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International Trucks Press Release / April 26, 2018 . . .

How is John DeChant? Great guy.

Take a picture.

Dennis Eagle’s ProView cab premieres Trailer-Body Builders / April 27, 2018 LAS VEGAS. There’s a new refuse truck builder in town. New to North America, anyway. Dennis Eagle Inc. – a subsidiary of leading U.K. garbage and recycling collection vehicle manufacturer Dennis Eagle – launched the new ProView high-performance cab, designed to meet the needs of customers in the U.S. and Canada, at this year’s WasteExpo. “While the Elite chassis with ProView cab has been engineered specifically for customers in the U.S. and Canada, it is based on an established design that has a proven track record as one of the safest and most reliable cabs in the U.K. and Europe,” said Robert Mecchi, president of Dennis Eagle Inc. “First introduced in the 1990s, the Elite cab has undergone many upgrades and developments since then. With unrivalled visibility, access and focus on safety, as well as comfort, and a proven U.S. drivetrain, it is what the market has been asking for.” The first models went on trial with customers earlier this year and have been “extremely well received,” Mecchi added, and more are at various body builders awaiting delivery. Dennis Eagle will start production in early 2019. Offering the best and safest in-cab visibility in class, the Dennis Eagle ProView is built to withstand the toughest conditions and features an ergonomic design specifically engineered to provide maximum comfort for drivers and crews, the company said. Narrowed ‘A’ and ‘B’ pillars aid peripheral vision to give an unobscured view and prevent traffic disappearing from sight, while longer, panoramic windows provide enhanced over-the-shoulder visibility at junctions. The cab is also positioned closer to the road, giving drivers a better sense of the vehicle’s proportions and more visibility of cyclists and pedestrians. At around 17” from street to step, the ProView will be one of the lowest entry cabs on the market, with a flat, unobstructed walk-through design helping to reduce leg and back strain for operators, according to Dennis Eagle. Fewer dash-mounted switches and a telescopic, tilting steering wheel with unrivalled steering radius make for simple operation, while noise levels below 70db(A) will further enhance operator and crew comfort. Initially available in a 6x4 configuration, the ProView is available with dual control and left-hand steer options in diesel, and we will also be offering CNG variants, with both 3000 or optional 4000 series Allison gearbox. .

