Truck & Bus Builder

VOLUME 36 ISSUE NUMBER 6 JUNE 2014

www.truckandbusbuilder.com 1

The International Newsletter of Commercial Vehicle Manufacturing Developments

Truck & Bus Builder

IN THIS ISSUETCV plans electric unveil at IAA 2

ADL’s new quick release glazing system 2

Meritor starts trials of LogixDrive 3

Cummin’s new gas engine 4

STAS builds 14.65m trailers for UK market 6

ADL’s new E400 double deck 7

New funds for Dearman air engine project 8

Odyne appoints assembler in CA, USA 10

Serbia / Finland – Timo Korhonen, managing director, chairman and owner of the Finnish special heavy-duty on– and off-road multi-axle truck manufacturer, Oy Sisu Auto Ab of Karjaa, and Dusan Vujovic, Serbia’s Minister of Economy, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that would see Sisu take over part of the assets of truck and bus manufacturer, FAP Korporacija a.d. of Priboj, Serbia. FAP is majority owned by the state.

The Serbian government states that Sisu Auto, under the agreement, plans to establish a company in Serbia for the production of heavy commercial vehicles and components with the support of the Serbian government. ‘“Our objective is to sign the contract by the end of August,” Korhonen said,’ according to the Serbian press.

FAP started production of trucks in 1953. Initially the plant manufactured trucks under a licence from Saurer - Adolph Saurer AG based in Arbon, Switzerland was a truck and bus builder from 1903 to 1982. In 1970, FAP signed a licence agreement with Mercedes-Benz and the current FAP trucks are still based on the old Mercedes-Benz NG range. This makes sense for the takeover, as Sisu Auto has been using Mercedes-Benz componentry to manufacture heavy-duty trucks since 2010.

Sisu Auto to acquire Serbia’s FAPAcquisition

According to the consulting company engaged by FAP as a consultant for restructuring and privatization, FAP’s annual capacity is 5,000 trucks. However, the company has only used between one and five per cent of the capacity over the last few years. It is also understood that FAP has the capacity to build about 70 bus chassis per year.

In 2010, the then management at Sisu Auto, including Timo Korhonen, took over the company in a management buyout – the Suomen Autoteollisuus Group then consisted of the following companies: Oy Sisu Auto Ab (group services), Sisu Auto Trucks Oy (commercial trucks) and Sisu Defence Oy (military vehicles). Korhonen became the sole owner in August 2013.

In November of 2010 it entered into an agreement with Daimler to use Mercedes-Benz components extensively to build a range of heavy-duty special purpose trucks called Sisu Polar for gravel, rock, timber and metal transportation and other applications.

In May 2013, Sisu announced its new line up for Euro 6, which it said would feature new engines and cabins for market introduction starting in October, with deliveries starting in the second quarter of 2014.

Germany / Poland - Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles of Hanover, a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG (VW) of Wolfsburg, Germany, has announced that the successor to the Volkswagen Crafter is to be manufactured at a new plant in Poland from 2016.

Construction of the new plant, says VW, is scheduled to start at the end of 2014 on a 220 hectare site in Wrzesnia, which is in the Voivodeship Wielkopolska region of Poland. The future factory is to consist of a body shop, a paint shop and final assembly with vehicle production scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2016. The new plant, Volkswagen’s second plant for commercial vehicle production, is expected to create at least 2,300 new jobs.

Dr Leif Östling, member of the board of management of Volkswagen AG with responsibility for Commercial Vehicles, remarked: “With the decision to build the new Crafter in Poland, we are setting a new strategic course for our light commercial vehicles. The Crafter,” he continued, “is the ideal candidate for all growth markets in the world and will further advance Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles along its path as a globally operating manufacturer.”

“The new plant in Wrzesnia will become the second site in Poland for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles after Poznan, where the urban delivery vehicle, the Caddy, has been rolling off the assembly line for more than a decade.”

VW to invest in new plant for Crafter’s successor Investment / Manufacture / People

Volkswagen Poznan is the name of Volkswagen’s existing light commercial vehicle plant nearby in Poznan, Poland. The plant was founded in 1993 as a joint venture between Volkswagen AG and the Tarpan factory in Poznan. In 1996, Poznan became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG and was integrated into the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand one year later. The plant consists of three units with a total area of 739,000 square metres, of which some 90% is occupied by production buildings. At the end of 2013 it had a workforce of over 6,500 employees and produced 170,900 light commercial vehicles (VW Caddy and the T5).

As a result of its decision to build the new Crafter replacement model on a new site in Poland, Jens Ocksen (53), formerly member of the board of management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles with responsibility for Production and Logistics, as of April 1, 2014, took over responsibility of the Crafter production project and head of the board of management of Volkswagen Poznan Sp.z.o.o. He, however, remains a member of the management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Dr Josef Baumert, previously technical managing director of the Volkswagen Group Rus and plant manager in Kaluga, Russia, is now responsible for production and logistics division.

Germany / Sweden – Volkswagen AG of Wolfsburg, Germany has concluded its purchase of the majority of the shares in Scania AB of Sodertalje, Sweden, and that as of the end of May, 2014, it controls 98.19% of the shares in Scania and 99.02% of the voting rights. Subsequently, Scania announced that NASDAQ OMX Stockholm exchange had decided to delist Scania’s shares and that the last day of trading would be June 5, 2014. (An extension has been given by Volkswagen to the remaining shareholders also to June 5, for the purchase of the remaining shares).

