stations inside. Ford provided a video highlighting some of the updated health changes COVID has brought along to their plants

“All these people are crowded and on top of each other,” said Michael Hopper while wearing his Ford issued face mask.

“I lost a brother to Coronavirus May 6th,” Hopper said.

Hopper along with others describes an experience inside the plant that doesn’t sound or look like the polished video.

“I cleaned my own workstation myself,” said Hopper. “How our jobs are set-up, if one person gets in the hole that would affect the person behind him.”

"You can kick their balls, but you can't touch them."

.

5 hours ago, Vladislav said:

When was that happened?

The second generation (RWI) Super-Liner entered production in 1985.

(The MH Ultra-Liner entered limited production in 1984........there were quite a few last minute changes)

5 hours ago, Vladislav said:

Can't understand again.

Was the 2nd gen RW with rectangular headlights known internally as RWI model (not RWII)? Should I take that RWI doesn't mean RWS?

Ok, if so, when Superliner production was moved from Hayward to East Coast (in 81 as Mike said) did it already purchase a newly designed MH chassis? Or any trucks were assembled using Cruiseliner rails?

The 2nd gen RW with rectangular headlights was known internally as the RWI model.

The RWI (on the Ultra-Liner chassis) replaced the Hayward, California-built RWS (steel frame) and RWL (aluminum frame).

5 minutes ago, Vladislav said:

The MH chassis-based RWI - what it actually was?? A RW2 with earlier headlights?

Also seems strange since Cruiseliner kept its original Western split chassis to the end of production (at Macungie) and RW1 had similar chassis. So what is the truth? Was RW1 with its original not MH-based chassis ever produced at Macungie or not?

The second generation Super-Liner, produced in Macungie, with the 4 rectangular headlights (H4651/H4656), built on the previously introduced MH Ultra-Liner chassis, was known internally as the RWI model.

We didn't spend money to improve the Cruise-Liner chassis because the Ultra-Liner was in the development pipeline to replace it before the first Cruise-Liner rolled off the Macungie assembly line. While the Cruise-Liner's death was planned, we wanted to continue on with the Super-Liner product.

Ford Trucks Spain  /  May 18, 2020

They say good things are kept waiting, but the COVID-19 has made it longer than expected!! Happy to announce that our dealer Vehinva has delivered their first F-Max on Friday to Fernando Zapata.

Fernando, we hope you enjoy your shiny new truck! Thank you for choosing us!

#PoweredbyFordTrucks 😊 #SharingtheLoad

On 5/5/2020 at 5:57 PM, mrsmackpaul said:

Looks like a Mack dealer ship in Spain

Spanish haulier San Jose used the Mack emblem Paul. We didn't care......free advertising.

https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/30466-when-mack-roamed-europe-the-middle-east-africa-and-western-asia/?page=3&tab=comments#comment-180054

2 minutes ago, Mack Technician said:

Dems won’t raise taxes to pay into debt or even slow debt accumulation, they’ll blow it on programs, kick the can down the road, and start up the printing machine. They always have and always will. The money printing machine is every politicians favorite from Obama’s quantitative easing to Don’s Covid 💰 19 print-fest (maybe call it “Covid 19-trillion printfest”). It steals money directly out of the pocket of those who have wealth(aka- no debt), slightly benefits those in debt up to their ears and makes attaining a living wage increasingly impossible because of hyper-inflation. 

We’re screwed boys. Pretty soon nobody will be able to afford a soap box to stand on and shout out their party affiliation, you’ll be spending it on a $5 loaf of crumby Walmart “Great Value” bread.

The way they're printing money scares the heck out of me.........a recipe for disaster.

36 minutes ago, Mack458 said:

I believe that history will show that Trump was the most corrupt president in modern history. While he said he was going to "clean up the swamp" but he has placed his loyalists in positions that they are not qualified for. He has provided the wealthy and companies with a substantial tax cut, while the working class was led to believe they would get the same. For me, while I took home more money, come tax season I paid 3K that I would have rather paid in each paycheck. As we see time and time again he has fired anyone who disagrees with him, and I believe this is a coverup. His cabinet positions are filled with "Acting" before the persons name. He has attempted to stop officials from testifying, and anyone not on "the team" is critisized harshly, even if they had been loyal in the past. Friday night he fired the State Department IG. He has always gotten his way in business because he is the boss, but have anyone try to explain something to him and he knows more. He knows more than the Generals, Doctors, and other specialist in thier field. The one thing I can say about him is he is very good at pointing his finger at everyone else and blaming them. He has never once said the words "I was mistaken".  He always claims "the fake news" and/or blames the democrats. Remember how Covid-19 was a hoax by the dems to win the election. "Just 15v Cases - one day it will disapear". Well he blew this one folks. The WH had people telling them that this was bad in advance. Trump didn't want to listen to the truth - and you see the results. Deaths could have been avoided along with some of the restrictions that we are now facing.  He has blamed everyone except the guy in the mirror. Did he create Covid-19, NO. Should he have acted quicker with urgency to protect citizens, YES. Again he point the finger at everyone else. Obama left him low on supplies - you Mr. President have been in office for three years. Time to take responsibility.

