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Taxpayers could be on hook for bill after trade ruling questions $834 million army truck contract Ottawa Citizen / May 24, 2016 In a ruling that could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, a federal trade tribunal has raised questions about the government’s handling of a military procurement project to buy desperately needed trucks for the army. The ruling by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal represents the latest blow to Canada’s troubled military procurement system, which the Liberal government has vowed to fix without offering any details. In July 2015, the Conservative government announced that Pennsylvania-based Mack Defense had won a contract valued at more than $834 million to provide the Canadian Army with 1,500 specialized [Renault] trucks. The vehicles were intended to replace a large part of the army’s existing truck fleet, which had been purchased during the 1980s and ’90s. Many of those older trucks have been parked or sent to the scrap heap because of their age and to save money on maintenance and repairs. But Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Defense, which submitted its own truck design to the competition, challenged the government’s decision to award the contract to Mack Defense. Oshkosh alleged the department responsible for managing government purchases, Public Procurement Canada, had been unfair during design testing. Late last week, the trade tribunal released a ruling calling on Public Works to re-evaluate Oshkosh’s design. If the results show the company should have won, the ruling says, then the government should compensate Oshkosh “for the profits it would have received had it been properly awarded the contract.” If for some reason re-testing cannot be done, the government and Oshkosh are urged to negotiate compensation for the company’s “lost opportunity.” If they are unable to reach an agreement within 40 days, they are to go back to the tribunal. Fortunately for the army, which is expecting the first new trucks to be delivered next year, the tribunal did not call on the government to push the reset button. “The Canadian International Trade Tribunal will not recommend that the contract awarded to Mack Defense LLC be cancelled,” the ruling reads. Public Procurement Canada did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Nonetheless, the ruling means taxpayers more than likely will have to foot the bill for the government’s error. It also reiterates the morass with which the entire military procurement system has been embroiled for years. A large number of projects are facing delays, which has left the military lacking such vital equipment as resupply ships, or struggling to keep ancient equipment such as search-and-rescue planes in the air. Other projects are facing budget shortfalls that could result in fewer aircraft, ships and other pieces of equipment. In addition, at a time of reduced military spending across the West, defence companies are fighting tooth and nail for every dollar. That includes resorting to legal challenges to try to scuttle the entire process in cases where their products lose. The Liberal government has promised to fix the system, but has have offered few details on how that will happen. [Bombeli, India-born Sikh-Canadian] Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan has referred only to the government’s ongoing defence policy review, which isn’t expected to produce any results until next year. Defence chief Gen. Jonathan Vance similarly dodged questions Tuesday about fixing the system, saying only that the government wants to be “innovative, both in process and in terms of where we put our efforts in the future.” He suggested that “bodes well for the country and for the armed forces.” In the federal budget in March, the government announced it was pushing off $3.7 billion in planned equipment purchases for the foreseeable future. The government said such a “re-profiling” was necessary to ensure money was available when needed, but others such as retired general Rick Hillier said it was a budget cut.

Daimler AG Press Release / May 24, 2016 Daimler Trucks at a Glance - 2016 ..................... https://www.daimler.com/documents/company/business-units/daimler-trucks-ataglance-2016-en.pdf

Navistar Defense awarded an $11m contract for 50 medium tactical vehicle aircraft refuelers May 19, 2016 Navistar Defense, Lisle, Illinois, was awarded an $11,682,550 firm-fixed-price, foreign military sales contract (Afghanistan) for 50 medium tactical vehicle aircraft refuelers. The estimated completion date is Oct. 31, 2016. One bid was solicited with one received. Work will be performed in Springfield, Ohio; and Kansas City, Kansas. Fiscal 2015 other procurement funds in the amount of $11,682,550 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-16-C-0128).

Navistar Defense LLC Awarded $29M for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles May 24, 2016 Navistar Defense LLC, Lisle, Illinois, was awarded a $29,791,289 modification (P00014) to contract W912QR-16-D-0025 to reset and upgrade an additional 250 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs), with an option for an additional 200 vehicles. Work will be performed in West Point, Mississippi, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2017. Fiscal 2016 other procurement (Army); and operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $29,791,289 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.

Daimler joins NACV Show in 2017 Fleet Owner / May 24, 2016 The North American Commercial Vehicle Show (NACV Show) announced that Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has signed a letter of intent to exhibit at the inaugural NACV Show in Atlanta, GA, from Sept. 18-22, 2017, as well as the 2019 & 2021 NACV Shows. DTNA also joins the NACV Show exhibitor advisory committee. “Daimler Trucks North America has diligently reviewed numerous concepts and proposals for the next evolution in shows and exhibitions in the North American commercial vehicle market, and we have chosen the North American Commercial Vehicle (NACV) Show as the one commercial vehicle event that can meet our business goals and needs,” said Daimler Trucks North America president & CEO Martin Daum. “The NACV Show is the perfect platform for Daimler Trucks North America to connect with our suppliers and fleet customers, launch new products and meet with industry press." David Giroux, director corporate communications and corporate marketing at Daimler Trucks North America, continued: “Our choice to sign a letter of intent for the NACV has no connection to other annual regional shows. Attendance at regional shows – such as MATS or GATS – by local dealers or individual brands will be at their discretion. We will not be attending these shows on a collective corporate basis. The NACV will be a showcase for technologies and innovations across all Daimler Truck brands operating in North America. We look forward to the inaugural show in September 2017.” The NACV Show is organized and managed jointly by Newcom Media USA (Newcom) and Hannover Fairs USA (HFUSA). The NACV Show targets North American-based commercial fleet owners, heavy duty vocational applications, commercial and light commercial vehicle dealers, distributors, original equipment manufacturers, service suppliers, and the commercial vehicle trade media. The first three biennial NACV Shows will be held in Atlanta. “As the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, it is critically important to have a technological showcase fitting for display of Daimler Trucks’ unmatched product offerings,” said Florian Martens, director, global communications, Daimler Trucks. “The NACV will provide us the opportunity to spotlight the technology and the boundless innovation that is synonymous with Daimler Trucks.” “The North American truck market is a technological leader, highly sophisticated and critically important to Daimler Trucks, this is an exciting development in the global commercial vehicle industry,” Martens added. “Daimler Trucks North America’s commitment to these three events solidifies the importance of the NACV Show, creating value for all of our visitors and exhibitors," said Larry Turner, president & CEO of HFUSA. “HFUSA and Newcom formed this strategic collaboration to offer industry participants a first look at new products and solutions, as well as a premier destination to network and form business partnerships.” “We will continue to work with the other truck manufacturers and strategic industry partners over the coming weeks to solidify their commitments with the goal of presenting the full event concept to the industry at large by July 1,” added Joe Glionna, vice president of Newcom. To register to exhibit or attend North American Commercial Vehicle 2017, visit www.nacvshow.com or contact HFUSA Sales Director, Ethan Carter at ecarter@hfusa.com or (773)796-4250.