Prior to the announcement of the initial public offer on February 21, 2014, by Volkswagen for the remaining Scania shares, its shareholding of A and B shares corresponded to 62.64 per cent of the shares and 89.18 per cent of the voting rights in Scania.

VW takes control with 98.19% of the shares in Scania

Acquisition

USA / Italy – Meritor’s 17X axle carrier, which features Meritor’s patented laser-welded gear sets, is to be offered with an, as yet, unnamed truck builder in North America; Meritor says the agreement gives the customer a period of exclusivity for the 17X carrier.

The Meritor 17X heavy duty axle was launched in 2006 for the European, Australian and South American heavy-duty markets and features Meritor’s patented laser-welded gear sets in the carrier. These replace the conventional bolted-design found in its predecessor and still used currently in North America with Meritor’s 160 single reduction axle for on-highway applications.

The 17X axle carrier, says Meritor, which is made in its manufacturing facility in Cameri, northern Italy, is to be shipped complete ready for integration with a Meritor heavy-duty axle in North America before sequence supply to the customer.

Meritor signs deal with US truck builder to supply 17X laser-welded axle carrier

Product

2 www.truckandbusbuilder.com

Truck & Bus BuilderT&BB June 2014

Turkey - TCV (Turkish Commercial Vehicles) Ltd of Ankara, Turkey announced that it was making good progress with the design and development of an all-electric bus, which it plans to display at Europe’s premiere commercial vehicle show, the IAA in Hanover in September later this year. The vehicle is expected to be a 3-door low floor 10.7m unit with a range on a full single charge of approximately 200km.

The company said that being part of the Bozankaya Group also based in Ankara (since 2003) through its German operation, Bozankaya GmbH of Salzgitter, it has the necessary expertise in terms of battery chemistry, battery management systems and energy storage for building a full electrically-powered city bus. The wheel hub drive is ZF’s AVE132 electric drive axle. The company also said it was already using this in-house group expertise to deliver its first trambus or trolleybus models in Turkey - ten at 25m and two at 19m; all are to be fitted with Vossloh-Keippe electric motors - over the next few months. (All 12 are to be fitted with a small diesel engine as a generator on the second axle to provide power when off-line).

The designs for all its electronically controlled equipment and systems (such as the batteries, battery management systems, electronic traction) were performed by Bozankaya’s Wolfenbuettel

TCV plans to launch electric bus at IAAProduct / Environment / Strategy

GmbH research and development centre in Germany. The company also announced that Euro 6

vehicles would be available within the year – it plans to offer an FPT diesel engine or an MAN natural gas engine (E0836).

In its brief history - TCV was founded in October 2010 by former senior executives of Temsa and by the time of the last Busworld Turkey in April 2012, TCV had built two 10.7m three door full low floor prototypes fitted with Iveco 5.9 litre engines mounted offset at the rear. The company has since built 220 vehicles, 90% with CNG (MAN) engines. TCV said that currently, for Turkish operators, CNG powered buses cost between 20 and 40% less to operate than diesel ones.

The company builds the buses in Ankara in two stages – the body structure is built at MAN’s Turkish facility in Ankara, where it is KTL-treated and powertrain (engine, transmission and axles are installed), before being transferred to TCV’s own facility locally for finishing. TCV says that its major advantage again was that its parent company, through subsidiaries Bozankaya GmbH and Bozankaya AS, it produces a full range of metal components for bus chassis and bodies at both its plants in Turkey and in Germany, not only for TCV but also for other famous German brands.

UK – Tipping trailer and moving floor specialist, Fruehauf Ltd of Grantham is continuing to recover strongly with build rates per month having more than doubled since the last specialist tipper show, according to David Snodin, managing director at Tip-Ex 2014 in Harrogate last month.

Snodin advised Truck & Bus Builder that at the same time last year, it had been building approximately 35/40 trailers a month, whereas this year its monthly output was averaging between 80 and 100 units a month. Subsequently, it is of no surprise that further investment has been made in new machinery and man power.

2012 saw an investment of GBP200,000 in a new PPG shot blasting facility to guarantee the chassis substrate for the paint process of priming, top coating and baking. In 2013, some GBP450,000 was spent on a new heavy duty laser cutter and a further GBP100,000 on new aluminium welding equipment, said Snodin.

The company was now utilising some two thirds of the 64 acre site in Grantham, UK, and that its consignment stock had increased to between GBP3m and GBP4m, from GBP1.5m a year ago. The company’s ultimate goal, Snodin remarked, was to have sufficient consignment stock for a full six week production period of all models – the equivalent of some 150 units.

During the past year too, it has increased its number of engineers and skilled welding workforce; fulfilling the latter through its traditional recruitment strategy of taking on skilled welders from the Baltic states of Latvia and Lithuania. Snodin pointed out that it makes its own trailer chassis and offers the option of fitting its own on-board weighing system and sheeting system. Fruehauf produces two basic types of tipper body, the bath tub design and the smooth-sided design. Both are built in-house using consignment stock, with sub-assembly operations for the floors, sides and doors for the respective body types. It also builds a range of walking floor trailers, ejector trailers and bulk blower trailers.

