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Automotive News / December 11, 2016 Chevrolet's new nine-speed automatic transmission illustrates the difficulty of eking out fuel economy improvements as automakers work to meet increasingly stringent fuel efficiency standards. Launched in the Chevrolet Malibu in September, the nine-speed, co-developed with Ford Motor Co., delivers just 1 mpg more in highway driving than the eight-speed automatic it replaces -- up to 33 mpg in the 2017 Malibu from 32 in the 2016 version. General Motors plans to use the gearbox in 10 models across its brands by the end of next year. GM executives say the transmission adds refinement over the outgoing six- and eight-speeds, giving vehicles a premium feel. GM will also save money by using its own transmission. In the Malibu, for instance, GM bought the outgoing eight-speed automatic from Aisin AW Co. "The big goal when working with internal combustion engines is to keep the engine in the optimal operating position," said Chris Meagher, GM's executive director of electrical hardware engineering. He said the transmission's shorter steps result in smoother shifts. The next GM vehicles to get the nine-speed are the 2017 Cruze compact and 2018 Equinox. Ford has not announced which vehicles will use Ford's version of the nine-speed, said Ford spokesman Craig Von Essen. Related reading.....the Ford-GM jointly developed/produced 10-speed auto trans - http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46728-10-things-to-know-about-the-new-fordgm-10-speed-automatic-transmission/#comment-344801

Cummins Westport’s ISB6.7 G, a 6.7 liter midrange, factory-built natural gas engine is now fully available as a production engine for shuttle bus, medium duty truck, and vocational applications in North America. (Earlier post.) As previously announced, the engine has been available for school bus applications since May 2016 from Thomas Built Buses. The 6.7 liter engine platform has large OEM availability for midrange trucks, vocational trucks and mid size buses and the expansion of applications potentially available for the ISB6.7 G engine more than doubles its addressable market. The ISB6.7 G is based on the Cummins ISB6.7 diesel engine platform, the industry leader in the Cummins midrange engine family, and operates exclusively on natural gas, including compressed, liquid, or renewable natural gas (RNG). The ISB6.7 G is the second engine from Cummins Westport (CWI) to receive emission certification from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Air Resources Board (ARB) in California for meeting the Optional Low NOx Emissions standards. An engine of this size is a natural addition to CWI’s portfolio of natural gas engines. Many customers using school and shuttle buses, medium duty trucks, or vocational vehicles operate within a local area where the return to base nature of their operation allows them to use fleet-owned or growing publicly available natural gas fueling infrastructure. The ISB6.7 G offers the midrange customer an ability to take advantage of the most cost effective overall solution with the benefit of a low emission natural gas engine that has proven performance, reliability, and durability. In addition, operating on RNG offers customers a tremendous greenhouse gas savings opportunity versus fossil fuels. —Rob Neitzke, President of CWI The ISB6.7 G features the same advanced combustion controls with Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) as Cummins Westport’s ISL G & ISX12 G engines. NOx emissions of the ISB6.7 G are 0.1 g/bhp-hr—50% lower than the current EPA and ARB NOx limit of 0.2 g/bhp-hr. CO2 emissions meet the 2017 EPA greenhouse gas (GHG) emission requirements. All CWI natural gas engines are lower than the 2010 EPA standard for particulate matter (0.01 g/bhp-hr). The ISB6.7 G utilizes CWI proprietary spark-ignited, stoichiometric combustion with cooled exhaust gas recirculation (SEGR) technology. It features electronic control with programmable features, a closed crankcase ventilation system, and maintenance-free three-way catalyst aftertreatment. No diesel particulate filter or selective catalytic reduction aftertreatment is required. The SEGR technology was introduced with the ISL G in 2007, and was developed to meet 2010 EPA emission requirements. The cooled-EGR system passes exhaust gas through a cooler to reduce temperatures before mixing it with fuel and the incoming air charge to the cylinder. Stoichiometric combustion in combination with cooled-EGR offers increased power density and thermal efficiency. It also reduces in-cylinder combustion temperatures and creates an oxygen-free exhaust, which then enables the use of a three-way catalyst (TWC) for NOx control. The ISB6.7 G will be manufactured in the Cummins engine plant and offered in three ratings up to 240 hp (179 kW) and 560 lb-ft (759 N·m) torque. Power Take-Off and automatic transmission capability meet customer and original equipment manufacturer requirements. Base warranty is two years, with unlimited miles/kilometers. Extended Coverage options are also available. Partial funding in support of the ISB6.7 G engine development has been received from the California Energy Commission through its Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program in conjunction with the Gas Technology Institute.

