New aftermarket collision avoidance system unveiled

A new radar-based collision mitigation system being rolled out by Safe Drive Systems (SDS), called the read more

Michelin to launch new regional drive tire

MONTREAL, QUE. Michelin is getting ready to launch a new regional drive tire on July 1 that it expects will trump its previous regional drive tires and be more in line with what fleets want.

Ralph Dimenna, COO of Michelin Americas, truck tires, told Fleet Owner during Michelin's Movin On mobile sustainability event in Montreal that the new regional drive tire is an effort to reclaim some share in a part of the market where it hasn't quite delivered the optimal product for fleets.

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Michelin Taking Long View of Sustainable Transportation

Michelin CEO Jean-Dominique Senard (right) welcomes attendees to Movin' On conference as Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre looks on. Photo: Michelin

MONTREAL. As Ralph Dimenna, chief operating officer of Michelin Americas Truck Tires, sees it, the Movin' On sustainability conference that the global tire maker is hosting here this week aims “to promote free thinking” to help address the various issues now impacting transport mobility across the globe.

“Whether it's a group of people baking a cake [which was happening just around the corner from where Dimenna spoke with HDT at the event] or people taking part in a human-centered workshop here, the goal is getting a variety of people thinking and talking about new solutions.”

Indeed, in his opening address to the conference, Michelin CEO Jean-Dominque Senard said that far from being a slogan, “'Movin' On' is instead a call to action-- collective, optimistic, technologically demanding action in phase with the 21st century and with the challenges that we must meet.”

Senard also said that Michelin is “open to the collaborative world, without borders. A more connected world that invites people to work together more closely. We believe in a range of highly efficient mobility solutions that are adapted to everyone's needs. Movin'On and our active participation show that we are not content to talk about sustainable mobility. Rather, we are building it.”

Dimenna pointed out that Michelin is “taking a very long view of sustainable mobility” and therefore it intends “not to get caught up in the short-term political environment,” which has seen the U.S. under the Trump administration pull back from its commitment to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases that are contributing to global warming.

Rather, he framed the issue as much as anything through the lens of business acumen, stating that “making transportation more efficient is our goal. And we need to ...Read the rest of this story

ROUSH CleanTech Offers Propane Autogas Medium-Duty Truck

Photo courtesy of ROUSH CleanTech.

ROUSH CleanTech will begin offering medium-duty trucks powered by a propane autogas powertrain that's 75% cleaner than the current emissions standard and has been approved for use by regulators, according to the company.

The Livonia, Mich.-based vehicle modifier will also make the system available for Blue Bird buses. The engines have been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board and emit a nitrogen oxide (NOx) level of 0.05 grams per brake horsepower per hour.

"ROUSH CleanTech's low NOx engine is a great step forward for the propane industry," said Tucker Perkins, president of the Propane Education & Research Council. "Propane autogas is well established as an economical, clean-burning and domestically produced alternative fuel ideal for fleets."

The vehicle is powered by the 6.8-liter V-10 3V engine used in Ford vehicles. The engine is converted to run on propane autogas.

Related: Food and Beverage Fleets Choose Propane Autogas

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Swift Names VP of Driver Engagement

Scott Barker has been promoted to vice president of driver engagement at Swift Transportation. Photo: Swift Transportation

Swift Transportation has promoted Scott Barker to vice president of driver engagement, a newly formed role at the company, in charge of providing support for the company's drivers.

Barker has nearly 40 years of experience in safety, training, and development as well as years of developing initiatives that have impacted drivers at Swift. He was previously the vice president of safety, driver recruiting, and driver development for Swift, spearheading all aspects of safety, compliance, driver recruiting and development.

“Without our drivers, Swift cannot and does not exist,” said Deborah Owens, chief human resources officer of Swift Transportation. “We're excited for Scott to become the voice of our more than 16,000 drivers nationwide, and to build that important bridge between them and driver support to positively impact their lives.”

Prior to working for Swift, Barker held several roles at UPS, starting his career as a delivery driver and progressing to director of safety, West Division, for UPS Freight. He has also been a member of several professional groups including the National Safety Council, American Society of Safety Engineers, and participates in volunteer leadership roles within the trucking industry.

“Truck drivers are instrumental in the way that America moves,” said Barker. “I feel honored to deliver a better life for our drivers across the country.”

Related: Swift Campaigning Digitally for Driving Force

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International LT to Come Standard with Truck-Lite Mirrors, Lights

Photo: International Trucks

Truck-Lite announced that three of its components will be standard equipment on International Trucks' 2018 LT Series heavy duty truck.

For the 2018 model year, the LT series will feature Truck-Lite components for the main mirror located on the doors of the truck, the fender mirror located on the hood, and the halogen headlights. Truck-Lite's custom LED headlights will be available on the LT as an upgrade option.

Both the standard halogen and optional LED lighting systems will be manufactured at Truck-Lite's corporate facility in Falconer, New York.

The International LT Series, unveiled last fall, is a new flagship line of Class 8 over-the-road trucks developed with a driver-centric design that features new technologies and better fuel economy than previous models.

"The LT Series from International was designed with drivers in mind," said Craig Watrous, director of product engineering for Truck-Lite. "We're proud that our mirror and lighting systems align with Navistar's vision for safety and visibility."

Related: LED Headlights vs. Halogen

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Navistar Defense Lands $18.8M Contract for Medium Tactical Vehicles

The $18.8 million contract will go toward 115 International 7000-MV Medium Tactical Vehicles for Iraq. Photo: Navistar Defense

The U.S. Army recently awarded Navistar Defense an $18.8 million foreign military sales contract to provide 115 International 7000-MV Medium Tactical Vehicles to Iraq.

Navistar Defense MTVs are based on the multipurpose International WorkStar severe-duty platform designed for both on- and off-road operation. The vehicle also provides the platform for the company's MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle.

The equipment will be used by Iraqi security forces in the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense. Navistar Defense's dealer in Iraq, Hama, provides parts and service support for Navistar vehicles in the region.

The vehicles will be built at Navistar Defense's West Point, Mississippi, assembly plant and delivery is expected to be completed in January 2018.

"Since 2004, Navistar Defense has delivered nearly 7,000 trucks and buses to Iraq through foreign military sales contracts," said Kevin Thomas, president of Navistar Defense. "As a proven partner, we're proud to supply the Iraq Army with a highly versatile and easy-to-maintain 7000-series tactical military support truck that offers greater efficiencies in support, spare parts, training, and operations."

Related: Ex-Military Trucks Find Duties with Civilian Operators

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