Fruehauf comeback continuesManufacture / Profile

The product range too has been expanded. At Tip-Ex 2014, it showed a smooth sided tipping trailer with an external tipping ram for the first time. This has several advantages, said Snodin, it allows sand or other bulk material to be discharged more quickly and it reduces the risk of material sticking in the bulkhead.

Snodin also announced that six months ago (October / November 2013) Fruehauf had re-entered the rigid tipper market. This project, he said, he had delayed deliberately until the confidence in the Fruehauf name had been re-established - this is certainly confirmed perhaps by vehicle build rates and by the levels of stock now held on consignment.

A separate production line has been set up for its rigid tipper range, continued Snodin. A number of models are now available. On display at the show was a lightweight insulated smooth-sided tipper with a twin skin using 6mm square panels offering a 20 tonne payload designed for the transport of hot asphalt suitable for use with road-laying machines. It also offers a lightweight heavy-duty aluminium body with 34 cubic capacity for sand and general purpose applications on an 8x4 chassis as well as tipper bodies made of high tensile and wear resistant pressed steel in monocoque design available in light, medium and heavy-duty options.

Another part of the business, which it has developed and expanded during the past year, is its repair and refurbishment operation. With the comprehensive manufacturing facilities and labour expertise at Grantham – ie shot blasting, welding, painting etc, Snodin says it is in a strong position to carry out high-end repairs to a trailer and rigid body. It focuses on the high-end or high value repairs following accidents such as twisted chassis or undertaking complete body repairs after a roll-over, explained Snodin. It offers a full service, working with operators’ insurance companies to assess the cost of the repair, quoting for the work, carrying out the works and then checking the vehicle for compliance prior to release back to the customer.

UK – Quick Release Glazing (QRG) is the name of a new, patented glazing system developed by bus builder, Alexander Dennis Ltd of Larbert, UK for its side windows as part of the company’s complete re-design of its Enviro400 double deck city bus range at Euro 6.

ADL’s QRG system uniquely allows the side windows to be installed and, if necessary, replaced from inside the bus. This is possible due to the fact that the design of the bus frame provides the necessary structural strength, unlike conventional gasket glazing systems; but by using the outer bus frame to hold the glass in place this also enhances safety by preventing the window from being pushed out from the inside.

The QRG system uses the same interior plastic trim as that used for the bonded glazing in the front and rear of the decker. However, the window is secured from the inside using push-fit mounting blocks of a patented design, which are fixed in place using a single screw. The push-fit blocks sit under the trim in between the interior of the bus frame profile and the glass on the inside and the rubber seal and outer frame of the profile. The system has a unique sealing system, says ADL, to reduce water ingress without the need of sealants; however, should a leak develop over time, ADL design of the new generation E400, allows it drain into a channel that exits the vehicle.

As the interior trim and blocks can be removed by just one person with the appropriate tools in just a matter of minutes, the QRS reduces side window replacement time to just minutes rather than hours. The system allows the window to be replaced at kerbside, minimising vehicle downtime and reducing the total cost of glass replacement – bonded glass systems, certainly in the upper deck, requires the bus be taken off the road to a depot, scaffolding or raised platform erected, and two skilled operatives to replace the glass often taking several hours. Standard 4mm glass is being used by ADL for the side windows, but the company says it is experimenting with 3mm.

The company did not say whether this system was being used in any of its other products currently, but it is likely that it will be incorporated, certainly in its tri-axle E500 models sold into North America and the Far East.

New quick release glazing system from ADL

Technology / Component

UK - The UK Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) has revealed how it plans to spend GBP500m of funding allocation over the next five years (2015-2020) to help instigate a major shift towards low and ultra-low carbon vehicles and technologies.

The key features of the OLEV package in respect of commercial vehicles are: • GBP100m for R&D projects;• GBP30m for buses;• GBP32m on infrastructure (including for a rapid

charging network);• GBP4m for gas refuelling network for HCVs.

It is seen by many in the transport industry as a balanced approach to incentivise technical developments in all segments of road transport, not just passenger cars.

UK pledges GBP0.5bn towards low emission vehicles

Funding

jimgibbins

Highlight


Advertisement opportunity:

Are you a global component or component system supplier? Reach your audience at a high management level by being one of three possible advertisers in T&BB. Do not miss this new and exclusive opportunity to expand your company’s business presence globally.

Contact: Irena CornwellE-mail: [email protected] Line: +44 (0) 1780 749 502

About Truck & Bus BuilderTruck & Bus Builder is the international newsletter of commercial vehicle manufacturing developments.

© 2014 - All copyright is reserved - Truck & Bus Builder Publishing Ltd.

