Equipment & Tech

ELYRIA, Ohio — Often in trucking, it takes just a small change to make a big impact. This is especially true in tire pressure, where the difference of a few psi can directly affect mileage, maintenance, and safety. During National Tire Safety Week, May 20-27, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems stresses that with all that is riding on a truck’s tires — driver safety, operating performance, timely cargo delivery, and more — it’s vital to be sure of the right pressure in them. Sponsored annually by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), National Tire Safety Week is an initiative aimed at providing information on the essentials of proper tire care and maintenance. “Proper tire inflation will substantially impact your tire and ultimately your vehicle’s performance,” said Jon Intagliata, Bendix product manager for Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). “Fuel consumption can increase, stopping distances can increase, and tread life can decrease if the tires run on significantly different psi than what is recommended by the manufacturer — all of which can dramatically affect a fleet’s total cost of ownership (TCO) over the long haul, too.” According to the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council, running on a tire that’s underinflated by as little as 10 percent can reduce fuel economy by 1.5 percent. And 20 percent underinflation can shorten tire life by 30 percent. The more miles driven and the more wheel-ends in a fleet, the bigger the impact those few psi have on the bottom line. Underinflated tires also experience increased stress and generate higher running temperatures, compounding the risk of tire blowouts – about 90 percent of which are the result of underinflation, according to industry studies. Real-Time Info on the Road “Gradual tire pressure loss can be difficult to detect, and you could be quite a way down the road before you have a chance to notice it at the next spot check,” Intagliata said. “That’s why the best tool for tracking the proper psi on each tire is a technology like the SmarTire Tire Pressure Monitoring System by Bendix CVS – or the SmarTire Trailer-Link TPMS by Bendix CVS for trailers: When drivers get real-time information and pressure alerts, they’re better equipped for safer trucking. Early notification makes all the difference in addressing problems before they become hazards.” It takes as little as a 5 psi difference between dual-mounted tires to create problems, including irregular or accelerated tire wear. Bendix uses wheel-mounted sensors inside the tires on its SmarTire systems, allowing the TPMS to continuously monitor temperature inside the tire as well as pressure. This means the system can provide a deviation value showing the amount of overinflation or underinflation from the tire’s cold inflation pressure (CIP), automatically taking into account any increase in pressure due to temperature to provide early alerts of tire pressure issues. Reading temperature also helps the system alert the driver to potential wheel-end issues, such as dragging brakes, and may help the driver mitigate potential tire fires. Fleets running TPMS-equipped vehicles can also use the system data to shape their tire strategy and maintenance plans by using a back-office system like SafetyDirect by Bendix CVS – a web portal that allows analysis of real-time information from TPMS and other connected safety technologies. Fleets can maximize uptime by planning vehicle service in advance and more effectively address issues such as frequent tire replacements and tire failures on the road. High Tech, High Stakes As vehicle safety technologies have advanced and higher regulatory standards have evolved – antilock brakes, Reduced Stopping Distance requirements, and the full-stability mandate, for instance – the importance of tires in good condition running at proper inflation has increased. Moving forward, collision mitigation and other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) remain dependent upon precise and controlled interaction among the men and women behind the wheel, their vehicles, and the road itself – where tires are the sole point of contact. “Today’s integrated vehicles mean you need to equip the best set of tools on your tractor and trailer to maximize performance,” Intagliata said. “TPMS can play a critical role to guarantee your advanced safety systems – including air disc brakes and advanced driver assistance technologies – are functioning at the optimal levels.” According to Intagliata, “Like any safety system, a TPMS is meant to complement safe driving practices and is not intended to enable or encourage aggressive driving. No technology can replace skilled, alert drivers exercising safe habits, or the support of proactive, comprehensive driver training – the safe operation of any vehicle remains with the driver at all times.” Bendix® SmarTire and SafetyDirect are part of Bendix’s full suite of technologies delivering safety, vehicle performance, and efficiency, backed by unparalleled post-sales support: areas critical to the success of fleets and owner-operators. By strengthening return on investment in advanced equipment that puts drivers behind the wheels of safer trucks, Bendix lowers total cost of ownership and helps enhance highway safety across North America. To learn more about Bendix TPMS, call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE or visit bendix.com. For deeper insight on Bendix technology and the commercial vehicle landscape through podcasts, blogs, videos, and more, visit the Knowledge Dock at knowledge-dock.com.    

