Technology

TOKYO — Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corp. is developing a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain for parent Daimler AG’s truck group that could provide the fuel economy gains that have so far been elusive for heavy-duty, over-the-road trucks, the company said.

General Motors and Japanese carbon fiber and composites supplier Teijin have teamed up in hopes of producing stronger and lighter parts for GM trucks, cars and crossovers.

Wireless alarm company Telular Corp. has agreed to buy trailer tracking supplier SkyBitz Corp. for a total of $42 million — $35 million in cash and $7 million in new Telular stock.

Transportation technology provider ALK Technologies has formed a new group responsible for all of its products and services sold worldwide to transportation and logistics companies, ALK announced Friday.

In a federal securities filing, Qualcomm Inc. warned that some truck original equipment manufacturers and truck component makers are beginning to offer built-in, onboard fleet management and GPS devices, which could intensify competition and eventually affect the San Diego-based company’s margins.

TomTom NV said its Pro 7150 truck-specific GPS is now available and provides drivers and fleet managers with routing that factors in vehicle profiles, road attributes and restrictions.

Despite representing 20% of all fuel-cell systems shipped in 2010, fuel cells used as auxiliary power units remain limited commercially, according to market research and consulting firm Pike Research.

Of course, concerns persist about electronic onboard recorders (“FMCSA Drops Its 2012 Electronic Log Rule Aimed at Carriers With Major HOS Offenses,” 11-21, p. 3). EOBRs are unconstitutional and should be outlawed.

E2open, a provider of cloud-based global supply chain technology, announced on Monday it has partnered with Shanghai Future Information Technologies Co., which will resell, operate and support E2open’s technology in China.