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An absolutely superb video of the Daimler-built Western Stars that pull Ford's performance racing team cars around Australia. (Imagine, a video from a truckmaker focused on trucks and truck people. Those Volvo guys in Greensboro that put together the Mack "Born Ready" work clothes video could learn from this). . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLdmCR835D8

Scania will take heavy truck operational efficiency to the next level when it returns to the North American market. But for now, that is a discrete dicussion occuring behind closed doors. I have zero confidence in Navistar's current head, former General Motors man Troy Clarke. Having said that, at least Clarke finally realized that he was far out of his element (whatever that is) and sought out a real truck man to turn the company around. That's ex-Paccar veteran Bill Kozek, an absolutely super individual. A man of the utmost integrity, you can believe what he tells you. With Kozek onboard, Navistar has a fighting chance at righting itself.

Now armed with years of bitter experience, they’ve learned how to make their EGR engines operate with a reasonable level of reliability. It appears changes have been made so as to lower the EGR levels somewhat and thus add to reliability. Let’s run down the list as they’ve presented it: The core engine is either the proven MAN D20 or D26“Diamond Renewed” is limited to model year 2010 or newer International trucks with less than 400,000 milesThe work is done in-house at Navistar’s Used Equipment Reconditioning Center (UERC)Every truck meets our stringent reconditioning and quality standards (believable because they can’t afford any more mistakes)Each engine gets the latest software updatesNew or cleaned diesel particulate filters (DPF) and diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC)True EPA2010 compliancyImproved turbocharger air control valuesHigh horsepower engines de-rated to 430-450 horsepower, to ensure acceptable EGR system durabilityNew high pressure fuel pumpThe addition of the OnCommand Connection remote diagnostics system180 point inspection process, plus body repair and frame rail painting. 200,000 mile warranty, which includes EGR components

Navistar launches “Diamond Renewed” used truck programFleet Owner / July 28, 2014 As part of larger strategy to help rebuild its U.S. heavy truck market share, Navistar is launching a new used truck refurbishment program dubbed “Diamond Renewed” for 2010 model or newer International units equipped with the company’s MaxxForce exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) engines.David Gerrard, Navistar’s senior VP of distribution, explained in an interview with reporters last week that the “Diamond Renewed” program seeks to capitalize on demand for late model, low mileage used trucks that is expected to only increase as freight distribution patterns are expected to undergo a major shift over the next two years towards the Eastern seaboard. “Our customers are operating on very tight lines,” Gerrard said, who himself spent a long career in the LTL segment of the industry before joining a Chicago-based Navistar dealer for 5 years and then moving over to the OEM’s corporate team. “It used to be that the standard used [Class 8] truck model was 7 to 8 years old and cost between $25,000 and $40,000,” he pointed out. “Now that [Class 8] truck is 3 to 4 years old and costs $45,000 to $65,000. Yet that is still significantly cheaper than a brand new one.” The upshot of the “Diamond Renewed” program, then, is to create what Gerrard referred to as a “sweet spot” for used trucks; Class 8 models that costs $50,000 less than a new unit yet come with enhanced options in order to better support vehicle uptime. In short, he said the program aims to provide used truck customers with a “new truck experience.” Navistar’s effort in the used truck market is dovetailed with continued strong demand, as data tracked by ACT Research Co. indicates that the volume of used Class 8 trucks sold in June rose 10% above May’s volume. “June’s performance was a little counterintuitive, given that sales usually slow in the summer months,” noted Steve Tam, ACT’s VP- commercial vehicle sector. “While one month does not make a trend, it confirms that demand in the used truck market remains strong,” he said. “Meanwhile, the average selling price of total reported Class 8 trucks sold in June slipped for the second month in 2014, to a record $47,345. Despite the short-term decline, our expectation is for price appreciation of up to 10% for 2014.” In terms of the particulars for Navistar’s new “Diamond Renewed” program, only model year 2010 or newer International ProStar, TranStar and LoneStar models powered by MaxxForce EGR engines under 400,000 miles and up to 450 hp are accepted. Gerrard noted that in some cases Navistar is "de-rating" engines coming into the program with higher hp settings as that reduces EGR related issues. "We've foud over the last few years in our experience with EGR that higher horsepower ratings create a lot of issues," he said. "So dropping into the 430 to 450 hp range creates less performance issues related to EGR." Following a 180-point vehicle and engine inspection process, eligible used trucks are then refurbished at Navistar’s Used Equipment Reconditioning Center (UERC) in Indianapolis, with refurbishment working including: Cleaning or replacing diesel particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalysts, EGR calibration software updates, checking and repairing brake systems, conducting major body repair, painting frame rails and more. To date, the company said it has reconditioned 1,200 units to its “Diamond Renewed” standards. Next, Navistar will provide what it calls its “System1 Confidence” OEM factory-backed warranty coverage for up to two years, 200,000 miles; coverage that includes EGR components, Gerrard stressed. Finally, the OEM said “Diamond Renewed” reconditioned trucks with its OnCommand Connection monitoring system, providing a remote diagnostics portal so customers can access real-time fault codes, truck and dealer locations, vehicle health reports and fault code action plans. Gerrard added that Navistar plans to sell its “Diamond Renewed” trucks through both its 15 International Used Truck Centers nationwide as well as through its dealer network. "At the end of the day we're trying to build on brand loyalty with this program; supporting the second and third buyer of our trucks in the market," he explained. Bill Kozek, Navistar’s president-North American trucks & parts, added on the call that the new “Diamond Renewed” program aims to provide the same two major strategic benefits the OEM seeks to beef up for its new trucks as well: more vehicle uptime and lower cost of ownership. “It’s all about developing products to fill in our gaps, be a leaner low-cost manufacturer, all while delivering lower cost of ownership to our customers,” he told reporters. “It’s an exciting time at Navistar but we still have hard work to do.”

