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Heavy Duty Trucking / May 19, 2017 Finland is not usually associated with being a hotbed of cutting-edge automotive design. But Europe is leading the charge on a wide range of new transportation technologies. And the Finns are certainly playing their part in the tech wave sweeping trucking today. Two Finnish companies, Sisu and Visedo, have developed a hybrid-electric parallel power system they say produces 1,140 horsepower and 3,687 lbs.-ft. of torque. Sisu is a Finnish truck manufacturer. Visedo is a Finnish manufacturer of heavy-duty hybrid and electric power systems that says it developed the electric power system as a proof-of-concept vehicle that integrates the parallel hybrid drive, which draws power from both an electric motor and a diesel engine connected via the same axle. The new system is designed to work with Mercedes-Benz OM471 and OM473 diesel engines. Diesel is the primary power source, with the electric motor kicking in during peak energy demand periods. When needed, auxiliary power is delivered by a Visedo permanent-magnet electric motor, while the mechanical powertrain is controlled by a Visedo inverter and PowerBoost DC-DC converter. Excess energy is stored in a supercapacitor, with the entire system designed to be customizable with simple vehicle integration to meet customer needs. Additional power and charging requirements are initiated automatically, allowing the driver to concentrate on the road, although an in-cab monitor allows the driver to track of the system’s functions and take control of it if needed. The main objective for Visedo and Sisu was to reduce fuel consumption and reduce emissions, the companies said. However, they noted that the hybrid system also boosts available low-speed torque for heavy duty trucks and also enables the use of the vehicle with or without electric power since the drive line is mechanically continuous from the diesel engine to the axle. The companies unveiled the new drive system launched at this year’s Kuljetus transport tradeshow in Finland, saying it marks an important milestone for hybrid electric power to deliver fuel savings and emissions reductions in the heavy road transport sector. “We’re proud to be giving Europe its first look at such a breakthrough hybrid truck drive system that’s capable of delivering breakthrough power and performance while saving fuel and reducing emissions,” said Risto Tiainen, Visedo system solutions manager. “The revolution to electrify the world’s diesel transport is already underway. After delivering pioneering hybrid and electric power for passenger buses, Visedo is proud to be powering the next generation of cleaner truck transport solutions.” .

“I just fired the head of the FBI. He was crazy, a real nut job,” President Trump said in his meeting with Russian officials last week. “I faced great pressure because of Russia. That’s taken off.” . .

A Williams air valve? No longer available?

Reuters / May 18, 2017 DETROIT -- General Motors plans to quit selling vehicles in India by the end of this year and will sell operations in South Africa, the latest steps in a strategy of focusing cash and engineering effort on fewer, more profitable markets. GM said on Thursday it will take a $500 million charge in the second quarter to restructure operations in India, Africa and Singapore. It will cancel most of a planned $1 billion investment to build a new line of low-cost vehicles in India. About $200 million of the charge will be a cash expense, GM said. The moves are expected to save $100 million a year in a sector of GM's global business that last year lost about $800 million, the company said. GM President Dan Ammann told Reuters in an interview that the latest restructuring moves -- and a series of earlier decisions to quit unprofitable markets -- allow GM to focus more money, engineering effort and senior management time on expanding where the company is strong, including China and the North American pickup and SUV business, where GM has a "product onslaught coming." GM also has said it is investing about $600 million a year to develop autonomous vehicles and transportation services. "What are we spending our time doing?" Ammann said. "Are we spending time pursuing opportunities or all of our time fixing problems?" GM, like its Detroit rival Ford Motor Co., has found it increasingly expensive to compete in emerging markets outside of China. GM sold just 49,000 vehicles in India and South Africa combined last year. CEO Mary Barra traveled to New Delhi in 2015 to announce a plan to invest $1 billion there to build a new line of Chevrolet models developed as part of a Global Emerging Market vehicle program - GEM for short. Since then, auto sales overall in India have slumped, and GM has failed to gain traction against incumbents such as Maruti Suzuki India. Now, GM plans to stop selling Chevrolet brand vehicles by the end of the year and will produce vehicles only for export at its remaining factory in Talegaon, 75 miles east of Mumbai. The company currently employs about 2,500 workers there. GM said it would continue work at its design and engineering center near Bangalore. The $5 billion GEM program, which GM is developing with its Chinese partner Shanghai Automotive Industries Corp, remains on track to account for about 2 million vehicles a year in global sales volume, mainly in Latin America, Mexico and China, Ammann said. "The market opportunity for GEM has continued to grow," he said. South Africa operations In a separate move, GM plans to stop building Chevrolet vehicles in South Africa and sell its South African factory to Japan's Isuzu Motors, along with the 30 percent stake the U.S. automaker owns in a truck venture with Isuzu Motors. Isuzu agreed in February to buy out GM's 57.7 percent stake in a joint venture in Kenya. GM also will cut an undisclosed number of staff at its GM International Operations headquarters in Singapore. About 200 people work in that operation, the company said. Since Barra took over GM in 2014, the one-time largest automaker in the world has taken aggressive steps to narrow its focus to China, the highly-profitable North American light truck and SUV market, Latin America, vehicle financing and transportation services that ultimately could use autonomous vehicles. Despite the restructuring moves, including Barra's decision in March to sell money losing European operations to France's PSA Group, GM's share price has been stuck in a range close around $33 where it went public in 2010 following a government-funded bankruptcy. GM shares closed on Wednesday at $32.42. Barra and GM's directors are under pressure from David Einhorn's Greenlight Capital, which wants GM to split its common stock into two classes, one that pays dividends and a second that would be valued to reflect the company's potential growth. Greenlight also has put forward a slate of three new directors. GM's management and incumbent board have rejected Greenlight's proposals. The hedge fund holds 54.8 million GM shares, or about 3.5 percent of the total.

