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The Seattle Times / January 30, 2015 The Bellevue-based truckmaker said 2014 yielded the second best annual profit in the company’s century-long history. Paccar reported a 16 percent increase in net income for 2014, bringing in the second best annual profit in the company’s century-long history. “Paccar’s North American customers are benefiting from good economic growth, record freight tonnage, lower fuel prices and the excellent operating efficiency of Kenworth’s and Peterbilt’s industry-leading trucks,” said company CEO Ron Armstrong. For the year, the company reported a profit of $1.4 billion, or $3.82 a share, up from $1.2 billion, or $3.30 a share, in 2013. Truck sales brought in $14.6 billion in revenue, up 12 percent from a year ago. Paccar parts generated $3.1 billion, up 9 percent over last year and a record for the business. Total revenue for the company, including financial services, increased almost 11 percent to nearly $19 billion — a record high for the company. During 2014, the company opened a new distribution center in Montreal, Canada, and began construction of a new 160,000-square-foot distribution center in Renton. Paccar delivered 142,900 trucks worldwide in 2014 — including its one millionth Kenworth truck. In U.S. and Canada, the company sold 84,800 trucks, up 23 percent from 2013. European sales were down 18 percent to 39,500 trucks. In a conference call with analysts, Armstrong said the political tensions with Russia have affected demand in that country to some extent. But with freight activity increasing in Europe as a whole, the European market has the potential to improve. “I think it’s a matter of people getting confident about how the future may look for them,” he said. “Once they gain that confidence, they will be willing to be more aggressive in placing that order.” The company delivered 3,600 trucks in South America for the year, a 37 percent increase from 2013, due in part to production rising at the Brazil factory that was built in 2013. Analysts on the call questioned what impact declining oil prices will have on Paccar’s sales in 2015. Because only about 10 percent of the company’s truck volume is related to supporting the oil industry, principally as water and sand trucks, Paccar does not expect much backlash due to possible reduced oil exploration. “Our assessment of the impact of the lower oil prices is a positive for the U.S. and U.S. economy,” Armstrong said. “That will create additional consumer spending and consumer demand, which I think will benefit freight volumes.” For the quarter, Paccar reported a profit of $394.3 million, or $1.11 cents a share, up 18 percent from $334.2 million, or 94 cents a share, for the same period in 2013. Truck sales brought in the majority of revenue, increasing 13 percent to just under $4 billion. Total revenue for the company during the forth quarter was $5.1 billion, up 11 percent from the same period in 2013. Paccar is one of several heavy- and medium-duty truck producers under investigation by the European Commission for possible anti-competitive practices in the European Union. The commission began investigating the companies in January 2011, and in November sent a “statement of objections” to each company involved, informing them of its suspicions of anti-competitive practices. Paccar is preparing a response, which the commission will review before making any decisions. Friday the company again said it is unable to predict the outcome of the proceedings or estimate the potential fine that may be incurred. Paccar shares closed Friday at $60.11, down $3.94 or 6.2 percent. Shares traded between $53.59 and $71.15 in 2014. More information: http://www.paccar.com/news/current-news/2015/paccar-reports-record-annual-revenues/

Australasian Transport News / February 2, 2015 Australia’s trucking fleet is both growing and ageing, according to the latest registration data The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its annual census of the national vehicle fleet, with some interesting insights into the state of it. ABS numbers show that freight vehicles are growing in absolute number and in comparison to passenger vehicles on Australian roads, but they are also not getting any younger on average. Rigid trucks accounted for 2.6 per cent of the total number of vehicles registered in 2014, down slightly from the 2.7 per cent recorded in the 2009 census year. Numbers of light rigid trucks rose 22.5 per cent over the same period, while heavy rigid truck registrations have grown by 6 per cent since 2009. While more trucks are taking to Australian roads, they are not necessarily new trucks. The influx has not changed the average age of the national freight transport fleet. Light commercial vehicles have had an average of 10.4 years since 2009, while light rigid trucks have gotten older – from an average of 10.9 years in 2009 to 11.1 years during the 2014 survey. The average ages of heavy rigid and articulated trucks have also risen – from 15.4 to 15.6 years and from 10.7 years to 11.4 years respectively. Of the 329,464 heavy rigid trucks registered for use in Australia, some 43.5 per cent were manufactured in or before 1998. Only 60,882, or 18 per cent, were manufactured in the last five years.

http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/31288-peterbilt-model-320-lcf-gets-new-interior/

FYI: The 320 is the only Peterbilt model not produced in Denton, Texas. Rather, it is built at Paccar's Mexicali, Mexico plant alongside Kenworth models. The company says the 320's COE configuration isn't compatible with Denton's production line.

