Trucking News

This month Tesla revealed the world’s first-ever electric semi truck in a direct challenge to diesel semi trucks everywhere. While addressing an excited crowd at a Tesla facility in Hawthorne, California, CEO Elon Musk promised to revolutionize the hauling industry with a better, cleaner design – along with many other large claims. Companies like Walmart and the Canadian grocery chain Loblaws have already shown interest by placing small test fleet orders, but will Tesla’s energy-efficient semis really be able to outperform diesel semi trucks upon its promised 2019 release date?

IC Bus unveiled the IC Electric Bus ChargE, a zero-emissions, fully operational electric school bus, in alliance with Volkswagen Truck and Bus, making this the second electric powertrain vehicle developed between the two companies. Unveiled at the 2017 National Association for Pupil Transportation Annual Conference and Trade Show, the new concept bus not only eliminates emissions, but in turn, cuts costs for owners without sacrificing diesel-like performance. Additionally, intuitive features and controls make this CE Series concept school bus a viable and user-friendly option for schools and companies looking to reduce their footprint in early 2019, when they are expected to become available.

The Voyager SEE360 Camera System by ASA Electronics comes with four wide-angle cameras that are custom-calibrated for every vehicle to give drivers a seamless, 360° panoramic view around their entire vehicle. Automatic and manual triggering camera selections allow drivers to get the full picture of what is around them in real time.

The new HV Series has been unveiled by International Truck. The HV Series is the first severe service truck available with the International A26 12.4L big bore engine and designed to deliver power, refined driver-features, and impressive reliability for a range of vocational applications. Built from the proven MAN D26 engine crankcase, the A26 produces up to 475 horsepower and 1,700 lb.-ft. of torque from a design that is 600-700 lbs. lighter than a traditional 15L big bore engine.

Volvo Trucks has debuted new interiors for the Volvo VHD series this week, based on the feedback from nearly 2,000 professional drivers. Volvo VHD 300 daycab and VHD 400 regional sleeper model interiors feature LED lighting, and extensive connectivity points to support a driver’s daily work. Extensive new seating choices, optimized ergonomics and driver convenience features make the VHD series the most comfortable, driver-centric vocational truck Volvo has offered North America.

New options are now available for Western Star trucks. Options now available include Michelin X Multi D tires for Western Star 4700, 4800, 4900, 5700XE truck models, new forward lighting option for 4700, 4800, 4900 models, and in-cab 4-battery box for 5700XE day cabs.

Mack Trucks has unveiled their next-generation semi truck, the Mack Anthem, available as either Day Cab or Sleeper Truck. The Anthem has been completely redesigned, both inside and out, and features optimized aerodynamics for improved fuel efficiency and the latest technology. New driving and sleeping environments were crafted with an emphasis on increasing driver comfort and productivity. The Anthem is available with either the 11-liter Mack MP7 engine (425 horsepower and 1,560 lb.-ft. of torque) or 13-liter Mack MP8 engine (505 horsepower and 1,860 lb.-ft. of torque). Mack’s 12-speed mDRIVE AMT is standard on all Anthem models.

Mack Trucks has revealed new upgrades for its Mack Granite and Mack Pinnacle models. On the exterior, new LED headlights and a new grille for its Pinnacle model will match the Mack Anthem. On the interior, upgrades include a new dash with guage cluster and controls, new center console, HVAC controls, steering wheel, Co-Pilot display, and information and entertainment options, to name a few.

This week during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, International Truck put on display major enhancements to their flagship LoneStar truck product line. The truck has been redesigned and features a sharp, aerodynamic design and functional innovations inside and out. Just some of the innovations include all-new HVAC system, new single-canister aftertreatment system, new cab wiring, improved fuel efficiency, redesigned doors, side glass and cab mirrors for enhanced visibility, new instrument cluster, and much more. The LoneStar's standard engine is the Cummins X15, available with 400–605 hp and between 1,450–2,050 lb.-ft. of torque.

Scania has launched the XT truck series, which is tailor-made for the construction industry. Following an extensive analysis of the multi-faceted construction industry, Scania has developed a comprehensive range to meet the highly diverse transport assignments within the sector. The new series of trucks aimed at construction is the second stage in Scania’s introduction of next generation trucks, the fruits of more than ten year’s development with an investment exceeding 2 billion euros.

Ram Trucks unveiled their latest edition at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois today--the Ram Harvest Edition. The new Ram model was designed specifically for America’s farm families and is visually distinguished by two new colors: Case IH Red and New Holland Blue.

According to a report out of Reuters on Thursday, Tesla's first semi truck to market will most likely be a day cab and capable of traveling between 200 to 300 miles per charge. The source of speculation is Scott Perry, the chief technology officer at Miami-based fleet operator Ryder System Inc., who said he met with Tesla officials earlier this year to discuss the technology.

Somebody should be getting a raise in the marketing department at Volvo. Shot on May 12 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Volvo Trucks film captures 3-year-old Joel Jovine as he opens a “toy truck” box measuring 80 feet long, 14 feet wide and 18 feet tall containing a new Volvo VNL 760 tractor and trailer. The film premiered July 11 and has since been viewed 25 million times, in addition to being liked, shared and commented, engaging over 740,000.

Changing lanes, merging into traffic, and backing-up have never been so manageable with the new Voyager VOM74MM Replacement Rearview Mirror Monitor from ASA Electronics. Coupled with Voyager cameras, you'll be able to view real-time, crystal-clear images of your vehicle’s blind spots right on your rearview mirror via a digital signal. When the monitor is not active, the Voyager VOM74MM uses a highly-reflective screen that acts as a mirror.

All Freightliner Trucks and Western Star customers with an active Detroit Connect suite of connected vehicle services subscription now have access to the Detroit Connect portal. The portal is a one-stop access-point for all vehicle performance data gathered, transmitted and analyzed by Detroit Connect as well as new and future connectivity services such as Detroit Connect Virtual Technician remote diagnostic service, for Detroit-powered fleets.

The new Volvo VNL series includes new exterior design features, new dashboard and controls, camera and radar-based active driver assist, smart steering wheel, optional infotainment system with 7" touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay, and is available in several engine and sleeper configurations, including a new, 70-inch sleeper.

Volvo Active Driver Assist combines camera and radar sensors to detect metallic objects and vehicles that are stationary or vehicles braking in front of a truck. If a metallic object of size is detected, audible and visual warnings are made to alert the driver, including red warning light flashes reflected on the windshield. With a detection range of 22 degrees wide and 500 feet in front of the truck, the radar systems can detect the angle, speed and distance of an object ahead.

Kenworth’s T680, T880 and T880S trucks are now available for order with the Cummins Westport ISL G Near Zero NOx emissions natural gas engine. The 8.9-liter Cummins Westport ISL G Near Zero is rated at 320 hp and 1,000 lb-ft of torque.

If you're in the market for a new luxury pickup truck, then you may want to wait until this fall for the new Ram Limited Tungsten trim line, which will be introduced on the Ram 1500, Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 single- and dual-rear-wheel; Crew Cab and Mega Cab (Heavy Duty); four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive; and short- and long-wheelbase models.

The Volvo FE 350 is now available, which sports Volvo's 8-litre diesel D8K Euro 6 engine, producing 350 hp/1400 Nm. The Volvo FE 350 is designed for gross combination weights (GCW) of up to 44 tonnes and is suitable both as a single truck and as a rig towing a trailer.