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Big Rigs / May 16, 2017 OUTBACK Truckers is back and bigger than ever with the launch of season 5 tonight, with episode 1 set in the Kimberly. The 13 episode season welcomes back both a few regulars along with some new faces. Making a return is family man Yogi, 'Outback Legend' and Steve Grahame after last year surviving a tyre blow out that put him in hospital. "We are happy to see a few of our favourites back, especially Steve after his shoulder operation who is back on the road after four months," joint managing director of Prospero Productions Julia Redwood said. Now in the post production stage for the final episodes Julia said the team is excited to reveal season 5 to it's Australian audiences tonight. "What I love about this series is we show the real deal epic journeys these drivers take on, it's very exciting and these drivers deserve recognition for the conditions they have to work through," Julia said. "We see new faces and head on different journeys to places like Tasmania to the fish markets in Melbourne and an extraordinary journey to Micronesia," she said. While many fans of the show come from the industry, Julia says the reactions she gets from those who have had no experience in trucking are often of amazement. "We hear feedback where people are blown away with what drivers in Australia have to deal with, they say wow I didn't know this world existed," Julie said. "Some of the media surrounding the trucking industry isn't always the best so we aim to show the industry in it's real and positive light. "A majority of drivers are really hard working, dealing with difficult and sometime risky situations while they are under a lot of pressure to achieve. During the filming a crew of 3-4 people travel with the drivers for the whole journey, capturing every moment. "This is the real Australian voice we are capturing, the story of the drivers that keep the country running," Julie said. .

PACCAR keen to show off DAF and Kenworth ranges Big Rigs / May 17, 2017 ATTENDEES at this year's Brisbane Truck Show will find an exciting selection of 11 world-class DAF and Kenworth trucks on the 'PACCAR World' stand. The stand is designed to provide patrons with an all-access experience to PACCAR Australia's class-leading range of brands and trucking solutions. PACCAR Australia's Director Sales and Marketing, Brad May, says the Brisbane Truck show offers those in transportation the ideal forum to congregate and experience the best developments and innovation the industry has to offer. "PACCAR World will have on display a range of advances, including from DAF the official launch of the DAF CF85 with 510Hp and the display of the new FAP LF 280, touted for release later in 2017," Mr May said. "For Kenworth, the show is all about the revolutionary T610 and T610SAR. Launched little more than five months ago, the new model is certainly living up to its billing as, 'Our Best Truck Yet'. We are delighted with the market's response due to its versatility, space and safety features, and the T610 and two T610SARs on display are certain to draw in everyone to have a look." "Complementing our two truck brands will be the full range of PACCAR Australia products and services. We will have professionals from most areas of our business, including production, engineering and sales, as well as dealer representatives from across Australia on hand to explain how PACCAR Australia offers the complete solution for fleets, operators and drivers," May said.

