A made-for-Canada rating: From Cummins, a new horsepower rating for the ISX15 developed with Canadian customers in mind. The rating offers 560 hp/1,850 lb.-ft. of torque, but can deliver 585 hp when spec’d for applications that require the additional power. “It actually delivers 585 hp for those heavy-haul customers pulling steep grades with heavy loads, not just in Canada but in any application in North America where that kind of performance is what the driver needs,” said Cummins v.p. Jeff Jones. The new rating is available now and is expected to be offered by all OEMs by Q3 of this year.

Hints of a slippery Star: Optimus Prime, the Western Star-built lead character in the upcoming Transformers movie was the ‘Star’ attraction at the company’s booth. That was cool and all, but what really excited me about this was the (not-so-surprising) announcement that Western Star is launching an aerodynamic truck model later this year. The 5700 will feature some of the design elements seen on the Optimus Prime truck. I am really excited to see what a slippery Star will look like and how the company will retain its classic-styled image while offering the fuel economy that’s so important to operators today. Not since the International LoneStar have we been able to anticipate the launch of a completely new model that will presumably look drastically different than any of its predecessors. And speaking of Western Star, its 4700 has provided the company a much-needed shot in the arm. Demand for Western Star trucks is up 70% year-to-date, and Daimler has now made room at its Cleveland, N.C. truck plant to accommodate additional production of the model.

A carbon fibre trailer: Great Dane showcased a futuristic carbon fibre-constructed freight trailer developed for Wal-Mart. It’s at this stage a concept, and too cost-prohibitive to bring to market. However, it could hint at what future trailers will look like. It weighs about 4,000 lbs less than today’s trailers and features a suspension that adjusts to the weight of the load. But if you want to learn more, the best way to do so is to watch these two videos shot and posted by Motortruck Fleet Executive editor Carolyn Gruske. Here, Adam Hill, v.p. of sales and marketing with Great Dane talks about the trailer’s features. And here, Steve Gillette of Capstone Turbine discusses the truck that’ll pull the concept trailer, specifically its hybrid engine.