Surprise! Cummins goes electric

COLUMBUS, IN - In a dramatic demonstration of technological agility, Cummins finished off a press conference here yesterday by unveiling its all-electric, zero-emissions class-7 tractor. Obviously, it's a first for the 98-year-old diesel manufacturer that wants to become known as a powertrain provider, not an engine builder. It was a surprise to many, even to those of us who knew electric power was in the cards at Cummins, as well as being a small slap in the face to Tesla, which has been threatening to introduce an electric tractor next month. Called the 'AEOS' electric commercial vehicle demonstrator, and built by Roush on what seems to be an International ProStar base, it's a working 4x2 regional hauler, not just a concept shell. Cummins sees its role in vocational applications like urban delivery, port drayage, and terminal container handling. It's claimed to achieve over 30 miles per gallon in diesel-equivalent terms while accelerating 25-35% faster than the same tractor powered by an 11- or 12-liter diesel (depending on rear-axle ratios, of course).

Surprise! Cummins goes electric

COLUMBUS, IN - In a dramatic demonstration of technological agility, Cummins finished off a press conference here yesterday by unveiling its all-electric, zero-emissions class-7 tractor. Obviously, it's a first for the 98-year-old diesel manufacturer that wants to become known as a powertrain provider, not an engine builder. It was a surprise to many, even to those of us who knew electric power was in the cards at Cummins, as well as being a small slap in the face to Tesla, which has been threatening to introduce an electric tractor next month. Called the 'AEOS' electric commercial vehicle demonstrator, and built by Roush on what seems to be an International ProStar base, it's a working 4x2 regional hauler, not just a concept shell. Cummins sees its role in vocational applications like urban delivery, port drayage, and terminal container handling. It's claimed to achieve over 30 miles per gallon in diesel-equivalent terms while accelerating 25-35% faster than the same tractor powered by an 11- or 12-liter diesel (depending on rear-axle ratios, of course).

Headlights Again: Now digital

A few months ago I wrote a couple of times about headlights, complaining that the standard lamps offered in most vehicles -- from cars to heavy trucks -- are insufficient. Meaning, it's too easy to over-drive your lights at what are pretty ordinary speeds nowadays. The light just isn't thrown far enough down the road, reducing the ability of a driver to see far enough ahead to avoid an obstruction and maybe a catastrophic accident.

Detroit Connect portal expands

For all customers with an active Detroit Connect subscription, mobile app coming soon

Detroit Connect portal expands

For all customers with an active Detroit Connect subscription, mobile app coming soon

IN PRINT — 30 Years and Counting: Today’s Trucking looks back

Before we published the first issue of this magazine, we argued hard about the wisdom of buying a fax machine. That's how long ago 30 years actually is. Now, in 2017, only doctors and real estate agents seem to use faxes, but in 1987 it was a technology in its infancy, soon to be ubiquitous and then mostly gone.

Volvo Pushes Forward

Volvo has been mighty busy of late. Back in late April it chose our very own Expocam truck show in Montreal to unveil its new and long overdue VNR regional tractor. Promoted as the "shape of trucks to come," it was joined this week by another much updated truck, the long-haul VNL, replete with all manner of safety technology as standard equipment.

Report from Canada’s largest classic truck show

CLIFFORD, ON -- In spite of rain and loads of mud on Saturday, July 1, the eighth annual Antique and Classic Truck Show organized by the Great Lakes Truck Club was another success. Some 1430 people came through the gates on Saturday, somewhat fewer on Friday.

Turn Complaints Around: When things go wrong, listen to your customer

Had a lesson in customer service the other day. Nothing to do with trucking, but an extraordinary example of how to respond to complaints.

IN PRINT — Gold Star: Western Star turns 50

TORONTO, ON -- Western Star Trucks is now 50 years old, an iconic brand in Canada, if a little less so in the U.S. That difference isn't surprising because the truck was born here when White Motor Company built a plant in Kelowna, B.C., and launched what was called the White Western Star. A tough truck, it was essentially hand-built, and if you wanted holes in the frame here as opposed to there, you had only to ask. Its initial target was the forestry world. A logging truck par excellence, as it remains, it also found favor in the oil patch and in mines.

Making Dust in a Western Star

So I had some fun last week in Arizona with a few of Western Star's latest trucks and the continuation of the company's anniversary celebrations. They refer to it as 'Celebrating 50 Years of Legendary Awesomeness'. No hyperbole there.

Western Star Expands XD Lineup

PHOENIX, AZ -- Western Star has introduced a new member in its line of XD OffRoad trucks, the XD-25. It's a 25-ton hauler aimed at smaller off-road applications, such as construction, mining, and quarry site hauling. Despite its size and bulk, it can manage on-the-road speeds up to 65 mph or 105 km/h, so in some cases it can be treated as an on/off-road machine. While it looks something like a 4900, much more steel is involved in its construction. It's by no means a converted highway truck. The XD-25 presently comes with a 14-liter Detroit Series 60 Tier 3 engine mated to Allison Off Road Series transmissions and planetary gear sets. The motor will be replaced by year-end with a Detroit DD13.

India Called, I Answered

Bucket-list item ticked: I finally got to India. In fact I've just returned from spending two weeks in that astonishing country, where I couldn't keep up with anything that was going on here in the world of trucking, so this edition of my report will borrow heavily from work my colleagues have been doing in the last while.

Daum Reaches the Pinnacle

I'm writing this issue of the newsletter in absentia, so to speak, as it will be published while I'm away from computers and unable to stay in touch. To be more precise, I'm a week early in posting this so forgive me if giant events occur between now and the 22nd and they're not covered here. Then again, this report isn't intended as a news vehicle.

Unique milk tanker

Tremcar's two-compartment milk tanks now have innovative dual applications