Heavy Duty Trucking / January 28, 2015 When the covers were pulled off the 2016 Nissan Titan XD full-size pickup at the 2015 North American International Auto Show earlier this month, it was really two debuts in one with the all-new Cummins 5.0L V-8 Turbo Diesel engine being shown for the first time too. The Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel in the upcoming 2016 Nissan Titan XD features a Cummins M² Two-Stage Turbocharger, which is configured to work well at both low and high engine speeds. The series sequential turbocharging system, involving two differently sized turbochargers, effectively provides a small turbocharger for low air flow requirements and a large turbo for high air flow. The small turbo provides the advantage of good transient response due to its low inertia and the large turbo maintains power at higher engine speeds. This helps eliminate turbo lag, providing a continuous delivery of peak torque through the RPM range. In order to control the air flow between the two turbochargers, the new M² system from Cummins Turbo Technologies uses a rotary valve to open ports that perform the bypass or waste-gate functionality and provide exhaust after-treatment thermal management. “We are excited to have Cummins as a partner to launch the new Titan XD. The Indiana-made Cummins 5.0L V8 is a perfect fit for our truck that was designed in California, engineered in Detroit, and will be assembled in Mississippi,” said Rich Miller, chief product specialist, Titan, Nissan North America, Inc. “The 2016 Titan reflects the passion that both Nissan and Cummins employees have toward their heritage as truck people. We collectively know what we would want in our own truck and pulled together all of those traits into one unbeatable package that we are thrilled to finally show the world.”

Fleet Owner / January 29, 2015 Freightliner Trucks has announced new option packages that are now available to order on its Class 6/7 M2 106 medium-duty truck model. The new packages were introduced at the 2014 Work Truck Show. “We know our medium-duty customers want options that enhance productivity, efficiency and driver recruitment, and we are delivering smart solutions on all levels,” said Mary Aufdemberg, director of product marketing for Freightliner Trucks. The new options for the M2 106 include: AllisonTransmission’s FuelSense technology “Ideal for pickup and delivery applications, FuelSense is a set of unique software packages including features that automatically adapt to shift cycles and torque, maximizing transmission efficiency based on load, grade and duty cycle, without compromising performance. When ordered in the Efficiency Package, FuelSense is paired with an exclusive 220hp and 600 lbs.-ft. of torque Cummins ISB6.7 engine. Features such as the increased torque rating allows operation at lower engine RPMs, mitigating downshifts; and FuelSense’s neutral-at-stop feature, which takes the load off the engine and transmission while stopped in traffic or at a light, further contribute to meaningful fuel savings. The Efficiency Package also includes a 5.22 axle ratio and synthetic fuel efficiency lube for the steer and drive axles.” Driver Retention Package This package includes “popular premium interior features that will contribute to driver comfort during tough working conditions. Options include a roof console with storage; premium insulation; a wood grain instrument panel; additional in-dash power outlets; Bluetooth-enabled SiriusXM radio; a high-back air suspension heated driver seat; dual driver seat armrests; power windows and door locks; and an adjustable tilt and telescoping steering column.” Professional Image Package This package offers a variety of chrome and bright finish options for the M2 106, including a chrome hood mounted air intake grille; a hood-mounted chromed plastic grille; a 14-inch round polished air horn; chrome headlight bezels; bright-finished heated and remote mirrors; polished fuel tanks with painted bands; three-piece chromed steel bumper; and polished stainless steel steps.

Fleet Owner / January 29, 2015 Peterbilt Motors Co. has announced that its low-cab forward Model 320 reached record production in 2014 with more than 1,600 trucks built—which amounts to a 12% year-over-year increase. The specialty vehicle – used primarily in refuse operations and concrete-pumper applications – was recently introduced with an entirely new interior. A right-hand, stand-up cab configuration was announced late last year as well. Additionally, the company said it would introduce a dual-steer configuration later this year. “The Model 320 has been a proven performer for many years and through many harsh operating environments. Since 2000 we’ve seen large market share gains for the Model 320,” said Robert Woodall, Peterbilt assistant gm - sales and marketing. “We anticipate even larger gains ahead as customer reception of the new Model 320 is outstanding, providing super ior fit and finish and numerous enhancements that improve operator comfort, productivity and safety,” he added. .

