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The 11 liter (11.01 liter/672 cu.in.) Mack E6 and 12-liter (11.9 liter/728 cu.in.) E7 were able to meet 95 percent of customer applications, offering impressive power, torque and class-leading fuel economy combined with light weight and lower operating costs. For those needing a larger powerplant, we offered the legendary E9 V-8, rather than a large six like Cummins. Fast forward to year 2017, owing to new technologies, we're able to "reliably" get more horsepower out of 11 liters than we were able to in 1985 when we launched the superb E6 4V. The four valve head E6-350 with an American Bosch pump remains one of my favorite engines. I love selling V-8s. And our customers love driving them. But for most operators, a 420hp 11-liter will make their accountants smile the most, the same way the accountants at Chemical Leamon, Matlack and Overnite used to smile.

The New York Times / January 16, 2016 The FBI said Monday it has arrested the wife of the man who carried out a deadly terrorist attack in Orlando, Fla., and charged her with obstructing the investigation of the mass shooting. Noor Salman, whose husband, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people and wounded dozens in an Orlando nightclub that was popular with gays, was also charged with aiding and abetting by providing material support. She was taken into custody by FBI agents at her home outside of San Francisco, where she had been living with her young son. Prosecutors had been weighing charges against her for months in the aftermath of the attack by her husband on June 12, 2016. Investigators interviewed Salman for hours after the attack and came to believe she was not telling the truth about her husband’s plans to carry out the rampage [so why wasn’t she taken into custody then?]. She is expected to make an initial appearance on Tuesday at a federal court in Northern California. The Justice Department’s decision to prosecute Salman, 30, ends part of the mystery that has surrounded her since the first days after the attack, when she became a central subject of the wide-ranging investigation into her husband. In an interview last year with The New York Times, Salman claimed that she “unaware of everything” in connection with the attack. Salman said she had accompanied her husband to Orlando with their child once when he scouted the club but did not know the purpose of the trip. On the day her husband drove to Orlando, she claimed he said he was going to visit a friend, named Nemo, who lived in Florida. But Nemo was not living in Florida at the time, a fact Salman said she did not know. She also said she had no reason to suspect that ammunition he bought in the days leading up to the attack was to be used in the shooting, given that her husband was a security guard who frequently purchased ammunition. On the day of the shooting, she bought her husband a Father’s Day card, expecting him to return that evening. Her lawyers believe that supports her story that she did not know about the attack [planned alibis]. During his attack, Mateen used Facebook to pledge his allegiance to ISIS. The FBI doesn’t believe that Mateen, age 29, received any specific training or support from ISIS. Salman married Mateen in a ceremony near her childhood home in Northern California, a second marriage for both. After the wedding, they moved to Fort Pierce, Florida. Their marriage in 2011 caused consternation among some of Salman’s relatives, mostly because of her Palestinian heritage and Mateen’s ancestral ties to Afghanistan. Salman claimed that her husband beat her repeatedly and verbally abused her.

IVECO in top three Dakar finish Iveco Trucks Press Release / January 16, 2017 IVECO trucks have once again performed strongly in this year’s gruelling Dakar Rally, taking out third and fourth positions after 9,000 kilometres of racing across South America’s roughest terrain. Piloted by Dutchman Gerard de Rooy, the IVECO Powerstar finished on the podium only 41m 19s short of winner Eduard Nikolaev, after 12 days of close racing. This year’s third placing – which included two stage victories – adds to de Rooy’s wins in 2016 and 2012 and is seen as an excellent result given the multiple punctures his truck suffered over the course of the event. Also performing strongly this year was Argentinian Federico Villagra, in another IVECO Powerstar – he finished the event in fourth position, less than 20 minutes behind de Rooy. In total, six IVECO trucks competed in the 2017 instalment of Dakar, with all completing the event, a testament to the manufacturer’s strength and reliability. Iveco Australia Marketing Manager, Darren Swenson, says IVECO’s off-road range has tremendous pedigree and is second to none in the Australian market. “Local buyers have a lot of choice from IVECO when it comes to off-road vehicles, with many models available across the light, medium and heavy duty weight classes,” he said. “Beginning with the new car licence Daily 4x4 (optional light truck 5.5t GVM also available), the range then moves to the Eurocargo 4x4 as successfully used by Daryl Beattie Adventures and a growing number of emergency service organisations. “For heavier duty applications up to 33t GVM, there’s the Trakker 4x4 and 6x6 range which is increasingly being put to work in mining and exploration applications. And in the even heavier weight classes up to 48t GVM, we have the Astra 6x6 and 8x8 variants which are taking on roles in off-road tipper work, drilling, exploration and similar. Mr Swenson says the Dakar rally was helping to grow awareness of IVECO’s off-road credentials. “IVECO is gaining a very solid reputation in demanding off-road racing such as Dakar, and increasingly this is leading to improved sales across the range and a growing list of satisfied local customers.” Overall Standings – Dakar 2017 1. Eduard Nikolaev (Kamaz) 27h 58m 24s 2. Dmitry Sotnikov (Kamaz) +18m 58s 3. Gerard de Rooy (IVECO) +41m 19s 4. Federico Villagra (IVECO) +1h 00m 04s 5. Airat Mardeev (Kamaz) +2h 26m 50s ----------- 16. Ton van Genugten (IVECO) +6h 58m 03s 17. Wuf van Ginkel (IVECO) + 8h 19m 48s .

Owner/Driver / January 16, 2017 The trucks at the 2017 Dakar Rally brought thrills and spills as they battled across 9,000 kilometres of arduous South American terrain. Russian truck manufacturer KAMAZ took out first place in the 2017 Dakar Rally truck category, with Iveco achieving third and fourth place following a 2016 win. Piloted by Dutchman Gerard de Rooy, the IVECO Powerstar finished on the podium only 41m 19s short of winner Eduard Nikolaev, after 12 days of close racing. This year’s third placing to de Rooy’s wins in 2016 and 2012 and is seen as an excellent result given the multiple punctures his truck suffered over the course of the event. Also performing strongly this year was Argentinian Federico Villagra, in another IVECO Powerstar, as he finished the event in fourth position, less than 20 minutes behind de Rooy. In total, six IVECO trucks competed in the 2017 instalment of Dakar, with all completing the event, a testament to the manufacturer’s strength and reliability. Iveco Australia Marketing Manager, Darren Swenson, says IVECO’s off-road range has tremendous pedigree and is second to none in the Australian market. "Local buyers have a lot of choice from IVECO when it comes to off-road vehicles, with many models available across the light, medium and heavy duty weight classes," he said. "Beginning with the new car licence Daily 4x4 (optional light truck 5.5t GVM also available), the range then moves to the Eurocargo 4x4 as successfully used by Daryl Beattie Adventures and a growing number of emergency service organisations. "For heavier duty applications up to 33t GVM, there’s the Trakker 4x4 and 6x6 range which is increasingly being put to work in mining and exploration applications. And in the even heavier weight classes up to 48t GVM, we have the Astra 6x6 and 8x8 variants which are taking on roles in off-road tipper work, drilling, exploration and similar. Mr Swenson says the Dakar rally was helping to grow awareness of IVECO’s off-road credentials. "IVECO is gaining a very solid reputation in demanding off-road racing such as Dakar, and increasingly this is leading to improved sales across the range and a growing list of satisfied local customers." See below for results and a video of the top Dakar 2017 truck moments! Top Five Truck Category Standings – Dakar Rally 2017 1. Eduard Nikolaev (Kamaz) 27h 58m 24s 2. Dmitry Sotnikov (Kamaz) +18m 58s 3. Gerard de Rooy (IVECO) +41m 19s 4. Federico Villagra (IVECO) +1h 00m 04s 5. Airat Mardeev (Kamaz) +2h 26m 50s . .

