Trump’s outdated view of the economy
President Trump is betting his chips on the segments of the economy that aren't as relevant today as they were decades ago.
Pressure mounts on Airbus A330 in widebody order battle
Imminent airline decisions on $10 billion of wide-body plane orders could influence the fate of Airbus' A330neo even before the recently upgraded jet completes flight trials, industry sources said. A Tuesday announcement from Hawaiian Airlines that it had dropped its order of six Airbus A330neos in favor of 10 787-9 Dreamliner jets by rival Boeing was a sharp blow to the suffering wide-body program. American Airlines said in January it was reviewing the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and shorter-range Airbus A330-900, which is in test flights before entering service this summer.
Maintenance shops face new challenges with electric vehicles
West Virginia teachers cheer pay hike deal to end walkout
West Virginia's striking teachers cheered, sang and wept joyfully Tuesday as lawmakers voted to give them a 5 percent raise, ending a nine-day walkout that closed schools across the state. A huge crowd ...
Ford’s Transit Connect Adds Diesel, Fleet Model
Photo of 2019 Transit Connect courtesy of Ford.
">Ford's 2019 Transit Connect compact cargo van is adding a diesel engine option, fleet model that can be easily converted to run on gaseous fuel, and array of driver-assisting features to reduce accidents for commercial users, Ford announced at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.
The upgraded model will offer three engines capable of running on five different fuels to give commercial and government fleets many choices to find the right engine for their needs. The 2019 Transit Connect will offer a standard 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder, 1.5-liter EcoBlue diesel, and 2.5-liter inline-four cylinder exclusively for fleets.
The base engine, which includes auto start-stop technology, delivers power through an eight-speed automatic transmission to achieve low-rpm cruising on the highway and responsive performance. The E85-compatible engine comes with a standard heavy-duty battery and available heavy-duty alternator to supply power for upfit applications.
The EcoBlue diesel should achieve an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon on the highway, according to Ford. The engine combines the latest in fuel injection, turbocharging, and emissions-control technologies to reduce fuel consumption. The engine is also fitted with the eight-speed transmission.
The exclusive fleet model pairs its engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. Ford is offering a factory gaseous fuel package that allows fleets to more easily convert it to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) or propane autogas.
The base model and diesel engine come with EcoMode and EcoCoach, which monitor fuel economy and encourage fuel-efficient driving behaviors.
“The original Transit Connect's compact size resonated with customers searching for a more maneuverable and efficient commercial van,” said Tim Stoehr, Ford's general fleet marketing manager. “We've enhanced Transit Connect's available technology and powertrains to keep up with what our customers need. It is a critical tool with smart features to help improve productivity out in the field.”
<img src="http://www.automotive-fleet.com/fc_images/news/m-fordtransitconnectcargo-interior-2.jpg" ...Read the rest of this story
Remote over-the-air updates take hold
Mitsubishi Fuso’s Class 4 Gasoline Cabovers Arrive
Photo of gasoline-powered FE Canter courtesy of Mitsubishi Fuso.
">Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America will begin selling its gasoline-powered 2019 FE cabovers this month, after showing production-ready versions at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.
A General Motors-sourced 6.0L V-8 will power a Class 4 and Class 5 FE cabover. The Daimler AG-owned unit will also show a production-ready model of its battery-electric eCanter. The trucks will be sold alongside diesel models.
Class 4 models will include the FE140 (14,500 lb. GVWR) and the FE160 (15,995 lb. GVWR). Later this year, Fuso will offer the Class 5 FE180 (17,995 lb. GVWR), which would be the first gasoline-powered Class 5 cabover. In all models, the PSI-GM V-8 engine will make 297 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque.
Fuso will eventually offer a gaseous-prep package from the factory to allow buyers to use compressed natural gas (CNG) or propane autogas. The trucks come equiipped with a 40-gallon rear-mounted fuel tank.
The gasoline engine will be paired with an Allison 1000 automatic transmission with Fuel Sense 2.0 transmission management software, including DynActive shifting technology that improves fuel economy by as much as 6%. The software uses a Neutral-at-Stop feature that further reduces fuel consumption.
The FE gasoline trucks will also arrive with enhancements in the cab's interior, including improved driver seat bolstering. The seat cushion has been extended and the seatbelts are now red for higher visibility.
Instrument cluster colors have been improved under various lighting conditions, and the trucks now come with an LED cabin light. Storage space has been enhanced with a new driver side console, floor tray, and sun-visor pocket.
The truck is available with a black-on-black color scheme with silver trim accents in the interior. The cab improvements will also be offered on diesel-powered trucks.
Fuso will assemble the models at the Freightliner Customer Chassis Corp. (FCCC) plant ...Read the rest of this story