Ford's 2014 profit fell 56 percent amid new-product blitz 'Strong growth' predicted for '15 despite darker outlook for Europe Automotive News / January 29, 2015 Ford Motor Co. posted a drop in fourth-quarter profit and said earnings fell 56 percent in 2014 as it introduced 24 vehicles worldwide while U.S. market share declined. Annual net income fell to $3.2 billion from $7.2 billion in 2013. Ford earned $52 million in the fourth quarter, marking its 22nd consecutive profitable quarter, but that was down from $3 billion in the same period a year earlier, when results were boosted by favorable tax benefits. “2014 was a solid yet challenging year for Ford -- with our investments and a record number of new products launched around the world positioning us for strong growth this year and beyond,” CEO Mark Fields said in a statement. “The entire Ford team remains focused on our three priorities of accelerating our One Ford plan, delivering product excellence and driving innovation in every part of the business.” Annual revenue was down 2 percent, to $144.1 billion, as Ford booked fewer trucks and other vehicles coming off the assembly line. Ford's results still beat most Wall Street expectations. Ford shares rose 2.7 percent to $14.85 as the overall markets rallied today. The fourth-quarter results included a previously disclosed $800 million pretax charge related to currency devaluation in Venezuela. Excluding that and other special items, including costs related to job cuts in Europe and Asia Pacific, Ford earned a quarterly operating profit of $1.1 billion, 15 percent less than a year ago. In North America, Ford earned $6.9 billion last year, 22 percent less than it did in 2013. As a result, about 50,000 hourly UAW members at Ford will receive profit-sharing checks averaging $6,900. Last year’s profit-sharing checks averaged $8,800, a record. The payouts, to be made in March, will total about $345 million. 2015 outlook As production and sales of the vehicles introduced in 2014 ramp up, Ford said it expects to earn a 2015 pretax profit of $8.5 billion to $9.5 billion, which matches the guidance it provided in September. Fields said Ford expects to produce the majority of its 2015 profits in the second half of the year, as inventories of the recently introduced vehicles rise, whereas historically the first half tends to be more profitable. Ford CFO Bob Shanks said the company’s 2015 operating margin would improve from last year’s 3.9 percent, which was a drop from the 5.4 percent it managed in 2013. “I think we’ll do much better than that in 2015,” Shanks told reporters at Ford headquarters this morning. “We do expect to see a substantial increase in our wholesales this year. You’re going to see a pretty big step up … and our share improve as well. You’re going to see a lot of strong growth numbers from Ford in 2015.” F-150 'flying off lots' Ford has said dealers will have a full supply of the redesigned F-150 around April. Ford started shipping F-150s from its Dearborn Truck Plant in November, and its truck plant in Kansas City, Mo., which was down for a month to retool, reopened this week. Shanks said the F-150 launch is going “extremely well,” with the Dearborn plant now up to full speed. “Vehicles are literally flying off the lots,” he said. “Mix is extremely rich. Pricing is very, very healthy.” Ford sales slipped 1 percent in the U.S. last year, with its share falling to 14.9 percent from 15.9 percent at the end of 2013. Executives have attributed the decline to the F-150 production changeover, though other nameplates also underperformed their segments. The full-year results, equal to $1.16 a share, were slightly above Wall Street’s expectation of $1.11. The fourth quarter was Ford’s fifth consecutive quarter of positive automotive operating cash flow. Its Asia Pacific region achieved a record $589 million operating profit for the year. European outlook In Europe, Ford’s losses narrowed to $443 million in the fourth quarter and $1.1 billion on the year. Ford lowered its guidance for Europe, saying it expects to do better than last year but worse than the $250 million loss it previously projected. Ford Motor Credit Co. had its best year since 2011, earning $1.9 billion in 2014. That was 6 percent better than a year ago, driven by increases in both lending and leasing. Among the company’s biggest problems is Venezuela, where it has changed its accounting methods to reflect the difficulty of operating its business there. “We don’t see anything changing going forward,” Shanks said. “We have difficulty getting access to hard currency.” Including the accounting charge, Ford lost $1.2 billion in South America last year, compared to a $33 million loss there in 2013. That contrasts with the growth Ford is experiencing in Asia Pacific, where the company’s joint ventures in China produced a $1.3 billion profit. Ford market share in China rose from 4.1 percent in 2013 to 4.5 percent in 2014.

Auto Maker Sees Revenue, Market Share Rising After Challenging 2014 Wall Street Journal / January 29, 2015 Ford Motor Co. pledged to put weak earnings behind it with a strong 2015 forecast, but persistent losses in Europe and emerging markets show the challenge of kicking results into overdrive. On Thursday, the No. 2 U.S. auto maker reported a sharp drop in fourth-quarter net profit, due largely to accounting moves. But margins also eroded as revenue slipped 4.5% and costs piled up for product launches in its North American home market. Chief Financial Officer Bob Shanks referred to 2014 as a “solid, but challenging” period. An economic downturn in Russia, weakness in South America and costs from a record pace of U.S. recalls hit Ford hard, forcing the auto maker to miss its original full-year profit outlook. Still, the Dearborn, Mich., auto maker topped analysts’ forecasts for operating profit in the quarter ended Dec. 31, posting profit before special items of $1 billion, or 26 cents a share, compared with $1.3 billion, or 32 cents a year earlier. Net profit slipped to $52 million during the period, down significantly from the $3 billion recorded a year earlier. Ford had a sizable one-time tax benefit that bumped up results in the fourth quarter of 2013. Profit in the latest quarter was hit by lower sales volumes, a $700 million charge for removing Venezuela from its consolidated operations and restructuring costs in Europe and Australia. Revenue declined even as industry sales sizzled in the period. The pressure is on to deliver better results this year. The first six months of Chief Executive Officer Mark Fields ’s tenure were marked by sales declines in key products and regions. Mr. Fields also has called 2015 a “breakthrough year.” Russia, in particular, poses a big problem this year for Ford, which has invested heavily in the region over the past five years. Weakening conditions there caused Ford to lower its expectations in Europe overall. Similarly, General Motors Co. , which reports earnings next week, said on Thursday it was temporarily shuttering a plant in Russia that makes its Opel brand vehicles. “We need to take more action in Russia,” Mr. Shanks said in an interview. Ford, which runs a joint venture with Russia’s Sollers JSC, has laid off hundreds of workers and cut production as the nation’s weak economy and falling currency hurt demand. Mr. Shanks didn’t say what actions Ford would consider, but ruled out removing the business from consolidated operations. Ford’s global revenue declined $1.7 billion in the quarter to $35.9 billion because of lower vehicle sales around the globe, including fewer deliveries in a North American market that is at a near-decade high. Ford has forecast a big turnaround this year with new vehicles entering the market late in 2014 that promise to increase sales and revenue. The auto maker suffered a slowdown late in the year due to a critical production changeover for its top-seller, the F-150 pickup truck. Adjusted for one-time costs, including the Venezuelan effort and costs related to cutting jobs in Asia and Europe, Ford earned 26 cents a share, better than the 23 cents expected by analysts polled by Thomson Reuters. For the year, Ford posted a $6.3 billion operating profit and kept its forecast for 2015 pretax operating profits at between $8.5 billion and $9.5 billion. In North America, traditionally Ford’s strongest region, quarterly pretax profits fell to $1.55 billion from $1.8 billion the previous year. Ford didn’t reap much of the benefit of having its Dearborn, Mich., truck plant back online after shutting it for several weeks in the third quarter as production was still slow. Car makers book revenue when cars are shipped to dealers, not when they are sold to consumers. Ford’s quarterly losses in Europe shrank to $443 million from $529 million a year earlier. Ford finished its restructuring last year with the closing of its Genk, Belgium, plant. Overall, Ford reduced capacity in the region by 18% and closed three plants, but it isn’t projecting profits in the region this year. Losses in its South American business expanded to $187 million from $126 million. Asia-Pacific profits fell to $95 million from $109 million on higher warranty costs and exchange rates. Deliveries in the region rose only slightly. Profits at its finance arm, Ford Motor Credit, rose to $408 million from $355 million a year ago.

