Trucks World News: September 2012

Sep 29, 2012

TRUCKS' SALES * WORLDWIDE

* China - Sales of heavy trucks down 33.2% in August

(Photo)
Beijing,China- China Trucks, by Mika/Eric -21 Sept 2012: -- The sales of heavy trucks were gloomy in August, and most industry insiders are pessimistic about exported sales in the future... 38,271 heavy trucks were sold in August, down 33.2% over last year and down 1.5% over sales in July... 7,700 Dongfeng heavy trucks were sold, down 36.1%; 6,500 Sinotruk and 5,500 FAW heavy trucks were sold, down 18.9% and 62.4%. 4,700 Shaanxi Auto trucks and 5,600 Foton trucks were sold, down 12.6% and 8.4%...

* India - Tata Motors receives an order of 1314 trucks from SVLL

Mumbai,India -Overdrive -21 Sept 2012: -- Siddhivinayak Logistics Ltd. (SVLL) has placed an order of 1314 trucks with Tata Motors, the single largest order that the latter has received till date. The order includes the recently launched Tata LPT 3723 and Prima 4923 LX. SVLL has a fleet size of approximately 4000 commercial vehicles and they operate in many segments like machinery, steel, tractors and more...

Labels: truck sales worldwide

Sep 28, 2012

TECHNO NEWS * USA

* California - Self-driving cars straight ahead; congestion relief effort detoured

(Photo)
Sacramento,CAL,USA -Land Line, by Keith Goble -26 Sept 2012: -- A new law in California is supposed to help pave the way for driverless cars in the state... Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill into law Sept. 25, to allow autonomous, or self-driving, vehicles onto California roadways. Specifically, it sets up safety and performance standards to test and operate the vehicles throughout the state... Nevada adopted a similar rule a year ago. Other states also are looking into approving standards... During the bill signing ceremony this week at Google headquarters in Mountain View, CA, supporters noted that licensed drivers are required to be behind the wheel of the vehicles, which are designed to improve safety by eliminating human error. Drivers have the ability to override the vehicle if something goes wrong...

Labels: technonews

ALTERNATIVE FUELS * USA

* USA - NG truck, bus sales forecast to double by 2019. Propane Autogas Vehicles

Boulder,CO,USA -Pike Research -September 13, 2012: -- A new report from the clean energy analyst Pike Research, forecasts steady growth in the market for natural gas (CNG and LNG) trucks and buses... Autogas is the term most commonly used in the market for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used as an automotive transport fuel, and it represents approximately 9% of the global consumption of LPG. While LPG is relatively clean-burning, easy to store and transport, has high energy content, and is widely available in many countries, supplies of natural gas have become much more abundant over the last few years as new extraction process have been developed, and natural gas now challenges autogas as an alternative vehicle fuel to gasoline and diesel... Some OEMs offer factory installation of autogas and dual-fuel systems, but only in countries where the market is mature and volumes have been steady for some years. Most conversions are done in the aftermarket. Pike Research anticipates that by 2020 there will be more than 23 million autogas vehicles operating on roads worldwide...

* Swiss - New study distils the eco footprint of biofuels

Zurich,Swiss -Gizmag, by Antonio Pasolini -September 30, 2012: -- The controversial debate over the sustainability of biofuels has been reignited by new research from Swiss-based research institute Empa. While the study maintains that biofuels can be sustainable depending on certain conditions and the technology involved, the findings suggest that only a few are more environmentally friendly than gasoline... The study entitled Harmonisation and extension of the bioenergy inventories and assessment was carried out by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) in conjunction with the Institute Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon (ART), and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). It is an update on a first of its kind report compiled in 2007, made more relevant for the present with new energy plants, manufacturing processes and updated assessment methods. Yet, the researchers arrived at a similar conclusion... Although biofuels can have a smaller carbon footprint compared with fossil fuels, they produce other types of environmental pollution, including soil acidity and excessive levels of fertilizers finding their way into lakes and rivers... More alarmingly, biofuels from deforested areas have a bigger greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint than fossil fuels...

