Engine Downspeeding Dictates Drive-Axle Design
To slow the speed of the engine at cruise — called downspeeding, in which every 100 rpm slowed equates to 1% fuel savings — axle ratios are getting numerically lower. To wring the most miles from a gallon of fuel, some fleets are increasingly spec’ing direct-drive instead of overdrive transmissions, which is driving the trend to lower numerical final drive ratios.
October 24, 2016Appeals Court Rejects Obese Driver’s Claim That He Needn’t Submit to Sleep Apnea Test
An appeals court has rejected claims by an obese truck driver that he should not have been required by his employer to submit to a sleep study to determine if he had obstructive sleep apnea.
October 24, 2016Kenworth, Peterbilt to Return to MATS; Still Considering Decision on Rival Show
Kenworth Trucks and Peterbilt Motors will return to the Mid- America Trucking Show in March after their one-year hiatus, and, so far, these Paccar Inc. brands will be the only North American heavy-duty truck makers to attend.
October 24, 2016Safety Benefits of Speed Limiters Outweigh Crash Fears, Study Says
Although many drivers say that governing the speed of heavy trucks would create dangers on the highway, recent and past research studies dating to the 1970s generally have concluded that the overall benefits of speed limiters outweigh the potential increase in crashes caused by trucks moving slower than cars.
October 24, 2016Third-Quarter Truckload Results Show Lower Profits at Most Fleets
The third-quarter earnings season began with truckload carriers struggling to match year-over-year results, headlined by Covenant Transportation Group’s profits plummeting 62%.
October 24, 2016US Trailer Orders Fall by 65% in September as Market Returns to More ‘Typical’ Demand
Trailer orders in September fell below 13,000 as the market continues to adapt and reshape itself after a banner 2015, analysts said.
October 24, 2016Wabco Income, Revenue Advance in Third Quarter
Commercial vehicle supplier Wabco Holdings Inc. reported third-quarter net income and earnings rose despite a challenging North American commercial vehicle market.
October 21, 2016FedEx Strikes Deals to Expand E-Commerce Services
FedEx Corp. made several moves in recent weeks to build its national and international services, particularly in the growing e-commerce sector, through investments and partnerships.
October 21, 2016Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker Announces Automated Driving Technology Committee
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order Oct. 20 outlining his plan for “The AV Working Group,” his committee on automated vehicles.
October 21, 2016Daimler’s Positive Third-Quarter Results Limited by Weak Truck Market
Daimler AG reported Oct. 21 net income and revenue rose in the third quarter, but the results were limited by falling demand for heavy-duty trucks, especially in North America, the segment’s largest retail sales market.
October 21, 2016