Press Release / January 28, 2015 Comments by Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO: “Scania’s net sales rose to a record level of SEK 92 billion (US$11,098 billion) and earnings for the full year 2014 increased to SEK 8,721 million (US$1,052 million). Record service volume, record earnings in Financial Services and positive currency rate effects were partly offset by a weaker market mix. Total order bookings for trucks increased during the fourth quarter, compared to the previous quarter. The increase was primarily related to an upturn in Europe, which is in line with the seasonal pattern in the European market. Scania has strengthened its position in the European market with increased market share compared to 2013, among other things through a leading Euro 6 range and a broad range of engines for alternative fuels. Order bookings in Latin America decreased. Low economic activity and uncertainty about the subsidised financing programme in Brazil had a negative impact. In Asia, order bookings decreased compared to the previous quarter, related to the Middle East. Order bookings in Russia held up but the outlook for the region is uncertain. In buses and coaches, order bookings were sequentially higher, driven by Asia. In Engines, order bookings and deliveries reached all-time high levels. Scania is continuing its long-term efforts to boost market share in Services and revenue increased by 8 percent to a record SEK 18.8 billion (US$2,267 billion) during 2014. Financial Services reported record earnings, with operating income of more than SEK 1 billion (US$120.6 million). Regarding transmissions, Scania has initiated extensive cooperation with MAN, which will mean a stronger product offering and generate significant synergies in the longer term.” For more information: http://mb.cision.com/Main/209/9714285/337099.pdf .

Successful Dealer / January 22, 2015 Penske Used Trucks has opened three more locations in Dallas, metro Atlanta and Ontario, doubling its commercial truck dealership footprint in North America. The company now has six locations including Phoenix; Torrance, California; and Charlotte, North Carolina. “These commercial truck dealerships have proven to be an effective sales channel for our company,” says Jack Mitchell, Penske Vice President of Remarketing. “We are picking strong truck resell markets when deciding on new locations. The centers complement our website, call center and Penske dealer representative sales efforts.” The Dallas and Mississauga, Ontario locations are open six days per week. The Conyers, Ga. location is open Monday through Friday.

Press Release / January 27, 2015 Wheel-End Management System Meritor and Temper Axle Products Corp. of Fonda, New York have partnered to offer Doctor Preload and Temper-Loc spindle nuts for quick preload, or "tight" bearing adjustments on a variety of steer, drive and trailer axles. Proper preload settings improve the life of tires, bearings, spindles and wheel seals and decreases ABS faults. When used together, the Doctor Preload bearing adjustment tool and the Temper-Loc single-lock nut system help fleets meet the SAE J2535 optimal bearing setting of a light preload. Preload settings maintain a slight force on all rollers in tapered roller bearings to minimize vibration and angular movement in wheel-ends. "Meritor's solution with the Temper Axle products is a cost-effective alternative to preadjusted hubs now on the market," Bickford said. "The ability to set a proper preload is critical to reducing fleet operating expenses and vehicle downtime," he added. "Fleets already using the system are finding it to be a valuable addition to their maintenance practices." Doctor Preload is easy to use and requires minimal training. Qualified technicians can set proper preload on each wheel-end bearing with reliable and repeatable processes in less than one minute. It is backed by millions of hours of precision-load cell testing and hundreds of thousands of road miles. "We created the Doctor Preload tool and Temper-Loc nut system in response to the all-too-common loose bearing setting or slight endplay, which we found leads to premature tire wear," said Ray Piascik, vice president of Sales and Marketing, Temper Axle Products Corp. "Improved tire mileage is a compelling benefit, especially when it can be achieved with minimal added effort." Doctor Preload tools are covered by a 1-year warranty while Temper-Loc nuts are covered by a 3-year warranty from the date of installation. Genuine Meritor Hubcaps A new line of Meritor hubcaps is now available as part of an expanding portfolio of wheel-end replacement products. The offering includes aluminum and clear poly hubcaps that meet the operating demands of most heavy-duty applications, said Pete Freeman, senior product manager, Wheel-Ends. Meritor hubcaps are a direct replacement for many competitive models. The hubcaps are available in standard cast aluminum with or without side fill-plug, high-impact clear poly. They can also be purchased with or without a vented plug and high-impact clear poly for hub odometer applications. Each hubcap is packaged with a gasket or O-ring as required. Meritor's wheel-end component portfolio includes automatic and manual slack adjusters, standard and premium wheel seals, wheel bearings, hubs, drums, brake chambers, camshafts and new and remanufactured brake shoes. All wheel-end products are available through the Meritor Aftermarket distribution centers in Florence, Kentucky and Brampton, Ontario, Canada. To order, customers can visit meritorparts.com or call 888.725-9355. .