Labels: alternative fuels

TRUCKING INDUSTRY * Canada & USA

* Report: Shows truckers at New York Container Terminal paying 144% above national average

(Photo: New York Container Terminal 4, 2005)
New York,NY,USA -Fleet Owner, by Deborah Whistler -Sep. 21, 2012: -- A Port Authority study shows that truckers using the New York Container Terminal pay on average $40.25 more in tolls than haulers going to New Jersey terminals, according to Assembly woman, Nicole Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn)... Malliotakis said in a Staten Island Advance report that an average 20-mi. trip costs $83.34, which is 144% above the national average... Malliotakis is in a court battle with the Port Authority to release its study on the economic impact of bridge tolls on truckers...

* Ontario / Canada - Cost of ground transportation for Canadian shippers drops in July

Toronto,ONT,CAN -Truck News -Sep 26, 2012: -- The cost of ground transportation for Canadian shippers decreased by 0.5% in July when compared with June results, according to results published today by the Canadian General Freight Index (CGFI)... The Base Rate Index, which excludes the impact of accessorial charges assessed by carriers, increased by 0.9% when compared to June... Average fuel surcharges assessed by carriers have seen a decrease from 20.18% of base rates in June to 18.8% in July...

* Texas - Con-way Multimodal moves headquarters to Dallas

Frisco,TX,USA -Fleet Owner -Sep. 20, 2012: -- Con-way Multimodal is moving its headquarters into its recently opened operations office in Frisco, TX. Frisco is a suburb of Dallas... The existing operations office network also includes offices in Ann Arbor, MI; Portland, OR; and Bentonville, AR. Con-way Multimodal arranges third-party carrier services for over-the-road, intermodal, flatbed, heavy haul and specialized transportation for freight shipments and is the freight brokerage division of Con-way Inc.’s operating unit Menlo Worldwide Logistics...

* USA / Virginia - ATA report: Truck tonnage falls in August

(Photo: America’s Trucker) Arlington,VA,USA -Truck News (CAN) -Sep 25, 2012: -- US truck tonnage contracted 0.9% in August after increasing 0.4% in July, according to reports from the American Trucking Associations. “The sequential drop in August, while not erasing the cumulative 1.5% gain in June and July, was significant,” the ATA said in a release. Compared with August 2011, the ATA’s seasonally-adjusted index was 3.2% higher. Year-to-date, compared with the same period last year, tonnage was up 3.7. The not seasonally-adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, was up 5.7% in August over July’s total...

* USA / DC - NAFTA Surface Trade Rose 4.6% in July

(Photo by Tom Biery/Trans Pixs) Washington,DC,USA -Transport Topics -27 Sept 2012: -- Surface trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico was 4.6% higher in July than the same month a year ago, the Department of Transportation said Thursday... Trade among the North American Free Trade Agreement partners rose to $75.7 billion, DOT’s Bureau of Trade Statistics said in its monthly report... Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 90% of U.S. trade among NAFTA partners moves by land...

* USA / DC - Trucking On-Job Deaths Rise 14%, Labor Dept. Says

Washington,DC,USA -Transport Topics -25 Sept 2012: -- Trucking was one of the most dangerous industries for workers last year, when 474 workers died on the job, a 13.9% increase over the previous year, the Labor Department said in a preliminary report... General freight trucking accounted for 295 workplace deaths — 16.1% higher than 2010. The remaining 156 were in specialized trucking, a 12.2% jump from 2010, Labor said... For trucking, the figure represented “the second consecutive year that counts have risen in this sector after reaching a series low in 2009,” the department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics said in a statement...

