Peterbilt Motors Co. is expanding the availability of factory installation for its no-idle fuel-fired heater to Model 579 and 56 tractors equipped with 44-in. sleepers.
With this addition, the system can be spec'd with the full range of Peterbilt sleepers, which includes 44, 58, 72 and 80-in. models, the OEM said.
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...Read the rest of this storyFord Motor Co. officially took the wraps off its electrically-powered adaptive steering system for its 2017 model Super Duty pickup trucks – a technology the OEM introduced on the 2016 Ford Edge Sport SUV.
Ford said it's been awarded eight patents, with 11 more filed, for its adaptive steering package; a system that electronically increases or decreases steering gear ratios by 30% to boost highway steering “comfort” as well as improve low-speed maneuverability.
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Russell Stubbs, chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), announced that David Heller has been promoted to vice president of government affairs.
In this capacity, Heller will expand TCA's presence on Capitol Hill and form partnerships and alliances with those who share a common vision with TCA, among other things.
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...Read the rest of this storyDavid Heller Photo: TCA
" >David Heller Photo: TCA
" width="185" height="257">The Truckload Carriers Association has promoted David Heller from director of safety and policy to vice president of government affairs, the group announced during its Fall business meeting.
In the new role, Heller will be tasked with expanding TCA's presence on Capitol Hill and form partnerships and alliances with those who share a common vision with TCA. Heller has worked for TCA as director of safety and policy since 2005.
Prior to that, he spent 7 years as a manager of safety programs for American Trucking Associations. He is an advisor to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Entry Level Driver Training Advisory Committee and has earned certification from the North American Transportation Management Institute as a Certified Director of Safety.
“This promotion is the next logical step toward ensuring that the interests of the truckload segment of the trucking industry have a clear and unified voice on the Hill,” said Russell Stubbs, chairman of the TCA. “Working collaboratively with all necessary parties, Dave will put forth initiatives that are advantageous to truckload, and he will monitor and keep us informed about policy and regulatory issues as they relate to us.”
Related: TCA, CarriersEdge Seek Best Fleets to Drive For
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...Read the rest of this storyGraphic: VW Truck and Bus
">Graphic: VW Truck and Bus
">HANNOVER, GERMANY. Just two weeks after revealing they had forged a “wide-ranging strategic alliance,” the chief executives of Volkswagen Truck and Bus and Navistar International Corp. fielded questions from North American journalists covering the massive IAA truck show opening here this week.
Their overall take on the deal was that it enables them to together develop advanced technology that will be needed by global truck markets for years to come.
On Sept. 7, VW announced it would acquire a 16.6% equity stake in Navistar and that the two OEMs would act as partners to share technological developments, especially regarding powertrains, and to pursue global sourcing opportunities to increase economy of scale.
Andreas Renschler, CEO of Volkswagen Truck & Bus, which also owns Europe-based global truck builders Scania and MAN, and Navistar CEO Troy Clarke said that discussions with an eye to seeking synergies that ultimately led to the deal began a year ago. Actual negotiations began only in March.
“We are looking forward to a successful alliance,” said Renschler, who is familiar with the North American trucking industry from when he headed up Daimler Trucks before moving onto VW two years ago. “Navistar needs what we can offer, including engines, transmissions and axles,” he said. He noted that thanks to the alliance, VW will be able to take into account Navistar's requirements as it develops new products.
“We are excited to have found a partner that looks at the future the way we do and with whom we have a high degree of alignment,” said Clarke, CEO of Navistar. “We have a common vision of the industry and its issues. That we can do it better together makes it a perfect fit.”
Alluding to Navistar's expensive recovery from having opted to pursue an EGR instead of the SCR solutions ...Read the rest of this story