'Because we can' – Freightliner targets refuse market with new EconicSD low COE Trailer-Body Builders / April 25, 2018 Leading body builders played an important role in bringing the latest Freightliner truck to the North American market. LAS VEGAS. Filling an untapped market niche in their product portfolio, Freightliner Trucks on Tuesday introduced the new Freightliner EconicSD refuse truck at WasteExpo. The low-entry cab-over-engine (COE) vehicle is “purpose built” and “without compromise” in its implementation of the latest in integrated safety systems, explained Richard Saward, general manager of vocational sales and government vehicle sales for Freightliner Trucks. He also touched on the company’s reasoning for making the substantial investment needed to bring a new truck to a segment that’s a very small slice of the vocational market. Saward described the market currently as one in which three “tried and established players” fight for a share of 2,400-2,600 trucks per year—a total that would hardly register on the sales report of North America’s largest truck manufacturer. “We did it because we could,” Saward said. “No doubt many others would’ve liked to have done the same, but here at Daimler Trucks North America we have the ability to look at a global portfolio and imagine what those products could mean to our market.” The Freightliner EconicSD was adapted from the Mercedes-Benz Econic, a low-entry COE chassis that is popular with waste collection customers in Europe, Australia and Asia. The cab and chassis are designed and manufactured in Woerth, Germany—Daimler’s largest truck plant. More than 125 modifications optimized the truck for North American operations. Final assembly of the cab and chassis will be completed in Gaffney SC, at the Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) manufacturing facility, before shipping to upfitters. Saward pointed to the Sprinter van, brought to North America after success in Europe, and how the traditional panel van quickly became “a relic of the past” as other manufacturers adopted new products to compete with the Sprinter. “We plan on doing that again [with the introduction of EconicSD],” Saward said. “From today forward, every traditional low COE on the market will be benchmarked against this new standard.” But all the safety systems, driver amenities and operational efficiency wouldn’t mean much if the Econic didn’t meet the needs of body builders and upfitters. “We’re proud to supply a quality chassis for this industry, and we truly recognize that most of the hard work in this industry takes place with the body and a well-designed body solution,” Saward said. “Early on in the program we engaged two of the industry leaders to ensure that the platform would work seamlessly with their equipment. These teams have spent thousands of hours looking at every nuance of the Freightliner EconicSD.” Representatives of those truck equipment manufacturers were on hand at WasteExpo to pass along their thoughts on the new truck. Robby Dehart, senior director of sales for Heil Environmental, was most impressed with the safety features of the EconicSD. “Safety is No. 1, from the panoramic views to the kneeling feature to the easy in and out—it’s just a superior cab,” Dehart said. “It’s been a long road but, like Freightliner, Heil is a market leader in the industry and we’ve truly enjoyed the experience [of working with Freightliner]. There are superior engineers on each side; we got to have a little fun and I think it’s an impressive outcome.” McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc. VP of Refuse Sales Matt McLeish also pointed to the safety systems built into the EconicSD. “You can see it’s a beautiful truck. But the view and windshield allows for our drivers and the waste haulers to see—not only for their safety, but for pedestrian safety as well,” McLeish said. “The air-suspension seats, the active breaking system—it’s absolutely a safety-laden truck. The easy entry is hugely important; the intuitive sensors on the doors that keep the doors from shutting on passengers; and most important is the walk-though cab that allows all passengers to exit curbside safely.” As for advantages the EconicSD chassis offers to body suppliers for the waste collection industry, McLeish noted the effort Freightliner has put into adapting the European base vehicle to American standards such as 12-volt power and the J-1939 interface. “We paired this with one of our best-selling, most reliable bodies that’s truly optimized right now for our customers,” he said. “It says, ‘Get in it!’ and that’s what it’s all about.” Powered by Detroit The Freightliner EconicSD is equipped with the new Detroit DD8 mid-range engine, with a rating of 350HP and 1050 lb-ft torque. The DD8’s variable exhaust cam phasing optimizes exhaust temperatures during low-load operations for more efficient aftertreatment performance in the waste collection environment. The DD8 also features Detroit Connect Virtual Technician remote diagnostic service for maximized uptime and productivity. “The robust design and the technological achievements found with the DD8 engine make it well-suited for the demands associated with waste collection,” said Jeff Allen, senior vice president of operations and specialty vehicles for Daimler Trucks North America. “The Freightliner EconicSD and the DD8 make a durable and efficient combination.” Advanced safety systems The Freightliner EconicSD is engineered to enhance the safety of not only the driver and crew, but also pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles. The truck’s panoramic windshield and low seating position provide outstanding visibility, while the mirror system offers an expanded field of vision for work areas and potential blind spots. The short wheelbase and aggressive wheel cut deliver superior maneuverability. Further contributing to the Freightliner EconicSD’s safety is the Detroit Assurance suite of safety systems. The Freightliner EconicSD comes standard with active brake assist, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning to mitigate potential collisions. Optional safety features include side guard assist and a built-in camera system with 360-degree views displayed on a flat screen dash monitor. Designed for the driver The Freightliner EconicSD’s low entry means only one step is needed to enter the cab, with just one more step to the driver’s platform. The first step is only 19 inches, half the first-step height of many conventional waste collection trucks. A kneeling feature further reduces step-in height, while a lifting feature improves clearance over objects. “Waste collection vehicle drivers and passengers are in and out of their trucks all day. The Freightliner EconicSD’s ergonomic design reduces fatigue and provides a more comfortable and productive work environment,” said Allen. The spacious cab has an air-suspended driver’s seat, with additional single seating to accommodate up to three passengers in the high-cab model. The Freightliner EconicSD comes standard with digitized instrument cluster that displays key information on an LCD screen on the dash, and is operated by intuitive steering wheel controls. The Freightliner EconicSD will be available to start ordering in the summer of 2018. Cab configurations for the EconicSD in 6x4, high cab and low cab, and rear and side loader configurations will be available. Photo Slide Show - http://www.trailer-bodybuilders.com/chassis/because-we-can-freightliner-targets-refuse-market-new-econicsd-low-coe/gallery?slide=1