Owner/Driver / January 16, 2017 Working in a transport yard from age 10 gave Troy McLean a much-needed truck education before eventually getting behind the wheel. Now he’s in his own 2008 T908. Troy McLean spent 13 years working as a driver but always had the desire to have a truck he could call his own. That finally happened 13 years ago and he’s now doing runs in a 2008 Kenworth T908. "I first looked at buying my own truck when I was around 21 or 22 years of age," Troy recalls. "Things didn’t come together back then and I got talked out of it. Anyway, the opportunity arose so I jumped at it. "We had looked at being owner-drivers a couple of times and hadn’t made the move. "My wife Jackie said that if I didn’t do it this time, not to talk about it again," he laughs. "I think Jackie had had enough." That first truck, a 1994 Ford LTL Kentucky, had a 425 Cat under the bonnet. Through word of mouth, Troy heard of a business that was seeking an operator to cart plasterboard. He did his first trip as an owner-driver and, pulling up in front of the company’s factory, approached after he’d heard they were looking for someone to do their cartage. He has been with them ever since. Troy, however, had his heart set on a Kenworth, so the LTL was traded in on a K104 Aerodyne. This was joined by a new Western Star truck and dog tipper unit. Under the name of TJ & JJ McClean, the couple employed a driver that Troy put to work on the Calder Freeway extension to Bendigo. Eventually a second Aerodyne joined the fleet but then Troy decided to consolidate and go after the truck he always wanted. He sold the two Aerodynes and Western Star and bought a T908. It has a Cummins ISX EGR set at 620hp up front, an 18 speed manual gearbox with the rear end riding on Kenworth’s 8 bag air suspension. Troy lives at Campbell’s Creek near Castlemaine and uses the 908 to pull a tautliner, doing either one or two trips a day between Bendigo and Melbourne. "I had always been working towards getting a ‘9-0’. I just wanted that long bonnet," he says. "It’s as good as I thought it would be. I just love it and it’s beautiful to operate, a real driver’s truck." The T908 is impeccably presented and looks brand new, Troy admitting it’s fairly well pampered. It gets washed and polished regularly, with either Troy cleaning it himself or son Bradley helping out. Troy says Bradley, an apprentice panel beater, is absolutely "truck mad". It’s a real family affair, with Jackie handling all the bookwork. "I’ve never really done any of that side of it," Troy admits. "Jackie has always looked after the office work. "I just come home and put the dockets on the bench and she does the rest. She is the biggest asset I have." With the T908 looking the goods, it was a no-brainer to take it to last year’s Rotary Castlemaine Truck Show. "Jackie said as long as we’ve got a truck, it’ll be at our local truck show." .

Stage 11 Results MAZ Trucks Press Release / January 13, 2017 Stage 11 of DAKAR-2017 is finished, there were two specials in 114 km and 173 km, the total length was 754 km. The dunes of San Juan were the last ones that the competitors confronted on the route of the Dakar 2017, dotted over fifty kilometres at the start of the special. S. Viazovich (511) took the 18th place ad is at the 13th position in the general ranking. A.Vasilevski (522) is the tenth at the stage and in the general ranking he enters the 6th place. A. Vishneuski (533) is at the 16th position at the stage, and in general ranking he takes the 19th place. Ahead is the final twelveth stage from Rio Cuarto to Buenos Aires. All the competitors threw themselves into the adventure and now they are going to become heroes. The 64-km long special does not include any pitfalls – all the competitors need to do is go the distance in order to enjoy a special stage's finishing line in the heart of the bivouac. At the end of a long link stage, the podium ceremony in Buenos Aires will take place in front of the Argentinean Automobile Club. The total length is 786 km, the special is 64 km. Starting time for the final stage: 511 (S.Viazovich / P.Haranin / A.Zhigulin) – 10:06:00 (16:06:00 Minsk time) 522 (A.Vasilevski / D.Vikhrenko / A.Zaparoschanka) – 09:59:00 (15:59:00 Minsk time) 533 ((A.Vishneuski / M.Novikau / A.Neviarovich) – 10:12:00 (16:12:00 Minsk time). .

Stage 10 Results MAZ Trucks Press Release / January 12, 2017 511 (S.Viazovich / P.Haranin / A.Zhigulin) – 4 th place at the stage (time gap 12:51); 12th position in the general ranking (time gap 03:37:40 ). 522 (A.Vasilevski / D.Vikhrenko / A.Zaparoschanka) – 6th place at the stage (time gap 22:51); 7th position in the general ranking (time gap 02:03:21). 533 (A.Vishneuski / M.Novikau / A.Neviarovich)– 32nd place at the stage (time gap 04:37:11); 21st position in the general ranking (time gap 10:18:10) . .