OKLAHOMA CITY — Professional drivers can receive free TirePass inspections and half-priced DOT inspections from May 27-June 6 at Love’s Truck Tire Care and Speedco. Officials at Love’s and Speedco said they wanted to help drivers prepare for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s 2019 International Roadcheck. The CVSA International Roadcheck takes place June 4-6, and inspectors will be out across the U.S. conducting inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers. It’s the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world The focus of this year’s Roadcheck is on steering and suspension violations. Both components are examined during a DOT inspection at Love’s and Speedco. Preemptively repairing out-of-service conditions saves professional drivers money and time. “Love’s and Speedco not only make sure drivers are safe and legal on the road, we realize how important time is to the driver, and we want to exceed their expectations,” said Tom Edwards, executive vice president of Tire Care for Love’s. “Love’s saves drivers time by having the TirePass inspection completed while they fuel up and it keeps them safe by offering DOT inspections to proactively repair any issues.” Edwards said tire-related issues tend to be at the top of the list for placing drivers out of service. “Using Love’s TirePass ensures any potential tire-related compliance violations are identified and properly addressed before professional drivers roll up to an inspection,” he said. Love’s TirePass is an in-lane tire inflation and assessment service, available on the inside diesel lane at Love’s Travel Stops across the country. During the 2018 International Roadcheck, 11,910 vehicles were found to have out-of-service conditions. The top out-of-service conditions were brakes, tires and wheels and brake adjustment.

PHOENIX —PrePass has rolled out enhancements to its PrePass MOTION bypass app. The addition of PrePass ALERTS gives truck drivers roadway safety notifications and is an added no-cost benefit for PrePass customers. With ALERTS, drivers receive notifications when they are approaching areas with high winds, steep grades, traffic work zones and no commercial vehicle access roads. ALERTS is available as part of the MOTION app on both Android and iOS powered smart phones, tablets and selected in-cab telematics devices. As the non-profit provider of PrePass services, HELP Inc. has always been about safety, first and foremost, since its origin more than 25 years ago, according to Mark Doughty, president & COO of HELP Inc., who said the addition of ALERTS takes it a step further. “This upgrade to PrePass MOTION gives drivers very important safety information as they travel down the road to better prepare them for potentially adverse driving conditions,” Doughty said. “Thanks to the input of our state Department of Transportation partners, enforcement and trucking industry partners, we quickly responded to a need for such alerts, and are the only weigh station bypass service provider offering these safety enhancements.” PrePass MOTION can be used as a standalone app or in conjunction with the PrePass transponder for weigh station bypassing. RFID transponders continue to be the industry gold standard, with 99.9% reliability and access to both toll payment services and third-party bypass networks. The MOTION weigh station bypass app is an enhancement that offers additional bypass sites and increased functionality, including ALERTS. “When traditional transponders and MOTION are paired together, customers get the most complete and reliable bypass service available anywhere,” Doughty said. “Most importantly, PrePass ALERTS provide information that can immediately and directly improve highway safety.” For more information about PrePass MOTION and ALERTS, visit www.prepass.com. As a North American non-profit public/private partnership, HELP serves the trucking industry and commercial enforcement. HELP has invested more than $700 million to deploy PrePass weigh station bypassing, PrePass Plus electronic toll payment and other truck safety technologies nationwide. For more information, visit HELP at www.helpinc.us.  

SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif. — Phillips Industries has introduced the Dual Pole QCS2 Quick-Change Socket with what the company calls superior corrosion protection for dual pole applications such as liftgate systems. It joins the family of weather-proofing products designed to solve the challenges the industry faces with corrosion. Any open connection on a vehicle is susceptible to corrosion, including the liftgate connection, according to Megan Vincent, marketing manager.  Corrosion build up in the liftgate connection can be even more devastating than in the seven-way connection, because it requires a larger amperage draw which increases the chemical reaction. Corrosion can “choke” the charge to the liftgate leading to possible downtime when there is not enough power to cycle the liftgate, or can even create the potential for a thermal event, she said. To combat this, the Dual Pole QCS2 was designed with the same corrosion fighting technology as the original Phillips QCS2, initially developed for the seven-way connection when fleets began seeing the impact of harsh deicers introduced to treat the roads. “The Dual Pole QCS2 consists of a dual pole harness boot, completely molded to the liftgate harness cable, which grips the easy to plug-in socket and holds it in place,” Vincent said. “The socket, with non-corrosive housing and a completely sealed inner cavity, blocks moisture and contaminants between the plug and socket union, keeping corrosion out!  An additional feature this product offers, that other dual pole sockets on the market today do not have, are offset pins.  Pins that are offset prevent accidental arcing.  With a longer negative pin and shorter “hot” pin, the connection is grounded before power is circulated through the system on the positive pin, thus avoiding the potential for any sparks.” The Dual Pole QCS2 is currently available from Phillips authorized dealers for dual pole connections on the tractor side, with the boot in a 6 o’clock angle position in 2- and 4-gauge options. Vincent said for the “ultimate protection against corrosion,” companies should consider combining the dual pole QCS2 socket connection with the WEATHER-TITE M2 dual pole liftgate electrical assembly to keep corrosion out and liftgates cycling for on-time deliveries. Based in Santa Fe Springs, Phillips Industries is a manufacturer of  electrical and air brake system components, as well as electronic solutions for communicating vehicle data to fleets and their drivers for the commercial truck and trailer industry. For more information, visit www.phillipsind.com.      

