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I found a video. It's not on the Mack brand YouTube site, but rather the obscure customer center site. I don’t care for the loud obnoxious music. I’d rather hear a confidence-inspiring voice telling me about the truck. .

Volvo unveils Mack medium-duty lineup to be built in Virginia Truck News / January 30, 2020 ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Mack Trucks is returning to the medium-duty truck market with a new Class 6/7 lineup that will be assembled at a dedicated facility in Roanoke County, Virginia. Known as the MD Series, the trucks begin serial production late this summer and are available for order today. The new Roanoke Valley Operations location represents a US $13-million investment for the OEM, 250 new jobs, and an annual economic impact of $364 million for the region. It was supported by a $700,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund. “This is an exciting day for Roanoke County,” said Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, before joining Mack Trucks executives and other government representatives to cut a ribbon to open the plant. The project has been in the works for about two years but was a tightly guarded secret prior to the announcement. Medium-duty truck market “Mack Trucks is very proud to make this investment and to now offer a full lineup of Class 6 to Class 8 commercial vehicles, serving virtually every segment of the market,” said Mack president Martin Weissburg. “With this investment, Mack is well-positioned for future success.” “The Class 6/7 market has been historically stable, 90,000 to 100,000 trucks a year in U.S. and Canada,” added Jonathan Randall, senior vice-president of North American sales and marketing. “We have a lot of customers already in our portfolio who already run medium-duty trucks, and they’ve been asking us for a single-source solution for quite a while.” “Now we feel our family portrait is complete,” he said. Mack hasn’t had a medium-duty offering since discontinuing the Freedom model in 2002. Earlier offerings in these weight classes included the MC Series and Midliner. “This isn’t new to us in any shape or form,” Randall said of the business segment. “[But] the Freedom was a heavily Renault-based truck, and this is all a North American-based truck.” The Mack MD The Class 6 Mack MD6 has a GVWR of 25,995 lb., while its Class 7 MD7 counterpart has a GVWR of 33,000 lb. They’ll focus on applications including dry van, refrigerated, stake/flatbed, dump and tank trucks, and be available in 4×2 configurations. The truck will be available in eight wheelbase lengths, supporting typical bodies that run from 10 to 26 feet. A 103-inch bumper-to-back-of-cab measurement will help to load up the front axle and deliver a tight turning radius as well. The Mack MD will come equipped with a Cummins B6.7 engine that can deliver 220-300 hp and 560-660 lb.-ft of torque, and Meritor front and rear axles. An Allison 2500HS six-speed automatic transmission will be standard, although an Allison 2500RDS is available for those who need a PTO. “They started from a solid foundation for the chassis, for the cab, for the exterior, for the interior,” said Roy Horton, director – product strategy. ‘Strength is at the very core’ Base models will ride on a spring suspension, although a Mack Maxlite air suspension is optional. Wheels will come in a standard 22.5-inch size, but 19.5-inch wheels are also available. “We’ve made the 120,000-psi steel frame rails standard,” Horton added, noting the industry standard is 80,000 psi. “Strength is at the very core of our image.” The cab itself will ride on an air suspension rather than rubber blocks, and includes several features found elsewhere in the Mack product family. The grille and hood match the styling of the Mack Anthem, introduced in late 2017, while the cab is a variation on the Mack Granite. Inside, drivers will find the same flat-bottom steering wheel used in the other trucks. Other features include power windows and door locks, cruise control, an air-ride driver’s seat, and optional two passenger bench seat with storage underneath. Telematics support will come in the form of a Geotab Go Rugged system, offering access to the Mack Uptime Center, as well as OneCall and ASIST support. The MD6 can be operated without a commercial driver’s licence when moving non-hazardous payloads. Mack’s new home The new Roanoke Valley Operations location was chosen to leverage several advantages. “From a logistics standpoint, the proximity to global headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina was a significant piece,” said James Chenier, senior vice-president – strategy and business development. The facility itself also required few modifications. “Proximity is important to us,” Randall said. “It fit our logistics really, really well.” The cabs will also be painted at Volvo Trucks North America’s nearby New River Valley plant. “This is a completely new platform, completely new product, and does not take anything out of LVO [Lehigh Valley Operations],” Randall stressed. The newly announced jobs offset Mack’s recent decision to lay off 305 employees from the LVO plant in Pennsylvania because of a downturn in the heavy truck market. Laid-off employees will have a chance to apply for roles in the new location, he said. “This is a great day for all Virginia,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. .