Fleet Owner / July 28, 2014 Reducing structural and warranty costs while increasing not just market share but profitable market share are but some of the stepping stones Navistar believes will be critical to restoring both its position and its long-term health as a truck OEM.In an interview with reporters last week at the company’s Lisle, IL, headquarters, Bill Kozek, Navistar's president of North American trucks & parts, explained that leaner lower-cost manufacturing, profitable market share growth, improving financial metrics and – above all – more vehicle uptime for customers remain the four critical pillars of the OEM’s effort to restore itself within the U.S. truck manufacturing industry. “Our industry is extremely competitive; it’s a dog fight out there,” Kozek said. “But we’re continuing to show an improvement in our products and as a result our business in coming back; quicker in Class 6-7 than Class 8, but that’s because we want to grow market share profitably, not just do deals to do deals.” He added that overall revenues for Navistar were up to $2.7 billion for the second quarter versus $2.5 billion in the same period for 2013, with the company generating adjusted $82 million in earnings before interest, taxes and appreciation, and one-time charges. More importantly, Kozek said Navistar cut its structured costs by $92 million and slashed warranty costs by $23 million or 13% year-over-year. Still, the company lost $119 million in the second quarter one $151 million in intangible asset impairment charges, $42 million in pre-existing warranty adjustments and $8 million in restructuring charges were added in, according to its second quarter earnings statement. “These warranty charges continue to plague us but they are moving in the right direction,” Kozek stressed. Kozek also pointed out that company’s order rate is up 30% thru the end of May this year compared to the same period in 2013, some 33,998 truck orders versus 26,162, respectively. In terms of switching the OEM’s truck portfolio over from its exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) only engine technology to selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, Kozek said that the company’s medium-duty models should be fully transitioned by the end of this year, with its severe service models fully switched by 2015. The changeover for Navistar’s Class 8 line wrapped up late last year. He also stressed that truck demand going forward won’t be characterized so much by the “style” of truck – such as a daycab, sleeper, etc. – as it will be by specific features, component, and sub component type; one reason Navistar keeps planning to expand the menu of options for its truck models. “At the end of the day for customers, it’s about specific component availability – aerodynamic options, lightweight options, automatic transmission options, 6x2 axle configurations, disc brakes, etc.,” Kozek said. “ Good fuel economy is really just the point of entry now. Hat we need to do is supply a customer with the options they want while giving them the lowest possible operating cost and maximum possible uptime.”

Transport Topics / July 28, 2014 Navistar Inc. said it has launched a new program to enhance the value of its later-model used trucks. “Diamond Renewed” includes a complete vehicle reconditioning and the OnCommand Connection monitoring system. Model year 2010 or newer International ProStar, TranStar and LoneStar vehicles powered by the company’s MaxxForce engine with under 400,000 miles will be included. Navistar had a media briefing at its headquarters here July 24 and then hosted a dealer event leading up to the public launch. “Diamond Renewed assures every truck meets our stringent reconditioning and quality standards,” said David Gerrard, senior vice president of distribution. While emissions from these engines initially failed to meet 2010 federal emissions standards, eventually leading the company to switch to selective catalytic reduction, Navistar said every unit has recalibrated software updates, new diesel particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalysts, and now is compliant. “These trucks run well when we do the things we are supposed to do,” said Bill Kozek, president of North American Truck and Parts. Other fixes or improvements to the 11- and 13-liter Maxxforce models involving the turbo air control values, high pressure fuel pump and the exhaust process are standard with each Diamond Renewed vehicle, said Tim Shick, vice president of North American engine sales. Navistar said the Diamond Renewed process was developed at its used equipment recondition center in Indianapolis, which opened in July 2013. The facility has reconditioned more than 1,200 units, and any vehicle in the Diamond Renewed program receives a special decal near the doors. The entire inspection process includes more than 180 vehicle and engine points, as well as body repair and painting of the frame rail. Also included is a warranty, including EGR components, for up to two years or 200,000 miles. Navistar debuted its OnCommand Connection remote diagnostics system last year. As part of the integration into the Diamond Renewed program, the company released a mobile app, making it easier for small fleets or owner-operators to get the large-fleet experience. .