Trump hints US 'One China' policy could end "I fully understand the 'one China' policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.” "I mean, look, we're being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don't tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn't be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea." "You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons, and China could solve that problem, and they're not helping us at all." "I don't want China dictating to me and this was a call put into me. I didn't make the call, and it was a call, very short call saying 'congratulations, sir, on the victory.” "It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call. I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it." President-elect Donald Trump December 11, 2016

You're so right, our intended expression doesn't always come across well (as intended) on a written forum. When I write "if what we are told is true", I do so with a serious tone. I'm not being sarcastic. The powers that be, the aristocracy including big business, uses information, and disinformation, to manipulate the masses, from getting the majority to stay in line, to buying the latest material items. There are always conspiracies, if we want to call them that, to discredit people, if not destroy them altogether. The battle for power in Washington is endless. "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." - Lord John Dalberg-Acton, 1887 Regarding Trump, Hillary and the 2016 election, I'm sure there are many pieces to the puzzle that we will never know. I imagine half of the story, from the beginning to the end, will remain forever secret. Reflecting on our generation, do you really think you were told the complete truth, and nothing but the truth, on how Kennedy was killed? On Watergate? On Iran-Contra? On WMD in Iraq as an excuse for us to enter the second Iraq war? Truth........has an unmistakable air of clarity. It's not rocket science. I try to post factual news, including direct quotes. I avoid unfounded conjecture, but will post articles that, I feel, have creditable substance. I'm a serious person by nature. I apologize if you perceived me as being sarcastic.

There's no issues regarding warranty. If you buy an Isuzu-branded truck, your Isuzu dealer will handle it. If you buy a Chevrolet-branded truck, your Chevrolet dealer will handle it.

"The gasoline-powered models will be assembled from complete knock down (CKD) kits in the U.S. at the Spartan Motors assembly plant in Charlotte, Michigan." http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40483-déjà-vu-gm-to-source-medium-duty-trucks-from-isuzu/#comment-293513

David and Paul, I agree with you. That said, I seriously doubt that Hillary Clinton will see time, because for decades, we've watched dozens of these types of people avoid it. Politicians and the wealthy aristocracy including big business leaders all successfully avoid prosecution, again and again and again. Recall, for example, the 2008 financial crisis. Nobody on Wall Street went to jail. Companies were fined, but none of the "people" who made the corrupt company decisions were prosecuted. They are the "untouchables".

Huh??? I don't at all feel that she has been framed? I don't understand how you came away with that, from what I wrote. Based on what we're told........that's all we common people know. We have no first-hand information. So you feel that Hillary is incredibly guilty of a wide range of illegal acts, however, you don't care if Trump flip-flops on a key campaign point and lets her walk free?

Based on what we 're told, you feel Hillary should be in prison. I don't disagree. "If" what we're told is true, how could she be allowed to be a presidential nominee? With that in mind, why has Trump done a 360, abandoning his firm position to put her in jail? Now, Trump wants to show kindness to Hillary and let her walk. Go figure.

