Paccar
Kenworth building for the future
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – Kenworth is actively building its trucks and capabilities alike. Coming off a record year in which it produced 39,800 Class 8 trucks at its manufacturing facility in Chillicothe, Ohio, the OEM is now breaking ground on a new US $140-million paint facility that promises to deliver better finishes and higher productivity.
Continental Divide: The differences between European and North American trucks
TORONTO, Ont. -- The manufacturers of North American and European trucks are more closely aligned than ever. But as close as the companies have drawn together, the equipment itself can appear a world apart. Different regulations are just one reason.
Peterbilt brings ‘purposeful innovation’ to Silicon Valley
SUNNYVALE, Calif. – California’s Silicon Valley is known as a hotbed of high technology, and the Paccar Innovation Center is in the midst of it all. The 26,000-sq-ft facility is designed to house 50 employees, featuring a five-bay truck lab and fabrication area complete with a 3D printer for working on prototypes. But perhaps more important is the way the space is being used to collaborate on trucks and systems of the future – tapping into in-house expertise as well as the work of other companies in the famed valley.
DAF adds to Europe’s electric trucks
EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands -- DAF Trucks, Paccar’s European counterpart to Peterbilt and Kenworth, has unveiled its first series of CF Electric trucks – adding to the battery-powered nameplates on the other side of the Atlantic. The 4x2 tractor is developed for urban distribution applications. It’s based on the company’s DAF model, with a 210-kW electric motor at the heart of the powertrain. Power is stored in a 170 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, offering a range of about 100 km, which the company says is appropriate for high-volume distribution applications. Torque reaches up to 1,475 lb-ft. Quick charges can be completed in 30 minutes, while full charges are possible in 1.5 hours. The trucks for field tests will be manufactured by DAF, and the full electric installation will be completed by VDL Groep.
Strong economy, $60 oil driving truck sales, Peterbilt says
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Peterbilt is projecting sales of Class 8 trucks in Canada and the U.S. to reach between 235,000 and 265,000 units this year, with another 85,000 medium-duty trucks to be sold on top of that. Several economic conditions back the healthy projections.
Little engines that can: Big power from small displacements
TORONTO, ON -- Canada has always been big-bore territory: big trucks, big loads, big hills, big engines. Right? If you're one of those with feet firmly planted in the big bore camp, it might be time to re-think that position. Some of today's smaller engines are surprisingly capable. They are lighter and more fuel-efficient, and deliver performance that's nearly equal to their larger brothers.
Financial Planning: Structure a lease that’s right for you
TORONTO, ON -- What is it that you do best: fix trucks, manage toll payments and fuel taxes, change tires, sell used trucks, or move freight? If you're even a modestly successful fleet in today's market, you're probably pretty good at most of the above, but you probably wish you could devote more time and resources to your core competency - moving freight. About 10 years ago, André Boisvert, vice president and co-owner of Lachine, Quebec-based Trans-West Group, concluded that he was better at transportation and logistics than he was at maintenance and fleet management.
