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Mack Ups Fuel Efficiency with Super Econodyne Direct Option Heavy Duty Trucking / March 23, 2017 Mack Trucks introduced Super Econodyne Direct, a new fuel-saving option that combines the Super Econodyne engine rating with a direct-drive version of its mDrive automated manual transmission. here at the Mid-America Trucking Show. “Our Super Econodyne rating was previously only available with the overdrive version of the mDrive, but the recent release of numerically lower rear axle ratios allows us to use the direct drive variant,” said Scott Barraclough, Mack technology product manager. “The result is up to 1% better fuel efficiency on top of the 3% Super Econodyne already delivered on its own.” In addition to a higher top gear ratio, the direct drive mDrive is more efficient because it features reduced parasitic losses. This results from torque not transmitted to the direct drive mDrive’s countershaft while in top gear. Instead, the transmission's input and output shafts are essentially locked together, according to Mack. Super Econodyne Direct is best suited for applications of 80,000 pounds GCW or less where drivers remain in top gear for a large percentage of the time. It also works best on mostly flat terrain and when drivers remain mostly in constant speed. Mack’s Super Econodyne rating fully integrates Mack MP engines and the Mack mDrive to deliver fuel savings. The integrated powertrain enables lower engine cruise RPM to save fuel, without impacting power or performance. Super Econodyne-rated Mack engines cruise at approximately 1,150 rpm, a reduction of 200-300 rpm from a typical highway cruise rpm, which results in up to 3% improved fuel efficiency. Super Econodyne ratings are available for the 11-liter Mack MP7 and 13-liter MP8 engines. Mack also announced that its 2017 MP8 engine with turbo compounding is now available for order. The turbo compounding system gives the engine an improved operating range and holds the top gear when cresting a hill, even with the engine rpm decreasing. Available exclusively with Mack’s Super Econodyne downspeeding package, the MP8 with turbo compounding converts wasted energy from the exhaust into mechanical energy that is fed back to the engine. The system adds up to 50 additional horsepower, improving fuel efficiency by up to 8.8%, according to Mack. The additional power generated by the turbo compounding system allows the engine to maintain full torque as low as 900 rpm.

Sean Kilcarr, Fleet Owner / March 23, 2017 The demand for better fuel economy is still there, but GM says the desire for more “functionality” is what’s driving work truck design efforts now. John Schwegman will tell that while demand for greater fuel economy “has always been important and will stay that way” for light- and medium-duty units “work truck” roles, the desire now is for more options and more overall “functionality” when it comes to vocational-focused platforms. Schwegman, U.S. director of commercial product and medium duty for the General Motors fleet division, explained to Fleet Owner during an interview at the 2017 NTEA Work Truck Show, that the focus on the segment is now turning to delivering more focused products to “fill up the series of niches” in the work truck space. “These fleets don’t want a lot of frills but they do want functionality,” he stressed. “They don’t want leather interiors or chrome but they do want safety features such as collision mitigation and automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems. There is a definite trend towards a willingness to pay for them.” As a result, he said Chevrolet is crafting mid-level and base-level packages that incorporate such safety technology. “They’ve become very popular [systems] across the work truck buyer spectrum; we’ve heard that loud and clear,” Schwegman noted. Yet “functionality” also revolves around getting more vocational truck options as well, he emphasized – especially when it comes to powertrains. That’s one reason why GM went into partnership with Navistar to build a new Class 4-5 conventional commercial truck due to launch next year, he said – one that will be offered with GM’s Duramax diesel engine mated to an Allison Transmission automatic gearbox by the second half of 2018. “This is another opportunity to bring higher fuel efficiency together with more performance in this segment,” Schwegman pointed out. “It offers the low-end torque the work truck side of the business wants and is also 100% rated to run on B20 biodiesel fuel.” GM is also moving to offer more “hardened” engines in this space as well that can run on 100% compress natural gas (CNG) or propane or on some “bi-fuel” mixture of CNG and gasoline if desire. On another front, GM’s recent introduction of a Class 6 low cab forward model – the 6500XD – expands its lineup of cabover Class 3-5 medium-duty trucks built in partnership with Isuzu Commercial Truck. The key to the 6500 XD is it’s just under 26,000 lbs., so it doesn’t require a commercial driver’s license to operate. “Now we will have models across the work truck spectrum: pickups, vans, medium-duty conventionals and cabovers,” Schwegman explained. “Now our customers can go to one dealer, one OEM, for all of their work truck needs. It allows them to ‘hit the easy button’ where their truck needs are concerned.” Having both medium-duty conventional and cabover or “tilt cab” models on hand also fulfills the “functionality” role, too, as each brings specific performance advantages to the work truck table. Schwegman said sales of “tilt cabs” track around 20,000 to 25,000 units per year, with 80% of them focused on pickup and delivery operations in metropolitan markets where turning radius is vital. “Our low cab forward trucks have an incredibly tight turning radius; one equal to a Chevy Sonic,” which is one of Chevrolet’s most compact of cars, he pointed out. But conventional models, which see sales of 50,000 to 60,000 units annually, offer higher ground clearance in both on- and off-road operation and are a better fit for more rough-and-tumble work for landscapers, utility fleets, and in the oil fields. The final piece of “functionality” revolves around communication links and truck telematics. Again, Schwegman sees a “divergence” among buyers as to what level of communication and vehicle data analysis they desire, but the demand for it is there among all of them. “We’ve got OnStar available across 98% of our platforms; it’s embedded into the vehicles for customers to use if they so choose,” he said. “So what we’re doing now is developing ‘cheaper’ communication packages for crash notification, emergency response, and route monitoring – that gives fleets an ‘easy button’ for basic services,” Schwegman explained. “But for those that want to dive deeper into telematics and data analysis customized to a particular fleet, we offer services through our partners Telogis and Spireon,” he said. “The whole point is this: it’s built in, so if you want it, it’s there; you don’t need to buy a system and install it. But if you don’t want it, no worries; you don’t have to use it.”