Trump gives Wilbur Ross wide trade policy powers The Financial Times / December 10, 2016 Boost to Commerce secretary’s role could spark battle with Congress Donald Trump wants Wilbur Ross, the billionaire investor tapped for Commerce secretary, to oversee his trade policy, in a controversial move that could spark a battle between the incoming administration and Congress. Trump has agreed to give Ross, a close friend, responsibility for handling one of his signature campaign issues, the Financial Times has learnt. The move, which would cut the influence of the US trade representative (USTR), would boost the role of Commerce secretary, traditionally a weak cabinet position. But it could face resistance in Congress where there has been opposition to similar ideas in the past. “Secretary Ross will be our administration’s leader on setting many of our trade priorities,” Jason Miller, the Trump transition team spokesman, confirmed when asked by the FT about the move. Ross was one of the main architects of Trump’s “America First” trade policy. In interviews since the election, he has continued to be the most vocal advocate for a wholesale rethinking of US trade policy. His role is set to be formalised once the new administration starts in January, according to the Trump transition team. Trump will still appoint a USTR head. But the president-elect has backed away from his campaign vow to bring all of the government officials involved in trade policy into an “American Desk” at the commerce department. One person familiar with the shift said Ross would determine trade priorities and that the USTR would be required to implement them. Miller said the transition team was “still determining the exact lines of responsibility between Commerce and USTR”. But he said that 79-year-old Ross would play a much larger role on trade policy than previous commerce secretaries because of his relationship with Trump and his role shaping the president-elect’s trade message. He declined to comment on whether the Trump team had discussed the move with Congress. Ross has been an outspoken critic of past trade agreements and has argued that the US could better use its leverage as a major consumer market to force countries to buy more US goods to help narrow the trade deficit. “Free trade doesn’t mean dumb trade,” Ross recently told FT. “We should treat ourselves as the world’s biggest customer and treat nations that are selling to us as suppliers to us.” At a campaign rally in October, Trump pledged a “major reorganisation of our bureaucracy” to make Washington’s approach to trade more efficient. Congress has for decades aggressively guarded its constitutionally mandated oversight of international trade. Sandy Levin, the senior Democrat on the House ways and means committee, which has jurisdiction over trade, said a reorganisation would be an unneeded distraction for the incoming administration. “The main problem is not the organisational structure, it is the structure of policy,” said Levin. “Just throwing out this idea and that idea won’t work. I’m not a big fan of thinking you can just restructure.” By handing Ross oversight over trade while maintaining the administrative divisions, Trump may still provoke a fight with the House and Senate committees that have responsibility for trade in Congress. The two key committees — the House ways and means committee and the Senate finance committee — also have jurisdiction over tax reform, which is another priority for the Trump administration. Gary Hufbauer, an expert on US trade policy, said any effort by the Trump administration to have Ross lead on trade would mark a significant departure and face opposition. “Even doing it informally will create some friction with the congressional branch,” he said. The US Constitution gives Congress the power to regulate trade. The legislature regularly delegates that authority to presidents, doing so most recently in June 2015. But it also has rejected repeated attempts by presidents to fold the office of the USTR into the commerce department or otherwise reorganise the bureaucratic structures. Since the position was first created in 1962, the USTR has been a part of the president’s executive office, in a move that gives it additional authority internationally. It has a reputation for being a lean operation, in stark contrast to the sprawling commerce department, which has some 47,000 employees around the world.

Trump told the world that, if he were president, Hillary would be in jail. We all saw and heard him say it on TV with the utmost seriousness. Trump has since totally flip-flopped on that major campaign point. Trump has done a 360, now saying that putting Hillary in jail is "just not something I feel very strongly about." "I don't want to hurt the Clintons, I really don't," Trump said. "She went through a lot and suffered greatly in many different ways." One minute, he wants to put her in a cold prison cell. Now, he wants to aid and comfort an old friend. After "lock her up" chants started at Trump's post-election "thank you" rally in Michigan this week, he responded, "That plays great before the election -- now we don't care, right?" But people DO care. Trump’s supporters voted for him because they took him seriously. Now, he’s telling them all the promises he made was merely campaign rhetoric.

There is no difference. Sandy Berger, David Petraeus, Oliver North and a long list of others (based on what we're told) are guilty to the same degree as Hillary Clinton. And yet, none of the them are in prison. There's an amazing double standard in how the "rule of law" is applied to the aristocracy versus the common people. My friend, how can you say that Petraeus was doing a fantastic job? He was passing state secrets to his lover (based on what we're told), who could easily have been a foreign agent. In doing so, he completely failed in his job at that point. He did "screw up", and I'm glad he was caught. We can't afford to have such employees "on the line" who are, clearly, unworthy of trust ("Loose lips sink ships").

