Hybrid electric conversion systems continue to catch on
There are two indications of the growing use of the hybrid electric powertrain for new and existing Class 2 to 6 commercial vehicles offered by XL Hybrids Inc. One is the recent announcement that the company raised $10.5 million in venture funding. The other is the Boston-based company’s impressive customer list, which now includes FedEx
Continental launches new on-/off-road tire for use in severe service applications
Continental Tire the Americas’ Commercial Vehicle Tire group has launched the new HDC1 HT for the U.S. and Canadian markets. This on/off- road drive tire was developed to deliver traction and durability in severe service applications such as construction, mining, oil fields and logging. With Continental’s new generation of truck tires being built on the
GM, Navistar reach commercial vehicle agreement
General Motors Co. and Navistar have reached a long-term agreement to develop and assemble future medium duty, conventional cab Class 4/5 commercial vehicles, allowing Navistar to strengthen its product lineup and GM to expand its Chevrolet commercial truck portfolio. “Bringing medium-duty conventional cab trucks back into the portfolio strengthens Chevrolet’s commitment to providing commercial customers
Continental offers VDO blower motors for HVAC systems on late model commercial vans
Continental Commercial Vehicles & Aftermarket, suppliers of OE-engineered aftermarket parts for HVAC and engine cooling, door systems, brake systems, tire pressure monitoring systems, engine management, fuel systems and instrumentation, now offers a comprehensive line of VDO blower motors for direct replacement on modern utility vans. Continental’s VDO HVAC system blower motors line offers exceptional model coverage
Roush CleanTech develops Ford E-450 extended range propane autogas fuel tank
Roush CleanTech has developed an extended range fuel tank for the Ford E-450 chassis. With 64 usable gallons of propane autogas, the new tank holds 56% more fuel than the standard 41-usable gal. tank option. “We listened to our paratransit customers who wanted the Ford E-450 chassis, yet also needed more autogas fuel capacity,” said
Isuzu introduces 2016 13,000-lb. GVWR NPR diesel
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America Inc. has introduced its newest model: The 2016 NPR Diesel. The truck features a 13,000-lb. GVWR and a 33.5-in. frame to offer more capability than previously available in an entry-level Isuzu diesel truck, while still providing durability and fuel economy, the company said. “With a 13,000-lb. GVWR, the new NPR Diesel approaches the
Class 5-7 truck orders rise in August while Class 8 orders fall
Class 8 booked nearly 20,200 net new orders in August, while Classes 5-7 posted almost 17,900 net orders. These results were published in the latest State of the Industry report, recently released by ACT Research Co. (ACT). The report covers Classes 5 through 8 vehicles for the North American market. Kenny Vieth, ACT’s President and
Ford’s growing CNG, propane capable lineup
Passed as part of an extension of federal highway funding, Congressional legislation now corrects a longstanding inequity in the way liquefied natural gas (LNG) is taxed. Starting Jan. 1, 2016, LNG will be taxed based on a diesel gallon equivalent (DGE) unit. Currently, fleets operating LNG-powered trucks are effectively paying a tax on that fuel
Kenworth offers additional T270, T370 frame packaging options
Kenworth Truck Co. has announced the availability of two new product enhancements on the Kenworth T270 and T370: fuel tanks mounted between the frame rails behind the rear axle and a narrower battery box. Together these enhancements are part of a focused medium-duty body builder expansion program that opens up more frame packaging options for medium duty
Meritor WABCO OnGuard collision mitigation system now available for medium-duty trucks
Meritor WABCO has announced that the OnGuard Collision Mitigation System is now available for use in medium-duty trucks for the first time. OnGuard is a radar-based active safety system for commercial vehicles that offers collision warnings and collision mitigation with active braking, as well as adaptive cruise control. The OnGuard collision mitigation system detects objects ahead
Webasto develops HVAC system for Ram cargo van
Webasto Thermo and Comfort North America’s aftermarket auxiliary HVAC system, London, is now available as a vehicle specific application for the Ram cargo van. The London system is available as an aftermarket solution to owners of the Ram ProMaster for additional heating and cooling needs in their cargo space. The unit offers up to 32,500 BTU/h of cooling capacity
Michelin introduces Defender LTX M/S for light-, medium-duty trucks
Michelin Americas Truck Tires has released the Defender LTX M/S tire series. The Defender LTX series is made for light- and medium-duty trucks, and Michelin claims to have built them to handle all seasons and last through tough conditions. The new trucks sport Michelin’s Evertread technology, which is designed to meet high demands and drive in tough terrain.