Iveco Trucks Australia / May 17, 2017 When hauling perishable goods, reliability is a key consideration according to Freight Lines Group Managing Director, Michael Harding. To help service a contract with Australian supermarket giant, Woolworths, Freight Lines Group recently added three Iveco Stralis AS-L Series II prime movers to the fleet, with another three vehicles to shortly join them. Michael should know a thing or two about the industry, having grown the WA-based transport business markedly since assuming ownership in 2008, transforming the organisation into one of the state’s top-10 road freight and logistics companies, employing over 190 staff and running a fleet of over 100 prime movers. As well as this recent history, Michael’s involvement with the company goes back much further, with his farther John, actually establishing the business in the 60s as ‘Esperance Freight Lines’, to take advantage of Esperance’s prosperity as a growing agricultural hub. “When you’re transporting food stuff, it all needs to be at the stores at a certain time, you can’t afford to be late or to have problems with breakdowns,” he said. “We operate the new Iveco Stralis models on this contract and so far they haven’t missed a beat.” The three Stralis AS-Ls run Pantech road train trailers between Perth and Albany return six days per week – over the course of the six days, they cover over 5,000 kilometres. Each truck now shows a trouble-free 200,000 plus kilometres on the odometer. The vehicles feature a Series II Cursor 13 engine producing 560 horsepower and 2300 Nm of torque, and as an added bonus, the engine is covered by market leading warranty package of five years or 1,000,000 kilometres. Coupled to the power plant is Iveco’s 16-speed Eurotronic II automated transmission, providing a relaxed driving experience while allowing the driver to select from automatic or manual shift control if required. On the safety front, the trucks feature front and rear disc brakes with ABS, EBL (Electronic Brake force Limitation) and ASR (Anti-Slip Regulator). The vehicles are finished in the Freight Lines Group’s red highlight livery and are fitted with bullbar and auxiliary forward lighting for increased safety. According to Michael, the strong performance of the first three Stralis AS-L units prompted him to place a second order. “The first ones are doing very well,” Michael said. “My time behind the wheel has been limited to moving them around the yard but the drivers are certainly happy with them and that’s an important factor. “Feedback is that they’re a comfortable truck and the power and torque is a good fit for the application – the trucks are usually running at around 40 tonne net payload and they do this easily. “The Stralis models had the right specification plus provided good value for money compared to some of the other prime movers out there. And while not the main factor in the purchase decision, the fact that they’re developed and manufactured in Australia was also noted.” The new Stralis prime movers will stay on fleet for around five years in keeping with their operating lease timeframes, a service also provided by Iveco through in-house financier CNH Industrial Capital. .

Isuzu Australia / May 15, 2017 Garden Grove is a multi-faceted business, offering garden supplies, bulk haulage and even a construction company. This versatility requires them to maintain an extensive transport fleet in which Isuzu Trucks, with its seemingly endless flexibility across every weight segment, plays a starring role. .

Bringing Back To Life Diesel News Australia / May 17, 2017 A new initiative from National Transport Insurance (NTI) will see the insurance company bringing back to life a truck to be auctioned to raise funds for and awareness of Motor Neuron Disease (MND). It has announced a new initiative bringing together members of the transport industry and community to support the MND and Me Foundation in raising much-needed funds for Motor Neurone Disease. Over the coming months, NTI will restore a 1946 International Model K5 rigid truck, which will be raffled for the MND and Me Foundation to help people living with the disease. “The restored, operational truck will be a culmination of time, energy, skill and resources generously contributed by NTI’s people, suppliers, partners and industry affiliates”, said NTI CEO Tony Clark. “It’s a truck built for the community, by the community. It will bring people together and tell a story, while serving a much greater purpose.” The entire journey will be documented and shared online via a series of webisodes, across NTI’s social media platforms. The truck will be on display in its current state at the 2017 Brisbane Truck Show, where visitors can purchase raffle tickets on the day. Tickets will also be available online following the event, until September. “The MND and Me Foundation is honoured to be involved in this very exciting project,” said Paul Olds, MND and Me Foundation CEO. “NTI’s efforts will generate better awareness of the impact that Motor Neurone Disease has on the community, and raise vital funds to ensure no one faces MND alone.”

Nikola CEO compares truck OEMs to failed photo company Prime Mover Magazine / May 17, 2017 Nikola CEO, Trevor Milton, has reportedly suggested that today’s truck manufacturers could face the same fate as US company Kodak, whose film business collapsed during the advent of digital cameras. According to US news service, truckinginfo.com, Milton used the 66th annual meeting of the Quebec Trucking Association as a stage to point out that traditional truck OEMs are at risk of making the same mistake as Kodak. “[Kodak] was so powerful that it never expected to change anything,” he explained. “Why change something that already works?” One of Kodak’s main mistakes was that it focused solely on an existing product without considering a changing environment, he said at the event. "In the event of a war, for example, the litre of diesel could reach five or seven dollars ... You'll never have to pay that kind of money to run the Nikola One." According to truckinginfo.com, Milton also compared the truck’s sales strategy – which will be based on monthly payments that include the price of the truck as well as fuel, maintenance, insurance – to Apple’s highly disruptive iTunes concept. "The other companies took a long time to figure out what was happening, and that's what's going to happen with the trucking industry," he said. Milton also confirmed the Nikola product would on the road by 2021. “It's not a dream," he was quoted as saying. "The future is here and we're all going to be part of it.”