The Wall Street Journal / July 28, 2014 Cummins's second-quarter earnings rose 7.7%, as strong revenue growth from North America bailed out the engine maker's weakening overseas businesses. Cummins raised its sales outlook for the year, but left its profit-margin forecast unchanged, underscoring the company's cautious approach to the remainder of the year. Cummins's solid domestic performance in the face of sluggish international demand is consistent with the patterns reported by Caterpillar and other durable-goods manufacturers. Cummins stock was recently trading down 3.8% at $144.51. Cummins’ second-quarter revenue from the U.S. and Canada rose 14% from a year earlier on rising sales of commercial truck engines and components, and additional revenue from the purchase of independent distributors of Cummins's products. But revenue from the rest of the world slipped 1%, causing Cummins to scale back forecasts for certain emerging economies. The Columbus, Indiana, company now expects revenue from Brazil to fall by as much as 20% this year after second-quarter sales in Brazil dropped 16% to $194 million. The company had previously forecast a 15% decrease in sales, but plunging demand for commercial trucks in Brazil prompted the company to further scale back its forecast. Cummins expects its sales in China this year to rise 10% after earlier forecasting a 15% increase. Its second-quarter revenue from China rose 10% from a year earlier to $865 million, as demand for its engines increased ahead of stricter pollution standards that are expected to increase prices for engines. But Cummins described major end-markets in China as deteriorating. Commercial truck sales in China fell 10% industrywide during the second quarter. Meanwhile, Cummins said it expects industrywide sales of construction excavators to drop 14% this year from 2013. "Demand in the construction market has softened from already weak levels," said Chairman and Chief Executive Tom Linebarger during a conference call Monday with analysts. "The pace of investment in infrastructure has not rebounded in China." Mr. Linebarger said China's dependence on construction projects to drive economic growth is lessening in the wake of more consumer-driven economic growth. Improving sales from North America allowed Cummins to offset the international weakness. Sales of heavy-duty truck engines rose 10% from a year earlier, while medium-duty engine sales rose 9% on rising orders from U.S. truck manufacturers. Meanwhile, sales of components rose 15% to $1.28 billion and profit from the unit rose 36% to $185 million, reflecting increased demand from truck maker Navistar International Corp.for Cummins's exhaust-treatment systems. Engine sales overall rose 3.3% to $2.74 billion, but higher-than-expected warranty costs on 2013 truck engines trimmed pretax profit from engines by 8% to $311 million. Cummins expects engine sales this year to increase by 6% to 8%, primarily from higher demand from the truck industry. Revenue from Cummins's distribution business rose 30% to $1.2 billion and profit from the unit increased 26% to $126 million. The company has been purchasing independent dealer/distributors of Cummins products and predicted the acquisitions will add $500 million to revenue this year and contribute 30 cents to the company's per-share earnings this year. Cummins raised its overall sales growth outlook for 2014 to a range of 8% to 11% from 6% to 10% previously. The company expects the margin on income before taxes and interest expenses at 12.75% to 13.25%, implying earnings per share of about $9 this year, roughly in line with analysts' estimates. For the quarter ended June 29, Cummins reported a profit of $446 million, or $2.43 a share, compared with $414 million or $2.20 a share, a year earlier. Revenue rose 6.9% to $4.84 billion.

The Globe and Mail / July 24, 2014 The U.S. transportation safety board is urging regulators to make side guards mandatory on new trucks to help prevent cars, pedestrians and cyclists from hurtling under the bone-crushing haulers – a move that could put pressure on Canada to act. The side-guard recommendation and other proposals aimed at reducing injuries and deaths on American roads are before the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTSB). A rule-making process on strengthening rear truck guards began this month, while an evaluation of side guards is continuing. Required on most trucks in Europe and Japan, side guards cover the potentially hazardous gap between wheels. For cyclists, pedestrians and car passengers, they can be life savers. Side guards help deflect people away from trucks, lowering the risk of walkers and bikers falling underneath a truck in a crash and getting trampled by the rear wheels, as happened in Montreal recently. The death of teacher Mathilde Blais and the serious injuries suffered by a second cyclist drove home the dangers of riding near trucks without the guards. Both cyclists fell under the gaping side and were crushed in separate collisions about a week apart this spring. Ms. Blais, 33, died instantly. The other cyclist, also a 33-year-old woman, was critically injured. A Montreal police spokeswoman said her condition has improved, but she is expected to remain in hospital, undergoing rehabilitation, for another three to four months. Their crashes have reignited calls for safer trucks and roads in a city choked with congestion. Saint-Laurent borough Mayor Alan DeSousa said a slew of measures is needed to reduce traffic deaths and injuries, including equipping trucks with guards. He has previously written to federal and provincial transportation ministers, urging them to move forward with side-guard regulations. (Transport Canada oversees new trucks; provinces have authority over existing haulers.) Ontario’s chief coroner also called for a national side-guard regulation after a review of cyclist and pedestrian fatalities last year. “We need leadership on this issue,” Mr. DeSousa said. Side guards “can save lives and save injuries.” Saint-Laurent is one of a handful of communities that has begun covering the side gaps of municipal vehicles. Mr. DeSousa said retrofitting costs about $1,500 per truck. “To do it on a voluntary basis would be almost a guarantee that it does not happen,” he added. “Even one life saved is worth it, particularly since the costs involved are minimal.” What happens in the United States could shift Canada’s position on the safety merits of side guards. The guards are not mandatory in either country. Transport Canada has steadfastly rejected calls for side guards, saying its studies don’t support making them mandatory. “We do not intend to move forward with a regulation mandating side guards for newly built trucks and trailers at this time,” Maryse Durette, a spokeswoman for the regulator, said in an e-mail. In 2012, Transport Canada scrapped the second phase of a study evaluating whether side skirts, attached to trucks to reduce fuel costs, could also prevent cyclists from getting crushed under the big rigs. The regulator said it cancelled further testing because it had found no research to show truck skirts, which are lighter and more aerodynamic than guards, could make streets safer. Yet according to the study’s first phase, obtained by The Globe and Mail through access to information legislation in 2013, National Research Council testing of side skirts showed promise. Ms. Durette said Transport Canada is watching how its U.S. counterpart responds to the NTSB side-guard recommendation, noting “it will inform options in Canada.” Transportation officials from the two countries meet semi-annually to discuss common issues and expected regulatory changes. With thousands of trucks streaming across the border daily, the countries have pledged to harmonize trucking regulations. The U.S. NTSB’s recommendations, released in April, include addressing blind spots on tractor-trailers, equipping new trailers with side guards and strengthening rear guards. Canada’s rules on rear guards are stronger, requiring the guards absorb greater force. Transportation safety board spokesman Keith Holloway said the agency believes side guards that are designed to prevent injuries and deaths to car passengers would also benefit pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists. The U.S. Truck Safety Coalition has also petitioned Washington for safer trucks. In its review of truck guards, the safety board notes that in 759 pedestrian fatalities and 181 cyclist deaths involving trucks from 2005 to 2009 in the United States, 29 percent of pedestrians and 55 percent of cyclists collided with the side of trucks. Crashes were more common on the right side, where a trucker’s blind spot is greatest.