* DC / USA - Getting a CDL will soon be easier for military personnel

Washington,DC,USA -Land Line, by David Tanner -28 Sept 2012: -- Military personnel will soon be able to obtain commercial drivers licenses in states where they are stationed instead of being required to go through their home states of record... President Obama is expected to sign the Military CDL Act of 2012 into law... Current laws prohibit states from issuing CDLs to individuals who are not domiciled there. Language in the bill says the change will make getting a CDL easier for active duty military, military reserves, National Guard, active Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary...

- H.O.S. -

* Minnesota / USA - CVSA agrees to rescind current fatigue out-of-service standard

Saint Paul,MIN,USA -Land Line, by Sandi Soendker -28 Oct 2012: -- One week following a court hearing that considered whether or not the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and the Minnesota State Patrol should be held in contempt of court for CVSA’s adoption of a legal standard that differed from last year’s court order – CVSA filed a new letter with the court in which it describes that its executive committee has decided to immediately repeal that legal standard... In June, OOIDA filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the state of Minnesota asking the court to compel the Minnesota State Patrol and CVSA to show why the two groups aren’t in contempt of court by ignoring the court’s order and adopting out-of-service criteria based on the lower legal threshold of suspicion and not probable cause... In the Sept. 27 letter filed with the court, CVSA Executive Director, Stephen Keppler, wrote that the change voted on by CVSA will return the fatigue criterion to read as it did at the time Judge Frank issued his decision. The letter does not describe CVSA’s process to implement these changes...

- TRUCKSTOPS -

* Iowa - ‘World’s Largest Truckstop’ to grow even larger

Walcott,IO,USA -Fleet Owner, by Deborah Whistler -Sep. 21, 2012: -- "Iowa 80 Truckstop", touted as the “World’s Largest Truckstop”, will soon be even larger... Iowa 80 is in the process of adding 110 more truck parking spaces, which will bring the stop’s total parking capacity to over 900... Dirt work has already begun on the expansion project, which is scheduled to be completed in the spring...

Labels: trucking industry news USA and CAN

TRUCKMAKERS NEWS * USA

* USA / New York - Truck Makers Can't Appeal Transmission Antitrust Ruling

NY,USA -Law360, by Lisa Uhlman -September 26, 2012: -- A Delaware federal judge blocked a move Wednesday by Mack Trucks Inc., Navistar International Corp. and others to appeal an order preserving a proposed antitrust class action filed by a vehicle transporter's Chapter 7 trustee alleging they conspired to maintain Eaton Corp.'s monopoly in the market for large truck transmissions... U.S. District Judge, Sue L. Robinson, denied the defendants' motion for certification of an interlocutory appeal of her Sept. 30, 2011, ruling that kept the antitrust suit intact...

* Michigan / USA - Heavy-duty Ram truck line going commercial

(Photo from Chrysler: The 2013 Ram 3500 heavy-duty truck could see its first deliveries in March)
Auburn Hills,MICH,USA -The Detroit News, By Doug Guthrie -September 27, 2012: -- Chrysler Group LLC is ramping up efforts in the commercial truck market by announcing new engineering and marketing commitments as the company unveils its 2013 line of Ram heavy-duty trucks... Ram's new 2500, 3500 and 5500 trucks were to be unveiled today at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas... The truck-building brand of Chrysler Group LLC also planned to announce the creation of a commercial truck division within the brand, featuring its own specialized design, engineering and marketing staff...

* Analysis: OEMs rebooting truck market strategies

New York,NY,USA - Fleet Owner, by Sean Kilcarr -Sep. 21, 2012: -- The announcement that UD Trucks is shutting off North American sales of its medium-duty product, coupled by the latest downswing in Class 8 orders in the U.S., would seem on the surface at least to indicate a truck market in retrograde in this region of the world... Dig a little deeper, though, and you’ll find something very different at work... Let’s start with UD’s move to abandon importing its trucks into the U.S.... First of all, the U.S. market is very crowded with Japanese medium-duty cabover manufacturers – Hino Motors (a division of Toyota), Mitsubishi Fuso, and Isuzu Trucks – and domestic builder Paccar just got back into the cabover game this year via a new model sold via its Kenworth Truck Co. division... Second – and much more importantly – medium-duty is the one segment of the U.S. truck market forecast to decline over time in terms of volumes, as the renewed growth of major metropolitan centers in this country (and around the world for that matter) will demand more light-duty sized equipment for skipping about crowded urban roads, while relying on mire heavy-duty trucks to deliver freight between big “megacities” ...