NTI charity resto: Old Inter K5 a go-er Owner/Driver / May 17, 2017 National Transport Insurance (NTI) is restoring a 1946 International Model K5 to raise money and support for Motor Neurone Disease. The restoration process, which NTI says will be built for the community, by the community, is being documented in a series of online videos. In order to tackle the project, NTI says it will call on suppliers, partners and industry affiliates to offer their knowledge, time and resources. Green Diamond, as the Inter has been appropriately dubbed, will be raffled upon completion and all of the proceeds will be donated to the MND & Me Foundation. "We went to our people, told them the story and they agreed MND would become our primary charity," NTI CEO Tony Clark says on the restoration project website. "With our DNA and background in transport we felt the restoration of a truck would let people follow the journey, enjoy it, but then raffle the truck for a great cause – Motor Neuron Disease."

Australasian Transport News (ATN) / May 17, 2017 All proceeds from the Green Diamond raffle will be donated to the MND & Me Foundation National Transport Insurance (NTI) is restoring a 1946 International Model K5 to raise money and support for motor neurone disease (MND). The resotration process, which NTI says will be built for the community, by the community, is being documented in a series of online videos. In order to tackle the project, NTI says it will call on suppliers, partners and industry affiliates to offer their knowledge, time and resources. Green Diamond, as the Inter has been appropriately dubbed, will be raffled upon completion and all of the proceeds will be donated to the MND & Me Foundation. "We went to our people, told them the story and they agreed MND would become our primary charity," NTI CEO Tony Clark says on the restoration project website. "With our DNA and background in transport we felt the restoration of a truck would let people follow the journey, enjoy it, but then raffle the truck for a great cause – Motor Neuron Disease." .

Volvo Trucks and Renova testing autonomous refuse trucks; driving in reverse Green Car Congress / May 17, 2017 Swedish waste management company Renova and Volvo Trucks are currently testing and researching how automated vehicles can contribute to safer, more efficient refuse handling and create a better working environment for drivers. The automated systems being tested are in principle the same as those fitted to the autonomous Volvo truck operating in the Kristineberg Mine in northern Sweden since autumn 2016. The refuse truck relies on a GPS and LiDAR-based system for mapping, positioning and scanning of the area around the vehicle. The autonomous system controls steering, gear changing and speed. The vehicle stops automatically if an obstacle on the road suddenly appears. Driving a heavy commercial vehicle in an urban residential area with narrow streets and vulnerable road users naturally imposes major demands on safety, even when the vehicle's speed doesn't exceed a normal walking pace. The refuse truck we are now testing continuously monitors its surroundings and immediately stops if an obstacle suddenly appears on the road. At the same time, the automated system creates better prerequisites for the driver to keep a watchful eye on everything that happens near the truck. —Carl Johan Almqvist, Traffic & Product Safety Director,Volvo Trucks The first time the automated refuse truck is used in a new area, it is driven manually while the on-board system constantly monitors and maps the route with the help of sensors and GPS technology. The next time the truck enters the same area, it knows exactly which route to follow and at which bins it has to stop. At the first stop with the automated system activated, the driver climbs out of the cab, goes to the rear of the truck, brings out the wheelie-bin and empties it exactly the way the job is done today by operating the relevant controls. When the operation is completed, the truck automatically reverses to the next bin upon receiving the driver’s command. The driver walks the very same route that the truck takes and thus always has full view of what’s happening in the direction of travel. By reversing the truck, the driver can constantly remain close to the compactor unit instead of having to repeatedly walk between the rear and the cab every time the truck is on the move. And since the driver doesn’t have to climb in and out of the cab at every start and stop, there’s less risk of work related injuries such as strain on the knees and other joints. —Hans Zachrisson, Strategic Development Manager at Renova Reversing is otherwise a fairly risky maneuver since the driver may find it difficult to see who or what is moving behind the vehicle, even if it is fitted with a camera. In certain areas it is not allowed to reverse with a heavy commercial vehicle for safety reasons, in others it is a requirement that a co-driver must stand behind the truck to ensure that the road is clear before the vehicle is allowed to reverse. The solution being tested is designed to eliminate these issues. Since sensors monitor the area all around the refuse truck, driving is equally safe no matter the direction in which the vehicle is moving. And if for instance the street is blocked by a parked car, the refuse truck can automatically drive around the obstruction provided there is sufficient space alongside. Since the automated systems optimize gear changes, steering and speed, fuel consumption and emissions can also be reduced. Although the technical scope already exists, much research, testing and development remains before self-driving refuse trucks can become a reality. The current joint project will continue until the end of 2017 and will be followed by an extremely thorough evaluation of functionality, safety and, not least, how well this type of vehicle is accepted by drivers, other road users and local residents. Vehicles with varying degrees of automation will probably be introduced earlier in other applications, where transport assignments take place within strictly confined areas such as mines and cargo terminals, the company said.