STAGE 8 IS FINISHED, STAGE 9 IS CANCELLED MAZ Trucks Press Release / January 11, 2017 Two Belarusian crews have finished the eighth stage of Dakar-2017 in the top-10, and A. Vasileuski's crew is on the seventh position in the general ranking . It was a double test for the competitiors – the mountains were followed by rivers' beds and dunes. The tracks were full of water due to the constant heavy rains. That's why the administration decided not to risk with competitors' lifes and almost twice shortened the special. S. Viazovich is at the 6th line. The best time has M. Van den Brink (NDL) at Renault who is ahead the Belarusian for 6 minutes approx. The second place is taken by the Argentinian F. Villagra, followed by E. Nikolaev and D. Sotnikov from KAMAZ team. In general ranking the situation is following: S. Viazovich is at the 16th place, while the first place is taken by D. Sotnikov. The time gap between these two positions is 3h. 26 min. The second place is taken by E. Nikolaev and the third place is take by G.de Rooy. A.Vasileuski despite the tyre puncture has finished the stage at the 10th line with 2h,4 min. and a time gap – 9 minutes. In general ranking this crew is at the seventh position with time gap 1 h.42 min. The stage was less successful for A. Vishneuski. Due to the problems with fuel sytem it took him 2h.55 min. to finish the special. In general ranking he is at the 20th place with 5h.42 min time gap from the Russian driver. "We are satisfied with the result: А. Vasileuski firmly enters top-10 and now our task is to save and improve his position. Unfortunately, the administration cancells the stages and shortens the specials. On the one hand these are safety reasons that are above everything, on the other- everyone has been preparing for hard conditions. If there is an opportuity, we will try to reduce the time gap by all means", – underlined MAZ-SPORTauto leader S. Viazovich. A massive landslide caused by thunderstorms happened this morning at 10.30am on the road used to join the bivouac, 40 kilometers north of Jujuy, 160kms away from Salta, hitting the village of Volcan. According to the Argentinian civil security, victims are deplored in the population and considerable damage has been observed. The organization offered its sanitary facilities to reinforce the local safety support on site. As the road is cut off, most of the vehicles, competitors, assistance and logistics from the Dakar caravan were diverted on an alternative route through San Antonio de los Cobres, extending the distance of the liaison by about 200 km. They will not be able to reach the Salta bivouac in time to start the race. A number of larger vehicles will not be able to use that road either. The day will be devoted to regroup the race caravan in Chilecito to continue the event by giving the start on the 12th of January of stage 10, between CHILECITO and SAN JUAN.

STAGE 7 IS BEHIND, AHEAD IS STAGE 8 MAZ Trucks Press Release / January 10, 2017 The best crew of MAZ-SPORTauto team became no. 511 under Sergey Viazovich piloting. He finished the stage at the 5th place. Alexey Visheuski finished the seventh stage at the 16th position, Alexander Vasileuski is at the 20th line. At the momet all the crews are in Uyuni bivouac where they are preparing the trucks for the next stage. The technical assistance trucks are at the bivouac in Tupiza, rthey will meet the team after stage 8 in Salta. In the general rankig the first place is taken by G.de Rooy (NDL) at Iveco, the second place is taken by D. Sotnikov from Kamaz team, as well as the third place is taken also by Kamaz crew under E.Nikolaev piloting. The best Belarusian crew is still crew no. 522 under A. Vasileuski piloting. It takes the 11th line i general ranking. S. Viazovich is on the 16th place, and A.Vishneuski is still at the 20th line in general ranking. What ca be told about the next stage is the fact that the consequences of the rain over the last few days have forced the race officials to change the route of stage 8. Rising water levels in a river bed due to be crossed by the competitors has led to the neutralisation of the day's special at CP1 after 174 km. The competitors will then head to the second part of the special at the border between Bolivia and Argentina via a 176-km link section. Following these changes, the length of the special has been reduced by 73 km. After an initial 49-km link section, the competitors will tackle 171 km on the first part of the special, before the 176-km neutralised section. The second part is unchanged, and when the competitors have finished it, they will have to travel 350 km to reach the bivouac in Salta. For the trucks, the day's special will finish at CP1. All the competitors will then head to Salta via a link section. The classification at CP1 will be used for the starting order for stage 9.The Dakar leaves the high plains for a special including off-track racing on its first part, in which crossing of fords will give way to sections of dunes. The rally has often set up the bivouac at Salta, but has never contested a special in the region where the stage will take place: there will be new canyons to admire and a sumptuous mixture of colours. Stage 8 Uyuni - Salta Starting time: 511 (S.Viazovich / P.Haranin / A.Zhigulin) - 10:38:00 (16:38:00 Minsk time) 522 (A.Vasileuski / D.Vikhrenka/ A.Zaparoschanka) - 10:58:00 (16:58:00 Minsk time) 533 (A.Vishneuski / M.Novikau / A.Neviarovich) - 10:54:00 (16:54:00 Minsk time). .

Ford Motor Company / January 9, 2017 .

The Teruhito Sugawara Crew Piloting Car 2 Crosses the Finish Line in Buenos Aires at 8th Place Overall. Car 1 Finishes at 29th Place Overall. Team Makes 1-2 Finish in the Under 10-litre Class. January 14, Stage 12 Rio Cuarto (Argentina) - Buenos Aires (Argentina) Liaison: 50km SS: 64km Liaison: 673km Total: 787km Contestants of Dakar Rally 2017 crossed the finish line in Buenos Aires today on Jan. 14, bringing the fierce competition over the past two weeks to a close. Of the two HINO 500 Series trucks that HINO TEAM SUGAWARA entered in the rally, Car 2 crewed by Teruhito Sugawara and Hiroyuki Sugiura finished at 8th overall in the trucks category with a stunning performance that posed a real threat to the leading group of larger trucks, and also won its 8th straight victory in the Under 10-litre Class. Car 1 crewed by Yoshimasa Sugawara and Mitsugu Takahashi finished at 29th overall. The team's two HINO 500 Series trucks made a 1-2 finish in their class. The two HINO 500 Series trucks that the Hino team entered in this rally had been given substantial upgrades to their engines and suspensions. From the beginning of the rally, Car 2 delivered performance that was on par with its larger rivals, and Car 1 also climbed in accumulated rankings with consistent runs. While a number of stages had to be shortened or canceled during and after the middle part of the rally in Bolivia, the Car 2 crew maintained their cool, advancing to 10th in accumulated overall standings in the trucks category on Jan. 10, and further advancing their standings to 8th place the following day. The last day of the rally, Jan. 14, took contestants from Rio Cuarto to Buenos Aires, Argentina where they raced the last SS of the event on 64 kilometers of agricultural roads near Rio Cuarto. The short distance of this SS meant that racers would not be able make up much time even if they pushed hard. So few contestants upped their pace as doing so would invite greater risks. The Hino team's trucks delivered solid runs with Car 2 finishing the SS at 21st overall, and Car 1 at 35th. The SS was followed by a 650km liaison route that took contestants to Buenos Aires where they took part in a goal ceremony at a podium set up in front of the Automobile Club of Argentina. It was past 11 pm by the time the Hino team showed up at the podium. As the trucks appeared beside the podium―Car 2 first, followed by Car 1―crew and mechanics exchanged solid handshakes with Hino Motors chairman Masakazu Ichikawa, who had flown in from Japan to applaud the team, and other team associates. Team members then lined up for a group photo as they waved to the cheering crowd, bringing their stint in this two-week rally to a close. Masakazu Ichikawa, Chairman of the Board of Hino Motors: We have been supporting the team all the while, and Mr. Teruhito's single-digit finish in the category was truly admirable. Mr. Yoshimasa did very well too. I am very happy of these results. Yoshimasa Sugawara: I'm very happy with Teruhito's finish in 8th place overall. We raced as we had planned and were able to win with a 1-2 finish. I am still full of energy. Thank you very much for your support. Mitsugu Takahashi: The rally seemed zip by in a blink of an eye, and I'm happy to have finished in good shape. The last SS didn't require any navigation, but in terms of the rally overall, there were many areas where navigation was quite difficult so it was tough. Teruhito Sugawara: I'm glad that we were able to finish in 8th position overall. Besides the fact that our trucks have been vastly upgraded, I think the fact that there were many canceled stages and navigation was difficult this year worked to our advantage. That said, this outcome was not a fluke but the result of our hard work. We are looking to upgrading our trucks even more for the next rally. Thank you very much. Hiroyuki Sugiura: The SS today was set on agricultural roads with right angle turns appearing one after the other. Some sections had turned into muddy swamps and were quite risky as we had trouble bringing the truck to a full stop. In any case, I'm glad that we were able to finish the rally without any problems. This was the first single-digit finish for me so I'm very happy with these results. Seiichi Suzuki: I'm glad that we were able to finish without any major problems. I am happy about Car 2's 8th place finish, but I'm certainly not satisfied. We can do much more. Masaki Nakamura: I'm relieved that the rally is over. It's great that we were able to achieve the single-digit finish that we were all aiming for. I'd like to give the mechanics a pat on the back for putting in such great work under harsh conditions such as high altitudes, the cold and heat. Hiroyuki Azuma: I'm glad that both trucks were able to finish without anybody getting injured or sick. That was a big thing for me. And I'm ecstatic about these great results. Koji Nakamura: Time just zipped by and it was over even before I knew it. The toughest thing for me was the little amount of sleep we got. That said, I'm glad that we didn't have any major problems. I am very happy with these amazing results. Junya Inoue: Two weeks just flew by. And I'm happy that the truck I was in charge of finished with great results. Kenji Kunimoto: While we didn't encounter as many problems as we did in our test run in the Silk Way Rally, but to be honest, things were much more hectic with two trucks. I think we did pretty well in terms of servicing work. It has been a great experience. Kohei Shimazaki: Driving the assistance car this year, it really hit me how you can't win against nature, what with the intense rain and cold. I hope I get to come again if the opportunity arises. Koji Tanaka: It was tough everywhere we went―the highlands, the heat, and this last bivouac. But finishing the competition with great results has a way of melting all that fatigue away. I'm relieved that it's over. Ryu Takashima: I played a support role and this was the first time I joined team. I had a great time, including the times that I would shout words of support when the going got tough. I hope to be able to speak the language better the next time I come. .

