Navistar Acquires Engine Components Business From Continental, Forms New Operating Company

Photo Credit: Navistar
Navistar, Inc., has announced it has concluded an agreement to acquire certain assets and the membership interests of Continental Diesel Systems US, LLC, to manufacture key fuel injection components for its MaxxForce diesel engines.

As part of Navistar’s industry leadership strategy, the company also will establish a dedicated research and development facility to support Navistar’s diesel power system components. The company, renamed Pure Power Technologies, LLC, will further vertically integrate research and development, engineering and manufacturing capabilities to produce world-class diesel power systems and advanced emissions control systems.

“Pure Power Technologies allows Navistar to seamlessly integrate development and production of our power system component technology as we continue to grow globally,” said Daniel C. Ustian, Navistar chairman, president and chief executive officer. “This supports our industry leadership strategy to produce great products and will serve as a components technology incubator for Navistar’s MaxxForce® brand engines.”

Based in Columbia, South Carolina, Pure Power Technologies will operate a research and development center there as well as a manufacturing plant in nearby Blythewood, South Carolina. The Columbia and Blythewood facilities are former Continental assets. Further, the acquisition of these Continental facilities by Navistar prevents their closing as previously announced by Continental. Navistar and Continental will be working on a product transition plan between now and January to assure the needs of both companies are met.

“Housing our advanced manufacturing technology team near the R&D campus will be a key differentiator for Pure Power Technologies. This will enhance our ability to quickly bring new technologies to market,” said Eric Tech, president, Navistar Engine Group.

Source: Navistar

Cummins Reports On Cummins ISB Fuel Economy Advantages

Cummins has announced that the Cummins ISB has demonstrated significant fuel economy advantages over competitive engines and is an ideal choice in both the school bus and medium-duty truck markets where maximizing fuel economy is a top priority.

According to Cummins, the Cummins ISB, which meets the current 2007 EPA emissions standards, won every test segment with results ranging from a 7- to 19-percent lead over MaxxForce engines.

Testing was conducted with an independent third party as well as in-house, using SAE Type III methodology. In total, three different comparisons were completed – each representing real-world scenarios for the school bus and medium-duty truck markets. The tests included vehicles with comparable specifications and load factors. In each assessment, the current Cummins ISB was matched against the MaxxForce 7 and the MaxxForce DT with like horsepower and torque ratings.

“We are delighted at the results of our testing of the ISB against the competition. Fuel economy is incredibly important to our customers, and our testing has validated the clear advantage that customers have with Cummins power,” said Tom Hodek – General Manager, Bus Business for Cummins.

Source: Cummins

Kenworth Introduces T440 Model For Regional Haul, Pickup and Delivery, Vocational and Municipal Markets

Kenworth Truck Company recently announced the introduction of the Kenworth T440 model in tractor and truck configurations for regional haul, city pickup and delivery, municipal and vocational applications.

Photo Credit: Kenworth

“Kenworth is aggressively expanding its product line to bring Kenworth’s World’s Best quality, performance and durability to additional markets and customers in the United States and Canada,” said Gary Moore, Kenworth assistant general manager for marketing and sales. “The new Kenworth T440 offers excellent value, productivity and aerodynamics to truck operators and fleets in heavy front-axle regional haul and pickup and delivery applications. This versatile truck will also benefit vocational and municipal customers who need a heavy front axle for dumps, mixers and fire trucks.”

The Kenworth T440 is now available for order with initial production scheduled to begin first quarter 2010.

Source: Kenworth

Mack Truck Sponsors Share The Road Highway Safety Education Program For 2010

Photo Credit: Mack Trucks

Mack Trucks, Inc. has announced it would continue as a major sponsor of the extremely successful Share The Road highway safety education program for 2010. The announcement was made at the American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition here.

Designed to enhance the safety of America’s roadways by teaching car drivers how to safely drive around large trucks, Share the Road uses professional truck drivers with exemplary safety records to deliver life-saving messages about potential blind spots, safe following distances, truck stopping distances and other important topics.

Traditionally, the drivers have spread this information through demonstrations to local media, students, community leaders and highway users around the United States, using a SmartWay-certified MACK® Pinnacle™ model tractor donated by the truck maker as part of its support of Share the Road. Today, additional communication channels are also being utilized.

“Share the Road has exposed millions of citizens to essential information on how to safely drive around large trucks,” said Michael McNally, Mack vice president of sales. “These messages have been delivered by the professional drivers who are the heart and soul of the Share the Road program. Their passion for safety helps them connect to a wide variety of audiences. And the program now reaches more at-risk young drivers than ever before through the use of social media, such as Facebook and YouTube.”

Source: Mack Truck

Freightliner Trucks Introduces the New On-Highway Coronado

Freightliner Trucks recently introduced the new on-highway Coronado at the Chrome Shop Mafia headquarters in Joplin, Mo. Featuring enhanced aerodynamics, updated technological innovations and luxurious styling, the Coronado is the perfect blend of form and function.

Photo Credit: Freightliner

"The Coronado commands attention on the road - it is ideal for owner-operators who want a truck that not only turns heads - but turns profits," said Melissa Clausen, director of product marketing for Freightliner Trucks. "Sleek design updates, both inside and out, have resulted in a fuel-efficient truck that's comfortable to drive.

Using Freightliner's state-of-the-art wind tunnel to develop and test the new truck, the Coronado was designed with style and efficiency in mind.

Photo Credit: Freightliner

"Our goal was to create a traditionally-styled aerodynamic truck that would help owners reduce fuel consumption and increase bottom line profits," said Clausen. "Everything about the Coronado was carefully developed and built to keep it running and earning revenue."