I'm not sure what's wrong with your water pump, but one used to be able to obtain new bearings and seals from Mack Trucks. Double check this with a parts book, but I believe the EN707s used 46AX451 and 46AX452 bearings (the flathead water pumps used 46AX387 and 46AX389 bearings).

Yes, the new 11 and 13 liter engines they mention will be the rebadged Cursor 10 and Cursor 13 powerplants. Either Ford is producing them under license, or it has purchased the technology. They're fairly good engines too. It's a win-win for Ford in Turkey and Fiat. Fiat very much needs the money, and the enthusiastic truck people at Ford-Otosan are serious about producing a high-end European truck. They need to at least get up to 13 liters. Bill Ford is a wonderful human being and has great fondness for Otosan in Turkey (as we've mentioned, Ford-Otosan was born out of a vision shared by Henry Ford himself and Mr. Vehbi Koc (the family still behind Otosan today), resulting in Koc becoming Ford's distributor in 1928.

Just to keep things in perspective, in the world of Ford, $100 million is a small investment. The 2013 annual report of KOC Holding, Ford's Turkish partner in the Ford-Otosan truckmaking joint-venture states: Ford Otosan is to invest US$ 100 million in the production of the new 11-liter and 13-liter Ecotorq engines. The intellectual property rights of the engines, designed by Ford Otosan engineers, belong to Ford Otosan. The new Ecotorq engines that will be manufactured at Euro 6 emission standards, are expected to have wide use including heavy commercial vehicles as well as industrial and marine applications. Apparently, Ford has purchased the old 10.3-liter Cursor 10 and old 12.7-liter Cursor 13 for its heavy Cargo range from Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT). Iveco has replaced the Cursor 10 with the 11.1-liter Cursor 11. The 12.7-liter Cursor 13 was found in agricultural machinery, while the 12.9-liter Cursor 13 is used in Iveco trucks. Fiat needs the money, so it's a win-win both ways. As for the U.S. market, Ford certainly has a better chance of re-entering the U.S. heavy truck market than Iveco does under the Dodge brand with their conventional Powerstar series (though it's an impressive truck). However, unless Ford buys International (to immediately obtain a heavy truck network), I don't feel the U.S. market is robust enough to support an additional heavy truck maker. The high point of the U.S. heavy truck market has passed. High volumes and profitability are a thing of the past.

Diesel News Australia / July 21, 2014 At the IAA International Truck Show in Hannover, Germany this September, German truck technology manufacturer, Eberspaecher, will be displaying a new diesel fuelled fuel cell system to provide power on board trucks. The new system uses diesel fuel to power a fuel cell, which in turn generates electricity which can be used to power ancillary equipment. The power supplied can be used to run air conditioning systems, fridges and any other equipment which requires electricity when the truck is stationary. The system also has the potential to provide even more power solutions, reducing the load on the generator attached to the engine. This will have the result of reducing parasitic power loss from the engine, increasing overall fuel efficiency. “Not only does our system solve the energy problem during stationary periods, rather, we’re pursuing a new, holistic approach to on-board power supply in the truck that, beside the environmental balance, also decisively enhances operating efficiency”, explains Dr. Klaus Beetz, COO Eberspaecher Climate Control Systems. The innovative fuel cell auxiliary power unit (APU) generates electrical power from the diesel in the truck tank quietly, in an energy-saving way and is virtually emissions-free. Eberspacher claim nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and soot particulate emissions are 90 per cent less compared with a diesel-engined auxiliary power unit (APU). .

Heavy Duty Trucking / July 21, 2014 Volvo Group, the parent of Volvo Trucks North America, has been ordered to pay penalties and interest of approximately $74.1 million to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding emission compliance of the company’s marine diesel engines. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit affirmed a District Court’s ruling that model year 2005 Volvo Penta engines violated the provisions of a consent decree. Volvo says the engines in question are not on-highway engines and should not be covered by the decree. This is expected to have a negative impact on the group’s operating income of approximately $64 million in the third quarter, according to the company. In 2012 the District Court issued a judgment ordering the Volvo Group to pay penalties and interest for engines which Volvo claims were not part of the decree. Volvo filed an appeal on several grounds. The company said it is reviewing the ruling in detail, and will consider whether to appeal. In 1998, the EPA signed consent decrees with a number of manufacturers of heavy diesel engines for sale in the United States, including Volvo Truck. “The Volvo consent decree covered engines in highway vehicles but also covered certain engines in construction equipment,” said Kina Wileke, senior vice president, media relations, Volvo Group. “Volvo Penta was not made a party to the consent decree and Volvo did not consider Penta engines subject to the consent decree. Most of Volvo Penta’s engines manufactured during the relevant period were marine engines, which are not within the class of engines covered in the consent decree.” In addition, Wileka said Volvo Penta’s engines within the relevant size classifications are used primarily for industrial applications, for example stationary diesel generators, rather than in mobile sources as contemplated by the decree.

