Dana to Supply Axles, Driveshafts for 2018 Isuzu FTR

Dana - Spicer E-Series Steer Axle Photo: Dana

Dana Incorporated announced that it will begin supplying axles and driveshafts for the 2018 Isuzu FTR Class 6 medium-duty truck.

Production of the 2018 Isuzu FTR is scheduled to begin in mid-2017 and it will be assembled with a Spicer single-reduction drive axle, Spicer E-Series steer axles, and a Spicer Life Series driveshaft.

The 2018 Isuzu FTR is designed for city delivery applications, such as beverage, box, and refrigerated box trucks. The 2018 Isuzu FTR will feature a low cab forward design for better visibility and maneuverability. It will be powered by an Isuzu 4HK1-TC 5.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine, and will also include an Allison 2000 Series automatic transmission.

“We chose Spicer axles and driveshafts for the 2018 Isuzu FTR due to Dana's dedication to quality and innovation," said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. "This truck represents our vision of the future for the medium-duty industry.”

Dana's driveline components are designed to optimize the 2018 Isuzu FTR's durability and efficiency. Spicer single-reduction drive axles have been engineered with stronger wheel differentials to absorb shock, providing durability for city delivery applications.

Spicer E-Series steer axles feature a lightweight beam design, weighing up to 69 pounds less than competitive offerings, according to Dana. Spicer Life Series medium-duty driveshafts are precision balanced for reduced noise, vibration, and harshness and permanently lubricated with a sealed spline. These features can reduce maintenance and extend product life.

Dana has previously supplied driveline components and thermal technologies for Isuzu trucks in Japan and Thailand.

“The truck of tomorrow needs to be fuel-efficient, maneuverable, environmentally friendly, and offer a low cost of ownership,” said Skinner. “Dana's driveline components will help achieve all of those objectives.”

Related: Isuzu Details All-New Class 6 FTR

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Economic Watch: Fed Hikes Interest Rates for Only Second Time in a Decade

Policymakers at the Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced an increase in interest rates for the first time this year-- and for only the second time since the depths of the Great Recession. And there are expected to be at least some repercussions for trucking.

The unanimous decision by members of the Federal Open Market Committee to raise the federal funds rate from 0.25% to 0.5% to a range of 0.5% and 0.75% follows a similar hike in December 2015, when it increased this rate that banks charge each other for usually overnight loans.

The FOMC also voted unanimously to approve a .25 percentage point increase in the discount rate, the rate the Fed charges banks for loans, to 1.25%

The decision followed a two-day meeting of the FOMC and expectations that small interest rate hikes will be made by the central bank in 2017.

When the Fed increased interest rates a year ago, the expectation was there would be increases in 2016. However, a slower economy in the first half of the year delayed that decision, with more recent numbers showing respectable economic gains beginning with the start of the third quarter.

In a statement, the FOMC said information it received since its November meeting indicates that the labor market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has been expanding at a moderate pace since mid-year.

“Job gains have been solid in recent months and the unemployment rate has declined. Household spending has been rising moderately but business fixed investment has remained soft,” the statement said. “Inflation has increased since earlier this year but is still below the committee's 2% longer-run objective, partly reflecting earlier declines in energy prices and in prices of non-energy imports.” The Fed did say it expects inflation to hit 2% annually.

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XL Hybrids to Offer Plug-In Hybrid Half-Ton Pickup

Photo courtesy of XL Hybrids

XL Hybrids will offer a plug-in hybrid electric half-ton pickup trucks that's expected to increase range by 50% and offer a significant reduction of carbon-dioxide emissions, the vehicle modifier announced.

The company will offer its XLP powertrain as a ship-through option on half-ton pickup trucks from leading OEMs starting in late 2017.

The XLP will built on the technology used on the company's XL3 hybrid-electric powertrain. The XLP lithium battery pack will be over 10 kWh, and will accommodate Levels 1 and 2 charging using an industry-standard plug.

Installing the XLP system on half-ton pickup trucks will leave the OEM's engine, transmission, fuel system, and exhaust system intact. Fleets will maintain the OEM warranty and get a three-year, 75,000-mile warranty from XL Hybrids for the XLP powertrain. The XLP system will have no special maintenance requirements.

The system will also include the XL Link cloud-based big data analytics system that measures MPG performance and reports carbon-dioxide reductions. XL Link vehicle connectivity is a continuous data link from every vehicle, collecting millions of operational data points, allowing analysis and reports on key performance indicators.

San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Liberty Utilities, Hawaiian Electric Company, and Montgomery County are among the customers that intend to purchase the XLP PHEV system, according to XL Hybrids. XLP ship-through deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Related: Workhorse to Present Working Hybrid Pickup Concept

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Kenworth Makes 52-inch Mid-Roof Option Available for T680 Advantage

Photo: Kenworth

Kenworth's more fuel efficient 52-inch mid-roof sleeper Advantage Package for regional haul and less-than-truckload applications is available for order

The 52-inch mid-roof sleeper configuration of the T680 with Advantage Package offers new aerodynamic elements including a front air dam, flared-out fairing, lower sleeper fairing extenders and FlowBelow wheel covers that enhance fuel economy by effectively redirecting airflow around the chassis, sleeper and trailer., said teh OEM.

Other notable fuel-efficiency features include Kenworth's Predictive Cruise Control, Neutral Coast, and Driver Performance Assistant.

The latest T680 Advantage configuration features an optimized powertrain with either a Paccar MX-13 or MX-11 engine, Eaton Fuller Advantage series 10-speed automated transmission and the Paccar Axle tandem drive axle.

The T680 Advantage running the 52-inch mid-roof sleeper offers up to a 6% fuel economy benefit compared to a standard T680 with a 52-inch mid-roof sleeper running the previous generation of MX-13 engine, Eaton Fuller automated transmission, and standard drive axles, according to Kenworth.

“Regional haul and LTL fleets, as well as other truck operators, can now choose from the Kenworth T680 Advantage's comprehensive line-up of day cab, 52-inch mid-roof and 76-inch sleeper configurations for outstanding aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, resulting in reduced operating costs,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director.

Related: Kenworth 40-inch Sleeper Available for Order

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Arconic Signs $450 Million in Supply Deals for its Alcoa Wheels

Photo via Alcoa Wheels

Manufacturing company Arconic has signed more than $450 million in long-term agreements, including a major deal with Paccar, to supply its forged aluminum Alcoa wheels to makers of commercial vehicles serving global markets.

The deals were made throughout 2016 with customers in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. The single largest is a long-term agreement with Paccar to supply Alcoa wheels for Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks. As a result, Paccar customers will have access to the entire portfolio of Alcoa wheels.

“Paccar is committed to uncompromising engineering and industry-leading designs that meet and exceed our customers' expectations,” said Bill Jackson, Paccar's vice president of global purchasing. “We offer the best products to our customers, and Alcoa Wheels are part of our option packages. We are pleased to be able to extend our longstanding partnership.”

Arconic signed more than a dozen other contracts in other countries with customers in the truck, trailer, bus and RV segments. The wheels are being supplied by Arconic Wheel and Transportation Products facilities in Cleveland, Ohio; Monterrey, Mexico; Kofem, Hungary; and Suzhou, China. The company has recently invested in expanding capabilities in each of these regions to support business growth.

“This new agreement builds on our decades-long partnership with Paccar to deliver premium performance wheels to Paccar customers,” said Merrick Murphy, president of Arconic Wheel and Transportation Products.

Related: Alcoa Becomes Arconic

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