Western Star trucks plant partially idled after blaze that caused $510,000 in damages Oregon Live / January 28, 2015 Cleanup continued Wednesday at the Western Star truck factory on Swan Island, one day after a fire that halted some production and forced 700 workers to evacuate. No one was injured, but the blaze caused an estimated $510,000 in damages before it was extinguished Tuesday morning, said Lt. Damon Simmons, a Portland Fire & Rescue spokesman. Operations may resume as early as Thursday, said David Giroux, a spokesman for parent company Daimler Trucks North America. The German-owned truck maker, headquartered in Portland, is one of the city's largest manufacturing employers. The fire started when sparks created by an employee grinding near the plant's paint booth ignited flammable liquids in the area. The fire bypassed the sprinkler system and spread to the ceiling. Seven units and 30 firefighters responded to the blaze, and put out the flames within 35 minutes, Simmons said. Most of the damage was structural. No trucks were affected, Giroux said. He said idled employees can use sick leave or vacation days to continue to be paid as cleanup continues. Normal operations could resume Thursday at the earliest, he said.

Fleet Owner / January 28, 2015 A high-pressure diagnostic leak detector for medium- and heavy-duty diesels was introduced by Redline Detection at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week. THe HD PowerSmoke can replicate high-pressure boost loads in both intake and exhaust systems with the engine off to safely and quickly identify leaks, according to the manufacturer. Using a proprietary bladder to pressurize intake and exhaust systems, it lets a technician complete a diagnostic leak test without major engine disassembly within 10 minutes, according to Redline, which has long built a similar "power smoke" tool for light-duty diesels. The test can identify the root causes of problems such as excessive regeneration of diesel particulate filters (DPFs), plugged DPFs and other leak-related problems that trip engine warning codes. The new tool allows technicians to vary test pressures from 2 to 20 PSI. It creates a dense, long-hanging vapor that can be seen easily even with minor leaks. Unlike dyes used by other diagnostic tools, the vapor does not coat sensors or void warranties, according to Redline, which reported that HDPowerSmoke has just been mandated as an essential tool by one major U.S. truck maker.

Fleet Owner / January 28, 2015 A diesel fuel filter that removes 95% of emulsified water and an air filter with nanotech media for high-dust conditions were introduced by Luber-finer at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week The MP995 fuel filter is designed to protect common rail high-pressure fuel injection systems from clogging and damage caused by water and particulates common with ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and biodiesel blends Featuring a microglass/synthetic laminate media, the new fuel filter is 95% efficient at removing emulsified water and 99.5% efficient at trapping particulates as small as 4 microns, according to Luber-finer. Initial applications include Cummins ISL, ISM, ISC and ISX engines. The new MXM Nanotech Air Filter is designed for off-road and other high-dust applications. It replaces the more common cellulose media with a nano fiber surface over a synthetic fiber layer, providing overall efficiency of 99.85%, according to the company. It will be available for a wide range of vocational trucks including the Mack Granite Series, the International 7000 Series, and trucks powered by the Detroit Diesel 60 Series. Both new filters will be available in March. http://www.luber-finer.com/documents/brochure/en/LF0105-MXM-Filter-brochure-041414-Web.pdf

Press Release / January 28, 2015 Further positioning the company for growth, Meritor announced a long-term contract with PACCAR. This seven-year agreement secures preferred product positioning for rear axles in North America and Australia. In addition, Meritor now has enhanced optional positioning for brakes, drivelines and front axles. “We are excited to enter into this long-term agreement with PACCAR and further strengthen our relationship in such a significant way,” said Ike Evans, chairman and CEO, Meritor. “The Meritor team is fully committed to delivering industry-leading products to support PACCAR in building great trucks.” "Securing new contracts, such as with PACCAR, is a result of the effort the Meritor team has put forth to drive the company toward greater shareholder value as part of our M2016 strategy," said Evans.

In 2010, due to advances in oil technology, most of the global car makers went to 0W-20 engine oil. They also recommended owners of pre-2010 cars switch over to the new 0W-20 oil. It provides the same protection as the previous 10W30 and so forth, but also yields greater fuel economy (easier winter starting is a secondary benefit). This trend will be heading our way as well.

