trucks
Continental Divide: The differences between European and North American trucks
TORONTO, Ont. -- The manufacturers of North American and European trucks are more closely aligned than ever. But as close as the companies have drawn together, the equipment itself can appear a world apart. Different regulations are just one reason.
Kenworth W990 builds on a lasting legacy
LAS VEGAS, Nev – Kenworth’s W900 has become a staple of the show ‘n shine circuit, its long hood and gleaming accents seem to guide drivers down the highway. The look has had a starring role in movies and been immortalized in belt buckles. Now it has been re-imagined in the form of the W990.
Want to spot brake defects? ‘Bend at the waist’
Brakes are a focus of roadside enforcement officers every day of the year, but the focus will intensify later this month during Brake Safety Week. Scheduled for Sept. 16-22, the week coordinated by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) combines education initiatives and inspections alike, depending on the jurisdiction. It has traditionally allowed enforcement teams to shine a light on a variety of systems and issues.
Mid-America shows and shines
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Mid-America Trucking Show began under a blanket of snow this week, but once the melt began, there was plenty of chrome to shine. Equipment editor Jim Park took some time to stroll the lot and admire some of the trucks on display during the annual show and shine competition.
Volvo expands in Mexico, predicts growing Nam market
GUADALAJARA, MX - Volvo's "shape of trucks to come" has come to Mexico, with the official unveiling of the VNL long-haul tractor, VNR regional hauler, and an expanded VAH auto hauler lineup. It's a significant expansion of Volvo offerings available in the country, which had previously been limited to the VNL long-haul trucks. "Mexico is a very important market for us globally," said Magnus Koeck, vice president - marketing and brand management, comparing the market's size to that of Canada, with 25,000 to 27,000 in annual sales placing Mexico among the largest truck markets in the world. Volvo now has a presence in 140 countries overall, with manufacturing capabilities on every continent. The North American models will be built in Dublin, Virginia. There will be more trucks to manufacture, too. Volvo now projects North America's Class 8 market to reach 260,000 units next year, compared to 235,000 in 2017. That could even be a conservative number, Koeck added, noting that some analysts are predicting as many as 309,000 units. "We will see if that will hold." Buyers around Mexico City will also have easier access to the trucks, through Grupo Alden's addition to the dealership network following a US $6 million investment. Volvo now has 43 dealer locations in Mexico overall.
Burns offers vision of industry to come
ORLANDO, FL - Automated vehicle technologies, vehicle electrification, and the rise of transportation as a service (think ride-share services like Uber and Lyft) are creating a "transformational change" in the transportation industry. But what does that mean for trucking?
Financial Planning: Structure a lease that’s right for you
TORONTO, ON -- What is it that you do best: fix trucks, manage toll payments and fuel taxes, change tires, sell used trucks, or move freight? If you're even a modestly successful fleet in today's market, you're probably pretty good at most of the above, but you probably wish you could devote more time and resources to your core competency - moving freight. About 10 years ago, André Boisvert, vice president and co-owner of Lachine, Quebec-based Trans-West Group, concluded that he was better at transportation and logistics than he was at maintenance and fleet management.
Volvo unveils VNL tractor
DUBLIN, VA - Volvo promised that its new regional VNR tractor was the "shape of trucks to come", and it delivered on that promise on Tuesday with the reveal of its long-haul counterpart - the VNL. The new tractor comes as the VNL 300 daycab, VNL 400 flat-roof sleeper, VNL 740 mid-roof, VNL 760 high-roof, and VNL 860 with its 77-inch sleeper. The VNL 740 and VNL 760 are also available with a new 70-inch sleeper. "It's so nice to see this truck without a cover on it," quipped Jason Spence, product marketing manager, noting how prototypes had been moved around North America under the cover of darkness. "We've been hiding the truck from you for 10 months."