The FNM 180 and 210 series were launched in 1972 with 180 and 215 horsepower engines respectively. The 210 was available in both 4x2 and 6x4 configurations with the 215 horsepower model 120.08 in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine rated at 706 N.m of torque, and mated to a ZF 12-speed (6+2) transmission. GCWs went up to 45,000 kg. The 4x2 tractor rode on a 14,330 lb front axle and a 26,455 lb drive axle. Fiat bought a 43 percent stake in Alfa Romeo in 1973. With the purchase of additional shares in 1976, Fiat became Alfa Romeo’s controlling shareholder. Owing to these developments, FNM trucks from 1978 were badged as Fiats. More Photos: http://alfafnm.com/fotos1/ .

With production now ramping up at FNM, the company faced a new challenge when financial difficulties caused Isotta Fraschini to file for bankruptcy in 1951, leaving FNM in an awkward position after just a couple of years of cooperation. FNM found a new technology partner in the form of Milan-based Alfa Romeo, who at that time was a well respected heavy truck manufacturer in Southern Europe. From 1951, FNM began production of Alfa Romeo D-9500. Powered by a 130 horsepower engine, straight trucks had a GVW 17,857 lb and tractors had a GCW of 48,502 lb. Like FNM, Alfa Romeo at that time was also a government-owned company, having been rescued from bankruptcy by the Italian government in the 1930s. Between 1956 and 1960, FNM produced over 15,000 Alfa Romeo-based heavy trucks in Brazil, as well as buses and coaches. In 1958, FNM launched the D-11000. Based on the Alfa-Romeo 1000 series, it was initially powered by an 11-liter 150 horsepower engine, with power increased to 175 horsepower in 1967. Power was delivered by an 8-speed (4+2) transmission. was rated at 17,637-24,251 pounds and powered by a 163-174 horsepower 11-liter engine mated to an 8-speed (4+2) transmission. As Brazil’s only truckmaker until the early 1970s, FNM dominated the market. In 1968 when privatization was being encouraged, Alfa Romeo purchased FNM from the Brazilian government. .

FNM (Fábrica Nacional de Motores) was a Brazilian truckmaker in business from 1942 thru 1988. Located near Rio de Janeiro, the company was established by the Brazilian government to push forward the country’s industrial base. In exchange for the use of military bases in northeastern Brazil during World War II, the U.S. government provided financial and technical assistance towards the construction of the FNM plant. During the war years, the plant was charged with producing Curtiss-Wright engines for military training aircraft. Truck production began in 1949 after FNM signed an agreement with Italian truckmaker Isotta Fraschini to produce the latter company’s 16,535 GVW diesel trucks under license. The trucks were designated IF-D-7300 and approximately 200 units were built. .

Press Release / July 17, 2014 Mark Brzezinski, the US Ambassador to Sweden, visited Scania on July 17 as part of a program to promote the importance of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) between the European Union and United States. Mark Brzezinski is the son of noted American statesman and United States Presidential National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski. In order to better understand Sweden’s export industry, Ambassador Brzezinski and a nine-person entourage are on a bicycle tour of central Sweden that is taking them from Gothenburg in the west to Stockholm in the east. Along the route they are visiting large and small companies for which export plays a vital role. On Thursday, the group arrived at Scania to discuss topics important to the automotive sector – emissions and road safety legislation issues and ways to harmonize these. Common emission legislation, for example, would make trade easier for companies on both sides of the Atlantic. This in turn requires common test cycles, something that was part of the discussions with Scania Executive Vice President Jan Ytterberg and Senior Vice President Erik Ljungberg. The group was also given an opportunity to test drive heavy vehicles at the Scania DemoCentre. “I have never had the opportunity to drive a truck before,” Ambassador Brzezinski said after the test drive. “They are very easy to drive, and it helps me to understand the precision with which drivers are capable of maneuvering their vehicles.” On the T-TIP, Scania’s Ljungberg commented: “For Scania, generally free trade decreases the need for extensive and expensive changes to our products and services. T-TIP specifically would facilitate our joint venture with the Cummins industrial group and our exports of, for example, engines to the US market.” Free trade is key to Scania’s future success and competitiveness, he continued. Currently Scania’s presence on the US Market is limited to industrial and marine engines and components for these. Should the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership be realized, it would become the world’s largest free trade agreement, and many believe it would act as an injection into the world economy. It could also help to develop industrial standards with global precedence. .

When used as intended, the Mid-Liner MS300T 4x2 tractor was a great performer, particularly with the 10-speed splitter transmission. I had nothing but satisfied customers.