Focus on Transport and Logistics / January 27, 2015 The delivery of 60 new MAN TGS 26.440 6x4 long-haul tractors for its line-haul operations in southern Africa brings Imperial Cargo’s MAN fleet to 100 units, and with it a new benchmark in the company’s total cost-of-ownership figures. The 60 new trucks will average 16,000 km per month. They were purchased with a 36-month/600,000 km rental agreement, with the assistance of MAN Financial Services. The trucks are equipped with MAN’s 12.4-litre, in-line MAN D26 common-rail diesel engine rated at 324 kW (440 hp) at 1,700 to 1,900 r/min, and a torque output of 2,100 Nm at 1,000 to 1,400 r/min. They feature double bunk cabs, ZF AMT 12-speed transmissions fitted with ZF retarders, air suspension and hypoid rear axles. Servicing blue-chip, fast-moving consumer goods clients like Distell, Woolworths and Nampak, Imperial Cargo’s line-haul operation extends across South Africa and Namibia. “Each truck carries a payload of around 36 metric tons (79,366lb), and the TGS strikes the perfect balance between power, tare mass and fuel economy, giving us new benchmark total-cost-of-ownership figures,” says Imperial Cargo Group’s Christo Theron. “The MAN TGS 26.440 BLS is the tractor type in our line-haul fleet achieving an average of two kilometres per litre (55.6 L/100 km/), compared to an average 1.8 km per litre by competitor brands,” he adds. Others, besides management and the accountants, are also delighted. “Our drivers say it’s the best truck in the fleet; it’s comfortable and easy to drive. They are quite reluctant to get behind the wheel of anything else,” notes Theron. Imperial Cargo has its headquarters and three depots in South Africa’s Western Cape, with other depots in Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal, the Eastern Cape and Namibia. Its cross-border services include freight transport to other sub-equatorial countries including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola, Botswana and Mozambique. “A key objective of MAN in southern Africa is to gain market leadership in the long-haul sector by supplying fuel-efficient trucks that significantly lower total cost of ownership. The injection of 60 new MAN TGS 26.440 BLS derivatives into the Imperial Cargo fleet is testimony to the technological leadership of the vehicle. It is also extremely encouraging to know that, as an organisation committed to safety, quality and environmental protection, Imperial Cargo has found the MAN TGS more than capable of meeting its stringent criteria within these areas,” says Geoff du Plessis, managing director of MAN Truck & Bus South Africa. Imperial Cargo deployed its first MAN trucks in 2012, following successful in-fleet trials of the TGS 26.440 BLS. Theron stresses that the company runs rigid test programmes on all new trucks entering the fleet, primarily looking at fuel consumption figures. It wasn’t solely the cost of ownership, however, that persuaded the company to step up its MAN fleet. “Apart from the impressive fuel-consumption figures, which have remained consistent over the last two years in our existing TGS fleet, the after-sales service we get from MAN’s Cape Town branch is exceptional. Response times are swift and monthly performance meetings between my team and MAN’s Cape Town branch ensure that we adhere to our service-level agreements,” says Theron. “On-site vehicle servicing by MAN technicians at our workshops keeps our uptime levels at an optimum.” Warren Atkinson, key accounts manager: Cape Region, MAN Truck & Bus SA, says that the industry watchword remains true: “Our sales team sells the first unit – the workshop and after-sales service sells the rest.” He confirms that service was a critical factor behind securing the order from Imperial Cargo. “As a quality-driven, RTMS-accredited fleet, Imperial Cargo requires hands-on service support and round-the-clock availability of MAN technical personnel; factors which are integral to our service level agreements. Our team at MAN Cape Town is fully geared to satisfy all Imperial’s requirements.” Theron stresses that, while the handover was the highlight of the function, it was also a celebration of the relationship between the two companies, which is founded on trust, reliability and team support. Du Plessis says that being chosen for superior technology and customer-focused after-sales service was hugely significant for MAN. “This order of 60 TGS units proves we have the right product for long-haul applications in southern Africa, as well as the right people to service the trucks and our customers in a manner that builds their business. All of us at MAN are proud to be associated with Imperial Cargo and we look forward to a partnership that continues to grow in strength.” .

Fleet Owner / January 27, 2015 Ryder System has converted its bulk oil program over to a low-viscosity, high-efficiency engine oil. The company is now using 10W-30 oil in all lease, rental and maintenance customer vehicles as part of its regular preventative maintenance program. By using the more efficient oil, Rydersaid customers will achieve up to a 1.5% improvement in fuel economy. In addition, the move will translate into a collective reduction of almost 110,000 metric tons of carbon (CO2) emissions annually. “As a leader in our industry, we have a unique opportunity and ability to improve cost efficiencies and reduce the environmental impacts of our operations, as well as those of the tens of thousands of customers we serve,” said Scott Perry, vice president of supply management and global fuel products. “This initiative is the latest example of proactive steps we take to continually improve the performance and sustainability of our customers’ fleets.” Ryder said it uses approximately three million gallons of engine oil in its operations each year. Through the company’s automotive waste recycle and reuse program, it annually recycles approximately 3 million gallons of used oil, 100,000 million gallons of oily water, 12,000 drums of used oil filters, 47,000 gallons of solvent, and 100,000 automotive batteries.