Publisher:Truck & Bus BuilderPO Box 15, Williton, Taunton, Somerset,TA4 4YP EnglandTel: +44 (0) 1984 618707Fax: +44 (0) 1984 618708E-mail: [email protected]: www.truckandbusbuilder.comISSN: 0263-6263

Editor: Jim GibbinsE-mail: [email protected] Editor: Eric Gibbins, MCILT

Subscription: Twelve months (2014) subscription ratesUK: GBP288.00 (exc VAT)Europe: EUR420.00 (exc VAT)USA, Canada and Rest of World: USD588.00

April 2013 Truck & Bus Builder T&BBJune 2014

Italy / USA – LogixDrive, the name given to ‘the industry’s first intelligent axle system’ by medium-and heavy-duty drive axle and brake specialist, Meritor Inc, is to undergo official testing with several OEs later this year as part of a European funded programme encouraging the development of low carbon and fuel efficiency saving technologies.

LogixDrive is an electronically controlled system that sits within the differential carrier designed to control the level of lubrication within the drive axle. The LogixDrive unit controls the amount of lubrication in the axle at any given time by sensing temperature, speed, braking and torque conditions.

It consists of a six-litre ‘C’-shaped composite tank with a composite actuator at the top controlling the composite valve at the bottom. Oil is moved into the tank by scoops fitted to the crown wheel from the 12-litre differential carrier housing. By moving the oil into a separate tank whenever less oil is required reduces parasitic losses, explained Chiara Cesari, axle project engineer, Axles Engineering Europe at Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Cameri SpA in Cameri, Italy, last month. Lower oil level around the crown gear, reduces oil churning losses, added Cesari, which improves axle efficiency, reduces truck fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

The system uses information from sensors in the axle carrier to determine when the load on the differential is being increased (such as when the vehicle in climbing, braking or in low speed conditions) higher oil level and lubrication is required and subsequently, the actuator opens the valve at the bottom of the tank and oil is released back into the differential. The system has a failsafe device, Cesari pointed out, which allows the oil to be released back into the differential automatically should the system fail. The potential efficiency gain is 0.5kW, said Cesari. In addition, LogixDrive has the potential for axle-monitoring to improve oil performance and

Meritor starting trials of LogixDrivePrototype

drain interval frequency. LogixDrive currently adds 7kg to the weight of the carrier.

Thus the Meritor LogixDrive oil-level control modifies the oil quantity in the rear axle, depending on truck driving conditions. It is particularly suited to saving fuel in high-mileage line-haul trucks operating in cruise at circa 80 kilometres an hour for 80% to 90% of the time. It has been offered in Meritor’s best-selling heavy-duty single reduction axle, the 17X. Meritor sells some 60,000 of the 17X axle a year (80,000 in 2008) in Europe and has recently brought to market (November 2013) the 17X EVO axle with 2.31 to 3.36 fast axle ratios.

Cesari said that various prototype versions of LogixDrive had been built and that so far, it had undertaken fleet testing in seven trucks over the last three years covering some 1.6 million miles. The commercial introduction of LogixDrive is planned in the 17X EVO carrier. Cesari suggested that this combination should deliver an axle efficiency improvement of circa. 1kW over that of the 17X. Meritor plans to offer it as a ready to use plug and play unit with all sensors in place and connected to the electronic control unit. It also plans to offer it later on in its heavier-duty 18X single reduction axle used for rigs up to sixty tonnes gross combination weights.

Meritor also announced that it had recently delivered a prototype of LogixDrive to North America for trials.

However, as yet, according to Fabio Santinato, chief engineer, Meritor Axles Engineering Europe, there was no business case for the LogixDrive oil control system from a cost point of view. Meritor said it was working towards reducing cost and thereby improving the business case. The design, said Santinato, had been changed over the three years of its development – originally the tank had been fitted externally with a pump, but now the tank was fitted internally and the motion of the gears used to fill the tank.

UK – Due to the high traditional demand for fixed roof trailers in the UK, Schmitz Cargobull (UK) Ltd of Warrington, UK, has, for the past six months, been offering a fixed roof curtainsider for the UK market with varying heights and side apertures starting at 4.2m (2.7m) up to 4.6m (3.1m) and available at 50mm increments in between.

Paul Avery said that the trailer was introduced September last year and compliments its two other curtainsiders on the market, the Euroliner standard trailer and the Speedliner, fitted with the speedy

Schmitz offers fixed roof in UK Product curtain – both are built to the standard European

height of 4m. The fixed roof has a floor load of 7.1t and an unladen weight of 6.622t. The chassis is a Schmitz bolted galvanised unit with a 10 year guarantee against rust, full length lashing holes as standard plus 13 pairs of lashing eyes in the outer frame. The rear wall is a steel frame with integrated tarpaulin tensioner and aluminium double doors. The bulkhead is aluminium with UK design steel corner supports with interior ram protection to 300mm. The sides have just two pairs of central stanchions, sliding tarpaulin with over centre locks and tarpaulin clamping ratchets in front of the bulkhead. The roofing is a single piece aluminium sheet. The running gear is Schmitz own Rotos disc brake (430mm) axles with air suspension.

Turkey / Iran / Switzerland – AKIA Hess Otimotiv Karoser Imalat San ve Tic Ltd of Bursa is a new bus builder and subsidiary of the Iranian manufacturer, Akia Duich of Tabriz.

