Japanese Mini Trucks

Chevrolet and GMC extended cab heavy-duty pickup trucks with a bi-fuel option will sell for $11,000 above the suggested base-vehicle price. Fleet and retail customers can place orders for the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra 2500 HD beginning Thursday (April 19). The pickups, which run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline, have a Vortec 6.0L V8 engine that seamlessly transitions between the two fuel systems. A single light-weight Type 3 tank in the bed maximizes available payload and bed space, offering more usable space than competitors.

The Silverado HD and Sierra 2500 HD offer customers fueling flexibility with a combined CNG and gasoline range of more than 650 miles - the longest range available in the bi-fuel truck market. “The announcement of the bi-fuel Silverado and Sierra has been well-received among customers, which sends a clear message that businesses are looking for alternative fuel options to meet their needs,”. “The addition of the full-size bi-fuel pickups to our product portfolio is part of our commitment to offer great products, innovative business solutions and an exceptional customer experience.”

The pickups, which provide more options than any on the market, will be available in standard and long-box, two-or-four-wheel drive in the extended cab models, offering customization for specific needs.

“Businesses are looking for ways to control their costs while reducing vehicle emissions and becoming less dependent on fluctuating gas prices. The low cost of ownership makes these vehicles a realistic solution,”. “CNG has maintained a significantly lower retail price than either gasoline or diesel. The current average price of CNG is equivalent to $1.89 per gallon of gasoline. Customers could save $5,000 to $10,000 over a three-year period, depending on their driving habits.”

The bi-fuel trucks will be covered by GM’s three-year, 36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and five-year, 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and vehicle emissions warranty, meeting all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) emission certification requirements.

The entire manufacturer-backed gaseous fuel system in the vehicles meets GM’s strict quality, durability, safety testing and is covered under the extensive warranty. The trucks are built in Fort Wayne, Ind., and then sent to the Tier One supplier for installation of the CNG bi-fuel delivery and storage system.

To find more information about advanced propulsion vehicles available, visit gmfleet.com, or for timely responses to fleet-related questions, join the GM Fleet and Commercial Customer Service LinkedIn group.

Source : http://publish.media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2012/Apr/0417_bifuel

Japanese Used Mini Trucks, Kei Truck from Japan

Renault Trucks is at the Intermat show in Paris (Villepinte) from April 16-21, the trade show for construction professionals, presenting the whole of its Construction range. Customers can see the manufacturer’s latest additions, such as the Premium Lander OptiTrack 6×2, the Renault Kerax XTREM 8×4 and the Premium Lander Tridem 8×4, fitted with a fourth lift drive axle at the rear. The rest of the range will be represented by a Midlum 4×4 and a Maxity tipper.

The Renault Trucks stand in Hall 6, alley C n 75 also features the launch of the manufacturer’s “all for fuel eco” approach. Through this approach, Renault Trucks is committing each engineer, each salesman, each repair technician, each trainer, to the same objective: reducing Renault Trucks vehicles’ consumption from design to end-use, from the first to the last kilometre. On the Renault Truck stand, customers can get a glimpse of the broad range of services and solutions associated with this undertaking.

Training in rational driving with Optifuel Training, a new Optifuel Academy point-of-delivery service to optimise consumption from the very first kilometre, Optifleet fleet monitoring and management software, Optifuel Infomax consumption monitoring software, NavTruck, the smartphone-based satnav for heavy-duty trucks to eliminate superfluous journey time, the Construction industry customers will see practical examples of the benefits of these services for their day-to-day missions. On the technology side, the emphasis is on the robotised Optidriver+ gearbox and the Optiroll pack, which uses the vehicle’s inertia to reduce fuel consumption. For those who want to go further still in terms of energy efficiency, a Clean Tech area is dedicated to the manufacturer’s alternative energy vehicle range.

For Renault Trucks, Intermat is a real opportunity to show its customers their fuel consumption reduction features, from vehicle design right through to its use.

Source : http://corporate.renault-trucks.com/en/press-releases/2012-03-01-intermat-2012-renault-trucks-drive-fuel-consumption-down.html

Japanese Used Mini Trucks, Kei Truck from Japan

Medium and heavy truck sales were up 4% in March over the same period a year ago and up 28% for the first quarter, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications.