Fleet Owner / March 23, 2017 Emphasizing the brand’s “tradition of application excellence” and customer-focused innovation, Mack Trucks used its media slot at the 2017 Mid-America Trucking Show Thursday to introduce three new products aimed at improved fuel efficiency. The Super Econodyne Direct is a new fuel-saving option that combines Mack’s Super Econodyne concept with a direct drive version of the Mack mDRIVE automated manual transmission (AMT) to boost fuel efficiency by up to 1 percent. The result is up to 1 percent better fuel efficiency on top of the 3 percent Super Econodyne already delivered on its own, according to the company. Despite a numerically higher top gear ratio, the direct drive mDRIVE is inherently more fuel efficient thanks to reduced parasitic losses, explained Roy Horton, Mack director of product strategy. This is due to the fact that torque is not transmitted to the direct drive mDRIVE’s countershaft while in top gear. Instead, the transmission’s input and output shafts are essentially locked together. Super Econodyne Direct is best suited for applications of 80,000 lbs. GCW or less where drivers remain in top gear for a large percentage of time. It also works best on mostly flat terrain and when drivers remain mostly in constant speed. Mack’s Super Econodyne rating fully integrates Mack MP engines and the Mack mDRIVE to deliver significant fuel savings. The integrated powertrain enables lower engine cruise RPM to save fuel, without impacting power or performance. Super Econodyne-rated Mack engines cruise at approximately 1,150 rpm, a reduction of 200-300 rpm from a typical highway cruise rpm. Super Econodyne ratings are available with both the 11-liter Mack MP7 and 13-liter Mack MP8 engines. In other news, Mack Trucks has rolled out Automatic Standby Mode, an innovation for its 6x2 liftable pusher axle available on Mack Pinnacle highway models. The 6x2 with liftable pusher axle offers improved fuel efficiency and productivity benefits and is designed for applications that haul out heavy and return empty, such as bulk haul. The addition of Automatic Standby Mode eliminates the need for the driver to manually push buttons to initiate standby mode, simplifying operation. Mack has also added rear air disc brakes as an option to it 6X2 liftable pusher offer. “The Mack Pinnacle 6x2 with liftable pusher axle model really helps those customers in bulk haul applications save on fuel because sensors lift or lower the axle to decrease or increase traction, providing better performance and ride,” said Horton. “The addition of Automatic Standby Mode further simplifies things for the driver by eliminating any need for manual input in putting the truck in standby mode to prevent overload.” When the ignition is off, Automatic Standby equalizes the suspension pressure, preventing the rear axle from being overloaded. The driver does not have to remember to initiate the standby mode and also does not need to remember the button sequence to put it in standby. The 6x2 with liftable pusher axle monitors trailer weight and adjusts the truck’s driveline configuration to boost fuel efficiency without impacting performance. The 6x2 with liftable pusher axle is capable of determining payload by using sensors in the rear suspension and either lifting or lowering the foremost rear axle. When an empty load is detected, the axle lifts, allowing the tractor to operate as a 4x2 for less drag, better fuel efficiency and reduced tire wear, which helps lower maintenance costs. For full loads, the same axle is lowered to provide additional stability and distribution of the trailer’s weight. The company also announced that the 2017 Mack MP8 engine with turbo compounding is now available for order, offering highway customers increased fuel efficiency. “The new MP8 engine with turbo compounding is just one of the many engine upgrades Mack made to further enhance fuel efficiency for customers,” said Roy Horton, Mack director of product strategy. “The turbo compounding system enables an improved operating range and allows a truck to hold top gear when cresting a hill, even with the engine rpm decreasing.” Available exclusively with Mack’s Super Econodyne downspeeding package, the MP8 with turbo compounding converts wasted energy from the exhaust into mechanical energy that is fed back to the engine. The system adds up to 50 additional horsepower, improving fuel efficiency by up to 8.8 percent. The additional power generated by the turbo compounding system allows the engine to maintain full torque as low as 900 rpm. .