Vlad, I thought you might enjoy this. Compared to a Trabant, the Volga is a nice car.

And in the same vein (based on what we're told), ex CIA head David Petraeus was found to have leaked state secrets, intentionally. And not only did he not go to prison, but he's on Trump's short list to be secretary of state. And what about Sandy Berger, who stole state secrets from the National Archives. Rather than go to prison, he received a mere slap on the wrist. There's far more to that affair than the American people will ever be told. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Berger) If "what the mainstream news says" is...........true, many of our Washington employees should be in federal prison today. But they're not.................... And now, not has Trump flip-flopped 100% on his position to put Hillary Clinton in jail (he told Americans that thousands of times over the campaign), but he invites Petraeus for coffee.

General Motors Fleet / December 5, 2016 Indiana business is the first to take delivery of all-new truck Harmony Outdoor Power Equipment (http://www.harmonyoutdoor.com/) in Auburn, Indiana, is the first small business to take delivery of the new Chevrolet Low Cab Forward truck. Owner Don Harter said he replaced his Isuzu NPR with a Chevrolet Low Cab Forward partly because the lack of Isuzu dealerships in the area made it difficult for him to service his old truck. “Now that Chevrolet is in the Low Cab Forward business, I can consolidate my business with one company for sales and service,” said Harter. “It makes our entire organization more efficient.” Video - http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/en/chevrolet/bcportal.html Harter chose a diesel powertrain to pull a custom-designed bed with a ramp. The business uses the truck nearly every day to deliver heavy outdoor equipment to customers, and with more than 5,000 miles on the Low Cab Forward already, the investment is paying off. “My drivers love how this truck maneuvers like a car and they also appreciate the quiet ride in the cab,” said Harter. “We are already seeing significantly improved fuel economy with the new Chevrolet Low Cab Forward, which makes it a great choice from a financial perspective.” The Chevrolet Low Cab Forward with a diesel engine starts at $48,375 and the gasoline engine version starts at $40,900. Low Cab Forward suggested MSRPs include a destination charge but exclude tax, title, license and dealer fees. Harter ordered his Chevrolet from Summit City Chevrolet, one of more than 250 Chevrolet dealerships across the country that sell and service Low Cab Forward trucks. “Our dealers have gone through rigorous sales and service training to ensure they can help customers pick the right truck, the right financing and upfit for their business,” said John Schwegman, director of commercial product, General Motors Fleet. “Our sales and service support doesn’t end at the dealership. We support our customers throughout the life cycle of the vehicle with a dedicated team of 42 product specialists at our Fleet Action Center. They are consultants and problem-solvers focused exclusively on small-business owners and fleet managers.” Harter took advantage of a new GM Financial commercial lease product called Right TRAC that can lower monthly payments with flexible residuals and no excess mileage and wear-and-tear charges. “Any time we can save money on an investment, we’re going to do it,” said Harter. “The Right TRAC lease option went a long way in helping us make our decision to switch to Chevrolet for the Low Cab Forward.” For more information, please visit www.chevrolet.com/lcf / http://www.gmfleet.com/chevrolet/low-cab-forward-trucks.html. . .

Owner/Driver / December 9, 2016 As announced in November, the ASX-listed K&S Corporation has been in negotiations with Scott’s Transport Industries (STI) to purchase the business, a deal of which has been struck. Confirming a binding agreement today, K&S will merge STI into its business from January 30 2017, with the company to handle STI’s employees, ongoing contracts and staff entitlements. According to K&S, the deal reached will provide it will access to a national fuel haulage arm and extra help with general and intermodal freight. "STI operates a general freight division and a fuel cartage division and has a number of blue chip customers in the manufacturing, FMCG, and fuel sectors," an ASX statement says. "K&S Corporation regards the proposed transaction as an excellent opportunity to further expand its K&S Energy division through the addition of significant fuel cartage operations. "The transaction will also provide additional volume to K&S Corporation’s existing intermodal and contract logistics divisions. "The transaction will lead to a more competitive and stronger combined business in an increasingly challenging environment." From an STI point, the ASX statement says the transporter has agreed: to a "nominal purchase price" for its assets; to rent a number of vehicles to K&S at market rates for up to five years; to, without obligation, sell rented vehicles to K&S; to allow K&S to see STI’s business financials; and to produce license and lease agreement by land owners who are related parties of STI for the remainder of the transport terminals currently occupied by STI. K&S predicts there will be a rationalisation of infrastructure to reduce operational costs and will undertake a review of STI’s current operations. K&S did not need shareholder approval for the transaction. .