Volvo Unveils Medium-Duty Mack Truck Plant in Southwest Virginia Transport Topics / January 30, 2020 SALEM, Va. — Mack Trucks opened a facility to produce a new series of medium-duty trucks in southwest Virginia. Mack executives joined Virginia officials to unveil the plant, called Roanoke Valley Operations, on Jan. 30. The site will specialize in assembling medium-duty commercial motor vehicles. The 280,000-square-foot space, perched in the Blue Ridge Mountains, was converted from an industrial printing facility. The company invested $13 million, a sum that covered equipment, tooling and building enhancements. The plant is scheduled to start production in July. Mack will start taking truck orders immediately. “It’s a new product, it’s a new facility here, and it’s new jobs,” Mack Trucks President Martin Weissburg said. “We know this is the right place for this big investment.” Specifically, the plant will be used to assemble the Mack MD series. The Mack MD6 is a Class 6 truck that has a gross vehicle weight rating of 25,995 pounds. The Mack MD7 is a Class 7 truck that has a weight rating of 33,000 pounds. The trucks will be equipped with new lightweight chassis. Also new is the series’ air-suspended cab, which Director of Product Strategy Roy Horton said is meant to improve driver comfort and vehicle durability. The trucks are furnished with multiple grab handles, which a driver can use when entering and exiting the vehicle. The interior of each cab features a wraparound dashboard and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The trucks are equipped with cruise control as well as power window controls and door locks. “For us, strength is at the very core of our image,” Horton said. “It’s a sharp-looking truck.” The trucks will be supported with Go Rugged telematics devices, produced by fleet management company Geotab. In terms of powertrain, the trucks will have Cummins B6.7 engines, Allison transmissions and Meritor front and rear axles. Each truck will feature a silver bulldog on its hood. The silver ornament signifies the truck contains components (such as an engine and transmission) that were not created by Mack. Gold bulldogs, which Jonathan Randall, senior vice president for North American sales, called the “purebred,” means a truck has all Mack components. Roanoke Valley Operations is projected to create 250 jobs, according to Gov. Ralph Northam, who approved a $700,000 grant from the commonwealth’s Development Opportunity Fund to support the project. “It is especially rewarding when we come to more rural parts of Virginia,” Northam said. “We have one of the most talented workforces.” This series marks Mack’s re-entry into medium-duty trucks. The Mack Freedom [Renault Midlum] was discontinued in 2002. Randall noted the MD series will translate into various applications, such as flatbeds, dump trucks, tank trucks and refrigerated loads. He said the customers who probably will find these vehicles useful specialize in something other than trucking, such as beer distributors and lumber professionals. “This is a natural extension of our brand,” Randall said. “Now, our family portrait, we believe, is complete.” Salem, which lies 7 miles west of Roanoke, toes Interstate 81. A major freight corridor, I-81 runs through Virginia for 325 miles. Weissburg said the new plant’s location complements Mack’s Mid-Atlantic footprint. Parent company Volvo Group has a manufacturing facility in Dublin, Va., about 45 miles west of Salem. .

"If" they had their act together, the Mack brand website would include the new MD Series on announcement day. It does not. https://www.macktrucks.com/trucks/ A YouTube MD Series promotional video would be a nice touch on announcement day as well. But hey, what could I possibly know.

Bob, they're using an abandoned facility outside Salem, formerly home to LSC Communications, and reconfigured it for truck "assembly". The Roanoke County and the City of Salem, Virginia, are thrilled. In 2018, Camrett Logistics purchased a 280,900-square-foot manufacturing building at 6450 Technology Drive that sits on 134 acres, just outside Salem, in Roanoke County. Volvo is leasing from Camrett Logistics, so they can bail when the truck flops. Foreign aggressor Volvo should give thanks to the American engineers of the former Mack Trucks for that CA/CH/DH cab, who made this new model possible. .