Car 2 Maintains 8th Position in the Last Dunes Stage of the Rally. Car 1 is En Route, Also Having a Good Run. January 13, Stage 11 San Juan (Argentina) - Rio Cuarto (Argentina) Liaison: 73km SS (A): 114km Neutral zone: 367km SS (B): 173km Liaison: 27km Total: 754km The itinerary for Jan. 13 took contestants from San Juan to Rio Cuarto, Argentina. They drove westward from San Juan in the Andes foothills, and raced a two-part SS with a long 367km neutral zone sandwiched in between on their way to the Cordoba region in central Argentina. The first 114km SS challenged racers with desert terrain and fesh-fesh. The second half, which was 173km long, took contestants through mountain roads that transitioned into high-speed piste. This is an area that organizers have included in the course a number of times in the past. Tomorrow, Jan. 14, will be the last day of racing and a 64km SS is scheduled in the vicinity of Rio Cuarto, but due to this short distance, there is little chance that position standings will change from here. So in effect, the SS today became the last day of racing for the teams. HINO TEAM SUGAWARA's two HINO500 Series trucks continued to deliver good performance on this SS. While Car 2 crewed by Teruhito Sugawara and Hiroyuki Sugiura became bogged in fesh-fesh in the earlier part of the day, they were assisted by another vehicle and were able to break free with about 10 minutes of lost time. Things went well after this incident, and the crew finished the SS at 14th spot, maintaining their 8th position in accumulated overall standings. And while Car 1 crewed by the Yoshimasa Sugawara and Mitsugu Takahashi duo took some time as they exercised extra caution in the sandy segments, they finished the latter half with a good run, arriving in good shape at the bivouac in Rio Cuarto after 1 am. (No standings information for the truck was available at the time of this writing) Tomorrow, Jan. 14 will finally be the last day of racing. After racing their last SS of the rally near Rio Cuarto, racers will take a long 700km liaison to the finish line in Buenos Aires. For the mechanics, tonight will be the last night of inspections and servicing in the competition. Fittingly, they were seen meticulously carrying out inspections at the bivouac. Yoshimasa Sugawara: Although we didn't get bogged in the dunes in the first half, we took more time than we would've liked to, and as a result, we came in just 10 minutes under the maximum time restriction. Although we did have a good run after the dunes, that's why it took us this long to get here. I'm feeling absolutely fine physically. Hiroyuki Sugiura: We were overtaken by a Kamaz and Tatra today, but there were others that fell behind us, so in the end, there was no change in our accumulated standings. Getting bogged in the dunes was unfortunate, but otherwise things went fine. .