It opened a factory in Bursa in October last year (Akin Hess Automotive Body Manufacturing Industry ve Tic Ltd) to build a range of low floor city buses with the option of Cummins diesel or CWI CNG engines. Three examples of its so called Ultra range were launched at Busworld Turkey in April this year. Two were built to 12m and the third was a 9.33m midi-bus. All three are fully-integral steel structures with aluminium panels on the side, glass rear panels and with their engines mounted offset and in-line at the rear – one of the 12m was CNG powered. ZF supplied the beam front axle, portal rear axle and fully automatic gearbox for all three. (The specification for the 12m diesel bus is summarised below).

Akia Ultra LF12 - Specification detailsPassengers - 27 seats, 45 standees, total 72Dimensions - 12m (L), 2.55m (W), 3.1m (H*),

GVW 18tDoor - Auto pneumatic 2-2-2Engine - Cummins ISBe 6.7-litre,

300hp/1100NmGearbox - ZF Ecolife auto with intarderSteering - Hema Servocom hydraulic 8089Front axle - ZF RL85A or ZF RL75EC rigid

portal (8.5t gaw)Rear Axle - ZF AV132 (13t gaw)Braking - Intarder, ABS and ASR (Wabco

or KB)

Source: Akia Hess *incl. A/C

Omer Celik, sales manager, at the show announced that four prototype buses had been undergoing trials with a number of operators in Turkey since November last year and that Akia would begin building its city bus range at a rate of 15 units a month at the end of May.

Asked about orders and Celik said Akia had already submitted a number of tenders including a tender for 25m units for BRT operation in Istanbul. (Celik said that Akia had had previous experience of working with Hess to build 25m length low floor city buses in 2013 in Iran). Celik added that it had in fact already won an order from Eastern Europe for delivery next year of 200 buses.

In the future said Omer Celik, sales manager, a range of intercity buses would also be offered.

Iranian bus builder sets up production in Turkey

New Company

jimgibbins

Highlight

Truck & Bus Builder


T&BB June 2014

China / USA - Cummins Inc used the Bus & Truck Expo 2014 in Beijing last month to launch the first gas engine platform to be designed, developed and produced in China. The engine is the L8.9G natural gas engine meeting national stage five (NSV) emission standards (equivalent to Euro V in Europe) in China.

The L8.9G is a lean burn spark ignition engine offered in five power output ratings of between 250hp and 328hp and torques of between 900Nm and 1200Nm – see table below for engine specifications.

The design, development, construction of the new gas engine in China for the Chinese market has been initiated for two main reasons, said Diana Zhao, marketing communications director at Cummins (China) Investments Co Ltd in an interview with Truck & Bus Builder, last month.There has been a move by China towards cleaner energy, and natural gas is seen as a cleaner fuel to that of diesel, certainly in terms of particulates; which has resulted in strong demand for both CNG and LNG fuelled engines, notably from the bus and coach sectors in the cities and intra-urban transport. Furthermore, China is investing heavily in natural gas extraction and the necessary infrastructure to bring the natural gas reserves found in the west of China through to the east and to distribute it where needed. The second principal reason is customer requirements for fit-for-market solution. Whilst the Cummins Westport Inc (CWI) range of gas engines operate extremely well in China, said Zhao, the application of the engines are limited to the high-end market. To compete in the mainstream market, Cummins has to develop more cost-effective natural gas engine platforms that meet Chinese customers’ requirements for quality, reliability and cost.

In terms of production, Zhao explained, the new natural gas engine would be manufactured in Xiangyang, an industrial city located in central China. The new engine is to be available from the second half of 2014.

Cummins China introduces in-house developed 8.9-litre gas engine for Chinese market

Product / Environment

Cummins China - OverviewCummins China, which has its headquarters in

Beijing, has no fewer than 29 entities (including 13 joint ventures), 19 engine, genset and component production plants, two research and development centres (Wuhan and Wuxi), generating revenues in 2013 of USD3.469bn (including both consolidated and unconsolidated JV sales), which is double the revenue of the major recessionary year in 2009 of USD1.73bn. It is also a major advance on turnover a decade ago of just over some USD500m.

Cummins China – Turnover 2008 to 2013

Year USD2008 2.315bn2009 1.73bn2010 3.052bn2011 3.688bn2012 3.041bn2013 3.469bn

Source: Cummins China

Of the 19 plants, no fewer than 12 are associated with production of engines or components for the on-highway segment. They include:

Three engine joint ventures:• Beijing Foton Cummins Engine Co Ltd

(BFCEC) – a 50:50 JV with Beiqi Foton Motor in Beijing (est. 2008).

This plant produces the ISF (2.8-litre and 3.8-litre) engines supplied to Foton light duty vehicles, but also other Chinese light-duty truck, van and bus brands such as JAC, Karry, Shuguang, CNHTC, Yutong and Golden Dragon, as well as foreign builders such as GAZ in Russia and VW in Brazil. It also produces the new ISG (11 and 12-litres) series engine - G for G series range rather than gas – of which, production started earlier this year. Foton is the main client for this larger heavy-duty engine range.

• Dongfeng Cummins Engine Co Ltd (DCEC) – a 50:50 JV with Dongfeng Motor (DFM) located in Hubei (est. 1996).

This plant builds a full range of diesel engines - B series (3.9-litre & 5.9-litre), C series (8.3-litre), L series (8.9-litre), ISD (4.5-litre & 6.7-litre), ISL (8.9-litre & 9.5-litre) and ISZ (13-litre). It supplies engines mainly to DFM, but it is not exclusive.