Volvo opens manufacturing facility in Virginia for new Mack medium-duty truck line Jason Cannon, Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ) / January 30, 2020 Mack Trucks on Thursday cut the ribbon on a new production facility in Salem, Virginia, that the company will use to build a new medium duty truck lineup. Mack’s Roanoke Valley Operations (RVO) – a 280,000 square foot facility, representing an investment of $13 million in Roanoke County – will employ upwards of 250 people and is charged with birthing Mack’s new MD6 and MD7, Class 6 and Class 7 trucks, respectively. Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president of North American sales and marketing, noted the official unveiling of RVO and the company’s expanded lineup caps a process that started two years ago. Governor Ralph Northam has approved a $700,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund for the project. Mack’s investment will be being used for equipment, tooling and building enhancements. “This is a great day for Salem, a great day for Roanoke County and a great day for all of Virginia,” said Brian Ball, Virginia’s secretary of commerce and trade. Unemployment in Virginia sits at 2.6%, a full percent below the national average, and Mack Trucks President Martin Weissburg cited the local pool of potential employees as an attraction to the area, which is also strategically positioned between Mack’s Geeensboro, N.C. headquarters and its Allentown, Pennsylvania truck production site. It’s also less than an hour from sister company Volvo Trucks North America’s New River Valley truck production site. “We’re excited about being part of being part of this community,” Weissburg said. The operation is expected to have annual impact of $364 million across the region. The Mack MD6 & MD7 Mack’s new medium duty entries – the Class 6 MD6 and Class 7 MD7 – unlocks new over the road segments for the truck maker. The Mack MD6 has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 25,995 pounds, and the MD7 model has a GVWR of 33,000 pounds. Both are exempt from the 12% Federal Excise Tax (FET). Serial production of the trucks is set to begin this summer and the company is already taking orders. The MD lineup becomes the first automotive project in the State of Virginia to go from prototype to production, and targets trucking applications in dry van and refrigerated segments, and stake/flatbed, dump and tank truck vocations. The exterior is stylized similarly to Mack’s on-highway champion, Anthem, but the new MD trucks will be equipped with Cummins 6.7 liter engine and made available in a 4×2 configuration. Mack says both models will feature a sharp wheel cut for urban maneuverability and noted the MD Series cab design features a short, industry-leading, 103-inch bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) measurement. .

Volvo launches Mack medium-duty truck line The Morning Call / January 30, 2019 Mack is back in the business of medium-duty trucks. The truck maker on Thursday launched its all-new Mack MD series of medium-duty trucks. As part of the announcement, Mack announced a $13 million investment to establish its Roanoke Valley Operations, which will be a new manufacturing site in Virginia that will handle production of the MD series. Production of the Mack MD Series is slated to begin in July. The project will create 250 jobs in Virginia. “Mack Trucks is very proud to make this investment and to now offer a full lineup of Class 6 to Class 8 commercial vehicles, serving virtually every segment of the market,” Mack President Martin Weissburg said in a statement. “With this investment, Mack is well-positioned for future success, and we’re taking orders for the new truck beginning today.” The Mack MD6, a Class 6 model, has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 25,995 pounds, and the MD7, a Class 7 model, has a GVWR of 33,000 pounds. The new trucks could be used for applications such as dry vans/refrigerated, flatbeds and dump and tank trucks. The announcement confirms Mack’s long-rumored re-entrance into the medium-duty truck market. Last February, The Morning Call reported that Mack was working on a project in the Salem area, near Roanoke, and hiring engineers there. Mack and its parent, the Sweden-based Volvo Group, had declined to answer questions at the time about whether the project was related to a potential medium-duty truck line. Right now, all Mack vehicles for the North American market are assembled at the company’s Lower Macungie Township assembly plant, which pumps out semitrucks, construction and garbage trucks. The local union’s contract does not allow Mack to shift the Lower Macungie plant’s existing work. But the operation in Virginia is a new product line.

Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / January 30, 2020 Mack Trucks is getting into the medium-duty business, announcing an all-new Mack MD series of medium-duty trucks on Jan. 30, with production to start in July in a new manufacturing facility in Roanoke Valley, Virginia. The Mack MD6, a Class 6 model, has a gross vehicle weight rating of 25,995 pounds, and the MD7, a Class 7 model, has a GVWR of 33,000 pounds. Mack said the trucks will meet the needs of trucking applications requiring dry van/refrigerated, stake/flatbed, dump and tank truck vocations. The Mack MD Series is an all-new model range built specifically for medium-duty applications. Available in 4x2 configurations, the MD6 and MD7 models feature a sharp wheel cut for enhanced maneuverability for tough urban settings. The new trucks will be supported by Mack’s dealer network. Mack also announced a $13 million investment to establish its Roanoke Valley Operations (RVO), a new manufacturing facility in Roanoke Valley, Virginia, for the production of the Mack MD Series. The project will result in the creation of 250 new jobs. “Mack Trucks is very proud to make this investment and to now offer a full lineup of Class 6 to Class 8 commercial vehicles, serving virtually every segment of the market,” said Martin Weissburg, Mack Trucks president. “With this investment, Mack is well-positioned for future success, and we’re taking orders for the new truck beginning today.” .

Exactly. It was my understanding that tightening emissions regulations brought about their demise in North America. But today, I still see many 7.8-litre powered Louisvilles with the "Ford Diesel" emblem and the operators I'm able to question are extremely loyal to them.

I can not. Within Mack, I was distanced from Ford. Bob is our best Ford expert from that era.

GMC's Hummer EV Pickup Is Real, Will Have 1000 HP Car & Driver / January 30, 2020 General Motors' new all-electric pickup truck will wear the hallowed Hummer name when it officially arrives in late 2021. Though it's technically badged as a GMC, this new model sounds like it will be unlike any truck we've seen before from GM. The company is making some wild claims about its capability as part of a Super Bowl ad campaign: 1000 horsepower, 11,500 lb-ft of torque, and a zero-to-60-mph sprint of 3.0 seconds. That torque figure sounds suspicious to us, so we're thinking that it's a measure of the amount of wheel torque, meaning it's multiplied through the truck's gear ratio. The amount of torque actually produced by the electric motors would probably be more like 1150 lb-ft. We asked GMC for clarification, and a spokesperson told C/D that the company is not getting more specific at this point. The first teaser photo of the GMC Hummer EV shows a futuristic-looking front end with LED headlights, a light bar across the grille, and a massive Hummer badge split up into six segments with a small EV badge at the end. A far less prominent GMC badge is mounted lower on the bumper. We assume the Hummer will be sized like a full-size, half-ton pickup truck given the huge power numbers GM is touting early in the game. It sounds like it will be the first electric vehicle built in GM's Detroit-Hamtramck plant in Michigan. The company recently announced a $2.2 million investment in this facility to build EVs. Before its official debut on May 20, 2020, the revived Hummer's first real introduction to the world will be a Super Bowl ad campaign set to air this Sunday, February 2. The full ads are rumored to feature basketball star LeBron James, and from the teasers GMC has released, they accentuate the truck's quietness and highlight the horsepower, torque, and acceleration claims. .

I felt the Brazilian New Holland 6.6-litre and particularly the 7.8-litre performed well in North America. Would you not agree Bob? https://www.dieselhub.com/specs/ford-new-holland-6.6-7.8-diesel.html

If your severe-duty fleet is growing or you need to replace old, inefficient, undependable trucks, come meet our team & learn how we custom-engineer solutions for the unique demands of your business. #Birmingham #Autocar #uptime #itsallabouttheuptime #AutocarSolutions #CNG

The 12.7-liter Cursor 13 Ford purchased was found in agricultural machinery, while the 12.9-liter Cursor 13 is used in Iveco trucks.