Volvo pioneers autonomous, self-driving refuse truck in the urban environment Volvo Group / May 17, 2017 In the latest research and development in self-driving vehicles, Volvo Group, together with Swedish waste and recycling specialists Renova, is testing a pioneering autonomous refuse truck that has the potential to be used across the urban environment. The project explores how automation can contribute to enhanced traffic safety, improved working conditions and lower environmental impact. “There is amazing potential to transform the swift pace of technical developments in automation into practical benefits for customers and, more broadly, society in general. Our self-driving refuse truck is leading the way in this field globally, and one of several exciting autonomous innovations we are working with right now,” says Lars Stenqvist, Chief Technology Officer, Volvo Group. Volvo Group’s autonomous refuse truck is designed to make the driving safer in built-up areas, not least when reversing. Sensors continuously monitor the vehicle’s vicinity and the truck stops immediately if an obstacle suddenly appears in its path. The route is pre-programmed and the truck drives itself from one wheelie-bin to the next. The driver, who walks ahead of the reversing vehicle, can focus on refuse collection and does not have to climb into and out of the cab every time the truck moves to a new bin. “One important benefit of the new technology is a reduction in the risk of occupational injuries, such as wear in knee joints – otherwise a common ailment among staff working with refuse collection,” explains Lars Stenqvist. The autonomous truck also offers major environmental upsides. Gearchanging, steering and speed are constantly optimised for low fuel consumption and emissions. The joint project with Renova will continue until end of 2017. The autonomous truck currently being tested is fitted with a sensor system for identification, navigation, and monitoring of the vehicle’s vicinity. Most of this technology is also used in the autonomous truck for mining operations that Volvo Group unveiled in 2016. That self-driving truck is undergoing tests in the Kristineberg Mine in northern Sweden. Link to film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJSHXr8i-ZU Link to high-resolution images: http://images.volvogroup.com/ More information about Volvo Group’s work with autonomous vehicles can be found at www.volvogroup.com/automation . For more information please contact Volvo Group’s press department, Henry Sténson +46 31 323 72 29 .

Laredo facility supports Freightliner and Navistar plants [in Mexico] Heavy Duty Trucking / May 17, 2017 Fontaine Modification Fleet Services announced it has moved its Laredo, TX, modification center 14 miles down the road to a new 27,000-sq.-ft. facility adjacent to TruckMovers, a yard management and third-party logistics service provider. This modification center specializes in installing work systems, off-loading and electronics systems, vehicle tracking systems, safety equipment and graphics packages for heavy-duty trucks. The purpose-built facility at 15617 U.S. Route 83, Unit B, supports nearby Freightliner Trucks and Navistar International manufacturing plants, utilizing ship-thru agreements with both OEMs. TruckMovers transports the vehicles from the OEM plants [in Mexico] to the Laredo location for modification and preparation for final delivery. “Working closely with TruckMovers lets us minimize truck scheduling and movement delays, so together we can reduce the time between trucks leaving the factory and their delivery to the customer’s location,” says Jamil Young, president, Fontaine Modification Fleet Services. The new modification center includes 22 truck bays, five drive-through lanes and two acres of securely fenced and lighted parking. It is fully supported by an onsite staff of engineering, quality control and inventory personnel. Production at the new Fontaine modification center began April 3 led by facility manager Angel Salas. .