Correction........Peterbilt "is" overtaking Mack in the refuse business.

Fleet Owner / April 25, 2018 LAS VEGAS. Peterbilt is showing off its latest innovations for the refuse market at Waste Expo 2018 this week. The refuse lineup, including the Models 220, 520 and 567 as well as an advanced Model 520 Demonstration Vehicle with a fully electric drivetrain are on display in booth #2123. “Peterbilt provides a complete lineup of products for the Refuse market. The Model 520 low-cab-forward continues to gain momentum and has quickly become a top choice within the industry for residential and commercial pickup operations,” said Tony Sablar, vocational marketing manager of Peterbilt Motors Company. “The Model 567 is popular on roll-off and transfer dump applications with a wide range of power options provided by the PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 engines. Combine that with the medium duty Models 348 and 220 for urban environments and Peterbilt has the most durable and versatile products for every operation in the refuse market.” The PACCAR MX-11 engine is available in the Model 520 and 567 with up to 430 horsepower and 1,650 lb-ft. of torque including 355/1250 and 440/1450 ratings specifically designed for the refuse market. The MX-13 engine is available in the Model 567 with ratings up to 510 horsepower and 1,850 lb-ft of torque. The Model 520 electric demonstrator is equipped with a 400 horsepower Transpower Electric Drive System and 352 kW-hr of energy storage. Enough power to do 80 miles a day and pick up 900 cans on a single charge. It emits zero emissions in a quiet manner, which is ideal for neighborhood communities where these trucks operate. The truck’s regenerative braking reduces maintenance by 50% through less wear on the braking system. Peterbilt recently received approval from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to include its vehicles in the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). This program includes Peterbilt trucks with the Cummins-Westport L9N or ISX12N natural gas engines and provides customers in eligible areas incentives to adopt the near-zero emission technologies that are available. The National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) has also awarded Peterbilt with nationally bid contracts, enabling NJPA members to purchase Peterbilt trucks. Peterbilt’s NJPA contract satisfies the bid process and provides a cost-effective, time-saving procurement process for government and education agencies. .

Bosch claims a 'breakthrough' that could save diesel engines Bloomberg / April 25, 2018 FRANKFURT -- Robert Bosch said its engineers have developed a diesel exhaust system that cuts emissions far below legal limits taking effect in 2020 and can help automakers avoid potential driving bans in Europe that threaten to doom the engine technology. “This breakthrough offers the opportunity to shift the heated debate over diesel into new territory and, hopefully, bring it to a close," Bosch CEO Volkmar Denner said Wednesday at a press conference outside Stuttgart. The German engineering giant, the biggest supplier of diesel engine technology to global automakers from Volkswagen to General Motors to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, is stepping up the fight against eroding market share sparked by VW’s 2015 emissions cheating scandal. While tens of thousands of jobs hinge on the technology, customers increasingly are opting for gasoline engines as cities such as Paris and London consider imposing driving bans to improve air quality. Automakers have relied on diesel to help the industry meet limits on carbon dioxide emissions, a contributor to global warming. But while it emits less CO2 than gasoline-fueled engines, the technology generates nitrogen oxides that help create harmful smog, a problem most acute in big cities. Thermal management Bosch’s new process optimizes thermal management of exhaust temperatures, slashing nitrogen oxide emissions to one-tenth of the legally permitted limit, and doesn’t require new hardware, Denner said. The system keeps emissions stable even at cold temperatures, he said. “With this new exhaust technology, blanket driving bans in the centers of the world’s major cities will no longer be an issue. Why? Because we now have the technology to resolve the problem of nitrogen oxides in road traffic," Denner said. Calling for transparency Bosch’s role as leading global supplier has come under scrutiny as German prosecutors investigate potentially illegal diesel engine technology used by automakers to pass emission tests. Denner reiterated that Bosch fully cooperates with the relevant authorities. He called for more transparency in emission tests for vehicles with combustion engines as well as electric vehicles to allow a realistic view of the exact impact on the environment. He said the company is prohibiting technology that recognizes test cycles, and its products aren’t allowed to be optimized for test situations anymore. Regulators have stepped up efforts to narrow the gap between official emission labels based on lab tests and real driving emissions.