Labels: truckmakers news USA

TRUCKING ACCIDENTS * Australia & USA

* Australia - Latest heavy vehicle crash statistics releases

(Video from youtube, by TheRoadTrains -25/08/2009)
Sydney,NSW,Australia -ATA Friday Facts -21 Sept 2012: -- The latest report from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) reveals an increase in the number of fatal crashes on our roads involving articulated trucks. However, heavy rigid truck crash fatalities continue to fall... In the year March 2011 to March 2012, there were 131 fatal crashes involving articulated trucks on Australian roads, compared to 119 crashes the year before... NSW had the largest number of truck-related fatalities, with 74 deaths resulting from accidents involving articulated or heavy rigid trucks in the year ended March 2012. Queensland had the next highest toll with 53 deaths...

* USA - Traffic Deaths Rise at Record Rate

Washington,DC,USA -Transport Topics -28 Sept 2012: -- The total number of people killed in traffic crashes jumped 9% in the first half of 2012 to 16,290, the largest increase in first-half fatalities since the federal government started tracking the statistic... Road fatalities hit their highest level since 2009, when there were 16,527 deaths, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in its preliminary estimate released this week... NHTSA did not break out truck crashes... Based on estimates of how many miles Americans drove, there were 1.12 road fatalities per 100 million miles traveled, down from 1.04 in the first half of 2011 and is the highest since the 2009 level of 1.13...

Labels: trucking accidents

TRAILER MAKERS * WORLDWIDE

* USA - ACT Research: Net trailer orders in US improve in August:

Columbus,IND,USA -Truck News (CAN) -Sep 28, 2012: -- Net orders for trailers in the US improved in August, rising to 15,370 units, according to the latest results from ACT Research. Applying August’s seasonal factor brought the order total to 18,200 units... “Looked at through a seasonal lens, August’s volume was the best since April,” said Frank Maly, director of commercial vehicle transportation with ACT Research. “While improved, annualizing August’s seasonally adjusted order volume generated a lacklustre 219,000 annualized rate of order intake. Orders on a seasonal basis below the build trend is an indication of fleets’ unwillingness to expand investment when the outlook is particularly opaque. Orders typically occur below the rate of build in Q3. Combined with slower economic activity and rising uncertainty, orders are expected to remain soft into Q4” ...

* Germany - Semi fridge Burg Silvergreen SR03

Neu-Ulm,Bavaria,Germany -Truck and Business (Belgium), by Hendrik Despiegelaere -28 Sept 2012: -- The new OEM towed Burg Silvergreen presented at the IAA in Hanover semi fridge clean design. The Reefer SR03 is based on a frame integrated with a solid slide table under the collar. The soil was suitable for large forces acting during travel and when loading with a forklift. The rear bumper corner are mounted on springs which are not fixed on the superstructure but on the chassis frame. The chassis provides several places for pallet boxes or crates work. The superstructure itself is composed of sandwich panels with a metal exterior and a heart of cured foam. This gives a low weight. The back door stainless steel is extremely durable and has a new sealing EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). It is a material showing a long life, resistant to ozone and chemicals. Inside, many opportunities are provided for load securing rails with integrated anchor. Burg Silvergreen also presented the world premiere of a new aluminum floor with load securement. New anchor rails have been incorporated into the soil. This allows for example to use shims for transporting rolls of paper and other, which increases the flexibility in terms of applications...