BURR RIDGE, Ill. — Dillon Logistics, a provider of asphalt, chemical, dry bulk and oil field transportation, said it is launching National Asphalt Day on May 15 to show appreciation for its asphalt fleet, the entire transportation industry and their direct contribution to keeping America’s roads running. “The legacy of our business lies in our asphalt services, and we are known as a prominent asphalt carrier because of the determination and diligence of our professionals.” Dillon Logistics President Charles Musgrove said. “Hauling hazmat is no small feat and these hard-working drivers deserve to be recognized.” To honor its team and show gratitude for all asphalt-hauling professionals, Musgrove said Dillon Logistics will host a “Thank You Cookout” on May 15 at five of its terminals, including McCook, Ill.; Medina, Ohio; Dallas; Savannah, Georgia; and Atlanta.  The plan is to celebrate National Asphalt Day on an annual basis and Dillon is encouraging others to follow suit, Musgrove said. “Most people don’t realize how necessary asphalt is in everyday life. It’s because of our asphalt hauling team and others within the industry that travel and commuting are possible,” Musgrove said. “These unsung heroes of the road deserve appreciation.” For more information about National Asphalt Day and upcoming events, visit http://www.dillonlogistics.com/asphaltday.html    

KANSAS CITY, Mo. and GROVEPORT, Ohio — Orange EV, Firefly Transportation Services, and The Kraft Heinz Co. Wednesday revealed the deployment of three Orange EV T-Series pure electric terminal trucks to the Kraft Heinz distribution center in Groveport, Ohio. “As part of our commitment to Growing a Better World and improving our operational sustainability, we’ve partnered with Firefly Transportation Services to replace several of the diesel trucks in our Groveport, Ohio operation with electric ones,” said Erin Mitchell, head of North American Warehouse and Logistics for The Kraft Heinz Co. “Orange EV’s battery-electric terminal trucks deliver 100 percent emission-free transportation services – a key driver of our progress toward a more sustainable and resilient supply chain.” Firefly will operate three Orange EV pure electric terminal trucks to do the work formerly accomplished by five diesels. For fuel diversity alone, one diesel will remain onsite and is expected to go unused in routine operations. With this deployment, Kraft Heinz plans to virtually eliminate diesel terminal truck emissions at their Groveport distribution center, Mitchell said. The electric truck solution was partially funded by the American Lung Association through a grant provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reductions Act (DERA) Program, secured and administered by the Clean Air Team at the American Lung Association (ALA)’s Springfield, Illinois office. The ALA has been a longtime leader in the fight for healthy air. “Firefly Transportation Services is committed to delivering zero-emission yard management services to our customers while also dramatically increasing site productivity and cost savings”, said Mike Bohnstengel, one of the Firefly principal partners. “Utilizing data from our EV telematics systems, we provide advanced analytics and implement operational improvements that would not be achieved via traditional diesel units.” Mike Saxton, Orange EV’s Chief Commercial Officer, confirmed the decision to use the electric terminal trucks. “This decision by Kraft Heinz demonstrates thoughtful mitigation of the extremely high operational, economic, and environmental costs of using diesel trucks. With this deployment, Kraft Heinz becomes the first site in Ohio to fully commit to pure electric in their heavy duty, Class 8 terminal truck fleet,” he said. For more information on The Kraft Heinz Co., visit http://www.kraftheinzcompany.com/    

