John G Smith

John G. Smith is Newcom Media's vice-president - editorial, and the editorial director of its trucking publications -- including Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, and Transport Routier. The award-winning journalist has covered the trucking industry since 1995.

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New International LT Series boosts fuel economy 7%

LAS VEGAS, NV - International's new flagship line of Class 8 over-the-road trucks - the LT Series -- has been unveiled with a wide array of driver-friendly improvements in the cab, and the promise of "unrivaled fuel efficiency" overall. "The new International LT Series reflects our vision for the future of the trucking industry, with a host of advancements that support improved driver safety and productivity, as well as fuel efficiency and uptime," said Bill Kozek, Navistar's president - truck and parts. "This new vehicle reflects our strong belief that integrating the best technology will provide customers with a significant operating advantage." The LT Series will be offered as a day cab, in 56-inch low-roof and high-rise sleepers, and 73-inch high-rise and sky-rise sleepers. Options under the hood include the new 2017 Cummins X15 engine with ratings up to 500 horsepower in the Efficiency Series and up to 565 horsepower in the Performance Series. The truck can also be powered by the proprietary 2017 Navistar N13 engine, available in the spring, which produces up to 475 horsepower and 1,750 lb-ft of torque in a design that is 500 to 600 pounds lighter than other big bore engines.

ATA wants brakes put on speed limiter proposal

ARLINGTON, VA - The American Trucking Associations (ATA) says it continues to hold a "pro-safety policy" regarding speed limiters, but it is raising concerns about a proposal to mandate the technology in the U.S. "Despite ATA's decade-old, pro-safety policy on speed, the new joint rulemaking from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Administration proposes a menu of three speed options for commercial trucks, not one," said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. "It provides insufficient data, and fails to make a recommendation regarding which of the three proposed speeds it believes is best and why. "

Laskowski to lead Canadian Trucking Alliance

VANCOUVER, BC - Stephen Laskowski will lead the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) as president and Chief Executive Officer when David Bradley retires from the positions on January 1, 2018. Laskowski, who was recently named Bradley's successor at the Ontario Trucking Association, is currently CTA's senior vice president and second in command. "It's a great honor to represent this industry and do it on a national basis," he told a room full of CTA board members in Vancouver, after being named to the role. "I love this industry. The CTA staff and I are very privileged to represent you. Moving forward, the staff and I are eager to work together as an alliance, with the provincial associations, and with each provincial board to represent carriers from coast to coast."

Daimler CEO talks growing share, struggling market

LAS VEGAS, NV - It's a tough market for truck sales these days, but Daimler Trucks North America president and Chief Executive Officer Martin Daum still sees a "light at the end of the tunnel" - and is setting firm goals for the year to come. Where Canadian Class 8 sales were up 6% in 2014 and 3% in 2015, they are down 24% this year. Daum expects 360,000 Class 6-8 trucks to be sold in the NAFTA region this year, down dramatically from 424,000 units last year, and even the 384,000 in 2014.