* UK - New D-TEC Flexitrailer Traction

Alton,Hampshire,UK -Truck and Business, by Hendrik Despiegelaere -27 Sept 2012: -- D-TEC launched in Hanover a new type of container chassis. It should be the solution to the pressure on the saddle often low in the case of transport of containers 20 feet to the rear of the chassis. The Flexitrailer Traction weighs in its basic version, about 4500 kg. Is 1100 to 1500 kg less than current solutions. In this way, it is possible to save 1500 to 2000 liters of diesel per year. The principle of operation is almost identical to the D-TEC Flexitrailer. The frame is based on a central shaft which can be extended in front of and behind the axle. What is new is that the 20-foot container is placed not behind the neck but on the neck. Thus, the user can still optimize the weight on the axle tractor by releasing the first part axle load up to the 2nd and 3rd axles and get pressure on the saddle higher than 30%. The 20-foot containers up to 25 tons can be transported in this manner with 25% of the weight of the entire axle tractor. In the case of a 20 foot container of 30 tons, the weight on the axle tractor still exceeds 20%. The container does not slide on the frame, rollers and bearings heavy mudguards mobile arm twist lock is not necessary...

* Germany - Schmitz Cargobull on an upward curve

Horstmar,Germany -Truck and Business (Belgium), by Hendrik Despiegelaere -27 Sept 2012: ... Among the novelties presented at the IAA in Hanover include the improved system of double loading floor in S.KO Cool, S.KO Express with folding doors on one side, with the Mega Speed S.CS Curtain, seedlings bins with S.KI Licht own weight from 5 tons, container chassis with sliding bogie S.CF for optimal distribution of load, axle set Rotos now available with a front steering axle or follower a new range of superstructures to carry 3-40 tons interface TrailerConnect Cargobull Telematics, the development of a group fridge clean to be less dependent on suppliers... In collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, Schmitz Cargobull has also developed a tractor / semi with air resistance reduced by 18%, which should help reduce the consumption of 4.5%...

* Germany - Kögel: Orten 2 in 1

Gersthofen,Germany -Truck and Business (Belgium), by Hendrik Despiegelaere -26 Sept 2012: -- Stands outside of Hanover hosted a semi-trailer Kögel with a special superstructure signed Orten. Manufacturers describe it as semi 2 in 1 because of its flexibility and its loading versatility. Orten mounted on a chassis Kögel tarpaulin superstructure SafeServer with special blades. This construction opens in 15 seconds and offers a wide loading aperture (10 700 mm) with an inner width of 2480 mm. Closed, the construction is particularly smooth for good aerodynamics while being particularly strong. Other features include the extensive equipment for the securing of loads and under its own weight 6500 kg for the complete vehicle...

* Germany - Seeding light Meiller tipper

Munich,BAV,Germany -Truck and Business (Belgium), by Hendrik Despiegelaere -27 Sept 2012: -- Meiller, presented at the IAA in Hanover a new generation of light seed bins. Compared to the previous generation, the weight has dropped about 500 kg. A reduction made possible thanks to a new design and the use of Finite Element Method (FEM). The only gooseneck chassis corners and sliding tray already causing a weight gain of 220 kg. The body is 280 kg lighter and 80 mm is pressed deeper into the chassis for better weight distribution and a lower center of gravity. The customer has the choice between several executions: tipper semi-circular steel HB 450 or, optionally, with a combination of aluminum. Another option: a hydraulic tailgate. Instead of using the controls next to the driver's seat, the tipping can also be done through the unit Meiller isar (intelligent remote control system implementation) that allows you to control all functions via the tipping digital radio technology. The intelligent electronic control system is also connected to the motor and ensures a lower consumption and reduced noise. In addition, tipping is 45 seconds faster, which generates a time savings of 40 minutes per week...

