PACCAR and Cummins Announce Class 6/7 Engine Agreement
PACCAR and Cummins have announced an agreement for the Cummins’ 6- and 8-liter engines to be installed exclusively in Peterbilt and Kenworth’s North American conventional medium-duty commercial vehicles, effective Jan. 1, 2007. The two companies are developing proprietary configurations for the engines, which will be badged as PACCAR engines.
Oshkosh Truck to Acquire AK Specialty Vehicles from Healthtronics
Oshkosh Truck Corp. has signed a definitive agreement to purchase all stock and membership interests of AK Specialty Vehicles, a provider of mobile medical, homeland security command and communications and broadcast vehicles. Oshkosh will buy the business from Healthtronics, Inc. in a cash transaction worth approximately $140 million.
EPA, UPS Unveil Hybrid Delivery Truck
The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday unveiled a hybrid diesel vehicle that could reduce the fuel costs of package delivery services like UPS by as much as 70 percent and cut harmful emissions. The hybrid, which was developed through a partnership between the EPA, UPS, the Army’s National Automotive Center, Eaton Corp. and Navistar’s International Truck and Engine Corp., combines a high-efficiency diesel engine with a hydraulic propulsion system, which replaces the vehicle’s conventional drivetrain and transmission.
U.S. Medium- and Heavy-Duty Truck Aftermarket to Exceed $12 Billion in 2010
A new study from The Freedonia Group shows that the U.S. aftermarket for medium- and heavy-duty (MD/HD) truck components and parts is projected to increase at an annual rate of 3.9 percent, exceeding $12 billion in 2010. Some segments of the market such as electronics and emissions controls are expected to experience faster growth.
PPG’s Rick Fischer Named PA SkillsUSA Business and Industry Leader of the Year
Rick Fischer, a territory manager for PPG Automotive Refinish, has received the 2006 Pennsylvania SkillsUSA Business and Industry Leader Award for his efforts on behalf of the Auto Collision Repair Technology shop at Crawford County Area Vocational Technical School (AVTS) in Meadville, PA. In addition to the award he received from SkillsUSA, Fischer also received a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for Industry Leadership and his contributions to the school.
Turbine Truck Engines Proposes Joint Venture to Manufacture Heavy-Duty Highway Truck Engines
Turbine Truck Engines, which patented the “Detonation Cycle Gas Turbine Engine” (DCGT), is working on a potential joint venture with a major transportation company to manufacture heavy-duty highway truck engines. Based on test data in the patent from 4 DCGT prototype engines, when commercialized, the air-cooled, lightweight, flex-fueled engine will utilize up to 30 percent less fuel than today’s engines, according to the company. The engines operate on ethanol, gasoline, diesel, propane or hydrogen; have cold start capabilities with any fuel; produce 30 percent less emissions and greenhouse exhaust gases; and operate without lube oil, filters or pumps.
SKF Introduces Online Heavy-Duty VIN Decoder
SKF recently launched an online Heavy-Duty VIN Decoder, a web-based parts finder that helps fleets locate replacement belt tensioner parts. The SKF VIN Decoder allows fleets to search for replacement tensioners by using a truck’s VIN number or by using an OEM’s part number. The decoder only searches for parts applicable to vehicles manufactured in 1981 to the present.
ASPA Reports: Some Diesel Fuel Additives May Not Be Appropriate for Model Year 2007 Diesel Engines
Diesel fuel additives that are not clearly labeled as approved for use in model year 2007, or newer engines, should not be used in new diesel motor vehicles according to the Automotive Specialty Products Alliance (ASPA). ASPA made the announcement to coincide with the implementation of new ultra low sulfur diesel fuel requirements that went into effect June 1 that will enable 2007 model year, or newer, diesel (on-road) engines to reduce emissions by more than 90 percent.
FleetPride Opens New Location in St. Louis Market
FleetPride, a nationwide supplier of truck and trailer parts and service, has opened a new branch location in St. Louis, MO. Area Manager Grant Fox said the 16,000-square-foot location, positioned in the middle of ‘Trucker’s Row’, offers a new 3,500-square-foot showroom with a full line of truck and trailer parts.
Commercial Vehicle Group Named a BusinessWeek Top 100 Hot Growth Stock
Commercial Vehicle Group, a supplier of interior systems, vision safety solutions and other cab-related products for the global commercial vehicle market, including the heavy-duty (Class 8) truck market, has been selected from among thousands of public companies as a Top 100 Hot Growth Stock by BusinessWeek magazine.
PACCAR Highlighted as a Leading U.S. Manufacturer
PACCAR has again earned the distinction of being selected by Industry Week magazine as one of the 50 best manufacturing companies in the United States. To select the top 50 manufacturing companies, Industry Week evaluated a company’s three-year performance measures including revenue growth, profit margin, asset turnover, inventory turns, return on assets and return on equity. Performance for the most recent year was weighted more heavily in the analysis. PACCAR delivered record net income of $1.13 billion on revenues of $14 billion in 2005.
International Truck and Engine Awards Supply Contract to Accuride’s Fabco Division
International Truck and Engine Corp. has awarded Accuride’s Fabco division a supply agreement to provide front drive axles and transfer cases for its 4200 4×4 program. The newly developed front steer drive axle, model FSD, is available from 8,000 to 10,000-lb in the 4200 4×4 vehicle. The FSD series axle has a nominal weight rating range from 8,000 to 14,600-lb.