Ford brand sedans to be nixed in N.A. under deeper cost targets Nick Bunkley, Automotive News / April 25, 2018 DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. on Wednesday said it plans to stop selling all Ford brand sedans in North America and that it is nearly doubling its cost-cutting target by 2022 from the plan it laid out only six months ago. The automaker said it will either fix or eliminate unprofitable global operations. Ford said the only cars it will keep in North America beyond their current generations are the Mustang and the Focus Active arriving in 2019. The automaker said it now expects to achieve an 8 percent global profit margin by 2020, two years sooner than planned. It upped its five-year cost-cutting goal to $25.5 billion, from the $14 billion projected by CEO Jim Hackett in October. “We’re going to feed the healthy parts of our business,” Hackett told analysts on a conference call Wednesday, “and deal decisively with the parts that destroy value.” Ford announced the improved guidance as the company reported a 9 percent increase in first-quarter net income. Its global profit margin was 5.2 percent in the quarter, as higher commodity costs reduced earnings in North America. The company posted a 6.4 percent margin during the same quarter last year. Ford shares rose 2.6 percent to $11.40 in after-hours trading on Wednesday. Cars being cut in North America are the Fiesta, Fusion and Taurus. They will be discontinued over the next few years as their lifecycle ends. Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s head of global operations, said other vehicles will replace the cars at factories in Mexico and Chicago where they are now built. Ford’s head of global markets, Jim Farley, said the company is exploring new vehicles that give people the space and versatility of a utility vehicle without a fuel economy “penalty.” “We will have a very diverse passenger car business,” Farley said. “It just won’t be traditional silhouetted sedans that tend to be commoditized.” Small cars lose money Ford CFO Bob Shanks said small cars and "most Lincoln products" are among those losing money. Ford officials already signaled that some cars would be removed from the portfolio as consumers gravitate toward far more profitable pickups, SUVs and crossovers. Shanks said the Lincoln brand is not in overall danger but noted that it lost money in China because it is in ramp-up mode there after being introduced in 2014. While Ford didn’t mention them, analysts say the Lincoln Continental and MKZ sedans, which share platforms with many of the Ford cars slated to be scrapped, also remain in doubt. Shanks suggested that Ford could reduce investment in certain geographic regions or exit them completely if it did not see adequate returns on the horizon. That echoes the strategy General Motors has employed in selling its European business and abandoning several other countries, including Russia. “Everything will be on the table,” Shanks said. “We can make different investments; we can partner; we can exit products, markets. And we will do that." Less capital spending He also said the company was reducing its planned capital spending from 2019 through 2022 by $5 billion to $29 billion through such actions as using common “modules” to account for 70 percent of the value of each vehicle and reusing tools and equipment. Shanks wouldn’t say whether Ford would need to eliminate jobs to achieve the additional $11.5 billion in cost cuts. Nearly half of the cuts would be in sales and marketing -- through incentive optimization, reduced advertising and other actions -- with the rest coming from engineering and product development, material costs, manufacturing and information technology, in that order. About $4 billion of the $11.5 billion in cuts would be accomplished in 2019 and 2020, Shanks said, with the rest occurring in the subsequent two years. He said the company used “hard work” to find more efficiencies after Hackett unveiled the plan in October. The plan was met with a tepid reaction from analysts and investors, who have been eager to hear more specifics. “We have looked at every single part of the business,” Shanks said. “I don’t think they’re done yet.” In the first quarter, net income rose $144 million to $1.74 billion, and revenue grew 7.4 percent to $42 billion. About $100 million of its income was due to a lower tax rate. Ford’s North American pretax profit fell 9.2 percent to $1.94 billion, with commodity costs accounting for more than the entire decline. It lost $149 million in South America, 37 percent less than in the first quarter of 2017, and earned $119 million in Europe, down 43 percent. Its Asia Pacific business swung to a $119 million loss, from a $148 million profit a year ago. Ford Credit’s profit jumped 33 percent to $641 million, while the automaker’s fledgling mobility ventures lost $102 million, 59 percent more than a year ago.