Peterbilt Expands Next Generation Chassis Routing Trailer/Body Builders / March 23, 2017 Peterbilt implemented its engineered routings in all configurations of the Models 579 and 567 as well as in the iconic Model 389, further enhancing serviceability across its product lines. “Thanks to the innovative features of the engineered chassis routings, Peterbilt customers will enjoy enhanced ease of repair and maintenance,” said Scott Newhouse, Peterbilt Chief Engineer. “Peterbilt has taken great strides to improve product quality with the implementation of the engineered routings, which provide consistent manufacturability, improved product quality and improved serviceability.” The engineered routings bundle each system (air, fuel and electrical) separately, allowing easier identification and service by technicians. Routing enhancements are standard with orders specifying 2017 emissions engines.

Ford sees lower 2017 profits with most of the hit in Q1 Automotive News/Reuters / March 23, 2017 Citing front-loaded product launch costs and engineering expenses, Ford Motor Co. said that much of the year-over-year decline it expects from its 2017 financial performance will occur in the first quarter. Ford said Thursday it expects a full-year pretax profit of $9 billion, down from $10.4 billion it made in 2016 as it invests in autonomous cars and new mobility services. The automaker expects earnings per share of between 30 cents to 35 cents in the first quarter, down from the same period last year and lower than analyst expectations. “The first quarter is where the year-over-year declines come,” CFO Bob Shanks told analysts in a Thursday morning event. The company initially filed its disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Shanks said Ford will be dealing with increased commodity costs and a warranty expense that he declined to give details about. He also said the automaker will be affected by vehicle volumes as demand for new cars and light trucks cools. He said the company’s U.S. vehicle stocks (79 days supply in February) are in good shape, but “don’t be surprised” if Ford temporarily shuts down lines at U.S. assembly plants in the near future to cut back production. Much of the product-launch costs Shanks described are related to the Ford Super Duty and Lincoln Continental, which debuted near the end of last year. Ford maintained its pretax profit forecast it originally issued in January for its Ford Credit arm of about $1.5 billion thanks to lower U.S. auction values. Ford Credit posted a $1.9 billion pretax profit in 2016, down $207 million from 2015. Ford shares were down less than 1 percent to $11.69 a share as of early Thursday afternoon. 2018 improvement Ford still expects that its 2018 financials will rise, and be higher than the $10.4 billion it earned in 2016. It expects that rise will come thanks to increases in its core business, Shanks said. "We think we can do more with trucks, we think we can do more with utility vehicles, we can do more with performance and we've got plans in place to do that," he said. In a Thursday client note, Buckingham Research Group analyst Joseph Amaturo said “we believe Ford's announcement today is the initial confirmation of our investment thesis that pricing is deteriorating in North America and in select international markets, particularly China.” Mobility investments The 2017 profit dip comes as the automaker invests heavily in what it calls “emerging opportunities” as it develops autonomous vehicles and expands into mobility services such as ride sharing and bicycle sharing. Last month, Ford announced it would invest $1 billion over the next five years in artificial intelligence startup Argo AI to help build the brains of its robot cars. Ford last year also purchased Silicon Valley-based shuttle service Chariot. Ford recently said Chariot would expand to eight cities by the end of 2017, including a city outside the U.S. Last March, the automaker created a Smart Mobility subsidiary to invest in emerging mobility opportunities as it targets more services outside traditional car and truck ownership. Executives have said they expect profit margins of up to 20 percent on the new services. 'Nobody knows anything' Shanks on Thursday said Ford is well-positioned on some of President Donald Trump’s pending policy decisions, although “in terms of policy, nobody knows anything.” He said the automaker would be closely watching the vote on the GOP’s proposed healthcare bill, since the outcome could have an impact on what issues the president tackles next. Shanks said that any import tariff on Mexico-built vehicles would be a “drag on our business,” but noted that Ford is in better shape than some of its competitors, since its profit-generating trucks and SUVs are all built in the U.S. Shanks praised Trump’s decision last week to re-open a midterm review of vehicle emissions standards, but noted that Ford isn’t asking for a rollback. “Whatever happens, we still have to improve,” Shanks said, citing global emissions mandates. “We’ll still be investing in electrified propulsion, better and better internal combustion engines and light-weighting. That’s the reality of the business.”

Everyone has different situations. I carefully choose a vehicle which I'm absolutely enamored with, and then keep it for 20 years or more. So for me, I want to and actually enjoy maintaining that investment, a vehicle whose exterior, interior, performance and functionality are all 10's for me. Owning the vehicle since new, I "know" the maintenance has always been performed. I know the vehicle. In contrast, in year 2017, so many people are clueless about maintenance, or simply don't wish to do it as they should. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of a vehicle they owned. If you're a short time owner, buying late model used to avoid that initial depreciation is a shrewd move.