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U.S. Xpress Commits to Nikola Truck U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc. Press Release / December 08, 2016 U.S. Xpress announced today that the company is one of the first and the largest truckload carrier to order the Nikola One™. The company expects the innovative zero-emission, hydrogen-electric semi-truck will be a part of its fleet when the Nikola Motor Company starts production in 2020. “Much like our recent collaboration with Freightliner and its Next-Generation Cascadia semi-truck, the Nikola One is another example of how U.S. Xpress continues to work closely with its manufacturers to identify opportunities where cutting-edge technologies and the latest advancements in clean fuels can be used to conserve more energy, lower gas emissions and reduce the overall carbon footprint of our fleet,” said Max Fuller, chairman and CEO of U.S. Xpress. Fuller continued, “From our very first day on the road, U.S. Xpress has been committed to being a leader in the trucking industry, and this mission starts with putting our drivers in semi-trucks equipped with the latest in high-tech safety features and driver comforts that will help protect them and everyone on the road around them.” “I am particularly excited about our partnership with Nikola Motor Company because it strongly positions U.S. Xpress at the forefront of the trucking industry and reinforces our commitment to having a bold sustainability program that helps preserve our valuable resources and create a better environment while still providing practical, cost-effective ways for our customers to ship their freight across the country,” said Fuller. Nikola One Unveiled to the public for the first time last week, the Nikola One utilizes a fully electric drivetrain powered by high-density lithium batteries. The electric semi-truck can generate additional energy on-the-go by its hydrogen fuel cell, which will give the Nikola One a total range of between 800 and 1,200 miles with the battery fully charged and the hydrogen storage tank filled. In addition, the peak output from the electric drive system will deliver more than 1,000 horsepower and 2,000 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to accelerate the Nikola One from 0-60 mph in 30 seconds or about twice as quick as a conventional diesel semi-truck found on the road today. “U.S. Xpress drivers are going to have one of the most environmentally sound trucks on the road that they are going to love to drive,” said Trevor Milton, CEO and founder of Nikola Motor Company. “Each state-of-the-art cab comes complete with full-sized beds, large closet, full size refrigerator and freezer, microwave, television, Internet and electronic climate control." About U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.: Founded in 1985, U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc. is the nation’s second largest privately owned truckload carrier, providing a wide variety of transportation solutions throughout North America. We are committed to being at the forefront of safety compliance, using comprehensive training for our staff and drivers and ensuring our trucks feature the latest safety innovations. With a dedication to minimizing our impact on the environment, U.S. Xpress is a SmartWay Transport Partner. U.S. Xpress affiliates include Total Transportation of Mississippi and Xpress Internacional. For more information, please visit http://www.usxpress.com.