Transport Topics / January 27, 2015 Specialty truck maker Oshkosh Corp. reported its fiscal first-quarter profit declined from a year ago, and Caterpillar Inc. said its fourth-quarter income fell. Oshkosh's net income was $34.7 million, down from $54.9 million. Revenue for the quarter ended Dec. 31 was $1.35 billion, down 11.6% from the same period last year, the company said Jan. 27. The Oshkosh, Wisconsin-based company's commercial segment sales rose 9.1% to $210.2 million, while access equipment sales gained 7.2% to $716.7 million. Fire and emergency sales fell 15.6% to $167 million, and defense sales plunged 44.1% to $269.3 million. John Sommers II for TTOshkosh reaffirmed its projected fiscal-year 2015 adjusted earnings of $4 to $4.25 per share and sales of $6.5 billion to $6.6 billion. Caterpillar reported its fourth-quarter net income declined to $757 million, from $1.03 billion a year earlier. Earnings per share for the Peoria, Ill.-based company declined to $1.23 per share, compared with $1.54 a year earlier. Revenue declined to $14.24 billion from $14.4 billion a year earlier. Caterpillar said it expects full-year 2015 earnings per share of about $4.60 per share, or $4.75 per share excluding restructuring costs.

AP / January 27, 2015 A fire at the Western Star Trucks plant in Portland, Oregon triggered the evacuation of hundreds of workers, but the blaze was quickly put out and there were no injuries. Lt. Damon Simmons of the Portland Fire Bureau says the Western Star manufacturing plant fire on Swan Island at 6936 North Fathom Street started at about 8 a.m. Tuesday in a spray-painting booth at the manufacturing plant. The fire started in a paint booth and spread into the roof. The initial area didn't have sprinklers, and firefighters said the flames were difficult to extinguish. The fire involved flammable liquids, so several systems had to be shut down before the fire could be extinguished. Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire or the damage estimate. Western Star Trucks is a subsidiary of Daimler.

Car & Driver / January 27, 2015 Bad news for anyone who values privacy and the Fourth Amendment. The Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. Justice Department has been secretly expanding its license-plate scanning program to create a real-time national vehicle tracking database monitoring hundreds of millions of motorists. WSJ pulls no punches in describing the program, calling it nothing less than “a secret domestic intelligence-gathering program.” The program, established by the Drug Enforcement Agency in 2008, originated as a way of tracking down and seizing cars, money, and other assets involved in drug trafficking in areas of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas where illicit drugs are funneled across the border. But according to documents obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union through a Freedom of Information Act request, and reviewed by WSJ and The Guardian, the goal of the program has always been nationwide expansion—a fact that was never publicly disclosed. “Many state and local law-enforcement agencies are accessing the database for a variety of investigations, according to people familiar with the program, putting a wealth of information in the hands of local officials who can track vehicles in real time on major roadways,” WSJ reports. The paper was unable to determine whether the program falls under the oversight or approval of any U.S. court. The program uses camera systems at strategic points on major U.S. highways to record time, location, and direction of vehicle travel. Some locations take photos of drivers and passengers, which are sometimes detailed enough to confirm identity, WSJ reports. Perhaps more chillingly, the documents reviewed by the news outlets indicate that the DEA has also employed license-plate-reading technology to create a “far-reaching, constantly updating database of electronic eyes scanning traffic on the roads to steer police toward suspects.” Internal documents indicate license-plate readers in locations in New Jersey, Florida, and Georgia, feeding information into a database at the El Paso Intelligence Center, or EPIC, in Texas. Member police agencies from across the country can search EPIC for vehicle records. “Anyone can request information from our [license-plate reader] program, federal, state, or local,” says a May 2010 email quoted by WSJ. Another document, a memo between the DEA and Customs and Border Protection, hints at the clandestine nature of the program: “this in no way implies that Congress will appropriate funds for such expenditures.” The stated goal of the DEA program is to “seize cars, cash, and other assets to combat drug trafficking,” part of a controversial practice known as “asset forfeiture,” where law enforcement seizes a suspect’s possessions, sometimes without evidence of a crime. But state and local law enforcement have tapped the program to hunt for vehicles tied to kidnappings, killings, rapes, and other crimes. Internal documents from 2010 indicate that the database aided in the seizure of 98 kilograms of cocaine, 7336 kilograms of marijuana, and $866,380 in cash. Those familiar with the program also told WSJ that the system helped authorities find abducted children as part of the Amber Alert system. A Justice Department spokesperson told WSJ the system complies with federal law, saying “it is not new that the DEA uses the license-plate reader program to arrest criminals and stop the flow of drugs in areas of high trafficking intensity.” A spokesman told WSJ that the agency reduced the length of time it retains data, from two years down to three months. But opponents point to the rapidly expanding size and capabilities of the program as privacy concerns for law-abiding citizens. Senator Patrick Leahy, senior Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, called for “additional accountability,” saying Americans shouldn’t have to fear “their locations and movements are constantly being tracked and stored in a massive government database.” “This story highlights yet another way government security agencies are seeking to quietly amplify their powers using new technologies,” Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst with the ACLU, told the U.K.–based Guardian. “With its jurisdiction and its finances, the federal government is uniquely positioned to create a centralized repository of all drivers’ movements across the country—and the DEA seems to be moving toward doing just that,” the ACLU warns. https://www.aclu.org/how-government-tracking-your-movements http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/27/millions-of-cars-tracked-across-us-in-massive-real-time-spying-program

