Daimler
Daimler to open automated truck research center
PORTLAND, Ore. – Daimler Trucks will create an Automated Truck Research and Development Center at its North American headquarters in Portland, Ore. – focusing on automated driving technology and its effect on society and customers alike. The new center builds on the company’s established research and development presence, and will be at Swan Island, where a full-scale truck wind tunnel can already be found.
Daimler rolls out electric trucks for North America
PORTLAND, Ore. – Daimler Trucks North America has unveiled electric Class 8 and medium-duty trucks today, with plans to have a 30-truck “innovation fleet” working in selected applications before the end of the year. “It is our target at Daimler to have the broadest – the absolute broadest – e-truck fleet in North America by 2021,” said president and CEO Roger Nielsen, as an electrified version of the Class 8 Cascadia rolled by.
EconicSD enters the waste race
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Freightliner has unveiled the EconicSD waste collection truck to North America in a bid to secure a share of the 2,400 to 2,600 trucks sold in its category per year. Available in 6x4, high-cab and low-cab, and rear- and side-loader configurations, the low-entry COE features panoramic windows and an optional pneumatic bi-fold door on the passenger’s side. The vehicle will even kneel like a transit bus to ease access in and out of the cab.
Will the future include one SIM to rule them all?
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- The future of connected trucks lies in integration and reducing the number of entry points into a truck, according to industry experts. Speaking on a morning panel about data and “the internet of trucks” at the Canadian Fleet Maintenance Summit, Ric Bedard of Cetaris said some of his projects involved more than 400 connection and integration points because each technology manufacturer has its own proprietary system. That disjointed technology leads to problems ranging from a flood of data that is almost unusable, to introducing more access points for potential cybersecurity attacks.
Mitsubishi Fuso goes with gasoline
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.-- Allowing that diesel still owns something like 60% of the medium-duty market, Mitsubishi Fuso thinks that there's a sizeable group of users who simply want the simplicity of gas engines. Just 'turn it on and go' is what they want, having no wish to fool with DEF tanks and the like.
Little engines that can: Big power from small displacements
TORONTO, ON -- Canada has always been big-bore territory: big trucks, big loads, big hills, big engines. Right? If you're one of those with feet firmly planted in the big bore camp, it might be time to re-think that position. Some of today's smaller engines are surprisingly capable. They are lighter and more fuel-efficient, and deliver performance that's nearly equal to their larger brothers.
Trucking a dominant force in Mexico
PUERTO VALLARTA, MX - In Mexico, there is an undeniable link between trucking and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The nation is now the eighth-largest producer of trucks in the world; the fourth-largest exporter of the vehicles. And related exports now represent 6.3% of the country's Gross Domestic Product, says Flavio Rivera, president and Chief Executive Officer of Daimler Trucks Mexico. The nation's manufacturing facilities produced 191,000 heavy duty vehicles in 2015 alone, with 151,000 built in 2016. Daimler itself has plants in Santiago Tianguistenco, State of Mexico, and Santillo, Coahuila. Manufacturing in general has been bolstered by free trade agreements with 46 countries, and 80% of available freight now moves by truck as well. Indeed, gone are the days when oil exports dominated the domestic economy. "The presence of the trucking industry in Mexico has been gaining ground," Rivera said, during a broad-ranging discussion with industry media in Puerto Vallarta. "All those [manufactured] goods are absolutely moving by trucks." Still, Daimler is offering no official comment about ongoing negotiations around the all-important trade deal. The public focus is on business as usual. "We are continuing producing trucks. We are continuing operating efficient factories," said Rivera. "The manufacturing plants today are in very good shape. Very modern."