The other side of the story – why tensions exist RT / March 23, 2017 Israeli police officer assaults a Palestinian truck driver in East Jerusalem. The officer is shown head-butting, kicking and slapping a 50-year-old Palestinian truck driver. “I got to work this morning in my truck which is by the Interior Ministry in the Wadi Joz neighborhood, as always,” said the truck driver, Mazen Shwiki, as quoted by the Jerusalem Post. The policeman accused the Palestinian truck driver of hitting his parked car and refused to accept any apologies. "The policeman started to curse me and used derogatory language, and then he butted my head and started hitting me for no reason. All that, even though I admitted that I hit his car," Shwiki recollected. Ahmad al-Tawil, who witnessed the assault, told Ma’an News that said he tried to stop the officer, but was also beaten. There have been other incidents involving excessive violence by Israeli security forces towards Palestinians in East Jerusalem. Recently a Palestinian teen was shot in the chest by Israeli forces at the Shufat camp in occupied East Jerusalem. The forces accused the teen of throwing stones at military vehicles. A nine-year-old girl was seriously injured at the Qalandia checkpoint between the West Bank and East Jerusalem, after she was shot in the foot for carrying a bag in a “suspicious manner.” .

I agree with you 500 percent. Purchasing a vehicle is an investment, alike buying a home. Why not maintain one's investment? My vehicles after one or two decades still look virtually new. If you care for the paint from day one, it's a "walk in the park".

U.S. Senate votes to overturn Obama broadband privacy rules Reuters / March 23, 2017 The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted to repeal regulations requiring internet service providers to do more to protect customers' privacy than websites like Alphabet Inc's Google or Facebook Inc. The vote was along party lines, with 50 Republicans approving the measure and 48 Democrats rejecting it. The two remaining Republicans in the Senate were absent and did not cast a vote. According to the rules approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in October under then-President Barack Obama, internet providers would need to obtain consumer consent before using precise geolocation, financial information, health information, children's information and web browsing history for advertising and internal marketing. The vote was a victory for internet providers such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon Communications, which had strongly opposed the rules. The bill next goes to the U.S. House of Representatives. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate was overturning a regulation that "makes the internet an uneven playing field, increases complexity, discourages competition, innovation, and infrastructure investment." [Good luck selling that line, Mitch] But Democratic Senator Ed Markey said, "Republicans have just made it easier for American’s sensitive information about their health, finances and families to be used, shared, and sold to the highest bidder without their permission." In a joint statement, Democratic members of the FCC and the Federal Trade Commission said the Senate vote "creates a massive gap in consumer protection law as broadband and cable companies now have no discernible privacy requirements." Republican commissioners said in October that the rules would unfairly give websites like Facebook, Twitter and Google the ability to harvest more data than internet service providers and thus dominate digital advertising.

Muslim woman pays no mind to the London terror attack, casually walks by a dying man while checking phone. .

BBC / March 23, 2017 A diary kept by President John F Kennedy as a young man travelling in Europe, revealing his fascination with Adolf Hitler, is up for auction. Kennedy, then 28, predicted "Hitler will emerge from the hatred that surrounds him now as one of the most significant figures who ever lived". "He had in him the stuff of which legends are made," he continued. Kennedy wrote the entry in the summer of 1945 after touring the German dictator's Bavarian mountain retreat. It is thought by historians to be the only diary every kept by the 35th US president. The original copy will be auctioned for the first time on 26 April in Boston by longtime owner Deirdre Henderson, who worked as a research assistant for Kennedy while he was a US senator with White House ambitions. Kennedy wrote that Hitler "had boundless ambition for his country which rendered him a menace to the peace of the world, but he had a mystery about him in the way he lived and in the manner of his death that will live and grow after him". The 61-page diary was kept by Kennedy around four months after Hitler committed suicide. At the time, the young American was touring Europe as a newspaper reporter after finishing his military service aboard a ship in the Pacific Ocean. Some two decades later Kennedy would address crowds in West Berlin as US president. He gave Ms Henderson the diary in order to inform her of his views on foreign policy and national security, she said. In a description of the auction, she wrote: "When JFK said that Hitler 'had in him the stuff of which legends are made', he was speaking to the mystery surrounding him, not the evil he demonstrated to the world." [her personal opinion – Kennedy’s words speak for themselves] "Nowhere in this diary, or in any of his writings, is there any indication of sympathy for Nazi crimes or cause," she continued. The diary also contains JFK's thoughts about the British election and Winston Churchill, who Ms Henderson called his "idol". The winning bid is expected to be around $200,000 (£160,000). .

After climbing into a famous American brand truck today, President Donald Trump was angered to learn that the iconic truckmaker is now foreign-owned. "We're going to make America great again", Trump said. "And we're going to make American brands American again." More news at eleven. .