Dealers sold 43,813 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds during the month, up from March 2011 (42,188). For the quarter, the total was 133,311, up from 103,962 in 2011.

Compared with March 2011, Class 8 trucks were up 19% (15,418, compared to 13,010). Class 3 and 5 were the only other classes to show a gain.

For the quarter, Class 8 showed the biggest jump over a year ago (47%, 46,845 compared to 31,958). Class 5 sales were up 30%, Class 7 14% and Class 6 12%.

Total sales of all classes have been up 8%, from 1,606,407 to 1,734,312.

Every class has been up, except for Class 4 (down 4%).

Source : http://trailer-bodybuilders.com/chassis/medium-heavy-truck-sales-up-0412/

Japanese Used Mini Trucks, Kei Truck from Japan

In a letter to WSIB President & CEO David Marshall and WSIB Chair Steven Mahoney, Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) President David Bradley offered his association’s expectations following the imminent release of the WSIB Funding Review conducted by Dr. Harry Arthurs. Bradley made clear that OTA expects the WSIB Board to engage in meaningful and substantive consultations with employers before any policy positions contained in the report are acted upon.

“We appreciate the sense of urgency surrounding many of the Funding Review policy elements, but it is essential that the Board engage in comprehensive study and employer engagement before implementation of policies,” stated Bradley. “Policies contained in the Funding Review will have a long-standing impact on Ontario employers and warrant years of comprehensive study.”

The Auditor General called for the Funding Review in his 2009 report, which pointed out the WSIB’s ballooning unfunded liability and its detrimental impact on the WSIB to meet its financial commitments. The report stressed the need for a review of both WSIB expenditures and revenues.

“The trucking industry has seen its premium rates increase 15.5 per cent from 2005-2012 while our total injury rates have declined 34 per cent,” explained Bradley. “With the WSIB Board focused on the unfunded liability and the scope of the Funding Review limited to the revenue side of the equation, we are concerned that higher rates will continue to be imposed. The Board must fulfill the recommendation made by the Auditor General and perform a full, transparent review of its expenditures in order to restore financial stability and employer confidence in the system.”

The Funding Review is slated to be released any day now and is expected to contain policy positions that will have impacts on funding, employer classification, experience rating and premium rates. Of particular interest is the Experience Rating program, which OTA has supported and wished to continue working with WSIB on to facilitate its continued effectiveness.

In the letter, Bradley outlined OTA’s expectation that the WSIB Board publish a comprehensive outline of policies, including employer classification and experience rating for meaningful consultation, followed by incremental implementation and a multi-year phase-in.

“OTA enjoyed a collaborative working relationship with WSIB during changes to the classification scheme in 1993 (Revenue Strategy) and the implementation of the experience rating in 1992,” continued Bradley. “As the largest single rate group, the trucking industry stands ready to work with the Board during this period of significant reform to find constructive and positive solutions.”

Source:http://www.ontruck.org/imispublic/Home/AM/ContentManagerNet/ContentDisplay.aspx?Section=Home&ContentID=10941

Japanese Used Mini Trucks, Kei Truck from Japan

“March 2012 sale figures witnessed another dip in the overall commercial vehicle market after a period of strong recovery in 2011. While truck registrations continued to rise, up 25.6% in March, van registrations fell by 11.1%.” said Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT’s van and truck registration figures.

Robinson continued “During 2012 small van sales have declined significantly by 28.4% year to date. This type of van is typically purchased by small businesses or self employed individuals within the services industry. The budget last month did not inspire confidence in small businesses with no real measures to improve their financial stability.

“However the truck market has continued to grow during 2012, up 31.1% year to date. This is the 18th consecutive rise in the truck market.

“Few trucks are bought ‘off the peg’ due to current lead times standing between 3 and 6 months. This therefore adds to the stability of this sector.

“Overall the truck market remains stable with an extra 2862 vehicles sold this year against the same period last year.”

The latest combined sales figures for van and truck show month on month sales were down 7.6% compared to March 2011 and up 6.8% on the rolling year. Truck registrations were up 25.6% in comparison to March last year while van registrations were down 11.1% on March last year.