Heavy Duty Trucking / May 17, 2017 Volvo Group is working with Swedish waste and recycling company Renova to test an autonomous, self-driving refuse truck in an urban environment. The project will explore how an autonomous refuse truck can be used in a busy environment to improve traffic safety and working conditions and reduce environmental impact. “There is amazing potential to transform the swift pace of technical developments in automation into practical benefits for customers and, more broadly, society in general,” said Lars Stenqvist, chief technology officer, Volvo Group. “Our self-driving refuse truck is leading the way in this field globally, and one of several exciting autonomous innovations we are working with right now.” Volvo’s autonomous refuse truck is designed to make driving safer in built-up areas and while backing up. Sensors on the vehicle will monitor the vicinity and stop the truck immediately if an obstacle suddenly appears in its path. The route is pre-programmed and the truck drives itself to each location. The driver can focus on refuse collection and does not have to climb in and out of the cab every time the truck moves to a new collection bin. “One important benefit of the new technology is a reduction in the risk of occupational injuries, such as wear in knee joints – otherwise a common ailment among staff working with refuse collection,” said Stenqvist. The autonomous truck also offers environmental benefits, according to Volvo. Gearchanging, steering and speed are constantly adjusted for low fuel consumption and emissions. The joint project with Renova will continue through the end of 2017. The autonomous truck is fitted with a sensor system for identification, navigation and monitoring of the vehicle’s vicinity. Most of the technology is also used in Volvo’s autonomous mining truck that the company unveiled in 2016. The mining truck is undergoing tests in the Kristineberg Mine in northern Sweden. .

FASTLANE Freight Grants to Be Announced Shortly, Secretary Chao Says Transport Topics / May 17, 2017 The recipients of federal grants designed to assist states to pay for large-scale freight projects will be announced soon, the country’s top transportation officer told a Senate panel May 17. “The department is set to award a number of FASTLANE grants very shortly,” Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao told senators on the Environment and Public Works Committee. Transportation agencies in Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia and Idaho are among the applicants seeking grants under the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) program. Chao explained that the grant program established in the 2015 FAST Act highway law is meant to provide financial assistance to projects that seek to improve safety, efficiency and reliability of the movement of freight and people, as well as reduce highway congestion and bottlenecks. In July, DOT selected 18 projects to split $759 million in fiscal 2016 for freight programs. The Florida Department of Transportation won a $10.7 million FASTLANE grant in July to help pay for a $23 million truck parking project. The project would deploy a real-time information system about commercial vehicle parking availability to help truckers find parking.

Senators urge Chao to maintain TIGER grants Fleet Owner / May 17, 2017 DOT secretary emphasizes need to streamline permitting process during hearing Days before the Trump administration is expected to release its fiscal 2018 budget plan, senators asked Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to restore funding for a popular grant program. The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program was part of the 2009 stimulus law, and has been popular among states and local governments ever since. However, no funding was included in the president’s “skinny” budget issued in March. At a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on May 17, senators from both parties said TIGER grants leverage private investment, a stated goal of the administration, and should be revived as the blueprint for a $1 trillion infrastructure plan is finalized in the coming weeks. “I know how popular they are with members of Congress,” Chao told the committee. “This particular issue about TIGER grants is something we are discussing. There may be a more holistic approach to infrastructure, and perhaps these TIGER grants will be recast in the future.” Chao said she was not sure whether TIGER funding would be included when a full budget proposal is issued next week. Separately, Chao said winners of the FASTLANE grant program, created out of the FAST Act, would soon be announced. The TIGER issue was first raised by Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), who singled out a $14.6 million grant, miniscule when discussing a $1 trillion bill, to highlight how powerful the grants can be. That award was given to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe to pave a dangerous gravel road leading to Highway 83, offering jobs and an economic lifeline to an extremely poor county. “This is small in nature, but important,” Rounds said. “Rest assured we would love to give additional input and advice” regarding the grants. Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) were others voicing support for TIGER. The two-hour hearing was a mostly cordial gathering, with Chao and senators expressing a joint commitment to work together on infrastructure. Chao provided few new details, again saying an initial plan will be issued within weeks. She did emphasize the importance of streamlining the permitting and review process in order to get highway projects built more quickly. Chao said it could be done “in way that is responsible,” with a focus on removing hurdles viewed as duplicative and only serve to slow down projects. Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) stressed the importance of this step, and said he did not believe earlier congressional efforts to accomplish that goal had been properly implemented under the Obama administration. In his opening remarks, EPW Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) encouraged a formula-based approach to distribution funds to ensure rural and urban states all receive their fair share. "Using a formula-based approach will expedite the delivery of additional infrastructure spending which will ensure highway projects will be built faster, as opposed to adopting a new funding structure that is less understood by stakeholders," he said. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) was among several who inquired specifically about planning for freight projects. Chao responded she is well aware of what is at stake. “Freight is a very important part of our overall commerce and helps keep the economy vibrant,” she said. “We will do everything we can to facilitate commerce so it brings greater vitality and prosperity to our country.” There was also consensus at the hearing that public-private partnerships should be part of the overall plan, but some cautioned it was only a small piece of the overall puzzle. Many states have not yet considered PPPs, and Texas recently rejected a bill that would allow use of them to fund highway projects. That feeling was shared by senators representing rural areas, where needed projects may not have a high-enough price tag to make PPPs a favorable option. Conversely, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) indicated more PPPs should be considered. “We should not discriminate against the private sector in their desire to help finance” these projects, he said. Throughout the hearing, a familiar chorus of funding options was raised, from raising fuel taxes, increasing the use tolling, especially on new highways, and implanting a vehicle miles tax. Beyond highway infrastructure, funding needs for passenger transit and water infrastructure were other main discussion areas.