Australasian Truck News / July 18, 2014 The MAN TGX has gained more grunt with a new D3876 15.2 litre engine to be launched at the 2014 Hannover IAA international truck show in September. Based on existing MAN engine architecture, the new D3876 powerplant will be available in horsepower ratings of 520, 540 and 640. The engine features MAN’s characteristic compact two-stage turbo charger which the company claims results in higher power density with lower fuel consumption. A high pressure common rail fuel injection system injects fuel into the combustion chamber with peak pressure of up to 2,500 bar. Interestingly the new engine is capable of delivering peak torque from just 930rpm. Torque ratings for the engine are 2,500 Nm for the 520hp, 2,700 Nm for the 560hp and 3,000 Nm for the 640hp. The engine is backed by a TipMatic 2 automated transmission (AMT) which will allow peak torque to be available in all gears. The new 6 cylinder engine is 160kg lighter than the previous Euro 5 V8 version, with the lighter weight coming from using a heavy duty plastic sump and valve cover as well as an aluminium flywheel housing. In a claimed first in truck engines by MAN, domed valves have been used to reduce flex while in operation and increase durability. The engine also features eight cylinder head nuts per cylinder and improved lubrication due to the use of fire rings to keep the cylinder clear of carbon deposits to increase durability. The TGX D38 will also be available with a full suite of safety and fuel efficiency features, some that were only previously found on other European competitors. The TipMatic2 transmission has a free-wheeling function for undulating country called EfficientRoll, this allows the engine to idle when the vehicle is rolling and pulling power is not required. A speed shift function now accelerates gear changes in the top three gears to maximise the amount of time spent in higher gears when climbing. To make the most of the torque of the D3876 engine an idle speed driving function allows the vehicle to move at idle in low speed or heavy traffic without the clutch disengaging and stopping the truck. A GPS cruise control that maps route terrain is now also a feature of the flagship MAN. EfficientCruise again tries to maximise time spent in higher gears to save fuel and increase vehicle performance. Emergency brake assist warns of an impending collision and applies the brakes of the truck if the vehicle is in danger of colliding with a stationary object in its lane. A lane guard function is also available to keep things between the white lines as well as adaptive cruise control. A new engine brake compliments the existing EVB set up with the introduction of the turbo EVB which is capable of providing up to 600Kw of engine braking power. European spec figures are currently quoting a GCM of up to 65 tonnes with a highway spec driveline. However, with specialised equipment added to the drive line the TGXD38 is capable of gross weights of up to 250 tonnes. .

Heavy Duty Trucking / July 16, 2014 Peterbilt plans to bring a large collection of new and historic trucks, memorabilia, vendors, and a charity raffle for a classic Model 359 to its anniversary show in Stockton, Calif. The 75th Anniversary Peterbilt Truck Show will feature approximately 400 show trucks representing milestone models from throughout the company’s history, a reunion luncheon of current and former employees, supplier and vendor exhibits, music, guest speakers, a charity raffle for a Model 359, and Peterbilt’s interactive anniversary tour trailer, hauled by a Model 579 Anniversary Edition truck. "This will be a very special event that will bring together everything that is essential to our 75 years of industry leadership, our customers, our employees and dealers, and our vehicles," said Darrin Siver, Peterbilt general manager and Paccar vice president."It will be a celebration of Peterbilt’s past, present, and future." For more information on the event, visit www.75thanniversary.org. .

The entire range of tactical vehicles promoted by Mack Defense is from France's Renault Trucks Defense (http://www.renault-trucks-defense.eu/), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sweden's Volvo Group since December 2012. The remaining logistical product line-up consists of ordinary civilian models painted beige or olive drab paint (MILCOTS - military commercial off the shelf). In the defense vehicle segment, the United States government to date continues to support American companies, including Oshkosh and Navistar.

Press Release / July 15, 2014 Scania and body manufacturer Lavrita Engineering have partnered to produce all-wheel-drive Scania P440-based airport rescue and fire fighting apparatus for Brazil’s airports. Called the CCI-AP2 Phoenix, the $45.7 million order is for 64 units. "Scania, with their 4x4 P440 chassis, was the only manufacturer able to meet our requirements” said Wilson Molina Ribas, technical director for Lavrita Engineering. "Our special equipment division offers the latest in airport fire fighting designs and technologies. This next-generation vehicle is a tool of utmost importance to the operations of airport security, the fire fighting aircraft missions, as well as the vicinity of airports." The 33 trucks delivered this first batch will be leased by SAC to airports in the cities of Alta Floresta (MT), Altamira (PA), Araguaína (TO), barriers (BA), Bonito (MS), Cacoal (RO), Caruaru (PE ), Southern Cross (AC), Fernando de Noronha (PE), Ilheus (BA), Empress (MA), Ji-Paraná (RO), Juazeiro do Norte (CE), Macapa (AP), Maraba (PA) Paulo Afonso (BA), Santarém (PA) Sinop (MT), Tabatinga (PM), Teffe (AM) and Vitória da Conquista (BA). The specialized Scania P440 4x4 cab and chassis is a platform long recognized by fire and rescue organizations around the globe for its extreme all-terrain capabilities. Lavrita Engineering designs, manufactures and assembles custom fire apparatus bodies utilizing equipment from Austria’s Rosenbauer including the latest in water pump and deck gun design. The JRC-AP2-Phoenix is capable of carrying over 6100 liters of water for foam production, 780 liter LGE (liquid foam generator) reservoirs and 200 kilograms of DCP (dry chemical powder). It is equipped with a 5,500 gpm pump, deck gun with a minimum range of 70 meters and a lower cannon with a minimum range of 46 meters. These vehicles operate only in case of emergencies must be able to accelerate from 0 to 80 km/h in less than 35 seconds, meeting international standards, with a top speed of 113 km/h. An Allison HD 4500 allows for simultaneous vehicle movement and pump operation, for enhanced firefighting speed and efficiency. Certified by the U.S. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, Canada’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), these trucks can operate at any airport in the Americas. .