(A reasonable summary of current events) Dylan Stableford, Yahoo News / March 22, 2017 President Trump is clinging to his wiretapping claim “like a drunk to an empty gin bottle,” the Wall Street Journal said in a scathing editorial published Tuesday night. And that claim, floating in the president’s “seemingly endless stream of exaggerations, evidence-free accusations, implausible denials and other falsehoods,” is severely damaging his credibility, both at home and abroad. “If President Trump announces that North Korea launched a missile that landed within 100 miles of Hawaii, would most Americans believe him? Would the rest of the world? We’re not sure,” the paper said. The Journal slammed Trump’s evidence-free assertion that former President Barack Obama ordered the wiretapping of Trump Tower before the 2016 presidential election. Trump leveled his explosive charge on Twitter on March 4, and the White House has refused to back down, even after FBI Director James Comey dismissed the allegation as unfounded. “He has offered no evidence for his claim, and a parade of intelligence officials, senior Republicans and Democrats have since said they have seen no such evidence,” the paper’s editorial board wrote. The president has plenty of media critics, and the Journal’s editorial board was not particularly supportive of his candidacy. But the editorial is striking, given the paper’s traditionally conservative tone. Its owner, Rupert Murdoch, also owns Fox News, Trump’s favorite cable news network. “Two months into his presidency, Gallup has Mr. Trump’s approval rating at 39 percent,” the editorial continued. “No doubt Mr. Trump considers that fake news, but if he doesn’t show more respect for the truth, most Americans may conclude he’s a fake President.” The paper also pointed out how Trump’s refusal to back off his evidence-free claim has co-opted what could have been a positive news cycle. “This week should be dominated by the smooth political sailing for Mr. Trump’s Supreme Court nominee and the progress of health-care reform on Capitol Hill,” the editorial said. “These are historic events, and success will show he can deliver on his promises. But instead, the week has been dominated by the news that he was repudiated by his own FBI director.” The Journal wasn’t the only paper to publish a Trump takedown Tuesday. In an op-ed for the Washington Post, former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice warned that false statements from the Trump White House “are part of a disturbing pattern of behavior that poses real and potentially profound dangers to U.S. national security.” “First impressions matter,” she wrote, “and an unsettling pattern has already been established.” “The foundation of the United States’ unrivaled global leadership rests only in part on our military might, the strength of our economy and the power of our ideals,” Rice explained. “It is also grounded in the perception that the United States is steady, rational and fact-based [at least in perception]. To lead effectively, the United States must maintain respect and trust. So, when a White House deliberately dissembles and serially contorts the facts, its actions pose a serious risk to America’s global leadership, among friends and adversaries alike.” Following Comey’s testimony, the New York Times published an op-ed titled “All the President’s Lies.” “The ninth week of Donald Trump’s presidency began with the F.B.I. director calling him a liar,” the Times’ David Leonhardt wrote. “Comey didn’t use the L-word in his congressional testimony Monday. Comey serves at the pleasure of the president, after all. But his meaning was clear as could be.” “I’ve previously argued that not every untruth deserves to be branded with the L-word, because it implies intent and somebody can state an untruth without doing so knowingly,” Leonhardt continued. “But the current president of the United States lies. He lies in ways that no American politician ever has before. He has lied about — among many other things — Obama’s birthplace, John F. Kennedy’s assassination, Sept. 11, the Iraq War, ISIS, NATO, military veterans, Mexican immigrants, Muslim immigrants, anti-Semitic attacks, the unemployment rate, the murder rate, the Electoral College, voter fraud and his groping of women. “He tells so many untruths that it’s time to leave behind the textual parsing over which are unwitting and which are deliberate,” Leonhardt added, “as well as the condescending notion that most of Trump’s supporters enjoy his lies.”

Agreed Billy. The ATA is as crooked as the day is long.

Billy, they're speaking of banning trucks that don't meet their "direct vision" standards. While I very much understand their good intentions on "direct vision", I think they've gone too far. It's unrealistic. BC Mack, what are your thoughts?