Fumoto releases next generation SX-series Fleet Owner / May 242, 2016 Meet the next generation of Fumoto. The new, patent pending Fumoto SX-series comprises two distinct yet fully integrated parts: the through bolt and oil-flow control body. According to the company, the SX can rotate 360° which allows orientation to achieve a smaller profile and protection. “The unique through bolt design can be tightened independent of the valve body, allowing for a simple installation that easily avoids obstructions,” the company said. Also new, the ergonomic control lever makes the valve easier to operate, even in tight spaces. It features the same tried and true secure locking mechanism as our original valves, but now remains parallel to the body in the closed position for a reduced profile. “The versatility of the SX-series valve also allows installation without an adapter on some cars and trucks that may have previously required one, and with the new SX valves larger body, its quad channels allow for better flow rates and an even faster oil change for some models,” according to Fumoto. .

Assuming your Mack brand dealer actually "can't figure it out"............. When you called the Mack brand customer satisfaction at +1 (866) 298-6586 , what did they say?

Volvo Group Press Release / May 23, 2016 Jan Ohlsson has been appointed a member of Volvo’s Group Executive Board and Executive Vice President Group Trucks Operations, Volvo Group’s global truck manufacturing organization. He currently serves as the Acting Head of Group Trucks Operations. Jan Ohlsson, born in 1953, has worked at the Volvo Group since 1979. He has held a number of different roles in the Group’s truck manufacturing operations, with experience from manufacturing in Europe, North and South America and Japan. He has worked as the manager of the Tuve factory in Gothenburg and as the head of Powertrain Production and Global Trucks Manufacturing. Jan Ohlsson will take office on June 1, 2016. .

Commercial Motor / May 23, 2016

Renault Trucks Press Release / May 23, 2016 The City of Madrid has just taken delivery of 22 Renault Trucks firefighting vehicles. These are D 4x4 Forest Fire Tenders from the Fire&rescue range. They will be used for firefighting operations and other missions in challenging environments. The bodywork was produced by the ITURRI Group, Spain’s leading bodybuilder for firefighting vehicles. Madrid’s firefighting brigade has just taken delivery of 22 new vehicles to help them in carrying out their assignments. These are Renault Trucks D 4x4 14 ton forest firefighting tenders, fitted with 280 hp Euro 6 engines. Their bodies were mounted by the ITURRI manufacturing group, in compliance with the technical requirements this type of vehicle demands and with particular attention paid to the safety of the personnel they will be carrying. These all-terrain vehicles are designed for firefighting, assistance and rescue missions of people in dangerous situations or in particularly hard to access locations around the city of Madrid. In particular, the Renault Trucks D vehicles feature protection for the electrical and pneumatic circuits as standard provided by fire resistant sheathing. The tank has a capacity of 3,080 L, 500 L of which are devoted to the vehicle’s own protection. This consists of a system which protects the cab and the tyres by projecting water onto them if the vehicle becomes trapped in the middle of a fire zone. Renault Trucks offers a comprehensive Fire&Rescue range capable of meeting the needs of fire fighters and the specific needs of their profession. This consists of 4x2, 6x4, 8x4 and 6x2 vehicles, as well as 4x4 and 6x6 all-wheel drives specifically designed for firefighting and rescue operations. The Renault Trucks fire-fighting range comprises 4x2, 6x4, 8x4 and 6x2 vehicles as well as 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 all-wheel drive vehicles specially designed for fire-fighting and emergency services. This range offers the following models: Master and Maxity rapid urban intervention vehicles (VPI), urban victim rescue and assistance vehicles (VSAV) and urban road and rail accident intervention and rescue vehicles (VSR) Renault Trucks D12 light fire tender truck (FPTL) Renault Trucks D15 4x2 and 4x4 fire tender truck (FPT) Renault Trucks D14 4x4 off-road rural fire tanker tender (CCR) Renault Trucks D14 4x4 all-terrain forest fire tanker tender (CCF) Les Renault Trucks C, K, D and D WIDE are adapted to large-capacity tanker truck uses, cradle carrier, aerial ladder vehicle and articulated boom elevator (BEA). Photo gallery - http://corporate.renault-trucks.com/en/press-releases/2016_05_23_renault_trucks_livre_22_vehicules_pompiers_a_la_ville_de_madrid.html

At IAA Hanover, the show is full of European truck drivers. The exception is Press Day, which is limited to journalists so they can photograph.