* Belgium - The Stas V-Streamline II for the production

Waregem,Belgium -Truck and Business (Belgium), by Hendrik Despiegelaere -1 Oct 2012: -- Stas was exhibited at the Hanover version for the production of its body aerodynamic V-Streamline II which had been previously presented as a prototype. This is a trailer that shows excellent aerodynamic properties and actually contributes to the reduction of fuel consumption. Aerodynamics is obtained by the general design, a tarpaulin Cramaro electric drive and rear spoilers that fight whirlpool effect. Optional side skirts Ephicas can be mounted. Also exposed a moving semi with ground aluminum. This semi of 92 m3 was carried out with the most modern components and offers its own weight very interesting. A steel base provides a wear-resistant ground. Note another third vehicle: tipper BX2...

* Hungary - Superstructure Asphalt signed Fliegl

Pillingerpuszta,Abda,Gyor-Sopron-Moson,Hungary -Truck and Businesss, by Hendrik Despiegelaere -26 Sept 2012: -- The trailer manufacturer Fliegl outlined several new products at the IAA. The first is the superstructure or semi-trailer ASW Stone LKW. It has a moving floor and is designed for fine distribution of asphalt in the construction machinery with a composition and temperature of asphalt controlled very precisely. With a special technique at the walls, the temperature loss during loading is much better controlled. Also a number of new tanks for mounting on carrier or as a semi-tank with galvanized steel tanks can contain 3000 to 28,000 liters of liquid...

* Wichita - USA - Fairings designed for van trailers with drop-down boxes

Seattle,WA,USA -Fleet Owner -24 Sept 2012: -- Freight Wing has released aerodynamic fairings designed for van trailers utilizing drop-down storage boxes. The fairings can improve fuel economy up to 5%, Freight Wing said... Attached to the storage box on each side of the trailer, the fairings are made of automotive grade plastic. A full fairing starts at the beginning of the trailer and connects to the belly box directing airflow around the storage container, Freight Wing said. The belly box profile is then extended downward with the fairing to about 8 in. from the ground... Weighing 80 lbs., the fairings are able to flex and bend and return to their original shape, the company said...

* Indiana / USA - Talbert releases “paver special” trailer

Rensselaer,IND,USA -Fleet Owner -Sep. 25, 2012: -- Talbert has produced a hybrid “paver special” trailer that combines the benefits of a -couple lowbed design with roller paver accessibility. The 50CC-PS hybrid trailer offers a longer loading incline and a lifting capacity that is the best in its class, Talbert said... The 50CC-PS has a deck length of 26 ft., offering the space for full construction fleet loads, while also featuring a specially designed slope to allow easy transport of rollers and pavers... The 50CC-PS features three axles with fourth axle pin-on configuration. Axle capacity is 25,000 lbs. each. To accommodate varying state laws, the trailer offers a dual kingpin setting of 108 and 90...

- BANKRUPTCY -

* Oregon / USA - Trailer Maker Beall To Restructure Under Chapter 11

Portland,ORE,USA -TruckingInfo -28 Sept 2012: -- Beall Corp. Inc. started bankruptcy reorganization proceedings yesterday in Portland, Ore. Beall intends to use the reorganization to seek new partnerships and working capital investments... The company says it has a near-record backlog of orders, but working capital constraints impaired its ability to complete orders on time. Beall intends to use the reorganization proceedings primarily to recapitalize the company to respond to high levels of demand for its tanks and trailers... Beall says its major creditor is supportive of the company's restructuring and is working closely with the company to maximize value for all stakeholders. The creditor agrees to consensual use of cash collateral and is negotiating Debtor in Possession financing that will provide adequate liquidity for normal operations without any disruptions to its customers' orders and branch service centers...

Labels: trailer makers news worldwide

TRUCKING INDUSTRY * WORLDWIDE

* European Freight Forwarding Index: relative optimism for the next two months

London,UK -Truck and Business (Belgium), by Claude Yvens -13 Sept 2012: -- European shippers interviewed as part of the European Freight Forwarding Index found that transport volumes in August were well below their June forecast index (46 instead of 57). They are against relatively optimistic for the coming months, since their predictions back to an index of 58 to 54 last month. Forecasts for road freight are in the same area...