Scania Group Press Release / March 22, 2017 Nordic bakery giant Lantmännen Schulstad and Norway-based food retailer Rema 1000 are taking advantage of Scania’s hybrid truck to be able to make deliveries to downtown Copenhagen during the period when deliveries are restricted. With the hybrid trucks, Lantmännen Schulstad and Rema 1000 can deliver fresh produce each morning before shops open. Earlier, because of traffic and noise restrictions in downtown Copenhagen, they could only deliver after 7 a.m. and not at all on Sundays. An early morning start means quicker deliveries since the trucks can unload ahead of the morning rush hour. Nighttime deliveries also help lower stress levels among drivers, as it means they can avoid tight delivery schedules in heavy traffic. Due to the noise generated in loading and unloading, several European cities prohibit deliveries in densely populated areas before 7 a.m. With the Scania hybrid truck, the driver can switch to electrical operations for the final leg of the journey and avoid disturbing residents. With their soundproof boxes the trucks meet the stringent Dutch ‘Piek’ norm of lower noise than 71 decibels. Additionally, drivers are instructed to turn down music and avoid outdoor mobile calls at night. Various equipment such as roll cages have also been specially designed to reduce noise. Lantmännen Schulstad recently started operating three Scania P 320 hybrid distribution trucks in Copenhagen. It now distributes bread around the clock to supermarkets all over the city without disturbing residents at night. Meanwhile, JH Transport og Logistik has taken delivery of its first hybrid truck for deliveries of temperature-sensitive goods on behalf of REMA 1000 and is awaiting municipal exemption to start out-of-hours deliveries. Although the hybrid truck is more expensive, Lantmännen Schulstad expects to recover the added expense through an increase in the number of deliveries it can make, as well as the lower fuel consumption that comes from driving at night or in the early morning in less congested traffic. . .

China Buses / March 22, 2017 On March 17, 2017, a Volvo Group delegation led by President and CEO Martin Lundstedt and CFO Jan Gurander paid a visit to Dongfeng’s heavy truck manufacturing facility in Shiyan City in China's Hubei Province. The Volvo delegation was warmly welcomed by Shiyan City Communist Party Secretary Mr. Zhang Weiguo, Shiyan Mayor and Deputy Communist Party Secretary Mr. Chen Xinwu, Dongfeng Group President and Deputy Communist Party Secretary Mr. Li Shaozhu, and Dongfeng Motor Group Co Vice President and Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles President Mr. Yang Qing. Mr. Lundstedt extended his thanks for the concern and support from the Shiyan City Communist Party Committee and Shiyan City Municipal Government on the cooperation and development of the Dongfeng-Volvo joint venture. He said that Volvo has made a long-term commitment to equipment modification, the utilization of wind energy, biofuel and green electricity, and taking the initiative to realize zero-carbon emission in the global truck market. Next, Volvo will increase input into the joint venture in areas like key technologies, R&D of new products, market exploitation and operational management, in order to make the joint venture a “splendid pearl” in the global truck industry. He said both sides should work together, just like cultivating their own children, to make the joint venture bigger and stronger. During the visit, Mr. Lundstedt and his delegation, accompanied by Mr. Yang Qing, paid a visit to Dongfeng’s powertrain and heavy truck final assembly plants, and exchanged opinions with the management team from Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles, which is composed of both Chinese and foreign staff. .

Renault Trucks Press Release / March 22, 2017 Get on board with Loïc, Renault Trucks Driver Development Manager to discover how predictive cruise control Optivision works and reduce truck’s fuel consumption. This makes it possible to adopt a gearshift, acceleration and vehicle speed strategy corresponding to the route being followed. During each journey, the system records the route, not only that of the truck in question, but also that of all trucks equipped with Optivision that have followed a similar itinerary. Fuel savings can therefore be achieved the very first time a vehicle takes a particular route if another truck using the system has already travelled along it. At last, a fuel consumption reduction of 5%. .

Kenworth “Built In America” Inspires Pride Kenworth Truck Company / March 22, 2017 Kenworth T680 and T880 Manufactured Exclusively in Chillicothe, Ohio “Chillicothe is a crown-jewel when it comes to truck manufacturing,” said Bill Burns, new truck sales manager for Kenworth of Pennsylvania. “Having trucks built in America resonates with my customers – it’s a big ticket item and they know they’re getting an extremely well-built product, and they’re helping to support jobs in the United States. It’s a win-win. As a dealer group, we never miss an opportunity to take new customers to Chillicothe to show them how their trucks are built; they walk away so impressed. They always comment about the quality and the passion they see in the people that are building their trucks. It’s inspiring.” For Dave Clark, fleet manager for Dutch Valley Food Distributors, the Kenworth Chillicothe plant tour was eye opening. “It’s good to see jobs in manufacturing stay in the U.S.,” he said. “That’s important to us – we could see that everyone in Chillicothe was committed to building a quality product. I had never toured a factory before and the precision was something else. The number of trucks going through, and how everyone worked together – the teamwork was very evident. We’ve felt the quality of the Kenworths we have in our fleet are much better than other brands and I could see why after visiting the plant.” Running 70 trucks in an East Coast food delivery operation, Clark said his 16 Kenworth T680s are performing “beautifully” and lead the pack when it comes to fuel economy. “And by quite a margin. We have more than 300,000 miles on our initial trucks and they’ve only required regular maintenance. So combined with our fuel economy, we’re really driving operating costs down. Plus, our drivers love the trucks. They’ve been a great choice for our operation.” Kenworth’s Chillicothe, Ohio, plant was opened in 1974, employs more than 1,750 people, and has built more than 530,000 Kenworths during its history. Over the past five years, Kenworth has invested $67 million in the plant to further enhance its efficiency and productivity. “There is an incredible work ethic here in Chillicothe, and our entire city is proud to watch Kenworth trucks roll off the line,” said Judy McTigue, who has served as plant manager since January 2014. “Our employees are dedicated to building The World’s Best trucks, and ensuring that our customers receive premium quality on every vehicle built at Chillicothe, here in Ross County and the state of Ohio.” For Mike Brooks, whenever he’s driving locally, or on vacation, he’s on the lookout for Kenworth’s flagship T680 over-the-road model, and its brother, the T880 for vocational users. “And, I’m not the only one, doing that. We may go up to a Kenworth driver and ask how they like their truck. We want to make sure they’re happy with the build -- we always look forward to interacting with our customers to see how they’re doing and how they like the truck,” said Brooks, who has worked at Kenworth’s Chillicothe, Ohio, plant for 30 years. “With 100 percent of Kenworth’s T680 and T880 built in Chillicothe, there is a lot of pride in ‘built in Ohio,’ said Brooks. “Our turnover is very low at the plant – there is a lot of energy and enthusiasm in producing what we feel are The World’s Best trucks. And that excitement grows each week when we have customers come in to see how their new Kenworth is built. We love seeing and talking with our customers, and the plant tour just solidifies their decision to buy a Kenworth. They see the quality and attention to detail that we put into building their trucks. We continually learn from the trucks we build, and we continually strive to improve to ensure we are building The World’s Best truck.” .