Press Release / July 10, 2014 Brazil’s Concreserv, a major Brazilian ready mix operator, has expanded its fleet with the purchase of 40 Volkswagen model 26.280 vocational chassis. The company, which has recently invested $3.8 million in new equipment, chose Volkswagen’s Constellation heavy truck range to strengthen its future operations in the state of São Paulo, ranging from infrastructure construction to highway expansion. The order includes 21 VW Constellation 26.280 6x4 chassis fitted with mixer bodies or concrete boom pumps with a 36 meter vertical reach, 18 VW Constellation 31.280 8x4 mixer chassis with 10m ³ barrels, and a VW Constellation 13.190 4x2 with a stationary concrete pump. "Our strategy is to develop mixer chassis that are tailor-made for specific customer applications, which are equipped with advanced technology and work with operational productivity," says Ricardo Alouche, vice president of Sales, Marketing and After-Sales at MAN Latin America. "In our vocational range, we offer a robust line-up of severe service truck chassis offering low cost of operation and high up-time." Another advantage is that the Euro-5 emissions 280 horsepower 6.9-litrer MAN D0836 engines spec'd in these trucks does not require the use of AdBlue," says Alouche. MAN Latin America's Volkswagen commercial truck unit has increased sales for eleven consecutive years in Brazil and led the market in the first half of 2014 with 26.3 percent market share. Concreserv’s new Volkswagen mixers will support several major projects in São Paulo including the expansion of the monorail, subway lines and several highways such as the Mario Covas beltway. "Taking into account the increasing demand of construction in the State of São Paulo and the major chunk of the market gained by Concreserv, we have the growth expectations along with Volkswagen vehicles," says Paulo Ricardo, fleet manager of Concreserv. "To this end, fundamental factors such as robustness and productivity are paramount, and these are the striking features of VW brand," he added. Concreserv has also signed a contract maintenance agreement with MAN Latin America. The customer-tailored VOLKSTOTAL Plus maintenance program will provides preventive and corrective maintenance for the fleet, including 24 hour assistance, towing and vehicle tracking until trucks return to operation. With the VOLKSTOTAL Plus contract maintenance program, Concreserv knows what its costs will be to maintain the trucks throughout the contract period. .

Construction Week / July 15, 2014 Boasting low price tags, high-end build specifications, and generous warranties, Tata is confident that its Prima truck range will put European competitors on the back foot. In an attempt to find out whether the Indian truck maker’s claims are justified, James Morgan speaks with the manufacturer, its UAE dealer, and the first Prima owner in the Middle East. On paper, Tata’s Prima range of trucks represents the stuff of nightmares for Europe’s premium-end manufacturers. Firstly, there’s the price. A brand new Prima 4x2 tractor head will cost UAE fleet operators approximately 40% less than an equivalent European model. Secondly, there’s the build quality, which Tata claims is comparable to that of its Western competitors. Thirdly – and perhaps most importantly – is the Prima’s warranty period, which spans either three years or 300,000km; whichever comes first. Whilst a number of Prima 4x2 tractor heads have already been sold in the UAE market, the full range of Prima trucks isn’t yet available in the Middle East; the Prima 6x4 and 8x4 rigid-frame tippers are scheduled to arrive in the region before the end of 2014. Eager to find out whether the range lives up to the bold claims of its manufacturer, I visited the showroom of United Diesel, Tata’s authorised dealer for Dubai and the Northern Emirates. “The Tata Prima 4x2 tractor head forms part of the next generation of trucks from Tata Motors,” explained Rajsinh Kadam, assistant sales manager at United Diesel. “The first vehicle was delivered to the UAE at the end of December 2013, and began working shortly after in January 2014. We’ve received a very good response from the market already. One of the truck’s major selling points is that it comes with a three-year, 300,000km warranty – a reflection of the confidence that Tata has in the Prima range,” he said. In truth, the Prima range represents somewhat of a departure for the Indian truck and bus manufacturer. Traditionally, Tata has delivered attractively priced, reliable vehicles for customers willing to forego the occasional mod con. The latest models, however, are being touted by Tata as premium trucks without the premium price tag. “It is widely known that Tata has the price advantage over its competitors,” said Kadam. “However, with the Prima range, the manufacturer has striven to provide specifications equal to those offered by its European competitors. The 4x2 tractor head, for example, features a Cummins diesel engine and an Eaton gearbox. Moreover, you can see that the truck looks fantastic. The cabin was designed in Italy; it’s awesome. “Despite the premium nature of this truck, Tata has succeeded in keeping its price approximately 40% lower than the equivalent European models. Depending on the options selected by the customer, a Prima 4x2 tractor will cost approximately AED 220,000 (less than $60,000). To buy the equivalent model from a European manufacturer, you would have to pay upwards of AED 380,000 (more than $100,000),” he explained. With such a significant price difference, some might be sceptical of Tata’s claims that it has succeeded in matching the build quality offered by premium-end European manufacturers. However, Gurshaman Singh, Tata Motors’ area manager for the UAE and Oman, says that the secret lies in the company’s production strategy. “Tata has started to think globally in this respect,” he told PMV. “For the Prima range, the company has sourced the best components from across the globe. The trucks are then assembled in India where the cost of production is much lower than it is in European countries. This helps us to keep the final price low. In addition, Tata has a tie-in with Cummins in India in the form of Tata Cummins. This provides us with the commercial advantage of being able to manufacture the highest quality engines at our own plant.” The Prima, according to Singh and Kadam, is a global truck put together with Indian knowhow. Moreover, they claim that the range’s high production values are reflected in its performance. “The efficiency and longevity achieved by Prima trucks are far better than those of their predecessors,” said Kadam. “This not only equates to a saving on the initial investment, but also in terms of spare parts. Don’t forget that these components are between 30% and 40% cheaper than those required for European trucks. The fuel economy of the range is also impressive. Prima trucks offer value for money across multiple areas.” Speaking about the models’ suitability for the Middle East, Singh commented: “In this region, fleet owners need powerful vehicles capable of carrying heavy loads over long distances. With this in mind, the trucks also have to be comfortable. Delivering to the farthest reaches of Saudi Arabia, for example, can take 15 to 20 days from the UAE. Under these circumstances, the truck becomes the home of the driver, so we have done our best to make it more comfortable in order to lower his fatigue levels.” Before introducing the first Prima 4x2 tractor heads to the UAE market, Tata conducted over 200,000km of tests in Qatar to ensure that the truck was capable of coping with the Middle East’s challenging operating conditions. As with any new range, it’s difficult to comment on reliability, but I was given an opportunity to inspect the Prima 4x2 up close. Although I cannot whole-heartedly say that the quality of finish is exactly comparable to that offered by the major European manufacturers, I was genuinely – and pleasantly – surprised by the standard to which the Prima 4x2 has been built. With its clean lines and streamlined finish, the exterior of the cab is definitely more stylish than the manufacturer’s previous models. The interior certainly didn’t disappoint either; the driver’s seat is comfortable, the lines of site are broad, and the controls are both sturdy and easy to access. Neither was the experience claustrophobic; the two-berth cabin seemed perfectly equipped to accommodate a pair of drivers on a long-haul journey. In January 2014, UAE-headquartered logistics firm Prime Link became the first outfit in the Middle East to start running a cohort of Prima 4x2 tractor heads. With more than six months of action under their collective belt, I spoke to Jaideep Surendra, managing director of Prime Link, to find out about the day-to-day performance of the trucks. “We have purchased Tata Daewoo models in the past,” he told me. “Those particular vehicles were built in Korea; they were very good trucks. However, the Prima truck has some pretty good technology. The engine, for example, is Cummins, and the vehicle is built to a very high spec. Tata also outlined the improvements that have been made in terms of fuel efficiency, and of course, the price was good. This model is a lot cheaper than one from Scania or Mercedes, for instance. “Because of the market, we sometimes buy older trucks. To be honest, we haven’t bought any new trucks from Mercedes or Volvo; we tend to opt for used vehicles that are between 10 and 15 years old. However, a truck of 10 years might come with certain reliability or performance issues,” the Prime Link boss explained. Opting to buy new from Tata has enabled Surendra to avoid reliability issues associated with second-hand vehicles, whilst keeping his overheads down. “The Prima trucks are in line with what we were expecting,” he said. “They are about the same as a Mercedes or a Volvo truck. In terms of fuel efficiency, there are slight improvements over the previous models purchased from Tata Motors. In terms of reliability, it’s hard to say because we’ve only had the Primas for six months. However, Tata vehicles – mechanically – are fine. We had some issues in relation to bodywork, but they have been resolved by Tata.” To be compared favourably with the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Scania is high praise indeed for Singh and his colleagues. However, when it comes to a truck’s true value, nothing speaks louder than cold, hard sales. Fortunately for Tata, Prime Link’s Prima 4x2 tractors have impressed. Surendra, whose fleet already includes 16 of the models, has placed an order for 10 more. Selling 26 trucks to one customer in the space of a year is impressive by anybody’s standards. “We have tried to source the best components from across the industry, and at a very good price. We think that these are the ingredients for a successful product. The Prima trucks currently working in the Middle East are achieving very good results. This is a strong indication that we have manufactured a product that the market needs,” Singh concluded.