TROY, Mich. — Meritor Inc. said May 7 it has entered into an agreement with an affiliate of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm, under which Meritor will acquire AxleTech for approximately $175 million in cash, adjusted for changes in working capital at closing and subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The transaction advances Meritor’s M2022 objectives to accelerate global sales and growth by leveraging the company’s core competencies to grow strategically in adjacent markets, according to Jay Craig, Meritor’s CEO and president. He said the addition of AxleTech enhances Meritor’s growth platform, bringing a highly complementary global product portfolio across the off-highway, defense, specialty and aftermarket segments. AxleTech’s offerings include a full product line of independent suspensions, axles, braking solutions and drivetrain components. These capabilities will enable Meritor to offer global customers a wider array of differentiated products and solutions while further diversifying the company’s portfolio. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, AxleTech is a privately-held technology company that designs, engineers, manufactures, sells and services drivetrain systems and components, with a focus on off-highway applications. AxleTech generated $248 million in revenue in calendar year 2018. “We are delighted to welcome AxleTech back to the Meritor family,” Craig said. “The addition of AxleTech is a compelling value-creating opportunity to broaden our position in attractive, adjacent markets and advances our M2022 strategy. “Meritor’s technical expertise, operational excellence and proven track record will be a powerful platform to accelerate growth. Our product portfolios are highly complementary and we share a commitment to our people and customers. We look forward to realizing the full benefits of the transaction by serving as a premier supplier to our global customers and enhancing shareholder value.” “AxleTech has positioned itself as a strong, advanced drivetrain solutions manufacturer in the off-highway and defense market segments. These solutions range from heavy-duty axles to new remanufacturing capabilities and electric powertrain systems for our global customer base,” said Bill Gryzenia, CEO, AxleTech. “Today marks an exciting chapter for AxleTech and reflects the collective efforts of our entire team. We believe that Meritor’s deep understanding of the business and best-in-class capabilities are a natural fit to support AxleTech’s next growth phase.” Craig and Gryzenia listed strategic and financial benefits of the transaction: Expands customer relationships and enhances growth. Meritor and AxleTech have complementary customer bases that will further diversify the company’s exposure in adjacent end-markets and enhance its ability to drive growth. Substantial synergy opportunities. Meritor expects to realize more than $15 million in annual cost synergies by fiscal year 2022, through operating, productivity and manufacturing efficiencies. The combination of AxleTech’s offerings with Meritor’s on-highway leadership will position the company to accelerate growth and deliver an enhanced value proposition to new and existing global customers. Meritor intends to finance the transaction with a combination of cash on hand and debt. Meritor does not expect the transaction to materially change the company’s net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio for fiscal year 2019. Upon completion of the transaction, AxleTech will operate within Meritor’s Aftermarket, Industrial and Trailer segment. The transaction is currently expected to close in the fourth fiscal quarter, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.      

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Peterbilt Motors Co. displayed its electric vehicle lineup recently at ACT Expo here. Peterbilt features a Model 220EV, a Model 520EV and a Model 579EV. The 220EV is spec’d with the Meritor Blue Horizon eAxle first shown at CES in January, the 520EV will feature the Transpower mid-ship powertrain configuration, and the 579EV will feature the new Allison AXE Series e-Axle. “Peterbilt has invested in the integration of electric powertrains into a wide range of existing products and customer applications for development and testing,” said Peterbilt’s Chief Engineer Scott Newhouse. “Today, we have 14 electric vehicles built, on our way to more than 30 by the end of the year, for real customer routes and to analyze performance so that our production options meet the standards customers expect when buying a Peterbilt.” In addition to the Peterbilt booth display, six 579EVs were showcased at the front of the exposition center representing some of the Peterbilt electric vehicles that are in the hands of customers. For more information about Peterbilt, visit www.peterbilt.com.

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Volvo Trucks North America has hosted the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as CARB presented a $44.8 million check to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) for the Volvo LIGHTS (Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions) project. The check presentation occurred in the Volvo Trucks booth during the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Long Beach, California. “Volvo LIGHTS will enable us to truly demonstrate the benefits of working with an interconnected team of fleets, private electric infrastructure companies, governmental agencies and other stakeholders to help achieve valuable real-life insights to introduce and scale fully electric transport solutions on a broad basis,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “We look forward to spearheading our part of this end-to-end project to help the industry and society develop viable electromobility solutions in support of a more sustainable future.” The Volvo LIGHTS project is a partnership among the Volvo Group, South Coast AQMD and industry leaders in transportation and electrical charging infrastructure. The project will demonstrate the ability of battery electric vehicles to improve freight and warehouse efficiencies, reduce emissions and improve air quality. As part of the project, Volvo Trucks will introduce all-electric Volvo VNR regional-haul demonstrators in California later this year, with vehicle sales planned to begin in 2020. The Volvo LIGHTS project involves 16 partners and will transform freight operations at the facilities of two of the United States’ top trucking fleets. Volvo LIGHTS is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities. Voorhoeve said the Volvo VNR electric vehicle will be based on the proven technology currently being used in the North American model Volvo VNR, the Volvo FE Electric and builds on the Volvo Group’s experience in electrified solutions. Volvo Buses has sold more than 4,000 electrified buses since 2010. For more information, visit www.lightsproject.com.        