Competition Resumes on a Long 448km SS. Car 2 Finishes the SS at 11th Overall to Keep Its 8th Position in Accumulated Overall Standings. Car 1 Makes a Good Run Finishing at 23rd Overall, and Improves its Accumulated Standings to 27th. On January 12, Stage10 Chilecito (Argentina) - San Juan (Argentina) Liaison: 163km SS(A): 263 km Neutral zone: 90km SS(B): 185km Liaison: 49km Total: 750km While the original plan called for a 406km SS in the Argentine Andes foothills that would have challenged racers with a high level of difficulty, organizers were forced to cancel the SS due to the assistance route being cut off by a mudslide on Jan. 10. Racing vehicles traveled on a 674km assistance route to Chilecito. Dakar Rally 2017 resumed competition on Jan. 12 with contestants racing a total of 448km in the longest SS of the year’s event between Chilecito and San Juan, Argentina. The SS was divided into two parts with a 90km neutral zone in between. The first half, which coursed a distance of 263km to the west of Chilecito, challenged contestants with off road terrain on dried river beds before transitioning to mountain roads at elevations of up to 3200m. The latter half, which was 185km long, was set on rough roads near San Juan. Motorbikes were the first to start this day, and cars and trucks made a mixed started in the order as determined by their clocked time in the last SS. The rally has only three days to go until the finish line in Buenos Aires. Both crews on HINO TEAM SUGAWARA’s HINO500 Series trucks continued their composed and yet aggressive driving as the rally entered the final stages. The Teruhito Sugawara and Hiroyuki Sugiura duo on Car 2, who finished 8th overall in the SS to Salta, continued to deliver good performance this day. The truck was 15th to start and completed all of the points that were particularly difficult for navigators with no problems, passing CP 1 (checkpoint 1) at 4th overall. While the truck suffered a flat after the checkpoint, the loss of air was only gradual so the crew raced on by replenishing air with their CTIS (Central Tire Inflation System), finishing the first SS at 7th spot. The crew changed tires in the neutral zone that followed, and continued to race neck and neck with their rivals on larger trucks. Car 2 finished the latter SS at 11th overall and top in the Under 10-litre Class. Based on these results, Car 2 maintained its 8th spot in accumulated overall rankings as of Jan. 12. Meanwhile, the Yoshimasa Sugawara and Mitsugu Takahashi crew on Car 1 continued to deliver consistent performance, inching their way up in standings. The truck was the 34th to start and improved its SS position for the first half to 19th place. Car 1 also underwent a flat, but the crew worked hard to reduce any time loss, such as by waiting for the neutral zone to change their tire, finishing the stage at 23rd overall and second in the Under 10-litre Class. These results boosted the truck’s accumulated overall standings to 27th place and second in the Under 10-litre Class. On Jan. 13, contestants are scheduled to race a 288km SS en route to the last bivouac of the rally in Rio Cuarto, Argentina. The first part of the SS will feature dunes and contestants will not have the luxury of putting down their guards for the entire stage. Yoshimasa Sugawara: We pushed hard to improve our accumulated standings now that we are on the home stretch. While we saw quite a few vehicles that had to turn back due to course errors, we were able to complete these segments error free. we’ll continue to keep on pushing tomorrow. Mitsugu Takahashi: We haven’t had a long stage in a little while and the heat was quite intense, but I’m happy that we were able to deliver good results. The truck is doing just fine. Teruhito Sugawara: While navigation in the early part of the SS was quite difficult, we were able to complete it error-free and I think this was one of the reasons we were able to pass CP1 in 4th place. Overall, I think we were able to deliver the kind of performance that we had in mind. I’m looking forward to the dunes in the early part of tomorrow’s stage. Hiroyuki Sugiura: This was the first long stage in a little while―one that gave you a real sense that you were racing the Dakar Rally―and I must admit that it was tiring. Everyone was being pulled towards the dust kicked up by vehicles ahead of them and that made navigation much more difficult. Seiichi Suzuki: Tonight, we’ll be changing all the belt-related components, such as tensioners and pulleys, on both trucks. After that, we’ll be replacing the flat tires and wheels. Masaki Nakamura: Everyone is feeling good physically, but it must be tough what with the cold, the thin oxygen, and this sudden rise in temperature. We’ve only got a couple of more days to go, so we’ll make sure to complete our servicing work without any errors. Hiroyuki Azuma: Time just seemed to zip by once the rally started. Two more days to go. This will be our last spurt to the finish so I intend to work with renewed focus. Koji Nakamura: I haven’t had any major physical problems, but I am feeling a bit fatigued from the extreme changes in temperature. We’ve only got a couple of more days to go, so I will keep going until we finish. Junya Inoue: This sudden heat has been quite tough to deal with, but I find it easier to work in than in the cold. We don’t have that many days to go, so I will continue to stay alert to the end so that we can finish with good results. Kenji Kunimoto: We’re in the home stretch before we even knew it. I will stay focused to make sure that we don’t make any servicing errors that could jeopardize our standings. .

Day’s Stage is Canceled and Teams Drive to Chilecito. The Hino Team is Gearing Up for the Last Portion of the Rally Which is to Start on Jan. 12. On January 11, Stage9 Salta (Argentina) - Chilecito (Argentina) Liaison: 674km Total: 674km While the original plan called for a 406km SS in the Argentine Andes foothills that would have challenged racers with a high level of difficulty, organizers were forced to cancel the SS due to the assistance route being cut off by a mudslide on Jan. 10. Racing vehicles traveled on a 674km assistance route to Chilecito. On Jan. 10, HINO TEAM SUGAWARA’s two HINO500 Series trucks, which were en route to Salta on an assistance route after finishing the SS, headed for the bivouac in Salta on a 200km detour that branched off north of the road block and circled westward. Car 2 and Car 1 arrived at the bivouac just before 11:30 pm and at about 1:00 am, respectively. Few vehicles were seen in Salta even as late as then, as many vehicles decided to bivouac near the detour junction. While the crews had been informed of the cancelation of the next day’s stage, members of the Hino team remained coolheaded in carrying out inspections and servicing to keep their trucks in optimum condition, with lights ablaze on assistance vehicles and trucks that arrived one after the other. The mechanics worked through the night, and the HINO500 Series trucks left Salta at 7:30 am, arriving at the bivouac in Chilecito at around 6:00 pm. The assistance group arrived later and the trucks underwent final inspections. The itinerary for Jan. 12 is scheduled to take contestants on a long 448km SS set in the intermountain areas to the west of Chilecito. Yoshimasa Sugawara: I will be shifting gears mentally because we will be facing another long SS tomorrow. My goal for this rally is to make it into the top 20 in accumulated overall standings. I will give it my best to demonstrate the fruit of our year of work. Mitsugu Takahashi: It feels much hotter again back in Argentina. Personally, I prefer the cooler weather even if that means higher altitudes. At any rate, I wish we could have raced the entire marathon stage. Teruhito Sugawara: The course for tomorrow is one that the organizers have included many times in the past, so perhaps navigation will be difficult. I’m looking forward to how the organizers may have increased the level of difficulty. Hiroyuki Sugiura: I’m feeling really well physically now. While navigation may be challenging, I will continue to do my best.