Heavy Duty Trucking / July 10, 2014 Ohio-based Commercial Vehicle Group has hired a Caterpillar veteran to manage its business and has realigned its aftermarket business. Ulf Lindqwister will join CVG August 4 as chief administrative officer. He most recently was manager of growth, mergers and acquisitions, and external relationships for Cat electronics. He has a phD in physics and a masters of business administration. CEO Rich Lavin, another Caterpillar veteran, said in a statement that Lindqwister's "skill set and experience is well suited to more effectively focus our product design, and manufacturing and operating cost structure initiatives in support of our product line management structure.” The company's North American Aftermarket business is now headed by Pat Miller in his capacity of president of Global Truck & Bus. In addition, a managing director for the Asia-Pacific region and a managing director for the Europe/Middle East/Africa region will report to Miller. With this structure, the company "can more readily address the unique local needs of our Aftermarket customers in all of the geographies we serve," Lavin said. Timo Haatanen, president of Global Aftermarket and Bob Averitt, chief information officer, are no longer with the company. Lavin was brought aboard as CEO a little more than a year ago, in May 2013, to replace outgoing CEO Mervin Dunn. Commercial Vehicle Group supplies cab-related products and systems for the global commercial vehicle market. Note: Why should CVG be on your radar? CVG produces all the Mack cabs and has over the years purchased several well known component brands including both Bostrom and National seating. http://www.cvgrp.com/en-us/Pages/default.aspx It's up in the air as to whether CVG will produce the new cab. Connecting the dots of Mack conventional cab supplier history, Sheller-Globe purchased Motor Panels of the UK and then put the Norwalk Mack cab plant under its new Motor Panels division. Then that division was sold in 1989 to UK-based CH Industrials, which was sold in 1991 to UK-based Mayflower Vehicle Systems, which was sold in 2005 to CVG. The company had no prior history of assembling cabs, but was willing to do so. Currently, CVG stamps and assembles the cabs under contract in a run-down plant in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, originally located there to supply the Winnsboro, South Carolina plant. Likewise Bendix, who had never produced cabs, has assembled White Xpeditor cabs for Autocar in Huntington, Indiana since 2008.