READING, Pa. — Delivering on its commitment to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure at its facilities, Penske Truck Leasing has opened commercial heavy-duty electric vehicle charging stations with 14 high-speed chargers at four of its existing facilities in Southern California. The company’s near-term plan includes adding at least six more chargers, bringing the total number to 20. Penske believes these are the first DC fast charging stations in the U.S. designed specifically for heavy-duty commercial electric vehicles. “We’re committed to being at the forefront of commercial vehicle electrification,” said Brian Hard, president and CEO of Penske Truck Leasing. “We are investing to ensure our customers have access to the right vehicles, technology, charging infrastructure and information to help shape the future of mobility in our industry.” Located throughout Southern California at Penske Truck Leasing’s facilities in San Diego, Chino, Anaheim and La Mirada, these 14 chargers connect directly to a commercial truck’s battery charging system, providing a DC fast charging option for commercial electric fleets. Utilizing 50 kW to 150 kW chargers, this charging infrastructure allows Penske to power an all-electric class 8 tractor from zero to 100% charge in less than half a shift. Penske celebrated the announcement of its new electric vehicle commercial charging capabilities at its La Mirada facility during a livestream ribbon-cutting event with the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Long Beach, California, Thursday. Daimler Trucks North America’s electric Class 8 Freightliner eCascadia semi-truck was on-hand as part of the charging demonstration. “We are proud to provide our customers with the ability to quickly and conveniently charge their electric truck fleets at these locations,” said Andrew Cullen, senior vice president of fuels and facilities at Penske Truck Leasing. “We’ll continue to add new locations and charging infrastructure to support our customers as our electric fleet continues to grow and the demand for commercial electric vehicles gains momentum.” Penske Truck Leasing has previously announced the addition of light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty commercial electric trucks to its fleets.    

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Roger Nielsen, president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), Wednesday declared battery-electric vehicles as the solution to achieve emissions-free commercial transportation in North America. Speaking to a crowd assembled in Long Beach at the ACT Expo, Nielsen said, “The road to emissions-free transportation is going to be driven with battery-electric vehicles. I believe the future is electric.” The road to emissions-free driving, he said, does not include plug-in hybrids for DTNA. Near-zero-emissions natural gas medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are currently available and will continue from Freightliner as an interim solution until full commercialization of the battery-electric Freightliner eM2 and eCascadia. The company sees potential for hydrogen fuel cells to extend battery-electric truck range, but does not see it as viable in the near term. The vision of electric vehicles does not exclude fuel cells: “I can see glimpse of it over the horizon, but it will not be this generation of engineers who will be delivering it,” continued Nielsen. To hasten the arrival of zero-emission commercial transport, three goals must first be achieved, Nielsen said. First, the industry must work together to establish a common battery-electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Daimler AG is a founding member of CharIN, an organization whose aim is to standardize charging requirements for electric vehicles, including commercial vehicles. Second, batteries must become cheaper, lighter and more powerful. DTNA is leveraging its global network to develop proprietary batteries for its commercial vehicles that meet the standards of quality, durability and integration that customers demand. Finally, the real cost of ownership for customers must be strengthened through increased incentives, decreased maintenance costs, and cheaper energy costs. Organizations such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) will be instrumental in creating a viable business case for electric trucks. A $16 million grant from SCAQMD partially funds the Freightliner Electric Innovation Fleet. The key to ensuring electric vehicles are ready for commercialization is testing, Nielsen said. DTNA and its global affiliates exhaustively test their electric vehicles over millions of miles on the track and in the real-world. With its first electric truck already in customer hands, DTNA plans to put nearly 50 on the road by the end of the year. This includes a test fleet and the Freightliner Electric Innovation Fleet shared between Penske and NFI. Affiliated brands Fuso and Mercedes-Benz trucks have already begun deliveries of the battery-electric eCanter and eActros in Asia, Europe, and North America. By the end of 2019, nearly 200 battery-electric vehicles powered by Daimler will be deployed for testing, co-creation and collaboration worldwide. “For our engineers, these early customer partners are our test drivers. We want them to test these vehicles to their extremes. We want to see the failures so we can engineer solutions,” Nielsen said. To enable rapid scale-up of thoroughly tested and validated electric vehicles, DTNA said Wednesday that it will begin converting the Portland manufacturing plant to produce electric Freightliners. The plant lies just blocks from DTNA’s LEED Platinum headquarters. The plant renovations begin next year with series production scheduled to begin in 2021. The company’s decision to bring electric vehicle production to Portland was based multiple factors, including Portland’s proximity to the huge demand for electric vehicles in California, Nielsen said. In addition to production, the Portland manufacturing facility will also host a battery storage facility and an electric vehicle co-creation center, where the e-consulting team will collaborate with customers. Here they will integrate electric trucks into their fleets from order intake through the second life of the truck. Last year DTNA formed the Freightliner Electric Vehicle Council composed of 30 customers with strong use-cases for electric trucks to further drive its sustainable transportation program. The company is working with the council members to ensure a holistic approach to launching electric trucks. Members of the customer council benefit from co-development of deployment strategies for battery electric vehicles including applicable use cases, current legislation and requirements for facilities, charging infrastructure, and service support. The Freightliner eM2 truck is an electrified solution for local distribution, pickup and delivery, food and beverage delivery, and last-mile logistics applications. The Freightliner eCascadia is a Class 8 tractor designed for local and regional distribution and drayage. Both trucks enter series production in 2021. The Freightliner eCascadia and eM2 are part of Daimler Trucks’ global electrified truck initiative, joining the company’s Thomas Built Buses all-electric Saf-T-Liner eC2 school bus, the FUSO eCanter, and the Mercedes-Benz eActros.