It is not the Cursor13 you know from Iveco Trucks. I heard Ford acquired another Fiat Powertrain engine, previously used on New Holland agricultural machinery, and had AVL revise/update it.

Ford Bronco SUV, with Raptor-like tires, spotted Michael Martinez, Automotive News / January 28, 2020 Ford Motor Co.'s Bronco SUV is starting to come into focus more than three years after the automaker confirmed its existence. Spy photographers captured images of a heavily camouflaged four-door variant recently in Dearborn, Mich., although the model teases more features than previously spotted test mules. The latest off-road prototype features wider flared fenders, a raised suspension and Goodyear Wrangler tires similar to those used on F-150 Raptor variants. It's unclear whether Ford would offer a Bronco Raptor, but the test vehicle exemplifies its desire to seriously challenge Jeep in the off-road market. The Bronco's signature round headlights can be seen peeking out from the front cover. Dealers who have seen the vehicle said it features a retro design with round lights and the word "Bronco" stamped in the grille. The camo features black dots depicting off-road activities, with the Bronco horse logo and letters spelling out the name of the vehicle. Ford does not comment on future products. The automaker plans to build two- and four-door versions of the Bronco. It's designed to be customizable, with a removable hard top and removable doors that can be stored in the cargo area, according to those who have seen it. The side mirrors will be attached to the front pillars so they remain in place when the doors are taken off, unlike the Jeep Wrangler — one of the chief rivals Ford is targeting with the Bronco revival. Ford plans to unveil the 2021 Bronco in the spring. It's possible the reveal could come around the time of the Detroit auto show, which this year was moved to early June after years of taking place in January. .

BorgWarner to acquire Delphi in all-stock transaction Alexa St. John, Automotive News / January 28, 2020 BorgWarner Inc. said Tuesday it will acquire Delphi Technologies as the two suppliers navigate headwinds in power electronics products and propulsion technologies and an industry shift toward electrification. The all-stock transaction puts Delphi’s enterprise value at about $3.3 billion, including debt. Under the deal, which is expected to close in the second half of the year, Delphi shareholders will receive 0.4534 BorgWarner share for each Delphi share held, the companies said Tuesday. That would represent a premium of about 77 percent to Delphi's closing price Monday. Upon closing of the transaction, current BorgWarner stockholders are expected to own about 84 percent of the combined company, while current Delphi Technologies stockholders are expected to own about 16 percent. Bloomberg first reported on the deal earlier Tuesday. BorgWarner, a supplier of turbochargers, electric motors and electronic control units, is based in Auburn Hills, Mich. The combined company will be headquartered there. Shares of BorgWarner were down 7.5 percent to $35.50 in Tuesday afternoon trading on Wall Street. Delphi shares were up 61 percent to $15.81. “This is a positive for Delphi shareholders to gain scale, lower overhead costs, and speed time to market,” Robert W. Baird analyst David Leiker wrote in a research note Tuesday. “For BorgWarner shareholders, the EV opportunity is meaningfully expanded/accelerated. Incremental exposure to internal combustion engines is in the right places,” However, Leiker said it is important to ask whether the combined company will act as a “next-gen” automotive supplier or a “legacy” supplier. Frederic Lissalde, CEO of BorgWarner, said in a call with investors Tuesday that the two suppliers have been discussing the deal since early 2019, and conversations accelerated toward the end of the year. Delphi Technologies, a powertrain and aftermarket parts supplier headquartered in London, has been undergoing its own restructuring since its spinoff from Delphi Automotive in 2017. Over the past year especially, the supplier has been shifting away from diesels and expanding in gasoline-powered systems and navigating its own move toward electrification. The changes have largely been headed by Rick Dauch since he joined the company as CEO last January. Lissalde said the addition of Delphi will strengthen BorgWarner’s scale and expertise in electrification. “Our strategy is designed to foster growth regardless of how the market evolves,” he said. Lissalde said the acquisition also enhances BorgWarner’s combustion, commercial vehicle and aftermarket businesses. “We didn’t get to where we are overnight,” Lissalde said. “Over the last several years, BorgWarner has been on a journey to transition to advanced propulsion and electrification. ... We knew we needed increased electronics capability and scale, and today we’re doing just that.” “Technology was the driver for this transaction,” he added. Calum MacRae, director of automotive product development at GlobalData, said in a statement that the move will help the two companies wrestle with the new challenges presented by connected, autonomous, shared and electric vehicle megatrends . However, “this is just a short-term fix for the long-term issues that these businesses face,” MacRae said. “No doubt there will be other mergers of a similar ilk that will ratchet down costs but not lead to sustainable long-term competitive advantage.” As part of Tuesday’s announcement, BorgWarner also said its board of directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $1 billion. This reflects BorgWarner’s “belief in the strong free cash flow of the combined company,” Lissalde said. Dauch told investors that the combined company is an opportunity to become more efficient amid Delphi’s own cost-reduction efforts, including the supplier’s goal to reduce annual costs by a total of $200 million through the end of 2022. Dauch said the deal is “expected to create a pioneering propulsion technologies leader” and that he expects the combined company to be “unmatched in the industry.” As for Dauch’s role in the combined company, Lissalde told investors, “we’ll keep you posted.” Lissalde will continue as CEO, and Kevin Nowlan, BorgWarner’s CFO, will also remain in his position. The companies were not clear about any job cuts to come as a result of the acquisition. BorgWarner ranks No. 22 on the Automotive News list of the top 100 global suppliers, with worldwide sales to automakers of $10.53 billion in 2018, while Delphi ranks No. 62, with global sales to automakers of an estimated $3.86 billion in the same period. Bloomberg contributed to this report.