International Trucks opens flagship Used Truck Center Fleet Owner / May 17, 2017 International Truck announced the grand opening of the new flagship Used Truck Center in Melrose Park, IL. While the current Used Truck Center is also located in Melrose Park, the four block move will bring it in the same building as Navistar’s Melrose Park Plant; occupying previously unused space on the land. In addition, it will finish off a consolidation effort which brings engine testing, the Used Truck Reconditioning Center, certified technicians and used truck sales all in a single location. “The Used Truck Center move provides an opportunity to create our most comprehensive used truck facility yet,” said Jeff Heichel, vice president, Used Truck Operations. “On one side of the building, we will be selling our used trucks; and on the other, we have certified technicians working on reconditioning them. It creates a great environment that promotes sales and customer service.” According to the company, the new truck center is a 5,500 sq. ft. building – an improvement from the 2,500 sq. ft. location it is replacing – and sits on a 150,000 sq. ft. lot, with the potential to expand to 206,000 sq. ft. The new facility comes with accommodations for both customers and International’s sales team.

EU launches legal action against Italy over Fiat emission tests Reuters / May 17, 2017 BRUSSELS -- The European Commission launched legal action against Italy for failing to respond to allegations of emissions-test cheating by Fiat Chrysler, in a procedure that could lead to the country being taken to court. "The Commission decided today to send a letter of formal notice asking Italy to respond to concerns about insufficient action taken regarding the emission control strategies employed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles," the Commission said in a statement on Wednesday. The Commission has been mediating a dispute between Rome and Berlin after Germany accused Fiat Chrysler of using an illegal device in diesel versions of its Fiat 500X, Fiat Doblo and Jeep Renegade models. That mediation ended in March. EU officials have become increasingly frustrated with what they see as governments colluding with the powerful car industry and the legal move is the biggest stick the European Commission has available to force nations to clamp down on diesel cars that emit high levels of polluting nitrogen oxide (NOx). EU regulators say Italy has failed to convince them that the so-called defeat devices used to modulate emissions on its vehicles outside of narrow testing conditions are justified. Defeat devices have been illegal under EU law since 2007. Their use has come under renewed scrutiny following Volkswagen's admission that it used software to mask real-world NOx emissions, which are blamed for respiratory illnesses and early deaths. European carmakers have argued they are not doing anything wrong, citing an exemption that allows them to turn off emission control systems when necessary for safety or to protect engines. Last December, the Commission launched cases against five nations, including Germany, Britain and Spain, for failing to police the car industry adequately. Despite the accusations leveled against its own carmakers, Germany has accused Fiat Chrysler of using an illegal device to scale back emission controls after 22 minutes -- just longer than official tests. Under the current EU type approval system, which the Commission is trying to overhaul, national regulators approve new cars and alone have the power to police manufacturers. But once a vehicle is approved in one country, it can be sold throughout the bloc. Earlier on Wednesday Italy's Transport Minister, Graziano Delrio, had asked for a delay in starting the infringement procedure to allow time for clarification on the issues raised by the Commission.

Ford Sees 1,400 Salaried Workers Leaving by End of September Bloomberg / May 17, 2017 Ford Motor Co. said it’s making an “accelerated attack on costs” by offering voluntary buyout packages to salaried workers in North America and Asia, as Chief Executive Officer Mark Fields faces pressure to improve profit and boost the carmaker’s stock price. The automaker expects 1,400 salaried employees to leave by the end of September, according to an emailed statement. The early retirement offers won’t be extended to key employees engineering new models and developing technology such as self-driving cars. . The staff cuts are part of a plan to lop $3 billion off the company’s costs this year. Fields was grilled by his board last week and impugned by investors eager for a turnaround in Ford’s declining earnings and shares. Ford is pouring billions into developing driverless cars, while sales of its conventional models are struggling to keep pace with rivals including General Motors Co. amid a slowing U.S. auto market. Read more: Motown slowdown counters Trump touting American auto growth Salaried personnel will shrink by 10 percent in Ford’s North American and Asia Pacific operations, the Dearborn, Michigan-based company told employees Wednesday. Buyout offers won’t be extended to workers in product development, plant manufacturing, information technology, global data and analytics and the Ford Credit financial-services unit. The early retirement offers also won’t apply to Ford’s operations in Europe and South America, which already have retrenchment plans underway. In North America and Asia, targeted salaried employees will begin receiving buyout offers in early June, according to the company.

