Autocar to get first Cummins X12 engines

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. -- Autocar Trucks will be the first North American truck manufacturer to offer the new Cummins X12 engine. The 11.8-liter X12 diesel engine will be offered in ACX refuse trucks beginning in October, when Cummins starts full production of the X12 at its Jamestown, N.Y. facility. Autocar will begin accepting orders for X12-powered trucks in June. According to Autocar, the X12 will net customers an additional 733 pounds of payload compared to the previous engine, the ISX12. The weight saving is achieved through an innovative sculpted block design, as well as weight reduction in the after-treatment system, power take-off, and other components. The X12 also offers improved low-speed torque, even with similar horsepower ratings. At 2,050 pounds dry weight, the X12 is the lightest engine in the market compared to existing 11-, 13-, and 15-liter engines.

Hino prepares for Class 7-8 line

CHARLESTON, WVA - Hino will increase the size of its manufacturing operation in West Virginia as it prepares to produce a new line of Class 7-8 trucks for the North American market.

New execs at Hino Motors Manufacturing, USA

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI - Hino Motors Manufacturing USA has announced a new chairman, president and two executive vice presidents.

IN PRINT — Trump Card: How “America First” policies could change the trucks you buy

Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week can be a decidedly patriotic affair. Sessions during the related Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue event open with color guards and music videos featuring the Star Spangled Banner. But it was a promise of "America first" that was weighing on the minds of many participants.

European truck makers fined billions for price fixing

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM -- The European Union is fining five truck makers nearly 3 billion euros (Cdn $4.3 billion) for acting as a cartel to fix prices of medium and heavy-duty trucks and time the introduction of technologies to comply with emissions rules. It's the highest fines ever imposed by the EU for a single cartel - twice the previous highest amount, imposed in 2012, according to Margrethe Vestager, the European Union's competition commissioner, in a statement. MAN (now owned by Volkswagen), Daimler, DAF (owned by Paccar), Iveco and Volvo/Renault -- which together account for around nine out of every 10 medium and heavy trucks sold in Europe -- had been working together for 14 years, from 1997 until the European Commission's investigation in 2011 put a stop to it.

Trailer orders slow down, but still healthy

BLOOMINGTON, IN - January trailer orders hit 27,300 units, returning to last January's volumes, according to industry analysts FTR Associates.

ROAD TEST: VOLVO VT 880

Volvo's new VT 800 with a D16 engine has what drivers want.

Meritor Turnaround Puts Company Back In The Black

OEM component supplier Meritor has posted profits through the first two fiscal quarters this year after 2013 resulted in losses.