• Xi’an Cummins Engine Co Ltd (XCEC) – a 50:50 JV with the Shaanqi Group located in Xi’an (est. 2007).

This plant produces the ISM (11-litre) diesel engine and since 2007 it has supplied this engine to Shaanqi, but it is not exclusive.

On-highway components plants are:• Shanghai Fleetguard Co. Ltd – a 50:50 JV

company with Dongfeng Motor (DFM) in Shanghai (est. 1994) manufacturing filtration systems.

• Cummins Turbo Technologies (CTT) – a joint venture with Wuxi Power based in Wuxi producing turbochargers for the Chinese and overseas markets (est 1996).

• Wuxi Vane Wheel - a joint venture with Wuxi Power based in Wuxi producing turbochargers components (est 2006).

• Shanghai Valvoline Cummins – a 50:50 JV company with Valvoline Inc. producing lubricants for the Chinese and Asian markets (est. 2000)

• Cummins Fuel Systems (CFS) – a wholly-owned subsidiary based in Wuhan, producing common rail and injector fuel systems (est. 2008).

• Cummins Emission Solutions (CES) - a wholly-owned subsidiary based in Beijing producing after-treatment systems (est. 2008)

• Cummins Filtration - a wholly-owned subsidiary based in Shanghai, manufacturing filtration systems (est.2007).

• Cummins Tianyuan Telematics - a joint venture company (50:50) with Tianyuan Technologies based in Shijiazhuang, manufacturing telematics software and hardware for the Chinese market (est.2011).

• Dongfeng Cummins Emissions Solutions - a JV company (50:50) with Dongfeng Motor based in Shiyan (est. 2012)

The company says it has delivered more than two million engines to date, which today are serviced by more than 2000 authorized dealers of Cummins wholly-owned and JV entities in China. Cummins China remains the group’s fastest growing business overseas. In the on-highway segment with the introduction of the 11 and 12 litre engines it offers a full engine range between 2.8 litres with outputs starting from 107hp up to its 13 litre unit with a maximum output of 545hp.

Its strategy for business growth remains the same - long-term partnerships, a strong network, growth capacity, continuous improvement and investment in people. Cummins sees further growth opportunity in China due to government policy to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions with regulations converging on international standards.

Cummins China – Specifications of L8.9G (gas) engine

Engine Power output TorqueL8.9GE5/250 250hp (184kW) @ 2100 r/m 900Nm @ 1400 r/mL8.9GE5/260 260hp (191kW) @ 2200 r/m 1000Nm @ 1400 r/mL8.9GE5/280 280hp (206kW) @ 2200 r/m 1150Nm @ 1400 r/mL8.9GE5/300 300hp (221kW) @ 2200 r/m 1200Nm @ 1400 r/mL8.9GE5/320 320hp (235kW) @ 2200 r/m 1200Nm @ 1400 r/m

Finland – Builder of specialist multi-axle heavy-duty trucks, Oy Sisu Auto Ab of Karjaa, has brought to market its new Euro 6 compliant, Sisu Polar truck range.

The new Sisu Polar Euro 6 series trucks are equipped with the new Mercedes-Benz 6-cylinder in-line engines. Power ratings of the 13-litre OM 471 engine model are 420, 480 and 510hp, and in the 16-litre OM 473 engine model there are three ratings of 520, 580 and 625hp. The new generation of PowerShift 3 transmission is fitted with both

Sisu Auto introduces Euro 6 truck rangeProduct

automated and manual gear shifting versions. An Eaton Fuller RTLO- crash gear box option is to be available later. Chassis frame options of Sisu Polar series shall remain the same – the low U300 and high C460; thus body structures can be changed from the current vehicles to the new model series. Also the current axles, suspension solutions and drive configurations mainly remain the same.

Its Euro 6 series has two basic cabins, again from Mercedes-Benz, the low cabin at 2.3m wide and the high version at 2.5m wide. The exterior design

retains the recognisable Sisu Polar style, that of industrial designer, Jukka Pimiä, who designed the previous Sisu Polar series. Broader of these, the sleeper cabin, does not have an engine tunnel and comes with a full flat floor. Both cabins are available with various roof options.

Sisu Auto also announced it has extended the Sisu Polar range to cover improved off-road capability. The improved performance necessary on the rougher roads comes from its 14R20 single wheels fitted to Sisu axles, which are equipped with in-built pneumatic channels to allow the central tyre inflation system to automatic adjust the tyre pressures during the drive. The off-road capable Sisu Polar truck is available in 6x4 and 6x6 driveline configurations.

MANUFACTURER PRoFILE Future Fuels & PowerGoVERNMENT PoLICY Future Fuels & Power

Please write the number of copies in the appropriate box.

GBP 1,950.00* EUR 2,750.00** USD 3,500.00

The above prices include express delivery worldwide.*This price excludes VAT. British based customers will be charged VAT at the standard rate.**This price is exclusive of VAT. EC members who do not supply a VAT registration number below will be charged VAT.