Engineering News / December 9, 2016 Volvo Trucks should this year sell around 250 new trucks in Southern African markets outside South Africa, says Volvo Group Southern Africa president Torbjörn Christensson. Three years from now, in 2019, the company wants sales in these Southern African markets to grow to 1,000 trucks a year. Volvo Group Southern Africa is responsible for 16 markets south of, and including, Ethiopia and Angola. Christensson says used truck sales should reach around 1,000 units in South Africa this year, of which 150 will find their way to Southern African markets outside South Africa. Africa should not be viewed as a marketplace for used vehicles, or for Indian or Chinese products only, he adds. There is a distinct appetite for premium trucks. “South African transporters are moving into Africa, for example, and they demand reliable trucks.” The Volvo truck on sale in the rest of Africa may differ from the one in Sweden, however, as it is likely to be a Euro 3 truck with drum brakes – in other words, more suitably specced for demanding African conditions, says Christensson. “We believe in Africa,” notes Volvo Trucks International senior VP Helene Mellquist. “It is a question of when, not if the market will grow, even if there are some fluctuations now.” “We see signs that the commodity cycle is turning up,” adds Christensson. “We think we have seen the worst of the downturn.” A low oil price and slumping commodities market have caused economic hardship in a number of African countries, particularly the oil-exporting States. While Mellquist refused to talk specific investment numbers into Africa, she says Volvo is busy rolling out its network – through importers – in Zambia, Tanzania, Angola, Ethiopia and Kenya. Volvo trucks are sold separately from UD Trucks’ stock in Africa. Volvo owns the Japanese-based UD Trucks. In South Africa, Volvo Trucks has invested in a new Alrode workshop, with Durban’s truck centre the next focus point. Volvo Trucks in South Africa has expanded from 13 service points in 2013 to 19 service points in 2016. South Africa is “a very important market” for Volvo Trucks, says Mellquist. (Mack brand trucks ???) The group has learned to adapt to the demands of the market, including black economic empowerment, which “is a natural thing for South Africa”. Christensson believes a more stable political situation could lead to a more stable currency. Volvo Group Southern Africa should see 2016 Volvo truck sales in South Africa improve on last year. Volvo trucks are sold in 192 countries worldwide (The Mack brand is only sold in 19 overseas countries). South Africa is ranked third in terms of sales in Mellquist’s area of responsibility, which includes Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

French Defense Minister Seeks to Reassure RTD Employees of Job Security Defense News / December 8, 2016 French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has told Renault Trucks Defense (RTD) employees that there is little to be concerned about following the announced sale of the military vehicle builder, which is seen as a strategic industrial capability. Le Drian also announced RTD deals with Kuwait and the French Army worth a reported total of €770 million (US $826 million). “I have to tell you that I will be extremely vigilant that … this strategic asset remains under our control, as this is a key element in our sovereignty,” he said Thursday in prepared remarks during a visit to an RTD plant at Fourchambault, central France. “I can reassure you, with all my vigilance on the process underway, that I am not worried about your future,” he added. France, meanwhile, has selected RTD to supply 3,700 light vehicles to the Army, he said. That deal was worth more than €500 million, Agence France-Presse reported. The Direction Générale de l’Armemment procurement office declined to comment, as a contract has yet to be signed. Kuwait is due to order 300 Sherpa light vehicles in a deal worth close to €270 million, Le Drian said. The French minister backed the RTD offer when he visited Kuwait in August, and his Kuwaiti counterpart called him two days ago to tell him of the selection. “All you have to do now is sign the contract,” he said. The RTD plant at Saint Nazaire, western France, will assemble the 3,700 vehicles over four years, while Fourchambault will provide service support. RTD will convert a station wagon-type civilian vehicle by strengthening the chassis and suspension and fitting military equipment, the company said in a statement. The first delivery is expected for 2017. The vehicle will have a 150-horsepower engine, weigh 3.5 tons and carry 900 kilograms. Volvo said in November that RTD, the largest unit of its military vehicles business, would be sold off. RTD accounts for some 1.5 percent of total sales of the Swedish truck maker. Renault Trucks Defense Group (Volvo Group Governmental Sales) - http://www.renault-trucks-defense-group.eu/ .

You get what you pay for. For how long do you plan to use the seat (truck) ? If you want to buy a quality but affordable seat, look at the Sears Sentry. http://www.searsseating.com/products/sentry/ If you want to buy on features and maximum possible comfort, buy the Seats Atlas or Atlas II. http://www.searsseating.com/products/atlas-series-70-standard/ http://www.searsseating.com/products/atlas-series-70-premium-comfort/ http://www.searsseating.com/products/atlas-series-elite-80/ http://www.searsseating.com/products/atlas-ii-series-pc/ http://www.searsseating.com/products/atlas-ii-series-dlx/ http://www.searsseating.com/products/atlas-ii-series-le/