Source :http://www.rmif.co.uk/index.php?op=news&id=224

Japanese Used Mini Trucks, Kei Truck from Japan

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, launched its economically enhanced 2012 model Super Great heavy-duty truck and Fighter medium-duty truck incorporating the latest safety technologies for the Japan market.

Both latest models comply with the latest safety regulations which will become effective in July 2012 and are equipped with the newly developed brake override system (BOS) as standard, in which brake function overrides vehicle acceleration when brake and accelerator pedals are pressed at the same time.

In addition, the Super Great heavy-duty truck models incorporate emergency stop signal (ESS) as standard to avoid collision with subsequent vehicles. The newly developed drag foiler and rear spoiler which made its premiere on the “Fuel Efficient Truck” unveiled at the company’s facility earlier this month, are equipped as standard on wing body type LIMITED models. Overall, the new aerodynamic parts help improve overall vehicle fuel efficiency by 5% compared to models without them.

The 2012 model Super Great and Fighter models comply with the world’s most stringent JP09 emission regulations (Japan Post New Long-Term Emission Regulations) while overachieving the emission standard for NOx and PM emission levels by more than 10% and meeting the Japan’s 2015 FES standard for heavy-duty vehicles.

Source : http://www.mitsubishi-fuso.com/en/press/120409/120409.html

Japanese Used Mini Trucks, Kei Truck from Japan

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, unveiled its advanced engineered “Fuel Efficient Truck” and its “FUSO-Concept II” next-generation product design concept.

“Our representation here, is our commitment to leading the industry in fuel efficiency,” said Mr. Gustav Tuschen, MFTBC Vice President of Product Engineering. “We definitely continue our offensive in advanced propulsion systems like hybrid and electric. But further optimization of conventional diesel power is our homework. And Fuso is committed to extending its leadership in this area.”

According to Mr. Tuschen, the newly developed Fuso “Fuel Efficient Truck” realizes more than 10% better fuel efficiency compared to the conventional heavy-duty truck model, through improvements other than from power train technologies, such as optimization of vehicle aerodynamics, lightweight body design, optimized electricity management including solar power generation, and low-resistance tires.

Selected technologies are planned for adoption in series production models of Super Great heavy-duty truck models.

Source : http://www.mitsubishi-fuso.com/en/press/120405/120405.html

Japanese Used Mini Trucks, Kei Truck from Japan

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) announced its intention to restructure the company’s forklift truck production in Europe. Under the restructuring plan, the manufacture of battery-powered forklift trucks at Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift Europe B.V. (MCFE) in the Netherlands will be transferred to Rocla Oyj in Finland, in which MCFE owns nearly 100% of equity. For engine-powered forklift trucks, MCFE will meet demand through imports from affiliated production plants in other parts of the world. Through the restructuring initiative, MHI aims for MCFE to further improve its operational efficiency and achieve a stabilized revenue base. The restructuring plans for the forklift truck production will be carried out after discussions with, and consent from, the concerned parties.

The planned restructuring is MHI’s response to Europe’s lackluster forklift market stemming from the deepening debt crisis in the eurozone and other factors. MCFE will continue to function as regional headquarters of MHI’s forklift truck business in Europe and also continue handling of regional business management, marketing, sales and servicing. Rocla, a manufacturer of electric warehouse trucks and automated guided vehicles, will expand its product portfolio through the addition of a lineup of battery-powered forklift trucks - the mainstream of the European market - and pursue enhanced competitiveness through scale merit.

MCFE, a joint venture established in 1992, manufactures both engine-powered and battery-powered small-sized forklift trucks for marketing in Europe, the CIS, Africa and the Middle East. Rocla, a manufacturer of electric warehouse trucks, which was established in 1942, was acquired by MCFE in 2008.

MHI currently conducts business in forklift trucks and material handling equipment through five production bases in Japan, the U.S., Europe and China: the General Machinery & Special Vehicles Sagamihara Machinery Works in Kanagawa, Japan, which manages and oversees all activities of this business segment; Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America, Inc. (MCFA) in Houston, Texas; MCFE in Almere, the Netherlands; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Forklift (Dalian) Co., Ltd. (MFD) in Dalian, China; and Rocla in Jarvenpaa, Finland. The collective production capacity in forklift trucks and material handling vehicles now exceeds 75,000 units per year.