The Coronado's hood is constructed out of one-piece fiberglass that is robust, yet easy to repair - incorporating parting lines to assist the body shop and reduce repair costs. The truck's smooth stainless steel grille is ready for years of use, and the Coronado's chrome-plated hood handle was designed in Freightliner's wind tunnel to specifically enhance airflow over the truck.

Photo Credit: Freightliner

Further enhancing aerodynamics, the curved shape of the Coronado two-piece windshield is sloped for better airflow around, and over the cab, decreasing wind resistance and further lowering fuel costs.

And, dual chrome steel intakes come standard on the Coronado. Air enters the system through two chromed steel grilles on either side of the hood, combining an aerodynamic and functional inlet with a stylish design. Designed for maximum efficiency, the intakes are positioned on either side of the hood to minimize the infiltration of water, snow, road debris or dust.


"Every element on the Coronado - from the hood to the fender and even the mirrors - was tested in the wind tunnel to optimize airflow," said Clausen. "This aerodynamic design, coupled with the latest in clean engine technology, enhances overall efficiency."

The Coronado features a strong, durable cab made of high-strength, lightweight aluminum. This lightweight construction allows owner-operators to increase revenue by hauling larger payloads. And, an up-to 50 degree wheel cut - comparable to many set-back axle trucks - helps the Coronado easily maneuver.

Photo Credit: Freightliner

The Coronado's updated design includes new headlights that are both stylish and durable. The headlights are made from a strong composite material and incorporate a single reflector, which offers excellent lighting capability both forward and to the side. For added convenience, the headlight uses just a single bulb, which is readily available at any auto parts store for replacement without any special tools.

The truck's hood tilts almost 90 degrees for easy engine access, making daily fluid level checks effortless. A special spring helps open and close the hood and reduces the lift effort to 40 pounds, for a smooth, easy opening.

"Productivity is the highest priority, so we designed the Coronado to enable owner-operators to easily make adjustments on their own, keeping repair costs and downtime to a minimum," said Clausen.

Noise abatement materials such as noise panels in the floor, front wall, sides and back panel keep the truck as quiet as possible. Double-sealed doors and well-sealed windows further reduce noise.

The truck's well-appointed interior, complete with Oregon Burl Wood trim and accents on the dash, provide a feeling of luxury.

The Coronado also features an updated dashboard, designed with the driver experience in mind. Formed as a single piece to minimize fasteners and rubbing points that create rattles, the Coronado's dashboard is one of the quietest ever developed by Freightliner.

Photo Credit: Freightliner

The dashboard's controls, valves and air switches are front-loaded and located within easy reach, and the gauges can be easily read. All switches and instrument panels are backlit by LED lights for non-glare nighttime viewing, and extra-large panels provide greater flexibility in gauge combinations.

The Coronado's luxurious sleeper includes strategically placed cabinets to maximize storage, and a stow-away upper bunk provides extra bed space. A pullout writing surface, clothing rack and a separate control panel for heat, air conditioning and lighting complete the interior.

Photo Credit: Freightliner

"Our customers spend most of their time inside the truck, so we wanted it well-appointed and comfortable," said Clausen.

Available with the Detroit Diesel DD13, DD15, and DD16 engines, as well as the Cummins ISX, the Coronado is designed to meet the upcoming EPA 2010 standards.

Detroit Diesel engines are equipped with the revolutionary new BlueTec emissions technology. BlueTec-equipped engines deliver a fuel economy improvement of up to 5 percent compared to EPA 2007 engines and are an evolution of the selective catalytic reduction technology developed by Daimler.

"The Coronado is a traditional truck with today's most innovative engineering and design elements," said Michael Jackson, general manager of marketing for Daimler Trucks North America. "The Coronado is a smart option that is ready to take on any challenge."

Source: Freightliner

Kenworth Adds Allison Transmission Load-Based Shift Scheduling Feature For Enhanced Fuel Economy and Performance

Kenworth Truck Company now offers Allison Transmission’s Load-Based Shift Scheduling (LBSS) as a standard feature on select Allison transmissions with Kenworth Class 8 and medium duty trucks for enhanced fuel economy and performance.

Photo Credit: Kenworth

Allison LBSS is included on the company’s fully automatic Highway Series (HS) and Rugged Duty Series (RDS) transmissions when configured with a 2007 and later emission model engine. LBSS automatically selects between economy and performance shift schedules based on the vehicle’s actual payload and its operating grade.

The economy mode is used when the truck travels on level terrain with an empty or diminishing load. The performance mode is used when the vehicle is heavily loaded or on a grade. According to Allison, the system can help enhance fuel economy, while also maintaining high productivity, even during heavily loaded situations.

Photo Credit: Kenworth

The addition of LBSS to Allison 3000 and 4000 series models can allow the mode button on the transmission’s shift selector to be programmed for controlling other vehicle functions, such as body builder functions or power takeoff (PTO) operation.

On trucks with Allison 1000 and 2000 series transmissions without a shift schedule dash switch, LBSS automatically performs the shift schedule selection for the driver, eliminating the need to manually select the transmission shift schedule for economy operation.

Source: Kenworth

Is Technology Distracting Truckers While Driving?

Truckers use more tech gadgets today than the traditional CB radio. According to a story in the New York Times, the trucking industry has expanded the use laptop computers, smart phones in truck cabs to communicate with and track drivers and their cargo.

The trucking industry encourages safe use of texting and email in trucks, but there are also concerns these devices are distracting truckers from the road. A possible federal bill could force states to ban texting while driving in exchange for federal highway money.

Source: The New York Times