Car 2 Climbs to 8th Spot in the Overall Trucks Category. The Liaison to Salta Was Fragmented Due to a Mudslide, Delaying All Vehicles. Organizers Cancel Competition for Tomorrow, Jan. 11. On January 10, Stage8 Uyuni (Bolivia) - Salta (Argentina) Liaison: 49km SS: 171km Liaison: 533km Total: 753km Jan. 10 was the second day of the marathon stage where contestants raced an SS and crossed the border into Argentina on their way from Uyuni, Bolivia to Salta, Argentina. A 492km SS was originally planned for this stage, but organizers have had to make major changes again this day due to the bad weather. While the first part of the rescheduled segment―from their departure from Uyuni on a 49km liaison to the SS start line―remained unchanged from the original, the SS itself was shortened with a finish line set at the 171km point, or CP1 (checkpoint 1). Contestants then took a liaison route to cross the border into Argentina where an SS for the trucks category had been canceled the previous day. As a result, trucks were rerouted to an assistance route which was to take them to the bivouac in Salta. In the 171km SS, contestants raced in highlands at elevations in the 4000m range, and also battled dunes in the first half. Later in the day, the course transitioned to wide-open parallel pistes (areas with numerous parallel unpaved roads) where racers were able to show off their speed, before taking them on mountain roads to the SS finish. Both of HINO TEAM SUGAWARA’s HINO500 Series trucks continued to put up a good fight in this short but challenging SS. Car 2 crewed by Teruhito Sugawara and Hiroyuki Sugiura finished at 14th place overall and top in the Under 10-litre Class. Car 1, which arrived at Uyuni past midnight yesterday, also delivered great performance finishing at 31st overall and second in the class. Based on these results, Car 2 has improved its accumulated overall standings as of Jan 10 to 8th place. The truck currently trails behind the Aleksandr Vasilevski crew (MAZ) in 7th spot by a minuscule 1 minute 01 seconds, and leads the Martin Kolomy crew (Tatra) behind them by 18 minutes and 56 seconds. While these standings were strictly preliminary as of this writing, they demonstrate how the Hino team is closing in on the performance of the leading group in the trucks category. Meanwhile, Car 1 stands at 32nd place overall, and the team continues to maintain its 1-2 standings in the Under 10-litre Class. This day, the assistance route on the way to Salta became fragmented when a village along the route was hit by a storm which triggered a mudslide. This made it impossible for competing vehicles who had finished the SS, including Hino team trucks, as well as assistance vehicles and the organizer’s vehicles to drive the route. Organizers instructed all vehicles to take a 200km detour across the Andes, but it is being reported that even this detour would be difficult to pass on larger vehicles and vehicles without all-wheel drive. As of 10:00pm, none of the racing motorbikes, cars, nor trucks have arrived at Salta. Hardly any of the assistance vehicles have arrived either and the bivouac looks quite deserted. Due to these circumstances, organizers have announced that they will be canceling the SS for tomorrow, Jan. 11, which was scheduled to be set en route from Salta to Chilecito. Competition will resume on Jan. 12 on the way from Chilecito to San Juan.

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The Wall Street Journal / January 15, 2017 President-elect Donald Trump told companies they will have to shift manufacturing to the U.S. in order to do business here, in a series of comments indicating a tough posture toward U.S. trade partners. "Car companies and others, if they want to do business in our country, have to start making things here again. WIN!," Trump wrote on Sunday. The comments came as Trump reiterated in an interview with German newspaper Bild that his administration would levy a 35% import tax on autos built in Mexico for export to the U.S. Trump singled out German premium car makers BMW and Mercedes-Benz, saying automotive trade between the U.S. and Germany was a "one-way street." "When you walk down Fifth Avenue, everybody has a Mercedes-Benz parked in front of his house," Trump said. Addressing the Germans, he said: "You were very unfair to the U.S.A. It isn't mutual. How many Chevrolets do you see in Germany? Not many, maybe none, you don't see anything at all over there. It's a one-way street." German auto makers have a long history of manufacturing in Mexico. Volkswagen operates one of the largest of its more than 100 plants worldwide in Puebla, Mexico, where it began producing Beetles in 1964. The plant now produces the Golf and Jetta. Daimler's Mercedes-Benz brand, Volkswagen's Audi and Porsche, and BMW control about 80% of global sales of upmarket premium cars. A spokesman for BMW said: "The BMW Group is very much at home in the U.S.A. We have a deep level of localization and employ both directly and indirectly almost 70,000 people." German and other auto makers have flocked to Mexico to take advantage of cheap labor and of Mexico's many free-trade agreements. Audi, for example, is building Q5 SUVs in Mexico and exporting them back to Europe. Exports from a U.S. plant would carry trade tariffs because the U.S. and the European Union don't have a free-trade agreement.

[213 LH] VALVE LIFTER PUSH RODS INSPECTION Check the push rods. Replace any push rods that have loose ends, are bent, or show signs of excessive wear. IDENTIFICATION Refer to Figure 64 -- Valve Lifter/Push Rod Identification. The current E7 valve lifter has no hole in the center of the stem. In conjunction with this change, the E7 inlet and exhaust (nonbrake engine) push rods have a 0.060-inch (1.524 mm) maximum flat or dimple on the ball end. The push rod part number is etched or roll-stamped on the push rod. The non-current push rod should be used only with the non-current lifter. If the non-current push rod with the wide flat or dimple is used in the current valve lifter which has no center hole, it may create an undesirable wear pattern in the lifter socket. Mixing current and non-current valve lifters is permissible when using the correct lifter/push rod combination. Current push rod can be used with either valve lifter. Do not use non-current valve lifter to service current valve lifter. Only Dynatard exhaust push rods are not affected and can be used with current and non-current valve lifters. Dynatard intake push rods still need to be updated to current push rods when using current valve lifters. Figure 64 -- Valve Lifter/Push Rod Identification 1. Push Rods Smoothly Rounded 2. 0.200" Maximum Flat or Dimple 3. With Center Hole 4. Without Center Hole 5. 0.060" Maximum Flat or Dimple A. Current 369GC334 B. Non-Current 369GC329A C. Non-Current 72GC347A D. Inlet Lobe All E7 production engines starting with serial No. 2X0000 and above, feature valve lifters with no hole as well as inlet and nonbrake push rods with 0.060 inch (1.524 mm) maximum flat or dimple on the push rod ball end. INSTALLATION Used push rods have established wear patterns. Push rods being returned to service should be installed in the same position from which they were removed. 1. Apply lubricating oil to spherical end of the push rod and insert it into the lifter opening. Ensure that it has engaged the lifter by lifting it slightly. If the lifter has been properly contacted, some resistance will be felt in the rod as the lifter is raised. 2. Repeat step 1 until all 12 push rods are in position. [213 NV] VALVE YOKES DESCRIPTION There are two exhaust valves and two inlet valves for each cylinder. Each rocker arm, in conjunction with the valve yoke, operates both valves together, in a set (exhaust or inlet), per cylinder. INSTALLATION Used yokes have established wear patterns. Yokes being returned to service should be installed in the same position from which they were removed. Refer to Figure 65 -- Valve Yoke. 1. Lubricate the yoke guide pins (5) with clean engine oil. If the engine is equipped with a Jake Brake, the exhaust valve yokes will have a larger rocker arm contact surface. The yokes with the larger surface must be installed on pins corresponding with the Jake Brake actuators. 2. Place the valve yokes (2) on the yoke guide pins from which they were removed. Slightly rock the yokes from side to side to be sure they are seated on the valve stems (4). Engines equipped with Jake Brake: Effective January 1994 (engine serial No. 401269), the E7 Jake Brake yoke was manufactured with metric threads utilizing the Spiralock™ thread form. Refer to [213 NB] VALVE YOKE, VALVE LASH AND SLAVE PISTON ADJUSTMENTS (JACOBS BRAKE ENGINE) for details regarding correct method to loosen the yoke adjusting screw.