* Europe / Luxembourg - Jost Group bought CP Ships Logistics

Weiswampach,Luxembourg -Truck and Business, by Claude Yvens -13 Sept 2012: ... Jost Group has announced the takeover of CP Ships Trucking GmbH in Neuss and the Belgian company CP Ships Logistics NV Antwerp. The latter has a hundred sets road and is active in the transport of containers, with Hapag-Lloyd as its main client... Jost Group acquired in February the company De Bock and strongly reinforces its pole container transport. The future of the two operating sites is assured... With this takeover, Jost Group passes a new milestone in terms of size. the group now speaks of 3000 transport units and a consolidated turnover of 245 million EUR for the year 2012...

* South Africa: Truck drivers’ strike intensifies

(Photo: Striking truck drivers are gathering in the Johannesburg CBD area)
Mbabane, Swaziland,SA -The Swazi Observer, by Winile Masinga -28 September, 2012: -- The N4 highway leading to Johannesburg from Swaziland was yesterday blocked by protesting transport workers and truck drivers in South Africa... According to a report issued to members of the Road Freight Association, the local transport businesses of the situation in that country for them to be fully aware of what they may have to face as they travel in that country’s roads... Secretary General of the association, Mandla Mamba, said travelling to South Africa during the strike was very dangerous especially for the truck drivers, as the strike in that country gets more intense... The workers are protesting over a 12% wage increment and are reportedly not taking anything below 9%...

Labels: trucking industry worldwide

Sep 27, 2012

TRUCKMAKERS NEWS * WORLDWIDE

* UK - European truck makers better positioned than in 2009 to cope with a slowdown

London,EN,UK -Reuters -Sep 19, 2012: -- Fitch Ratings says that increasingly adverse conditions in truck end-markets will threaten European manufacturers' cash flow and earnings in H212. However, the agency believes that European truck makers are better positioned to adapt to this year's slow-down, compared with the 2009 recession thanks to lower operational and financial gearing...

* India - Daimler enters Indian truck market with localised 'Bharat Benz' models

Mumbai,India -The Economic Times -27 Sept. 2012: -- After four years of preparation and traversing 6.2 million kilometers on Indian roads, the worlds largest truck maker Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has entered the Indian trucking space with highly localised trucks under its brand Bharat Benz... It plans to take on the top two truck makers in the country Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, in India's price-sensitive truck market, Bharat Benz has priced its trucks at a 3-9% premium over existing leaders, claiming, with the higher ticket price, the truck operator stands to gain from 10-15% better fuel efficiency and a faster turnaround time with more powerful trucks, thereby offering 10% better total cost of operating the truck vis-a-vis its competitors...

* Germany - MAN Says New Design will Reduce Fuel and Carbon Emissions by an Average of 25%

(Photo: German trailer manufacturer Krone and truck manufacturer MAN displayed a concept vehicle) Augsburg Germany -SCDigest -26 Sept 2012: -- German truck maker MAN unveiled this week an aerodynamic class 8 tractor-trailer the company says can cut fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by some 25%... With both diesel gas costs and greenhouse gas emissions continuing to be major sources of concern for carriers and shippers, the new truck platform may gain substantial interest... MAN says it made extensive use of a wind tunnel in developing the design and reaching their aerodynamic targets... The new prototype was displayed at the IAA Commercial Vehicles expo in Hanover, Germany. MAN says the vehicle has the same load capacity of a conventional truck, while at the same time achieving the low drag coefficient of a passenger car... MAN is providing the tractor (the Concept S), while partner Krone developed the AeroLiner trailer...

