Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/678459
commercial carrier journal | may 2016 25 • Volvo Trucks recalled 2016-17 VNL, VNX and VNM models manufactured from May 11, 2015, through March 8, 2016, over con- cerns they may be missing a roll pin on the steering shafts. Also, the bolt connecting the upper and lower shafts may not have been properly tightened. • Daimler Trucks North America recalled nearly 9,000 model-year 2015-16 Freight- liner Cascadia trucks manufactured from March 24, 2014, through Nov. 9, 2015, over a possible overheating connection on trucks outfitted with a Bergstrom Parksmart HVAC auxiliary unit that poten- tially could catch fire. • Ford Motor Co. recalled certain 2015-16 Ford Transit vans and 2015-16 F-650 and F-750 trucks. In about 38,000 low-roof Tran- sits built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant from March 2014 through March 2016, the side-curtain airbags may be positioned incorrectly on either or both sides of the vehicle. In about 4,800 Ford F-650s and F-750s built from January 2015 through November at both Escobedo and Ohio, the parking brake connector clips were not manufactured correctly and could break. • Sopus Products requested return of all 1-gallon bottles and 55-gallon drums of Shell Rotella Ultra ELC 50/50 Pre-diluted Antifreeze/Engine Coolant and one batch (B2811293U063/30Sept15) of 55-gallon drums of Shell Rotella Ultra ELC Antifreeze/ Coolant Concentrate because they were undertreated with bitterant, an additive used to render the product unpalatable. • Volvo Trucks North America employees represented by the United Auto Workers ratified a new five-year agreement covering about 2,000 members of UAW Local No. 2069 at the truck maker's plant in New River Valley, Va. • Pirelli announced plans to enter the commercial truck tire market in the United States and Canada. A pilot phase is current- ly underway to help establish a strategy for local product development, distribution and sales. More than 40 fleets are partici- pating in the testing and development of tires for several commercial applications. • Cummins was awarded a $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to help develop a Class 6 commercial plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle that can reduce fuel consumption by at least 50 percent over conventional vehicles. Cummins research- ers will select an engine to use as an electric commercial vehicle range extender. The engine will manage the charge level of the all-electric-drive battery pack. • International Truck now offers IMMI's Roll- Tek driver safety system as an option on its ProStar Class 8 on-highway trucks. RollTek's sensor behind the seat constantly monitors the vehicle's angular position and activates when it detects an imminent rollover, deploying side-roll airbags, tightening the safety belt and lowering the seat. • UPS (CCJ Top 250, No. 1) is building 12 more compressed natural gas fueling stations and adding 380 new CNG tractors to its alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet. The investments total $100 million. • Spartan Motors will produce Isuzu's F-Se- ries truck, expanding a relationship that began in 2011 with Spartan's assembly of Isuzu's gas-powered N-Series. The F-Series marks Isuzu's expansion into the Class 6 on-highway commercial truck market. • Old World Industries acquired Victory Blue, a Dallas-based diesel exhaust fluid provider. The purchase includes seven U.S. production facilities. • Penske Truck Rental updated its website, PenskeTruckRental.com, to allow busi- nesses to reserve trucks and customers to purchase moving supplies and additional services using their smartphones. Searches use the customer's current location. • Peterbilt introduced a new formulation for its Axalta paint coatings to enhance color qualities and durability. The formulations – which include both base and clear coats – are applied robotically at the company's manufacturing facility in Denton, Texas, and dry faster than previous formulations. • Isuzu Commercial Truck of America named Shaun Skinner president, replacing Hisao Sasaki, who is returning to Isuzu Mo- tors Ltd. in Japan. Skinner, who served for eight years as executive vice president and general manager, joined American Isuzu Motors Inc. in June 1987 and moved to the commercial vehicle division in 2002. • Volvo Trucks North America presented its 100,000th I-Shift automated manual transmission-equipped truck – a VNL 670 – to Missoula, Mont.-based Watkins & Shepard (CCJ Top 250, No. 126). Volvo has sold more than 575,000 I-Shifts globally. • The Peterbilt Technician Institute expanded with a third location in Exton, Pa. PTI graduates about 100 students per year and places them into service technician careers in the Peterbilt dealer network. INBRIEF FUEL SIPPER. You know what it takes to get the job done. That's why when you build a Western Star, you can outfi t it with a customized Detroit ™ powertrain to help you do just that. From the engine to the transmission and axles, you can spec the right truck for any job, inside and out. westernstar.com FUEL SIPPER. You know what it takes to get the Daimler Detroit / #81059 Western Star Detroit Ad 4C, 2.25 x 9.5 / CCJ Magazine DETROIT_81059_WS_CCJ.indd 1 10/6/15 10:54 AM