E7 ENGINE SETUP AND ADJUSTMENTS [213 NB] VALVE YOKE AND VALVE LASH ADJUSTMENTS (NON-JAKE BRAKE ENGINE AND DYNATARD EQUIPPED) DESCRIPTION Yoke and valve adjustments are done in two stages on E7 engines. Adjust the yoke clearance first, then adjust the valve lash. Make sure both adjustments are done in firing order sequence. Manually rotate the engine in normal rotation direction until pointer in flywheel housing aligns with valves 1 and 6 mark on the flywheel and the No. 1 piston on the compression stroke. The flywheel has a stamped timing scale consisting of TC through 45 degrees of engine travel for setting and checking pump-to-engine timing. Also, the flywheel has three stamped locations at 120-degree intervals for valve settings. Some E7 engines are equipped with a pointer on the timing gear cover and marks on the vibration damper. To adjust the yoke and valves on these engines, bar engine in normal rotation direction until the TC mark on the damper (with the No. 1 piston on the compression stroke) aligns with pointer marked VALVE. This provides the 30-degrees-after-TDC relationship for valve lash adjustment necessary with the E7 camshaft design. Yoke and valve adjustments must be made under static conditions with coolant temperature below 100 ° F (37 ° C). E7 engine firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. SPECIAL TOOL REQUIRED Engine Barring Socket J 38587-A LOCATING AND MARKING FLYWHEEL VALVE ADJUSTMENT MARKINGS Some E7 engines built in early 1995 may be equipped with flywheels that have missing or illegible valve adjustment markings. If this problem is encountered, a typical flywheel can be marked while the engine is in the chassis. TYPICAL FLYWHEELS On a typical flywheel, the TC markings, and the valve adjustment markings, are directly in line with the clutch mounting bolt/bolt holes. To determine if the engine is equipped with a typical flywheel, view the flywheel through the timing access hole in the flywheel housing. Align the TC markings with the timing pointer. If the flywheel is typical, there should be a clutch mounting bolt/bolt hole directly in line with the TC marking. In this case, the valve adjustment markings should be in line with a clutch mounting bolt at three locations. (Refer to Figure 2 -- Flywheel Marks .) There are 12 clutch mounting bolt holes in the flywheel, but only 8 of these holes are used to mount the clutch. Every third bolt hole, for a total of four, is not used. These holes are in an open area between the clutch mounting flanges. The unused holes are easy to see through the timing access hole in the flywheel housing. The bolt holes where there is a clutch mounting bolt are more difficult to see because the clutch mounting bolt head is somewhat rearward of the timing access opening. To aid in counting the clutch mounting bolt/bolt holes, keep in mind that there is slightly over four inches between one bolt hole and the next. Locating the clutch mounting bolts may be made easier by removing the bell housing inspection cover and viewing or feeling for the bolts through the bell housing. After verifying that there is a clutch mounting bolt/bolt hole in line with the TC mark, the next step is to locate the three locations where the valve adjustment marks should be. Put a temporary (chalk, grease pencil, paint, etc.) mark at each of the three locations. Proceed as follows: 1. Beginning with the TC mark aligned with the timing pointer, rotate the engine in the direction of normal rotation (counterclockwise, viewed from rear) to the next clutch mounting bolt/bolt hole. Temporarily mark this location for cylinders 1 and 6. 2. Continue rotating the engine in the normal direction and count the clutch mounting bolt/bolt holes as they pass the timing access opening. At the fourth mounting bolt/bolt hole, make a temporary mark on the flywheel for cylinders 2 and 5. 3. Rotate the engine another four mounting bolt/bolt holes and make a temporary mark on the flywheel for cylinders 3 and 4. 4. Rotate the engine another three clutch mounting bolt/bolt holes and verify that the flywheel is at the TC mark. Then, rotate the engine one more bolt/bolt hole and verify that the flywheel is at the temporary mark made for cylinders 1 and 6. 5. Permanently mark the flywheel at this location for cylinders 1 and 6. To gain access, rotate the engine slightly so that the area to be marked is either to the right or left side of the timing pointer. Place a chisel mark directly in line with the clutch mounting bolt/bolt hole. Then, stamp or electric-etch the cylinder numbers on either side of the chisel mark. 6. Rotate the engine to the remaining locations and make sure to count the clutch mounting bolt/bolt holes to verify the locations of the temporary markings. Once verified, permanently mark each location as described. NON-TYPICAL FLYWHEELS If the engine is equipped with a non-typical flywheel, the TC markings will be halfway between two clutch mounting bolts. If this type of flywheel has no valve adjustment markings, it should be replaced. Also, any flywheel which has no markings for injection pump timing should be replaced, even though piston travel method of injection pump timing could be used. VALVE YOKE ADJUSTMENT On mechanically governed engines, before barring engine for any reason, secure injection pump stop lever in stop position. Make sure that adjusting screws are retracted upward in the rocker arms. If they extend too far below the rocker arm, the push rods can be bent when tightening the rocker arm assembly brackets. Refer to Figure 1 -- Engine Crankshaft Rotation , Figure 2 -- Flywheel Marks and Figure 3 -- Yoke Adjusting Screw and Locknut . 1. Using engine barring socket J 38587-A, manually rotate engine in normal rotation direction until pointer in flywheel housing aligns with valves 1 and 6 mark on the flywheel and the No. 1 piston is on the compression stroke (or until the pointer marked VALVE aligns with the TC mark on the vibration damper, if equipped). Figure 1 -- Engine Crankshaft Rotation 1. Barring socket J 38587-A 2. Flywheel housing 3. Flywheel Figure 2 -- Flywheel Marks 2. Back off the valve rocker adjusting screws. 3. Loosen the No. 1 cylinder yoke adjusting screw locknuts. 4. Exert moderate force on the yoke by pressing on the rocker arm slipper end. Turn down the yoke adjusting screw until it makes solid contact with the outboard valve stem tip, as sensed by a light drag on the adjusting screw. 5. Turn adjusting screw an additional 1/6 turn (60 degrees) clockwise. A 1/6 turn is equal to one flat on the adjusting screw locknut. 6. Hold the yoke adjusting screw in this position while tightening the adjusting screw locknut. Torque locknut to 33 lb-ft (45 N · m) using torque wrench J 24407 or equivalent. Figure 3 -- Yoke Adjusting Screw and Locknut CHECKING YOKE ADJUSTMENT Refer to Figure 4 -- Checking Yoke Adjustment . 7. Insert a 0.010-inch (0.254 mm) thickness gauge between the yoke and valve stem, at both the inboard and outboard locations. 8. Exert moderate force on the yoke by pressing on the rocker arm slipper end. An equal drag should be felt on both thickness gauges. If drag is unequal, readjust the yoke adjusting screw, as required. Figure 4 -- Checking Yoke Adjustment 1. Thickness gauge 2. Yoke INLET VALVE ADJUSTMENT Refer to Figure 5 -- Inlet Valve Adjustment . Inlet valve lash clearance is 0.016 inch (0.406 mm). 1. Place a 0.016-inch (0.406 mm) thickness gauge between the rocker arm and yoke on the No. 1 cylinder. 2. Turn the adjusting screw until a light drag is felt on the thickness gauge. 3. After setting adjustment screw, tighten locknut. Torque locknut to 40 lb-ft (54 N · m) using torque wrench J 24407 or equivalent. Do not allow the adjustment screw to turn. 4. After tightening locknut, recheck valve lash clearance. Readjust as necessary. Figure 5 -- Inlet Valve Adjustment 1. Thickness gauge 2. Adjusting screw and locknut EXHAUST VALVE ADJUSTMENT Refer to Figure 6 -- Exhaust Valve Adjustment . Exhaust valve clearance is 0.024 inch (0.610 mm) for engines produced through engine serial No. 6F in April 1996 and 0.028 inch (0.711 mm) for engines produced after engine serial No. 6F in April 1996. 1. Place the proper thickness gauge between the rocker arm and yoke on the No. 1 cylinder. 2. Turn the adjusting screw until a light drag is felt on the thickness gauge. If equipped with a Dynatard engine brake, use Dynatard valve-lash adjusting wrench J 37092 to rotate adjusting screw. Press downward with hand on the hydraulic lash adjuster while gauging valve lash. Adjust the lash until a light drag is felt on the thickness gauge. 3. After adjustment is complete, tighten locknut. Torque locknut to 40 lb-ft (54 N · m) using torque wrench J 24407 or equivalent. Do not allow the adjustment screw to turn. 4. Recheck valve lash clearance after tightening locknut. Readjust as necessary. Figure 6 -- Exhaust Valve Adjustment 1. Thickness gauge 2. Adjusting wrench J 37092 Refer to Figure 1 -- Engine Crankshaft Rotation . 5. Using engine barring socket J 38587-A, manually rotate engine in normal rotation direction 120 degrees until pointer in flywheel housing aligns with the "5" mark on the flywheel. The No. 5 piston will be on the compression stroke. If engine is equipped with a pointer mounted on the timing gear cover and marks on the vibration damper, rotate the engine until the pointer marked VALVE aligns with the "5" mark on the vibration damper. 6. Adjust the yoke and valve lash as previously outlined for the No. 1 cylinder. E7 engine firing order is 1 - 5 - 3 - 6 - 2 - 4. 7. Continue adjusting yoke and valve lash for the remaining cylinders, in firing order. Rotate crankshaft to place each piston 30 degrees past TDC. Engine Crankshaft Rotation 1. Barring Socket J 38587-A 2. Flywheel Housing 3. Flywheel