The City of Longmont, Colorado Government switched from diesel to Renewable Natural Gas garbage haulers. They partnered w/ CGRS to build a #Biogas Treatment and #RNG Fueling Station at their Wastewater Treatment Plant. It will soon transform sewage gas from the wastewater treatment process into sustainable fuel for their 11 new #Autocar RNG trash trucks! More info here: www.hardlineequipment.com Photo courtesy of #CityofLongmontCO #AlwaysUp #AutocarSolutions

It appears a U.S. Bombardier/Northrop Grumman E-11A spy plane (military version of the Bombardier BD-700 Global Express) has been shot down in Afghanistan.. . .

"Those" are two big engines. .

Ford reaches new settlement over Focus, Fiesta transmissions Michael Martinez, Automotive News / January 27, 2020 DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. has agreed to an updated settlement affecting nearly 2 million customers in a years-old class-action lawsuit over faulty Focus and Fiesta transmissions. The automaker has agreed to a minimum $30 million in cash reimbursement and has simplified the compensation and vehicle-buyback process, according to a filing with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Ford has spent more than $47 million buying back vehicles from thousands of customers. The amount each customer would receive depends on how many claims are submitted. The new deal includes $20 payments to customers who say a dealership refused to repair their car's transmission when they reported issues with it. The automaker in 2017 initially proposed a settlement that, in part, would have awarded $35 million in cash reimbursement, but it was challenged on the grounds that not enough owners would be compensated. The proposed settlement is up for final approval Feb. 28 by a district judge. "Ford believes the settlement is fair and reasonable, and we anticipate it will be approved by the court following the hearing next month," Ford spokesman T.R. Reid said in a statement. The DPS6 transmission used in the Focus and Fiesta has haunted Ford for years, with customers complaining the gearboxes would shudder, jerk and hesitate. No deaths or injuries have been attributed to the problem, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has said it found "no evidence of an unreasonable risk to safety," after reviewing complaints. Ford in August extended the warranty on certain 2014-16 model year Focus and Fiesta cars with dual-clutch transmissions by two years and 40,000 miles. The company also said it would offer a software update for customers who continue to have issues with the problematic gearboxes. In 2012, the Los Angeles-based law firm Capstone Partners APC filed the first of multiple lawsuits on behalf of owners who claimed their vehicles suffered repeated breakdowns.

Not a bad price at all for a well-spec'd truck.