U.S. Prepares Lawsuit Over Fiat Chrysler Diesel Emissions Bloomberg / May 18, 2017 The U.S. Justice Department is preparing to sue Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV if talks fail to resolve differences over the automaker’s alleged violations of U.S. clean-air rules with its diesel vehicles, according to two people briefed on the matter. A lawsuit could be filed as soon as this week, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing the confidential matter. Negotiations are still ongoing and the parties may reach an agreement to avoid prolonged litigation. A suit would mark an escalation of the U.S. government’s months-long inquiry and could expose the automaker to significant penalties. The suit being prepared alleges the company used illegal defeat devices, one of the people said. Such devices -- software in computerized systems -- improperly disable pollution controls to enhance performance. Volkswagen AG admitted in 2015 to using defeat devices that turned on emissions controls to pass tests but turned them off during driving. Fiat Chrysler is adamant that its controls weren’t designed to cheat emissions tests like Volkswagen’s. Investigators have said Fiat Chrysler hasn’t been able to fully explain the purpose of all the functions to their satisfaction. “In the case of any litigation, FCA US will defend itself vigorously, particularly against any claims that the company deliberately installed defeat devices to cheat U.S. emissions tests,” Fiat Chrysler said in an emailed statement. “The company believes that any litigation would be counterproductive to ongoing discussions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board.” Fiat Chrysler has been seeking approval for updated software for 2017 model year diesels that it then intends to install in 2014-2016 vehicles cited by the EPA in a Jan. 12 violation notice. Court Hearing The U.S. has been preparing a potential complaint ahead of an initial hearing for separate lawsuits, brought by owners of the diesel SUVs and pickups, on May 24 at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The San Francisco court oversaw VW emissions litigation. Volkswagen’s defeat devices permitted its diesel cars to pass emissions tests even as they exceeded pollution standards on the road. Regulators stepped up testing in the wake of that scandal, leading to the discovery of Fiat Chrysler’s alleged violations. Prior story: Fiat Chrysler Accused of Diesel Emissions Cheating by U.S. Spokespeople for the Justice Department and EPA declined to comment. The EPA alleged in January that the automaker sold 104,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs and Ram 1500 pickups with diesel engines containing “auxiliary emissions control devices” that the company failed to disclose to the agency. EPA’s Notice In the notice of violation, the agency also said that one or more of the undisclosed emissions controls may be defeat devices and challenged the automaker to convince investigators otherwise. Some of the controls “appear to cause the vehicle to perform differently when the vehicle is being tested than in normal operation and use,” the EPA said in its notice. Test data showed that the vehicles produced high levels of nitrogen oxide pollution under certain conditions, the agency said in January. The alleged violations carried potential penalties of up to $44,539 per vehicle, then-EPA enforcement chief Cynthia Giles said at the time. That translated to a penalty of up to $4.6 billion based on the number of vehicles involved. Prior story: Fiat Chrysler Said to Face U.S. Criminal Emissions Probe Fiat Chrysler Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne denied the allegations on a Jan. 12 conference call. “We have no defeat devices,” he said. Possible Mistakes Marchionne addressed the issue again last month. “We may have made mistakes” on diesel software disclosure, he said, though Fiat Chrysler “never tried to break any rule.” The EPA said in January that Fiat Chrysler’s lack of disclosure by itself constituted a Clean Air Act violation, adding that it may find additional violations. Auxiliary emissions control devices are permitted under the Clean Air Act as long as they’re disclosed and explained in detail within applications carmakers file with the EPA. QuickTake Q&A: Volkswagen Embarks on Life After Diesel Scandal Fiat Chrysler and EPA officials have been in talks to resolve the issues since January, and those talks continue, one of the people said. At the same time, the automaker has been working to obtain EPA certifications for its 2017 model year diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500, which the agency has thus far refused to grant. Volkswagen admitted to using defeat devices on about a half million vehicles to pass U.S. emissions tests. Its then-CEO Martin Winterkorn resigned and the company has committed to spending more than $24.5 billion to cover costs stemming from the scandal, including a $2.8 billion criminal penalty as part of a guilty plea agreement reached in January with the Justice Department.