The Wall Street Journal / January 27, 2015 Caterpillar Inc., which has bulked up over the past few years to prepare for a long-term boom in developing-world spending on highways, ports and other infrastructure, is finding the road ahead bumpier than it thought. The Peoria, Ill.-based maker of construction and mining machinery, hurt by falling prices for oil, copper and other commodities, reported a 25% plunge in its fourth-quarter profit and forecast a 9% drop in sales and a 22% drop in per-share earnings for 2015. "It's shaping up to be a much tougher year than we were expecting" three months ago, Mike DeWalt, a Caterpillar vice president, told analysts in a conference call on Tuesday. Business is being hurt by the plunge in crude-oil prices to around $46 a barrel from $80 in October and $100 12 months ago. Also hitting Caterpillar results are lower prices for copper, coal and iron ore, which are deterring mining companies from buying new equipment. "We were hoping that 2014 was the bottom" for the mining slump, Mr. DeWalt said, but now "prospects for a rebound in 2015 are probably just not there." Meanwhile, Caterpillar expects sales to fall in China this year as that country's economy continues to slow. Doug Oberhelman, chief executive, promised further cost cutting in 2015, though Mr. DeWalt said no major plant closures are on the horizon. Restructuring costs this year are forecast at $150 million, down from $441 million in 2014, when the company faced heavy expenses for scaling back a large plant in Gosselies, Belgium. Caterpillar's global workforce at the end of 2014 was 130,743, down 2% from a year earlier. Caterpillar said it expects per-share earnings of about $4.60 in 2015, down from $5.88 in 2014. Coming out of the latest recession, Caterpillar earnings per share jumped to $8.48 in 2012 from $1.43 in 2009. Then a slump in mining investment knocked earnings down 32% for 2013. As Caterpillar rushed to close plants and reduce its workforce, earnings began recovering in 2014, but now the collapse of oil prices has hit potential profit. Lower oil prices eventually will spur world economic growth, said Caterpillar, but the company noted it wouldn't "occur soon enough to have a significant impact on our 2015 sales." After peaking at $65.9 billion in 2012, sales will be down for the third year in a row, Caterpillar expects. The last time the company's sales declined for three consecutive years was in the early 1930s, during the Great Depression. Sales for 2015 could be about $50 billion, down from $55.18 billion in 2014, Caterpillar said. Profit for the fourth quarter came to $757 million, or $1.23 a share, down from $1.0 billion, or $1.54 a share, a year earlier. The quarter's sales edged down 1% to $14.24 billion. Excluding restructuring costs, earnings per share were $1.35 in the latest quarter, down from $1.68 a year earlier. Wall Street had expected earnings before restructuring charges of about $1.55 in the latest quarter. Operating profit from construction machinery dropped 26% in the latest quarter to $362 million, while mining was down 67% to $72 million. The energy and transportation unit, which makes a wide variety of engines, had operating profit of $1.08 billion, up 10%. But that unit, Caterpillar's main source of strength in the past few years, is expected to sputter in 2015 as demand for engines used in oil exploration and development falls. Caterpillar's sales of railroad locomotives also are expected to drop as the company races to catch up with tougher U.S. emissions standards. The surging dollar "will not be good for U.S. manufacturing or the U.S. economy," Mr. Oberhelman said. But Caterpillar benefits in some respects because it has large amounts of production capacity in Europe and Asia. Mr. Oberhelman said the European factories, once "dysfunctional," are starting to perform much better after years of streamlining and cost cuts. The plant in Grenoble, France, where workers took managers hostage during a dispute in 2009, is now a model performer, he said. A weaker euro should make those plants more competitive for exports to other parts of the world. "The currency benefit will just be kind of gravy on that" restructuring story, Mr. Oberhelman said.

The mighty Mack-Scania V-8 is already in the U.S. market, for marine and industrial applications with ratings up to 1,000 horsepower. http://www.scaniausa.com/

VW Group would create a North American market conventional heavy tractor range, just as Volvo did. I feel the basis for this product would come from Scania rather than MAN. Until very recently, Scania had a long history of producing conventionals (most recently, the T -Series). There's certainly a market for the cab-over-engine VW Constellation in the U.S., in the medium-duty and medium-heavy segments. COE design still has merits for local and regional applications. Globally, the M-B Sprinter has a solid reputation. The Ford Transit does as well, but I'm unclear how much they changed it for the US market. Ford US has a habit of taking perfected global market product and changing it......with bad results. Look at the Ford Escape engine fires. The Escape was born in Europe as the Ford Kuga, and has never had engine fire issues outside the US. Hopefully the US market Ford Transit with the Ford UK 3.2-liter diesel will be as reliable as it is in Europe (FYI: Range Rover diesel engines are sourced from Ford). I'd avoid the FIat Ducato (Ram Promaster) though, and the Nissan Titan-based NV Cargo (the lack of a fuel-thrifty diesel option). Up until now, the Volkswagen Crafter was based on the M-B Sprinter, but has a VW-unique front end and VW powertrain (http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Crafter#mediaviewer/File:VW_Crafter_2.0_TDI_%28Facelift%29_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht,_9._Juli_2012,_Velbert.jpg). But VW and M-B have decided to terminate that cooperation, so the soon-to-arrive next generation Crafter desitined for the US market will be 100 percent VW designed and built.