Red, White and Blue Kenworth T680 – “The Driver’s Truck” Kenworth Truck Company / March 22, 2017 Coming off a year with record Class 8 market share, Kenworth marks its return to the Mid-America Trucking Show highlighted by its classy red, white and blue decaled Kenworth T680 Advantage 76-inch sleeper – “The Driver’s Truck”– taking center stage in the Kenworth booth (No. 30285). “The Kenworth T680 has established a high standard for excellence with its superior fuel efficiency, performance and comfort. There’s been a phenomenal customer response ranging from large fleets to owner-operators since the T680’s introduction five years ago at Mid-America,” said Mike Dozier, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president. “The T680 truly is ‘The Driver’s Truck,’ and has become the fastest selling model in Kenworth history. It’s helping our customers reduce operating costs through its fuel-saving aerodynamics, while enhancing driver retention and recruitment by keeping drivers extremely happy piloting an exceptional truck. And the T680 is made by our employees at the Kenworth assembly plant in Chillicothe, Ohio.” The special Kenworth T680 Advantage on display at Mid-America is specified with the latest technology, components and driver amenities. The truck starts with an optimized powertrain of a 2017 Paccar [DAF] MX-13 455-hp engine, new Paccar 40K tandem rear axle, and Eaton Fuller Advantage automated 10-speed transmission. Then, add the lightweight Meritor MFS+ 12,500-lb front steer axle with integral knuckle for air disc brakes, and new Kenworth taperleaf lightweight springs for a comfortable ride. The T680 Advantage is loaded with driver technology features. “The Kenworth Nav+ HD system with virtual gauges features a high-resolution 7-inch color screen for navigation, audio control – including satellite radio – along with internet access,” Dozier noted. “Our Driver Performance Center with useful technology aids for the driver, and Predictive Cruise Control both help enhance fuel economy. We also spec’d the Bendix® Wingman® Fusion™ driver assistance system, as well as a lane departure system. Plus, the T680 comes with Kenworth TruckTech+ Remote Diagnostics to help drive uptime by speeding service and repair at Kenworth dealerships.” The T680 also includes the “Driver’s Studio” with a range of premium features that combine to create a luxurious, relaxing and comfortable living environment. For eating meals, there’s the 180-degree swivel passenger seat and rotating table to accommodate two people, a drawer-style refrigerator and a convenient space ideal for a microwave. Kenworth’s premium audio package – with 320-watt amp, 10-inch subwoofer and eight speakers; swivel TV mount for up to a 28-inch flat screen TV; and the optional EpicVue pre-wire for satellite TV, provide the entertainment. The Driver’s Studio offers a full-size wardrobe space for hanging clothes, multiple storage drawers, and a large storage space under the lower bunk. And when it’s time to get some restful sleep, there’s the 8-inch thick, luxury pocket coil mattress. “While we feel the T680’s ride is unmatched, so too is its comfort level and design. For those who have not stepped inside our 76-inch sleeper, they’ll be impressed,” Dozer said. “We don’t think you’ll find a more comfortable sleeper on the market. It’s a home-run for those who spend extensive time on the road.” Kenworth’s booth will also include five other trucks – three T680s (76-inch mid-roof sleeper, 52-inch sleeper and day cab), T880S mixer and T880 dump – built at the company’s assembly plant in Chillicothe, Ohio. A Kenworth T370 dump truck also will be displayed. In the South Wing hall outside the booth, Kenworth is showing a Kenworth W900 Studio sleeper. The new 2017 Paccar [DAF] MX series engines and Paccar Axle, a tandem 40K rear drive axle, are also on display in the neighboring Paccar booth (No. 30305). .