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Kenworth Truck Co. broke ground April 24 to officially begin the start of construction on a state-of-the-art $140 million, 120,000 square-foot paint facility addition to its Class 8 truck assembly plant in Chillicothe, Ohio. Kenworth will construct the new, environmentally friendly facility, expected to open in 2021, adjacent to the current plant. The expansion represents a nearly 25% increase to the current 502,000 square-foot plant, which is located on a 120-acre site 50 miles south of Columbus, Ohio. The facility will utilize the latest technologies to increase paint capacity by 50%, while also enhancing the plant’s product quality, and award-winning environmental stewardship programs. Advanced technologies integrated into the new facility include state-of-the-art robotic paint application systems and the latest in emissions control systems. The groundbreaking ceremony featured Harrie Schippers, PACCAR president and chief financial officer; Mike Dozier, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president; and Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), as well as Judy McTigue, Kenworth assistant general manager of operations; and Rod Spencer, Kenworth Chillicothe plant manager. Federal, state, county and local officials from Ohio also participated in the groundbreaking. “Our investment in this outstanding new facility highlights Kenworth’s focus on leveraging technology to continually enhance the quality of the products we provide our customers, while also reinforcing Kenworth’s commitment to the production of industry-leading Class 8 trucks by the more than 2,000 outstanding employees at our Chillicothe plant,” Dozier said. Complementing the investment in the new Chillicothe paint facility, and scheduled for completion this summer, is the installation of a new $33 million robotic cab assembly cell. The cell will occupy 40,000 square feet on the existing production floor and will support the continued market share growth of Kenworth’s T680, T880, and W990 models. Earlier this year, the Kenworth Chillicothe assembly plant received a 2019 Manufacturing Leadership Award from the Manufacturing Leadership Council of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). The award recognized the Chillicothe team’s development of innovative material handling systems that protect paint quality throughout the assembly process. The plant also earned the 2018 Encouraging Environmental Excellence “E3” Gold Award from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The award recognizes businesses, nonprofits and government agencies in Ohio that demonstrate the commitment to exceed regulatory compliance and deliver exceptional achievements in environmental stewardship. Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company.      

