Volvo Trucks N.A. partners with FedEx to test platooning vehicles in live conditions

RALEIGH, NC -- Volvo Trucks North America drove a long-held secret down North Carolina Highway 540 today. In the first successful on-highway demonstration of platooning technology between a major truck manufacturer and a transportation company, Volvo and FedEx working closely with the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) took three trucks on the road to showcase their advanced driver assisted technology. Volvo has kept its partnership with FedEx under wraps for about a year, using Volvo VNL 300 day cabs and a Volvo VNL 670 sleeper cab first on closed tracks in South Carolina and then for the last three  months on the North Carolina Triangle Expressway -- an area designated by the NCTA as a testing place for autonomous vehicles -- to adapt its platooning technology developed in Europe for the North American market.

Big Freight Systems turns 70

WINNIPEG, Man. – Big Freight Systems is turning 70 this year, and has its eyes on future growth. “We’re always looking ahead to see what we can do next,” says…

BYD trucks cleared for Canada

VICTORIA, B.C. – Canadians now have access to battery-electric trucks from Build Your Dreams (BYD) Canada, with Transport Canada confirming they comply with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. BYD trucks can be imported for applications including municipal service, refuse and recycling fleets, and courier and delivery operations, the company has announced. Its buses have been available since April 2014, including units now on the road for St. Albert Transit. “This is wonderful news and something that our compliance team has been working hard to achieve,” said BYD Canada vice-president Ted Dowling.

Volvo names new president

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Peter Voorhoeve, the president and CEO of Volvo Group Australia, has been tapped to serve as president of Volvo Trucks North America, effective Sept. 1. He succeeds Goran Nyberg who left for a role with Europe's MAN Truck and Bus. Per Carlsson continues to serve as acting president until the transition.

Breadner now carrying Hyundai Translead trailers

BRESLAU, Ont. – Breadner Trailers has announced it will be offering the full line of Hyundai Translead trailers. Bob Breadner, president of Breadner Trailers, said the company was seeking a…

Phillips announces European acquisition

SANTA FE SPRINGS, Cali. – Phillips Connect Technologies has announced its acquisition of Polish electrical components company Fortech Poland. The company manufactures and distributes 24-volt electrical connectors and cables for…

Trucks of the Month: Crazy ’bout the Mercury

WINNIPEG, Man. -- Seaton “Red” Coleman of Big Freight Systems found his 1942 Chevrolet among ads in the American Truck Historical Society’s magazine. The former fire truck had to be imported from Minnesota for a restoration, but it would serve as the perfect homage to South East Transfer – the four-truck Manitoba fleet he convinced his dad to buy in 1948, establishing the business that would eventually carry the Big Freight name.

Deep Trouble: Repairing trucks and trailers after a flood

TORONTO, Ont. --  Water isn't kind to electronics or brakes or air systems or engines. The last thing short of a fire you could want to happen to your truck is to have it submerged in flood. Actually, a fire might be preferable -- the damage is obvious, and you'll get less argument from the insurance company about replacing it.

Quick Spin: Reviewing the Mack LR

TORONTO, Ont. --When I was just four years old, my mother liked to remind me, I once told a kids' TV show host that when I grew up I hoped to become either an astronaut or a garbageman. Talk about hedging your bets. I'll likely never make it onto orbit, but I did finally get a drive in a garbage truck. Mack's new LR model, actually, and it was worth the wait.

Updated: UPS opens its first CNG fuel station in Canada

VANCOUVER, B.C. – In an effort to get half its Canadian fleet on alternative fuels by the end of the year, UPS Canada has opened its first compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station in the country.

ATA lauds proposed HoS changes in the U.S.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is lauding two members of the U.S. Congress for introducing legislation that will provide more flexibility around Hours of Service (HoS) if…

Cannabis officially legal Oct. 17

OTTAWA, Ont. – Marijuana will officially be legal in Canada on Oct. 17. Prime Minister Trudeau announced the long-awaited date this week after the Senate passed the final draft of…

Hours of Service violations down since ELD rollout: FMCSA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hours of Service (HoS) violations are down in the United States since the introduction of electronic logging devices (ELDs) says the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Ad aimed at Trump takes swipe at Gordie Howe bridge

WINDSOR, Ont. – The Moroun family has stepped up their media campaign in their fight to have the Gordie Howe Bridge project come to a stop. The owners of the…

Meritor names CTO

TROY, Mich.  ̶  Meritor has named John Bennett to the newly created role of vice-president and chief technology officer. In this new position, effective immediately, Bennett will be responsible for…