Scania Group Press Release / December 8, 2016 Since its launch earlier this autumn, the new generation Scania has been out on roads being put to the test by Europe’s leading truck trade media. Scania promised lower fuel consumption – and Scania has delivered. France Routes subjected the new truck to rigorous tests along its comparative 419-kilometre route in the hilly Rhöne-Alpes in southeastern France. Over the five hours of testing, the new generation Scania R 500 recorded an average fuel consumption of 28.4 litres/100 km. It thereby outshone the previous Scania champion, a Scania R 450 which was tested in 2014 at 30.19 litres/100 km. Although the new generation travelled at a higher average speed, it beat its elder sibling by six percent. Scania fared equally well in the German trade magazine KFZ-Anzeiger’s test. The Scania S 500 is “sensationally economical”, according to the magazine. In fact, it is the first truck to register under 30 litres/100 km on their test route. Definitely value for money, is their verdict. “These are just the first in a series of demanding impartial tests that will be published in the coming months,” says Örjan Åslund, Head of Product Affairs at Scania. “We are confident the also these tests will confirm the outstanding fuel consumption of our new generation trucks.” . .

“Electric buses – part of the switch to fossil-free transport” Scania Group Press Release / December 8, 2016 More public transport and more efficient forms of it are key factors for reducing emissions in cities. And electrified buses will play a decisive role in making the transition to becoming a fossil-free community. These were the thoughts of the Swedish Minister for the Environment, Karolina Skog, at the inauguration of the Nordic region’s first wirelessly charged electric-bus line last Wednesday. The ceremony took place, fittingly enough, at the Tom Tits Experiment science museum in Södertälje where the new 755 bus line has its terminus. Scania’s newly developed electric hybrid bus will operate in regular city traffic as a part of the company’s efforts to drive new and more sustainable public transport solutions for use in urban environments. The bus is rapidly charged using wireless inductive charging at its terminus. The process takes just seven minutes and the bus then has sufficient energy to complete its 10-kilometre route. This marks the first time that wireless induction technology has been tested in the Nordic region. Both the bus and the bus stop charging-solution are part of a research project in which Scania, Stockholm Public Transport (SL), energy company Vattenfall, Södertälje Municipality, and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology are working together to develop quiet and sustainable public transport. The project is financed in part through the Swedish Energy Agency. “Electrification is a decisive part of creating a fossil-free community and in reducing emissions and noise to provide a better quality of life in cities,” said Karolina Skog. “Engaging forms of public transport will play a key role in this. Public transport will handle the growth in traffic that we are seeing in the world’s cities.” The Minister for the Environment was one of several dignitaries who pressed a button at the bus charging station to mark the start of the project, as journalists and guests from the realms of politics, academia and business looked on. Other partners in the project were also present when the bus almost silently glided away on its first circuit. These included Anders Grundströmer, Head of Scania Sustainable City Solutions, Magnus Hall, CEO of Vattenfall, Göran Finnveden, Vice President at KTH, Kristoffer Tamsons, Traffic Commissioner for Stockholm county, and Boel Godner, the Mayor of Södertälje. Magnus Henke from the Swedish Energy Agency was also involved. ”We are today demonstrating the power of good cooperation between the public, research and business sectors,” said Skog. “It is this kind of systematic work that will enable us to make the transition to becoming fossil free. It’s a great feeling to be here today.” Kristoffer Tamsons och Boel Godner used the inauguration ceremony to emphasise that they had high expectations of the new technology. “Stockholm county wants to be at the forefront in terms of environmentally friendly and engaging public transport, and we know that environmental factors are important for our citizens,” Tamsons said. “We have long been a pioneer when it comes to renewable fuels. Ten years ago two out of ten buses in Stockholm were operated on renewable fuel. Today, it’s nine out of ten. And my goal is to have 100 percent operating on renewable fuel within two years.” Godner believes the wirelessly charged electric bus will have great significance for Södertälje as a municipality. “We want to be a sustainable municipality and this is an important part of achieving that goal,” she said. “I hope that this helps us to entice even more people to use public transport.” Scania hosted the event and Anders Grundströmer says there were good discussions between the various partners. “This type of arrangement, where the business, political and academic sectors work together, is what is required to drive the coming shifts. Scania is pushing the boundaries within sustainable solutions for urban environments and the project that we are now implementing together here in Södertälje will be an important demonstrator for cities around the world to follow.” .