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks’ newest series of parameter updates complements its newly-launched Parameter Plus subscription package, which allows for up to 50 parameter updates annually per covered vehicle. With over 250 parameters to choose from, this new set of updates will provide customers with notable value in terms of cost savings, fuel efficiency and uptime, the OEM said in a news release. “The enhancements we’ve made to our range of available parameter updates demonstrates Volvo Trucks’ commitment to maximizing uptime for our customers through best-in-class connectivity capabilities,” said Ashraf Makki, product marketing manager at Volvo Trucks North America. “Our customers are already seeing the value in the recently introduced Parameter Plus package, which allows owners to switch between operating modes remotely, balancing fuel usage and performance to optimize the truck’s transport assignment and maximize profitability. These updates will only add to that value.” This new release of the parameter updates further increases the potential of the nearly 17,000 Volvo trucks benefiting from OTA update capabilities, delivering a higher level of accuracy and efficiency and offering increased flexibility and optimization. The new packages include over 250 updates in categories including road speed, cruise control, transmission, idle shutdown and fuel economy. Included in these enhancements is comfort shift, a software package that provides smoother launches when load shifting must be minimized, giving drivers a smoother start, changed gear shift strategy and gentler drive. Idle shutdown is another area of control being offered, giving authority over minimum and maximum time allotted for idleness. The Parameter Plus package, introduced in March 2019, set the stage for the release of advanced updates such as these. A supplement to Volvo’s Remote Programming, the new Parameter Plus package was designed with thorough feedback from customers to meet the demands of their applications via over-the-air updates while significantly increasing uptime. Average industry time for typical parameter and software updates can require two or more days of downtime, along with the added administration and costs of acquiring a supplementary truck and managing additional driver logistics. The new Parameter Plus package with OTA powertrain software updates can be completed in under 20 minutes and parameter updates in under 10 minutes.        

ORLANDO, Fla. — Design Interactive, providers of augmented and virtual reality-based fleet maintenance training solutions for the transportation industry, says it is providing a mobile augmented reality game of the Technology & Maintenance Council’s (TMC) National Technician Skills Competition. TMC is a technical council of the American Trucking Associations. The game is called TMCSuperTech. “We made the decision to create this game with Design Interactive for two primary reasons,” said Robert Braswell TMC executive director. “To promote awareness of the vocation among middle and high school students who make up the next generation of vehicle maintenance personnel and to help technicians prepare for the TMCSuperTech competition by providing a hands-on training experience for the skills challenges.” Available on Android and Apple smartphones and tablets, Design Interactive’s gamified TMCSuperTech skills challenge uses AR technology to project a fictional city with a fleet of moving trucks. As the vehicles require service, they are brought into a virtual garage where the game will ask users playing the role of a technician to execute tasks inspired by TMCSuperTech events. Points are awarded for the time trucks are repaired and for the longer they remain in service. “Augmented reality has already had a significant impact in other industries compared to traditional training methods,” said Matt Johnston, division head of commercial solutions for Design Interactive “For fleets, this technology helps lower labor and parts costs, increase vehicle uptime and shop productivity, and makes it easier to attract new technicians.” Behind Design Interactive’s TMCSuperTech game experience is its Augmentor transportation focused training solution, which uses augmented reality to more effectively train technicians in the environment where service and repair tasks are performed. Augmentor sources content from fleet experts and ensures training consistency by bringing the best solutions onto the shop floor and enabling access to updated content for all technicians. “With Augmentor, especially as new technologies continue increasing the complexity of the repairs, tools and skills needed by technicians, fleets can reduce classroom time and training costs,” continued Johnston. “It provides technicians with knowledge in a manner that is effective and productive and leads to higher quality and shorter times for vehicle diagnosis and repair processes.” TMC is seeking sponsors to help support the adoption of its next-generation-workforce-focused product —TMCSuperTech: The Game. There are four levels of sponsorships available. TMCSuperTech is an annual two-day event organized by TMC’s Professional Technician Development Committee. The premier skills competition for professional commercial vehicle technicians from all segments of the trucking industry will be held September 15-19, 2019, at the Raleigh Convention Center in conjunction with TMC’s Fall Meeting. For more information on sponsorships email [email protected]

