Staff Writer

Volvo FMX released in Europe

A new truck designed specifically for heavy-duty applications within the construction industry is to be released by Volvo. The FMX has been developed to provide the company with a more specialised product designed specifically to drop with the rigours of the task within the construction industry. The truck will be unveiled at the major Bauma construction Expo.
Read More

Good reception for new Ultrashift

The recently launched Eaton Ultrashift PLUS automated transmission has been well received on the US truck market. Its reception has prompted Kenworths in the US to offer the new gearbox as an option on all of their heavy-duty trucks, according to an announcement made at the recent Mid-America Trucking Show.
Read More

Electric truck partnership

In Europe, Renault Trucks, part of the Volvo group, has set up a joint venture with electric vehicle manufacturer EDF to create a light duty electric truck. The new collaboration plans to develop a truck that will be named the Renault Maxity Electric, based on the current Renault light duty truck range on sale in Europe.
Read More

Aerodynamic wheel covers

A US inventor is attracting attention around the world with his simple yet effective fuel saving aerodynamic device. The Deflecktor was invented by Jon Fleck and after a prolonged trial with one of the largest transport companies in the US, Schneider National, the devices are now fitted to 1500 prime movers in the fleet.
Read More

Western Star unveils big banger

A 16L engine to be fitted exclusively to Western Star trucks has been unveiled by the truck manufacturer at the Mid-America Trucking Show. The Detroit Diesel DD 16 displaces the 15.6L engine and can be rated at up to 2050ft-lb of torque and up to 600hp.
Read More

Some greenhouse gas benefit from biofuels

A report by the International Food Policy Research Institute claims that using up to 5.6% of biofuels in European road transport does deliver net greenhouse gas reduction even when including a calculation of detrimental land-use effects.
Read More

FedEx goes electric

Purpose-built electric trucks will be part of an evaluation exercise for FedEx Express in the US. The four trucks sourced from two different suppliers will be used on a typical FedEx delivery route to investigate their effectiveness and the practicality in the real world of parcel delivery.
Read More

Big plans for Daimler

Daimler Trucks is preparing for the largest introduction of new vehicles in its history. The company says it plans to spend $3.2 billion over the next four years on what Daimler Trucks chief Andreas Renschler calls the 'biggest product launch in our history'.
Read More

Improving battery technology

A breakthrough in battery design in the USA may lead to the development of a cheaper battery technology which could in turn reduce the price premium on fuel saving technologies like hybrid trucks.
Read More

Mack auto box breaks cover

The long anticipated introduction of the Volvo I-shift gearbox onto the Mack Truck range has been unveiled at the recent Mid-America Trucking Show. The automated manual transmission will be known as mDrive and is to be introduced across the range on the US market.
Read More