Construction Week / January 15, 2017 A little over two years into its launch of on-the-ground operations in the Gulf region, Ford Trucks continues to press forward at an impressive pace, with the delivery of no less than three dedicated sales and service features in the GCC within the space of the last year. Emrah Duman, director for international markets at Ford Trucks, explains: “Over the course of this year we have developed our representation in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. The only market that is left in the GCC* region is Kuwait, and we will be starting, most probably, with our dealer by the beginning of next year — so the overall representation in the region is complete.” * GCC – Gulf Cooperation Council – Members include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Specifically, in the last 12 months, Ford has delivered facilities in Manama, Bahrain, Muscat, Oman, and Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, as well as a temporary facility in Doha, Qatar, to be replaced by a permanent one in 2017. Duman continues: “The next step is to focus on improving our presence in those countries. For instance, let’s take Saudi, we are only in Riyadh with dedicated facilities — but we will be improving our presence with facilities in Dammam and Jeddah, because in the truck business, you need to be offering aftersales service to the customer immediately. “We will be finished in about two years’ time — by which point we will have a great network to support our 2020 target for the region, which is to obtain a 10% market share.” The second development for Ford Trucks, as revealed at The Big 5 Exhibition in Dubai, is the launch of the 2017 series of Ford Trucks — including, possible most interestingly for the region, a new range of construction trucks with greater engine and braking power. Equipped with Ford’s latest Euro III Ecotorq engines, the 2017 range delivers more torque and better fuel economy, and has engine brake and retarder options that provide 400kW and 600kW of braking force, respectively, or a combined braking output of 1,000kW. Duman, notes: “The news is the engine size. All of our customers around the world, not just in Middle East, were asking for bigger engine sizes. Now we have equipped our 6x4 and 8x4 construction trucks, which had nine-litre engines previously, with 12.7-litre engines. This has delivered a 23% improvement in power and perhaps most importantly, a 55% improvement in torque — and this will make a huge difference to our customers. We have also introduced automatic transmissions [AMT], with several driving modes: off-road, economy and a rocking mode for escaping tricky potholes. Duman comments: “The previous models were with manual transmission, but these are automatic following requests from several customers. There is a trend towards automatic transmission in the Middle East.” He continues: “We came to the region five years ago to analyse the market, develop our prototypes and test them in the market — so there were three years of preparation before we launched in the region two year ago. “During that preparation period, all of the customers were demanding manual transmission, but now what we see is the majority, especially in tractors are demanding automatic transmission — and construction customers will also start asking for automatic transmissions as well, because it eliminates the risk of the drivers making a mistake when they’re changing gears that might damage the manual transmission or consume more fuel.” In addition to the engine specifications, the trucks have a 22% sharper steering angle, thanks to a completely new steering design and overhauled front steering system. Commenting on the overall business climate, Duman adds: ““It’s been a tough year this last year. The market, according to our estimates, is 35% smaller than the year before, and we only expect a recovery to the same levels as 2015 by 2020, if a little earlier.” However, Ford’s market share has grown, as has its number of customers, and gained some important fleet operators as customers. But Duman is far from complacent: “We are quite impatient as a company, and when you are a latecomer you have to work 25 hours a day, eight days a week to compensate for the difference between you and the competition who have been in the market for years.”

Volkswagen of America (VWoA), the car unit, hasn't fired on all eight cylinders.............ever. That said, Volkswagen Truck & Bus led by ex-Daimler truck head Andreas Renschler is an entirely different situation. To get him to leave Daimler Truck, no easy task, VW offered him a significant amount of autonomy. He's a truck guy, and that bodes very well for Navistar, in their cooperation.