GM to Show Hydrogen-Powered Truck Chassis to Military Buyers

Photo of SURUS courtesy of GM.

General Motors has developed a medium-duty chassis cab truck powered by a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain for commercial buyers that the company is also pitching to the U.S. military, the company announced.

GM will show the truck, which is known as the Silent Utility Rover Universal Superstructure (SURUS), at the fall meeting of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) from Oct. 9 to 11.

The truck uses GM's Hydrotec fuel cell system and offers autonomous capability, according to GM. It has been developed to handle large payloads over longer distances. The vehicle is a hydrogen-electric hybrid using GM's second-generation fuel cell system, two electric drive units, and lithium-ion battery pack that enables more than 400 miles of range.

Commerical applications include use as a utility truck, mobile and emergency backup power generation, flexible cargo delivery systems, commercial freight, and medium-duty uses.

The vehicle also uses four-wheel steering, advanced propulsion power electronics, GM truck chassis components, and an advanced suspension.

The SURUS commercial platform was developed with the help of research from GM's joint testing project with the U.S. Army of its hydrogen-powered Chevrolet Colorado ZH2.

GM will continue testing the SURUS truck through the spring of 2018.

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Allison Expands Fuel-Efficient Medium-Duty Transmission Tech

Photo of 1000/2000 Series transmission courtesy of Allison.

Allison Transmission has begun offering its xFE fuel-saving technology on two more of its medium-duty transmissions, including the 1000 Series and 2000 Series, the company has announced.

The xFE technology, which stands for extra fuel economy, can improve fuel efficiency by 7% when compared to baseline models. The technology was previously available on select 3000 Series models.

The 1000 Series and 2000 Series transmissions are usually paired with smaller medium-duty trucks and buses. They offer the same ratings as current models and incorporate a redesigned torque converter damper coupled with the FuelSense 2.0 Max package. The damper enables first range lock up and delivers significantly more lock up operation, according to the company. They operate at lower engine speeds in higher ranges to further improve fuel economy. The xFE transmissions are compatible with alternative fuel engines.

Allison debuted its xFE transmissions in 2015 for 3000 Series buses. FuelSense 2.0 with DynActive shifting debuted in March. Allison employs a series of software enhancements to provide a variable combination of shift points and learning algorithm that searches for the ideal balance of fuel economy and performance.

Allison transmissions also use Continuous Power Technology to smoothly multiple engine torque and deliver more power to the wheels.

Related: Allison's FuelSense 2.0 Allows Fleets to Improve Fuel Economy

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Auburn University, TARDEC conduct live truck platooning demo

Auburn University recently joined the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, or TARDEC, to conduct a live demonstration of autonomous vehicle technology traveling across the border between the U.S. and Canada. The capabilities of truck platoons were showcased traveling down Interstate 69, going east across the Blue Water Bridge connecting Port Huron with Ontario before returning to the U.S. The demonstration was conducted in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Transportation.

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Famous Rhodes joins Work Truck Solutions board

Famous Rhodes joined the Work Truck Solutions board of directors, the company announced this week. His automotive and digital marketing experience will be used as Work Truck Solutions expands its services in the work truck industry.

"Famous Rhodes' impact on the industry is unquestioned," said Kathy Schifferle, founder and CEO of Work Truck Solutions. "We're very fortunate to count him on our team; with his guidance, Work Truck Solutions will better navigate our rapid growth."

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Eaton Endurant available for Peterbilt 579, 567 models

Peterbilt announced the availability of the new 12-speed Eaton Endurant transmission in Models 579 and 567.

Available with the Cummins X15 Efficiency series engine in ratings up to 510-hp and 1,850 lb.-ft. of torque, the Endurant will service vehicles in regional and line-haul applications up to 110,000 lbs. GVW.

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Old Ttrucks At Old Car City City USA

HDT Senior Editor recently took an International LoneStar for a test drive out of Atlanta and stopped in at Old Car City, USA. The site has been an automotive graveyard since 1931 and is the final resting place for a wide array of old cars, trucks and vans from the Golden Age of the Automobile. Here are just a few of the old working trucks and vans slowly melting away in the woods near White, Georgia.

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3PL Market Revenues Could Top $1.1 Trillion by 2022

Cover via Armstrong & Associates

The global third-party logistics market could exceed $1.1 trillion dollars in the next five years as e-commerce and outsourcing fuels its growth, according to a report by Armstrong & Associates.

In 2016, the global 3PL market brought in $802 billion in revenue-- a number dwarfed by the total global logistics costs, which hit $8.2 trillion and could surpass $11.1 trillion by 2022.

The Asia Pacific region came in as the largest logistics market, making up 39% of the total logistics costs and 38% of the 3PL market's revenues.

In the past, logistics growth in the Asia Pacific region was primarily driven by outsourcing and offshoring manufacturing from wealthier nations. However, in recent years this growth has been driven by domestic consumption and demand for products within the region, according to the report. Specifically, China's Belt and Road Initiative has driven infrastructure spending across Asia.

By country, China alone is the largest spender on logistics at more than $1.7 trillion, followed by Europe and the U.S. at over $1.5 trillion.

E-commerce is a major driver of growth in the market. Growth in revenue from e-commerce alone is outpacing the overall marke,t but still makes up just 5.1% of the market. This percentage is expected to increase to 7.2% of total revenues by 2020.

These figures were projected in A&A's global logistics report “Global and Regional Infrastructure, Logistics Costs, and Third Party Logistics Market Trends and Analysis,” which covers the years of 2010-2022.

The report also covers: infrastructure's role with a focus on Brazil, India, and China; Fortune 500 Global 3PL revenues and growth by industry; e-commerce logistics costs, 3PL revenues, and growth rates; 3PL market segment revenues by country and region; and logistics spend by country and region and by mode and function. Global “Top 3PL” lists are also included.

The complete report, which is ...Read the rest of this story