Peterbilt Sets Dealer Growth Record, Completes Denton Plant Expansion Heavy Duty Trucking / March 22, 2017 Peterbilt has added a record number of 93 new dealers to its network over the past four years. In addition, many existing locations have been expanded or upgraded, vastly enhancing the responsiveness and coverage of the network, Peterbilt said at the press conference here at the Mid-America Trucking Show. “Peterbilt has greatly increased our footprint in the industry to the benefit of our customers,” says Robert Woodall, Peterbilt assistant general manager of Sales and Marketing. “The network expansion results in higher levels of service and enhanced parts availability, which translates into increased uptime and greater profitability for Peterbilt customers.” The dealer groups are committed to growing their footprint to support customers and to deliver the highest levels of service and support. “New capabilities and expanded service bay count will also contribute to enhanced customer satisfaction," noted Peyton Harrell, Peterbilt director of dealer network development. "All Peterbilt dealerships throughout the U.S. and Canada are now certified in the Rapid Check program, which guarantees fast and accurate service diagnostics.” To keep product flowing smoothly to those new dealer locations, the company has just completed a major expansion of its Denton, Texas manufacturing facility. “The expansion investment is the largest made by Peterbilt since the plant construction,” said Leon Handt, assistant general manager of operations at Peterbilt. “We’re committed to manufacturing the industry’s highest quality vehicles. Growing the Denton plant’s footprint allows us to increase our manufacturing efficiency and positions us for future growth.” The final expansion phase concluded in January with the opening of a new 102,000 square-foot Test Building. All testing and validation have been relocated to the new test building, which allows a more efficient process flow. The building features a new dynamometer capable of handling all truck configurations, as well as two new paint booths. Total test capacity has been increased by 75 percent, Peterbilt says. The Automated Storage Retrieval System (ASRS) is located in the building’s second level above the cab and sleeper trim sections. The system has enough capacity to hold 400 painted hoods, sleepers and cabs. The opening of the test building and start of operations of the ASRS mark the conclusion of the three-phase expansion project started in 2015 to increase efficiency and quality throughout the Peterbilt Denton plant. In 2015, new shipping and receiving docks were added to the East and West sides of the plant in the first phase of the project. With the conclusion of all three phases, the production square footage of the plant has increased to 600,000 square feet.

Peterbilt grows fleet sales, looks to build on strong 2016 Truck News / March 22, 2017 Peterbilt in 2016 opened 25 new dealerships for the third year in a row and produced more than 36,000 trucks – the fourth highest tally in its history. Kyle Quinn, senior vice-president of Paccar and general manager of Peterbilt, provided a recap of the truck maker’s year during a press conference at the Mid-America Trucking Show. He said Peterbilt achieved a 13.4% share of the Class 8 market in 2016. More than 48% of its trucks were sold with Paccar MX engines. It also set a record for plant quality. The company plans to grow its Class 8 retail market share to 15% in 2017, and Quinn said he’s confident this will be achieved, since January and February orders showed a 16% share. Asked where the company will gain share, Quinn said “As the energy sector improves, we see a return of those vocational trucks. We’ve had good performance this year and late last year for vocational orders and as the vocational and energy markets strengthen, we will see some return there.” Peterbilt has been focusing on improving its fleet sales, in response to consolidation within the trucking industry. Fleet sales now represent 37% of Peterbilt’s orders, up from 23% three years ago. “Our growth in fleet sales is making a big difference in the landscape of customers Peterbilt services today,” said Quinn. It plans to grow that number to 38% this year. Peterbilt’s Denton plant has received $100 million in investments, and is now churning out the highest quality trucks in its history, Quinn said. The company’s SmartLinq remote diagnostics platform has been rolled out on more than 27,000 Peterbilt trucks and now includes Cummins engine coverage. Service Management is being added to provide dealers and fleets with more insight into vehicles’ repair histories. Fleets will be able to grant approvals online to expedite the service process. Petebilt revamped its Red Oval used truck program and is offering one-year, 125,000-mile warranties on qualifying trucks, which undergo a 150-point inspection. Scott Newhouse, Peterbilt’s chief engineer, said the Model 579 EPIQ package will boast 8% better fuel economy, thanks to a new Paccar 40,000-lb tandem axle and improvements in engine design. Key areas of focus on the MX-13 included the turbo, coolant water pump and air management within the cylinder. All trucks now come with a single canister exhaust aftertreatment system, which provides a 100-lb weight savings. The 579 and 567 now have a sleeper window that’s 40% larger, allowing more ambient light. Peterbilt is making available the Allison TC10 automatic transmission in the third quarter of this year. It is suitable for regional and linehaul applications with gross combination weights of up to 110,000 lbs. Another new offering is FlowBelow’s wheel covers and rear and center wheel fairings, available on the 579.