GREEN BAY, Wis. —   Schneider completed its conversion to a company-owned and managed chassis fleet last year, and continues to invest in company-owned equipment including intermodal chassis, containers and tractors. The company added more than 4,200 intermodal containers in 2018, bringing its total to 22,200 – a 24 percent increase year over year. The containers – combined with the corresponding number of company chassis to maintain a private fleet – allow Schneider to provide truck-like service in the intermodal segment. In a world of tight capacity, shippers and drivers are experiencing the benefits of Schneider’s company-owned intermodal equipment, according to Jim Filter, senior vice president and general manager of Schneider’s intermodal division. “Investing in reliable company-owned equipment means we don’t have to rely on equipment pools and, as a result, we have offered a better experience to our customers and dray drivers,” Filter said. “With Schneider-owned chassis, drivers experience less downtime due to their easy access and low maintenance needs. Investing in the equipment space delivers a win-win for drivers and shippers.” Filter said benefits and productivity gains that shippers and drivers are experiencing as a result of Schneider’s company-owned intermodal equipment investments include: Consistent and cost-efficient shipping: By working with an asset-based intermodal provider that has new lightweight chassis, shippers can move up to 700 pounds more than the common pool chassis for a total of 45,500 pounds with a day-cab tractor. The weight of all Schneider chassis is the same, so the shipper knows how much weight it can haul with every load. Increased availability: The demand for chassis in shared pools often outstrips supply, as recently experienced in the Chicago market. Schneider’s equipment increases supply and allows the company to precisely match the number of customer orders to equipment availability. Decreased downtime and improved reliability: Schneider’s high-quality chassis and complete control over the maintenance of those chassis allows the company to maintain equipment, identify issues and make repairs before they turn into critical breakdowns and costly delays. Improved service and load acceptance: Available and reliable chassis have already led to increased productivity, which has improved driver retention and dray capacity availability. Enhanced safety: Consistent with Schneider’s No. 1 core value of Safety First, and Always, the company’s maintenance control over the assets also ensures all Schneider chassis are well maintained. Schneider plans to continue investing in intermodal containers, chassis and tractors to continue supporting the needs of both shippers and drivers, Filter said. For more information about shipping with Schneider Intermodal, visit www.schneider.com, email [email protected] or call 844-701-LOAD.    

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Nikola CEO Trevor Milton gave thousands of attendees at a Nikola World event here Monday the first peek into a global zero-emission future. As is often the case at a Nikola event, there was glitz and glamour. Milton arrived on stage with the famous Budweiser Clydesdales, representing the company’s iconic client, Anheuser-Busch, that has ordered 800 Class 8 zero-emission trucks from Nikola as part of its sustainability strategy. “We want to transform everything about the transportation industry,” Milton said. “With Nikola’s vision, the world will be cleaner, safer and healthier.” The first product unveiled was the autonomous-capable Nikola Reckless, the military all-terrain vehicle that was driven on stage via remote control. “With virtually no sound and no heat signature, the Reckless provides new meaning to stealth and is defying all standards,” said Andrew Christian, Nikola Powersports vice president of business development and defense.  “We believe all military vehicles will transform to battery electric and hydrogen fuel cells in the future.” As part of the evening, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey discussed Nikola’s contribution to Arizona’s growing economy, adding 2,000 new jobs at their Phoenix headquarters, planned manufacturing plant and hydrogen and fuel cell R&D center. Milton and Nikola Powersports President Michael Erickson highlighted how Nikola is transforming zero-emission recreational vehicles on land and water. “The technology and platforms we are developing are mutually beneficial helping us leverage speed to market and scale,” Erickson said. “With our powersports products, you have an experience that is safer with precise control and a near silent ride that heightens your senses.” Milton and Erickson then introduced the redesigned NZT.  Attendees at the event will be able to ride in the NZT Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) on a closed course track at WestWorld on Day Two of Nikola World on April 17. Then, for the first time, Nikola World attendees saw the Nikola Water Adventure Vehicle (WAV) concept which has been teased for some time and is now a reality.  Jordan Darling, vice president of Nikola Powersports and an industry pioneer in the electrification of personal watercraft, said “We at Nikola are creating the world’s first “wakeboard” architecture, which enables us to push the limits in design and propulsion.” “Nikola is bringing zero-emission sustainability and technology to the water,” Milton said.  “With WAV, you can feel the rush of power and acceleration in your chest, with the sound of the water and breeze in your ears. It’s zero impact and pure fun,” Darling added. Nikola’s Executive Vice President of Hydrogen Jesse Schneider discussed Nikola’s hydrogen fuel cell vision, which vision consists of the world’s first purpose-built fuel cell Class 8 truck, enabling more hydrogen storage, optimized placement of the powertrain, and a robust 70MPa hydrogen fueling network. “We recently opened our first hydrogen station at our Phoenix headquarters,” he said. “We are leading the way and working with industry and other OEMs to develop hydrogen standards to enable fueling in less than 15 minutes. The goal is safety and interoperability, so that anyone can fuel at our station. This is a big deal.” At the conclusion of the night, Milton reflected on the small, but mighty, team that started Nikola five years ago in his basement with an idea. “We now have five products in development that will change transportation for the better,” he said. He then unveiled “the most advanced commercial truck the world has ever seen, the Nikola Two.” The Nikola Two will be driven on the demonstration track on the second day of Nikola World. There are currently more than 13,000 Nikola trucks on order.  The Nikola trucks feature up to 1,000 horsepower and 2,000 ft-lbs of torque.  Nikola recently announced a battery-electric vehicle option for the urban, short haul trucking market.