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.
Trust Your Co-pilot: Bendix Wingman Fusion keeps virtual eyes on the road, foot upon the brakes
First, a confession. I am a terrible passenger. My right foot is always pumping against the floor mat whenever I find myself riding shotgun. A knot forms in my stomach when someone takes anything other than my favorite route. When the Today's Trucking team carpooled to a trade show earlier this year, I was quick to reach for the keys before anyone else had the chance.
Trust Your Co-pilot: Bendix Wingman Fusion keeps virtual eyes on the road, foot upon the brakes
First, a confession. I am a terrible passenger. My right foot is always pumping against the floor mat whenever I find myself riding shotgun. A knot forms in my stomach when someone takes anything other than my favorite route. When the Today's Trucking team carpooled to a trade show earlier this year, I was quick to reach for the keys before anyone else had the chance.
Kenworth enhancing day cabs, ending T660
KIRKLAND, WA - Kenworth has unveiled several new and coming product enhancements, particularly to its lineup of day cabs, but has also announced that it will officially end production of the venerable T660. The company has sold 60,000 of that aerodynamic tractor since it was first introduced in 2007, essentially replacing the T600. A final 500 of the T660 cabs will be built this year until the last model rolls off the assembly line. Ongoing investments at Kenworth have included a new climactic wind tunnel.About 80% of the trucks that the company builds today are the T680 or its vocational sibling, the T880. The T680 itself accounts for about 60% of sales, with the T880 at just under 30%.
Made to Measure: Advances in telematics
TORONTO, ON -- There was a time that trucks essentially disappeared into a black hole between fleet gates and customer loading docks. Nobody really knew where equipment was at any given point in time. The only person who knew a fault light was shining on the dash was the driver. Telemetry and telematics changed this dramatically, capturing and streaming data for drivers, vehicles, and operations teams alike.
Shell unveils portfolio of next-generation oils
WASHINGTON, DC - Shell Lubricants has officially unveiled its engine oils designed to meet pending CK-4 and FA-4 oil categories that will play a key role in helping to support 2017 emission standards and improve fuel economy. Anxious buyers will even be able to tap into the benefits of T5 10W-30 CK-4 oils as early as this August, before the official December 1 rollout of the American Petroleum Institute oil categories.
BC to require 13,431 new drivers in next decade: study
VANCOUVER, BC - British Columbia's transportation and construction industries will need to fill 110,000 jobs in the next decade - and truck drivers will be among those most in demand, according to Asia Pacific Gateway Labor Market Outlook 2016-2025.
ZF tops SAF-Holland bid for Haldex
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - ZF Friedrichshafen AG has outbid SAF-Holland in the race to buy Haldex, which produces brakes and air suspensions for heavy trucks, trailers and buses. The cash deal worth 100 kronor (CDN $15.33) per share has been approved by the Haldex Board of Directors, and values Haldex at $670 million. The cash deal worth 100 kronor (CDN $15.33) per share has been approved by the Haldex Board of Directors, and values Haldex at $670 million. It is still subject to regulatory approval. SAF-Holland had made its unsolicited bid last month, offering about $14.25 per share. Just last year, ZF purchased U.S.-based TRW, and has since said that it aims to provide a full lineup of commercial vehicle systems needed for autonomous trucks - all part of a corporate vision that has been dubbed "See-Think-Act".