10 Truck & Bus Builder www.truckandbusbuilder.com Email: [email protected]

Pre-publication order form

This offer is valid until July 31, 2014

GBP 1,750.00* EUR 2,500.00** USD 3,125.00

Please return this form to: Truck & Bus Builder Reports Ltd, PO Box 15, Williton, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 4YP, ENGLAND

Tel: +44 (0)1984 618707 Fax: +44 (0)1984 618708 Email: [email protected]

Registered Office: 29 Catwell, Williton, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 4PF, ENGLAND Registered in England No. 4210552 VAT No. GB 771 8633 04

(last three/four digits on security strip)

Method of Payment

Please tick appropriate box. Receipt for payment will be sent with report.

ChEqUE Please make cheques payable to Truck & Bus Builder Reports Limited.

CREDIT CARD VISA / Mastercard / American Express (delete as appropriate) CARD NO:

ExPIRY DATE: SECURITY CODE:

NAME ON CARD SIGNATURE

INVOICE An invoice will be sent and the report will be despatched upon receipt of payment.

To be completed by EC members only VAT No.:

Contact Information

Name: Position:

Company:

Address:

Post Code: Country:

Phone No: Fax No:

Email: Website:

The World

Bus & Coach

Manufacturing

Industry 2012

A ‘Truck & Bus Builder’ Report

by Doug Jack and Eric Gibbins

jj

New ediTioN

availaBle sooN!The World Bus & Coach Manufacturing Industry 2014Publication date July 2014

Truck & Bus BuilderT&BB

The World Truck Manufacturing IndustryPublished October 2013 Please tick appropriate box.

GBP 1,275.00* EUR 1,650.00** USD 2,150.00

The above prices include express delivery worldwide of a hard copy of the report as well as online access to a digital copy.*This price excludes VAT. British based customers will be charged VAT at the standard rate.**This price is exclusive of VAT. EC members who do not supply a VAT registration number below will be charged VAT.

Name:

Position:

Company:

Address:

City: Postcode:

Country:

Tel no:

E-mail:

Method of Payment

CREDIT CARD

VISA / Mastercard / American Express (delete as appropriate) CARD NO:



ChEqUE

Please make cheques payable to Truck & Bus Builder Reports Ltd.

INVOICE

An invoice will be sent and report despatched upon receipt of payment.

To be completed by EC members only VAT No.


Please return this form to: Truck & Bus Builder Reports Ltd,

PO Box 15, Williton,

Taunton, Somerset,

TA4 4YP, ENGLAND

For more information visit www.truckandbusbuilder.com

The World Truck Manufacturing Industry 2013Second Edition


Order yOur cOpy tOday!

June 2014

UK / Belgium – Since introduction in January this year, Steadplan Ltd of Clitheroe, the UK distributor for the premium Belgium trailer manufacturer, STAS, has sold 25, STAS 14.65m long, 111 cu m moving floor trailers for high bulk goods transport (sawdust / woodchip) in the UK market.

Graham MacMillan explained that the trailer took 18 months to develop and at one metre longer than a standard length trailer, it has been approved and licensed under the UK’s ten year longer-length trailer trial that started back in 2011.

The 14.5m long trailer is all aluminium including the chassis and features a new design of rear steer axle developed specifically by Tridec for STAS fitted with a SAF axle with a 20 degree angle. As the trailer is 4.5m the axle track too is wider to lower the centre of gravity, said MacMillan. The trailer features STAS’s robot welded chassis - chassis rails are 15mm at the top with 12mm at the base and with full depth cross bearers at 1400mm centres (1600mm chassis width) to increase stability. Asked why the other trailer length trial option of 15.65m had not been used, MacMillan explained the this length was too long to fit on more traditional weighbridges, general access issues, requirement for a powered or positive rear steer and additional cost.

The longer length trailer trial ran for two years,

STAS builds 14.65m moving floor trailer for UK market

Product

during which manufacturers were offered a share to build some 1800 longer length trailers (900 at 14.65m and 900 at 15.65m). However, the number of trailers actually built was small in percentage terms and now these licenses are being transferred by Britain’s Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) to those companies when orders are received. MacMillan said that the trailer has to be approved by the VCA and the driver needs to undergo training prior to operating the trailer.

MacMillan said that STAS trailer sales in 2014 had been very strong so far; it had 140 STAS trailers (20, tippers and 120 moving floors) in the first five months of 2014 compared with 200 trailers in all of 2013 (60 tipping and 140 moving floor trailers).

The half-pipe TPX ‘streamline’ tipper, now known as the BX trailer, is showing significant fuel savings and payload advantages, as verified by independent customers, says Steadplan’s group sales manager, Dan Edwards.

Edwards said that an operator called Bayliss Bro working for Lafarge Aggregates was saving GBP2,010 a year on fuel and was gaining an average extra payload worth GBP18 a day based on three loads a day or GBP5,148 a year. This, he said, was the equivalent to a combined payback of GBP7,158 per year in extra profit or GBP71,580 over 10 years.

Czech Republic / Slovakia – Tatra Trucks a.s. of Koprivnice has received an order for 166 fire trucks from Slovakia, worth CZK600m (EUR22m).

Tatra is to ship the Tatra T815-731R32 6x6.1 fire truck equipped with a CAS 30 S3R fire-fighting superstructure made by THT s.r.o. of Policka, also of the Czech Republic. Almost100 trucks are scheduled to be manufactured this year, with remaining vehicles to be made by August 2015.