Econic refuse trucks "work every day" in the global market. They're built to take it.

Efficiency in refuse collection doesn't get much better than the Elite 6. http://www.dennis-eagle.com/en/products/elitedc/EliteDC/

Today's Trucking / April 24, 2018 LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Mack and Peterbilt are both offering peeks into their electric ambitions during the Waste Expo show in Las Vegas, Nev. Earlier today, Mack announced plans to have a fully electric Mack LR refuse model with an integrated Mack electric drivetrain operating in North America in 2019, through a demonstration with the New York City Department of Sanitation. “It’s clear that electromobility will be a part of the trucking industry’s future, and Mack is well-positioned to offer integrated, fully electric solutions for the North American market,” said Jonathan Randall, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Mack. “Sustainability is extremely important to the DSNY, and we consistently test new technology to help New York City reach its goal of 80% reduced emissions by 2050,” added Rocky DiRico, New York City DSNY deputy commissioner. Peterbilt had its demonstration vehicle on the show floor, in the form of a Model 520 equipped with a 300 kW (400 hp) Transpower Electric Drive System and 315 kW/h energy storage using lithium-ion phosphate batteries. That’s enough power to complete 80 miles a day and pick up 900 cans on a single charge, the company says. Batteries on this Model 520 can be recharged in two to four hours. When put into service, the energy storage will be upgraded to 352 kW/h. .

Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / April 24, 2018 Volvo Group detailed new features on its Mack LR refuse truck lineup that offer enhanced safety, improved driver productivity, and expanded options at Waste Expo in las Vegas on April 24. New features for the latest LR model include a sliding glass window on the passenger side of the vehicle, an exterior stainless steel sun visor, and a Sears seating C2 Plus seat cushion. The company also extended its 315 series tire coverage to include the Hendrickson Haulmaax suspension. “Mack continues to design and develop features on the Mack LR model that improve the working environment for the driver, help increase visibility in a refuse vehicle that already has superb visibility and provide customers with additional choices in how their vehicles can be set up,” said Curtis Dorwart, refuse product manager for Mack Trucks. “The addition of these new options sets the bar for a best-in-class refuse vehicle that meets the needs of customers and drivers alike.” The new sliding glass window improves cab ventilation and access to the mirror during right-hand stand-up or sit down operation. The window will be standard and available for order in Q2 2018. The exterior stainless steel sun visor reduces glare and better deflects heat, improving driver comfort and safety. The stainless steel sun visor is now available for order. The C2 Plus seat cushion, available with Sears air suspension seats, provides even more comfort on the job. Mack’s new multi-position seat, developed exclusively for the Mack LR by Sears Seating, offers multiple-positions for right-hand operation, allowing greater adjustability and comfort, whether seated or standing. The seat back and seat base both are adjustable, allowing drivers to more comfortably operate the truck and joystick controls. The C2 Plus seat cushion and multi position seat will be standard and available for order in Q2. Mack Granite, TerraPro, and LR models can now be spec’d with 315 series tires in all wheel positions for a simplified ordering process for customers, while also enabling customers to more efficiently manage their tire programs. Expanded coverage of 315 series tires will be available for order in Q2 2018. Wired For Lytx Video Telematics Solutions Mack is also offering an option to spec trucks to be pre-wired for equipment from video telematics provider Lytx. Starting in the fall, Mack will offer the option to pre-wire its LR and TerraPro models for the Lytx DriveCam safety program and the Lytx Video Services enhancement. The collaboration builds on the Memorandum of Understanding Mack entered with Lytx in Oct. 2017. “We are pleased that Mack customers now have the ability to use video to improve upon the safety of their drivers, as well as the neighborhoods in which they operate,” said David Pardue, vice president of connected vehicles and uptime services for Mack Trucks. “Our partnership with Lytx will not only help our customers mitigate the potential for accidents, but also assist them in identifying new ways to improve operational efficiencies.” .

Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / April 24, 2018 Volvo Group has announced plans to deploy a Mack LR refuse model equipped with an integrated electric drivetrain as a demonstration vehicle in the New York City Department of Sanitation fleet by 2019. DSNY, "New York's Strongest," is one of Mack’s largest customers. Its fleet will test the electric LR model on the streets of the Big Apple. Given the current stage of electromobility technology and infrastructure development, Mack said that "a fully electric vehicle will deliver the most value within a closed-loop application, in which the truck returns home every night, such as refuse." Also, with zero emissions and a much quieter operation, electric power lends itself well to urban refuse collection in late night and early morning hours. New York City has a goal of 80% reduced emissions by 2050, and DSNY sees electric vehicle use as vital to hitting that sustainability target. “DSNY looks forward to extending our long-standing partnership with Mack Trucks through the testing of the electric LR,” said Deputy Commisioner Rocky DiRico. "Sustainability is extremely important to DSNY, and we consistently test new technology to help New York City reach its goal of 80% reduced emissions by 2050.” “It’s clear that electromobility will be a part of the trucking industry’s future, and Mack is well-positioned to offer integrated, fully electric solutions for the North American market,” said Jonathan Randall, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Mack Trucks North America. “DSNY is known for its progressive sustainability efforts," he added. "We look forward to working with them as we test the first fully electric LR model in a real-world application.” Mack made the announcement in Las Vegas on April 24 at the WasteExpo show. .

