Navistar and VW Chiefs Talk Up Their Alliance Deal

Navistar and VW Chiefs Talk Up Their Alliance Deal

<img width="150" src="http://www.automotive-fleet.com/fc_images/news/m-vw-navistar-globalfootprint-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="

Graphic: VW Truck and Bus

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Graphic: VW Truck and Bus

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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

TCA Promotes Director of Safety and Policy to VP of Government Affairs

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David Heller Photo: TCA

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David Heller Photo: TCA

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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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Cummins Unveils Tech Aimed at Reducing Cost of Ownership

Cummins is showcasing a diverse set of new technologies aimed at reducing total cost of ownership for OEM customers at the upcoming IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hannover, Germany.

The technologies being unveiled by Cummins include turbocharger components designed for high efficiency and a tailored mid-range fuel system that combined can offer up to 7-8% fuel efficiency improvements. Cummins is also demonstrating a new aftertreatment solution with the unveiling of the new higher performance Compact Box and display of the Single Module that offers a 60% reduction in space claim, and 40% reduction in weight, providing improvements for customer integration and installation.

Cummins Turbo Technologies will unveil specific turbocharger component design to help achieve up to 8% turbocharger efficiency gains and improve overall fuel economy.

The Mixed Flow Turbine Wheel enables turbine efficiency improvements of 2-3% and lower inertia resulting in improved transient response and fuel economy at key engine operating points. A Wastegate Blown Diffuser improves turbine stage efficiency by up to 5% resulting in increased fuel economy and reduced CO2. The Twin Port option on electric wastegates can increase stage flow by up to 45% allowing engine downsizing without a loss in power, as well as optimizing aftertreatment.

Cummins Fuel Systems have expanded their product range with the development of a mid-range fuel system to be launched in 2017. The products offer global customers industry-leading injection pressure as demonstrated on the Heavy Duty XPI Fuel System.

This specialty tailored system also delivers better engine performance and improved fuel economy to mid-range engines. The system can provide up to 5% fuel efficiency improvements by optimizing injector specification based on the duty cycle and selecting the right pump size at engine integration level.

Launching in 2017, Cummins Emission Solutions is addressing global customer needs for improved efficiency for heavy-duty cabover truck applications with the development of ...Read the rest of this story

Meritor Tire Inflation System by P.S.I.: Built from the ground up

Last week, Pressure Systems International, makers of the Meritor Tire Inflation System by P.S.I., hosted about 100 customers at its new production facility in San Antonio, TX, as part of its Fleet Technology Event. Just opened in August, the facility is approximately twice the size of the previous P.S.I. facility, and also houses corporate offices.

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Thermo King Introducers Smarter, Efficient Refrigeration Unit

Thermo King introduced the SLXi platform of single and multi-temperature trailer refrigeration units, developed with a focus on unit intelligence, communication, fuel consumption and temperature management.

“Innovation goes beyond simply creating new products,” said Karin De Bondt, vice president and general manager for truck, trailer and ubs at Thermo King in Europe, Middle East and Africa. “It is about addressing unique customer needs through connectivity, data-driven intelligence, real-user insights, and the ability to merge new and emerging technologies later based upon customer needs.”

The SLXi range includes tailorable operational parameters dependent on application and ambient conditions to better meet customer needs. The customized profile conditions create better performance and fuel savings of 10%-20% compared to previous models, according to Thermo King.

The SLXi is also fully telematics-enabled, giving fleets full visibility of the unit and load condition through Thermo King's TK BlueBox communication device and Bluetooth. The TK BlueBox collects and stores unit data which can be accessed through a free smartphone app. This enables real-time unit management and access to critical data. Users can manage defrost, pre-trip, set point and additional operating mode settings remotely.

The unit's SR-3 temperature controller allows set point control and temperature displays to provide more accurate temperatures in increments of 0.1 degrees Celsius. It is capable of greater temperature control and more optimized fuel efficiency due to more flexible and broader temperature bands in Cycle Sentry mode.

In multi-temperature models, Precision Temperature Control reduces temperature deviation by up to 80% over previous technology and will maintain compartment temperature within around 0.15 degrees Celsius, dependent on operating conditions. PTC provides an automatic pre-set of the capacity modulation and the temperature control to secure an optimum environment in the center and rear trailer compartments, where 95% of customers transport fresh products.

The SLXi range is also designed to be more environmentally ...Read the rest of this story