Through restructuring of its European production, MHI looks to evade foreign exchange risk and realize production flexibility while maintaining a structure enabling swift response to customer needs worldwide, in a quest to expand its share in the global forklift truck market.

Source : http://www.mhi.co.jp/en/news/story/1204121525.html

Japanese Used Mini Trucks, Kei Truck from Japan

After a year of quarterly increases, the turnover rate for truck drivers at large truckload fleets unexpectedly dipped one percentage point to an annualized rate of 88% American Trucking Associations Chief Economist Bob Costello said.

“This reprieve, while surprising, is likely temporary,” Costello said. “As the economy continues to recover, freight volumes should continue to grow, which along with regulatory challenges related to hours-of-service and the government’s CSA fleet oversight program, will continue to cause the driver market to tighten and the turnover rate to rise.”

Turnover among large truckload fleets had risen to 89% in the third quarter of 2011 after bottoming out at 39% in the first quarter of 2010.

For all of 2011, the large truckload turnover rate averaged 83% - the highest average since 2007 when churn averaged 117%.

At small truckload firms, with less than $30 million in annual revenue, the turnover rate dipped to 55% from 57% in the previous quarter. The fourth quarter turnover rate for less-than-truckload fleets fell to just 7% from 10% in the third quarter.

Source : http://www.truckline.com/pages/article.aspx?id=994%2F8e1c7279-ed27-4c03-b189-ceeee26bbb12

Japanese Used Mini Trucks, Kei Truck from Japan

When it gets stuck in a traffic jam, even the best truck in the world cannot complete its assignment. In 2011, Renault Trucks began to play a pioneering role in reducing congestion by developing applications for smartphones such as Nav’Truck, the first HGV dedicated GPS application for the iPhone. Building on this experience, Renault Trucks is now joining the 10 or more public and private partners involved in the Optimod’Lyon research project steered by the Greater Lyon Authority. This project aims to examine how, across an entire conurbation, information concerning traffic conditions can be collected, processed and passed on to users via their mobile phones in order to improve traffic flow.

In particular, Renault Trucks will have the responsibility of developing innovative mobile technologies and services. On the basis of data collected and processed by the project’s other partners, the manufacturer’s engineers are aiming to develop a working tool based on a smartphone application that is simple, user-friendly and geared to meet the needs of drivers and firms involved in urban distribution. By receiving real-time or predictive information, drivers will be constantly updated on traffic conditions and road closures as well as delivery bay availabilities so that they can organise their rounds accordingly. During the experimental phase due to take place under actual operating conditions from 2014, Renault Trucks will be able to work with its customers to assess how this type of service could be used to make their day-to-day delivery assignments more efficient.

Together with the Greater Lyon Authority and Renault Trucks, the other partners in the project are IBM, Citiway, Parkéon, Phoenix, LIRIS, Orange, GLS, the LET (Transport Economics Laboratory), the CETE (Lyon Technical Study Centre) and Autoroutes Trafic. This three year project is also backed by the LUTB (Lyon urban truck and bus) competitive cluster in which Renault Trucks has played an active part since it was set up.
Being a part of this project is in line with Renault Trucks’ long-term commitment to improve goods mobility in urban environments by putting the right truck, in the right place, at the right time and with the right energy.

This approach takes form in a widely diversified range of urban vehicles designed to meet all transporters’ needs as well as those of any professional needing to use trucks in towns (local authorities for road maintenance or refuse collection and also tradesmen). With the Master (front and rear wheel drive), the Maxity, the Midlum, the Premium Distribution and the Access, Renault Trucks’ range of urban vehicles covers all its customers’ needs from 2.8 to 26 t.

At the same time, Renault Trucks has developed other solutions as an alternative to Diesel. Covered by the Clean Tech label, these include vehicles running on electricity with the Maxity Electric, hybrid vehicles with the Premium Distribution Hybrys Tech and finally vehicles running on natural gas with the Premium Distribution CNG, a vehicle which has now been on the market for over 10 years.

Source:http://corporate.renault-trucks.com/en/press-releases/2012-04-06-communicative-trucks-to-reduce-urban-congestion.html

Japanese Used Mini Trucks, Kei Truck from Japan