The funny thing to me is that he has destroyed "his" beautiful economy. As the deficit continues to rise under his leadership, they will continue to reduce taxes for corporations and the wealthy. WE will all pay the price for his belief that this was a hoax. I feel for the folks who will loose everything, the busisinesses that will close and not rehire people. This will not go away for many years. There will be a time when Republicans and Democrats will have to sit down and raise taxes to get rid of this debt. If the Dems do it on thier own, even though it's best for the country, they will pay the price.

WE as a nation have to start working together on common goals. If not, I am afraid that the America we once knew, will be a thing of the past. I hope that a vaccine is found very soon, or the use of a current drug, and that Americas are the ones who discover it. We were once looked up to on the world stage. We no longer have that reputation, in my opinion. 

Based on the news fed to us from the entire spectrum of media (I don't know anyone in government today personally), I can't argue with you.

13 hours ago, TS7 said:

So if all government is inefficient, that makes what Obama did ok, by your standard. Well no that is no reason for him and others to get a pass on what they did. Government is only as corrupt as we let it be  You have a hard time accepting that Trump came in to start cleaning the corruption up and it is coming out how rotten to the core DC is, both sides. No one in our lifetime has tried what he has tried to do and no one has put up with so much push back. The rats are on the run, looking for someplace to hide Will see in the coming months, how many get caught. 

I never mentioned Trump or Obama. Okay?

I only said that all government, by design is corrupt (and has been for hundreds of years).

In 1887, John Dalberg-Acton wrote:

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority, still more when you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority.

32 minutes ago, TS7 said:

The level of corruption being revealed from the Flynn ordeal is staggering. It is now very clear that Obama was abusing governmental surveillance to spy on Trump. 

All government, by design, is corrupt to varying degrees, and inefficient in functionality.

1 hour ago, Vladislav said:

Was RW1 ever produced at Macungie???

The RWL/RWS was produced at Hayward.

The MH chassis-based RWI was produced at Macungie.

F-150, Bronco programs delayed 2 months

Michael Martinez, Automotive News  /  May 15, 2020

DETROIT — Plant shutdowns due to the coronavirus will result in roughly two-month delays for several of Ford Motor Co.'s key vehicle programs, including the redesigned F-150 pickup and new Bronco SUV, but a top executive said the automaker doesn't envision additional postponements.

"Given our inability to work in our assembly plants during the shelter-in-place restrictions, it will have an impact to program timing, in terms of the launches, but we expect the launch delays to be commensurate with the duration of the shutdown period," Hau Thai-Tang, Ford's chief product development and purchasing officer, said Friday in a Bank of America presentation.

Ford on March 18 said it would shutter its North American facilities as the coronavirus spread across the globe. It plans to resume limited production at most plants Monday.

Ford has already delayed public unveilings of the Bronco, Bronco Sport crossover and F-150 this spring.

The Bronco Sport, F-150 and Mustang Mach-E electric crossover are due in showrooms in the second half of 2020. The Bronco is expected to go on sale in early 2021.

Bronco Sport output was originally planned to start July 13 but then was pushed to Sept. 7 because of the coronavirus outbreak. Suppliers have been told production now will begin Aug. 31 at a plant in Mexico.

The vehicles represent popular, high-margin nameplates that Ford hopes are key to a financial turnaround.

Despite the delays, Thai-Tang said Ford planned no further postponements, even as money gets tight.

"We're not going to do any additional delay to these launches beyond the impact of COVID-19 as a mechanism to conserve cash," he said. "I know that's something some of the other OEMs are doing."

The virus has upended launch plans for a number of automakers.

Ford has said it has enough cash to make it to the end of 2020, even if none of its assembly plants resumed production.

In the case of the Bronco family of vehicles, Ford is betting not only on robust sales — it's targeting 200,000 in 2021 — but also revenue from a large number of accessories. Ford is hoping the Bronco subbrand can do for it what Jeep has done for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

"FCA has nine Jeep products; last time I counted, it accounts for at least half of their revenue and profit, all underpinned by the Wrangler," Thai-Tang said. "We think we have the same brand strength with Bronco and Mustang, and series like Raptor, that we need to really capitalize on. You're seeing the initial us dipping our toes in the water, but we think there's tremendous upside there."