* Europe / Netherlands - All about the new DAF XF

Eindhoven,Netherlands -Truck and Business (Belgium), by Claude Yvens -18 Sept 2012: -- This is the main novelty of the IAA that has not been disclosed before the show (and Paccar knows how to keep a secret ...): DAF Trucks introduced its new XF this morning. And after years of stagnation style (which did not prevent DAF progress each year in the European market)... The new XF is firmly in modernity: * the cabin retains its cubic form which guarantees an interior optimum , but with a front face entirely new, more aerodynamic in its lower portion and bearing a grille much larger (to increase the air flow required for cooling the engine). It also notes the LED headlights (option)
* inside the cabin is also completely new: dashboard, seats and steering wheel are new, the brake pedal is now suspended and the floor is raised by 3 cm from the cab's current XF. The maximum volume of the cabin is 12.6 m³ version of Super Space Cab, offering an interior height of 225 cm which knows no equal on competitive vehicles. The bunks are also elongated to 220 cm max.
* the radius engines, DAF XF uses the new generation engine Paccar MX offering 410, 460 and 510 hp.
* the chassis is new and has kept a maximum capacity 1500 liters of fuel tanks, in particular by positioning the AdBlue tank under the cab. The new axles have a suspension Stabilink that incorporates anti-roll function.
* DAF finally provides a system of support for eco-driving performance, the DPA (Driver Performance Assistant) which combines analysis of driving style and advice time real, including tire pressure and position of baffles... The new DAF XF is a little heavier than its predecessor (90 kg maximum)...

* Germany - Mercedes Actros: range extension down

Stuttgart,Germany -Truck and Business (Belgium),by Claude Yvens -17 Sept 2012: -- The Mercedes Actrs receives two new Euro 6 engine 6 cylinders in line, in addition to the 12.8 liter OM471 propels since last year:
- A 7.7 liter OM936 delivers 238, 272, 299, 320 and 354 hp (1000 to 1400 Nm torque)
- a 10.7 liter OM470 delivers 326, 360, 394 and 428 hp (1700, 1800, 1900 and 2100 Nm) Actros range thus covers a range of wattages between 238 and 510 hp.
The new engine OM470 can hold the weight of 6500 kg and Actros to launch a version for transport citernier Loader (cab ClassicSpace engine 428 hp and 300 liter tank)...

* France - Renault Trucks introduces its new Euro 6 engines

Saint-Priest,France -Truck and Business (Belgium), by Claude Yvens -13 Sept 2012: -- Pending renouvelleemnt depth of its range of vehicles, Renault Trucks presented its new range of Euro 6 moteuirs at the IAA 2012. However, these engines will be available as of 1 January 2014, the deadline set by European regulations... The new engines are called DTI and replace the current generation of engines DCI. All engines combine online SCR, EGR and a particulate filter.
* DTI5 the injection Common Rail is a 4 cylinder 5 liter that provides 210 hp (800 Nm) and 240 hp (900 Nm).
* The DTI 8 Common Rail injection is a 6-cylinder 8-liter that provides 250 hp (950 Nm), 280 hp (1050 Nm), 320 hp (1200 Nm).
* The DTI11 Injection Common Rail is a 6-cylinder 11-liter which provides 380 hp (1800 Nm), 430 hp (2050 Nm), 460 hp (2200 Nm).
* DTI 13 Injector pump is a 6-cylinder 13-liter that provides 440 hp (2200 Nm), 480 hp ( 2400 Nm) and 520 hp (2550 Nm).

* Europe / Portugal - The Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid is now manufactured in Europe

Tramagal,Portugal -Truck and Business (Belgium), by Claude Yvens -17 Sept 2012: -- Sign that hybrid vehicles are beginning to find their way in Europe: the Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid is now manufactured in the Tramagal factory , Portugal. Sales start from the third quarter...

* Brazil - Foton Motor builds factory in

Beijing,China -China Daily, by Meng Fanbin -14 Sept 2012: -- Chinese truck maker Beiqi Foton Motor Co Ltd will invest $300 million to build its first factory in Brazil, which is expected to begin production next year, authorities in the Bahia state said... Foton Motors do Brazil, has signed an agreement to build a plant in Camacari... The factory, which will cover an area of 1 million square meters, is expected to produce two types of commercial vehicles. By 2017, its annual production capacity will reach 30,000 vehicles...

Labels: truckmakers news USA, truckmakers news worldwide

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