Freightliner Brings Next-Level Refuse Hauler to North America Jack Roberts, Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / April 24, 2018 Like all trucking market segments today, the refuse industry is experiencing a technology revolution. Refuse’s technology revolution is happening at double-time, as the trucks that serve this market are quickly adopting advanced safety systems, autonomous control systems, telematics, and highly sophisticated hydraulics that are enabling a host of new side- and rear-loading refuse collection systems. Until now, if you saw a Freightliner working in the refuse industry, odds are it was a medium-duty 114SD or 117SD conventional truck. But now, Daimler’s premier North American truck brand is heavily leveraging its European design and engineering expertise to bring the EconicSD low-entry cabover to the refuse industry. “This truck is a game-changer,” said Richard Saward, general manager government and vocational vehicle sales, Freightliner, at the EconicSD’s unveiling in Las Vegas on the eve of WasteExpo 2018. “With this truck, we are offering refuse fleets next-level safety, productive and uptime, both inside and out. We now have a purpose-built refuse truck for this industry with a low COE configuration optimized to accommodate side- and rear-loader bodies.” The EconicSD is a mature design that has been hauling refuse in Europe since the 1990s. In 2012, however, Daimler completely refreshed the design, adding a more ergonomic cab in terms of both entry and exit, as well as interior appointments and the latest technology to enhance safety and productivity. For its North American debut, the EconicSD has undergone an additional updating that Saward said included 128 separate enhancement projects. The result is a thoroughly modern design that is loaded with the latest safety, telematics, and autonomous technology. Perhaps the most eye-catching feature on the EconicSD are the cab doors, which run the entire length of the cab and look more like a transit bus door than ones normally seen on vocational trucks. The result, said DTNA officials, is a design that allows even tall drivers to enter and exit the cab easily without stooping. The EconicSD’s low-entry concept is further enhanced by a kneeling and lifting cab, which further reduces the truck’s already low step-in height. A pneumatic, bi-fold passenger door with full-length tinted glass is available as optional equipment. A Robust Suite of Standard Safety Features Inside, the EconicSD’s cab design is spacious and features an intuitive digital instrument cluster and a large, panoramic windshield. A highly optimized rear-view mirror system is designed to eliminate blind spots and complement onboard safety camera systems. Electronic stability control is standard, as is active brake assistance, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. The EconicSD’s short wheelbase and deep wheel cuts allow for excellent maneuverability in urban working conditions. A slew of safety options can be spec’d for the new truck to complement the robust suite of standard safety features. These include Daimler’s proprietary Detroit Assurance, a side guard object/pedestrian warning system, as well as a built-in camera safety system with 360-degree views around the truck displayed on a flat-screen dash monitor. Under the small doghouse mounted behind the cab interior is the standard Detroit DD8 Diesel engine and Allison 3000 Series, 6-speed automatic transmission that power the EconicSD. Power output for the DD8 is 350 horsepower and 1,050 lbs.-ft. of torque. An engine brake and Detroit Connect Virtual Technician remote diagnostic system are standard. In an age of electric powertrains and alternate fuels, Saward said Freightliner made a strategic decision to focus on diesel power for the EconicSD right out of the box. “Around 50% of refuse haulers working today are powered by diesel engines,” he noted. “Everything is on the table for Daimler when it comes to electric trucks and alternative fuels. However, given the strong presence of diesel in refuse today, it makes sense for us to focus on that technology first and move to alternative fuels, CNG or possibly electric drivertrains in the future.” Freightliner will begin taking orders for the EconicSD in June. EconicSD components will be shipped in from Europe and assembled in Gaffney, South Carolina, beginning in April 2019. .

The world's second most advanced refuse chassis comes to North America.

Heavy Duty Trucking / April 24, 2018 Dennis Eagle, a United Kingdom-based refuse and recycling collection vehicle manufacturer, has announced the launch of its ProView refuse truck for the U.S. and Canadian markets. The ProView features an ergonomic cab design that was engineered for maximum driver and crew comfort. Narrow A and B pillars offer better peripheral vision and panoramic windows provide better over-the-shoulder visibility at intersections, the company noted. With a 17-inch height from street to step, the ProView has one of the lowest entry cabs on the market, according to Dennis Eagle. Fewer dash-mounted switches and a telescopic, tilting steering wheel are designed for simple operation, while cab noise levels below 70 decibels are designed for operator and crew comfort. Initially available in a 6x4 configuration, the ProView is available with dual- and left-hand steer options in diesel and compressed natural gas variants paired to either 3000 or optional 4000 Series Allison gearboxes. "While the Elite chassis with ProView cab has been engineered specifically for customers in the U.S. and Canada, it is based on an established design that has a proven track record as one of the safest, most reliable cabs in the U.K. and Europe,” said Robert Mecchi, president of Dennis Eagle. “With unrivalled visibility, access, safety and comfort, as well as a proven US drivetrain, it is what the market has been asking for.” Early models were released in trials with customers this year and official production will begin in early 2019. The company is currently discussing orders with customers to reserve slots. . Initially available in a 6x4 configuration, the ProView is available with dual- and left-hand steer options in diesel and compressed natural gas variants paired to either 3000 or optional 4000 Series Allison gearboxes.

The most advanced refuse chassis in North America.......by a mile.

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