Tatra fire trucks for SlovakiaOrder

UK – Bodybuilder, JC Payne (UK) Ltd of Aldridge, UK has acquired Aire Body Care Ltd, a former truck body and tail-lift repair and service company from administrators for an undisclosed sum. The new addition, says JC Payne, means it is now be able to offer a nationwide repair and maintenance service alongside its manufacturing business. Aire Body Care, based at Witton, near Birmingham, in 2013 recorded a turnover in excess of GBP2.4m, employing 25 people.

Garry Brandrick, managing director at JC Payne, said: “Aire has a great team of specialist engineers based around the country, with vast market knowledge. We have already allocated GBP250,000 of initial investment in a new fleet of service vans for the business and I am looking forward to seeing this part of the operation thrive in the future. It is a very exciting time for the development of our company.”

JC Payne buys Aire Body CareAcquisition

April 2013 Truck & Bus Builder T&BB

For more information visit www.truckandbusbuilder.com www.truckandbusbuilder.com 7

June 2014

UK – A new double deck, ‘designed by the industry, for the industry,’ aptly summed up the effort placed in the design and development of the all-new Enviro400 double-deck Euro 6 compliant two-axle city bus unveiled by Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) at its headquarters in Larbert, Scotland, last month.

The enthusiasm and pride in the new vehicle by ADL’s Colin Robertson, CEO, was simply effervescent as he explained the meticulous planning that had gone into the new vehicle as part of what ADL believes to be an industry first and unique partnership involving ADL’s design and engineering teams, operator customers from across the industry and suppliers. Robertson described the development process as: “The most extensive new product introduction activity it has ever undertaken.” He said that more than more than 70 operators and suppliers had been involved in a three-year, customer engagement programme, to redesign the bus. The new Enviro400, he stated, incorporates over 200 improvements, many of which come from an intensive study of every fault reported on every ADL two-axle double-deck since 2006.

Development of the new Enviro400 was announced some two years ago as what it called its MMC project – MMC being short for major model change – and, said Robertson, its aim was to set a design platform that would underpin the business for many years to come. Over the last two to three years, ADL has invested approximately GBP7.5m on this project, which said Robertson, was some 25% of the group’s new product development budget.

Robertson said he was confident that the new vehicle would raise the bar for the whole bus building industry. “It is 400kg lighter,” said Robertson, stealing the thunder from his design team. “It is more fuel efficient. It has increased seating capacity – up to seven more than in the full-length model. It is powered by a 6.7-litre Euro 6 Cummins engine that operators regard as reliable and capable of optimising performance week-after-week, year-after-year. It has a radical new heating and ventilation system that ensures a constant temperature throughout the bus. It introduces ADL’s unique, patented quick release glass system, which reduces window replacement from three hours to three minutes – an operation that can be carried out at kerbside inside the bus without scaffolding.”

There is clearly much customer confidence in the new decker range, if its forward order book is anything to go by – Robertson announced at the launch that it already had orders for some 400, worth an estimated GBP80m. “Almost 120 of these will be delivered in the next 12 months to Go-Ahead, Stagecoach, Reading Transport and others, while additional contracts will form part of multi-year deals with operators such as National Express and Abellio.”

ADL’s new E400 decker – ‘Designed by the industry, for the industry’

Product

Four pre-production new E400 had been built at the time of the launch, but series production would start in May on a dedicated line at its Plaxton facility in Scarborough, alongside its existing Euro 5 E400 model – derogation rules under small series national type approval have allowed most manufacturers of buses and coaches for the UK market to continue to build and supply vehicles in 2014. For the most part, ADL plans to offer its own Dennis chassis range with the new E400 bodies, of which, there are four low floor versions – 10.3m with single door, 10.3m with two doors front and middle, single door versions in 10.9m and 11.5m. However, the new body is to be also available at Euro 6 on Scania or Volvo chassis. (Last year it built around 500, Enviro400 vehicles, said Robertson, of which, around 60 were built on Scania chassis).

Design functionalityVehicle improvements, as mentioned, are many

to both inside and outside of the vehicle. The focus has been to optimise vehicle performance and service maintenance for the operator, which includes modularisation of many parts for the different vehicle lengths and heights. For instance, for the exterior, ADL says, wherever possible it has made the panels the same size and continuous in order to reduce the number of panels used, ease replacement and to offer uninterrupted livery on the side. The battery panel, for example, is now the same height as the skirt panel, and all hinges and fixings are hidden to deliver a smooth and continuous finish. Panels and light units, which are located in areas most commonly damaged, the design has been focused on their easy replacement. Furthermore, access to the serviceable parts of the vehicle have been made a priority; for instance, access to the SCR filter is through an Allen-key bolted panel behind a rear facing seat on the inside in the lower saloon and the fuel tank, located below the square staircase, can now be removed and replaced from within the bus.

StructureWeight savings are the culmination of new

components, new materials and design. The body structure is a mix of aluminium extrusions and panels with stainless steel in areas of higher stress, all of which are mechanically joined (bolted) for ease of repair in the event of damage. The top deck roof and inter-deck consist of single piece composite panels for increased body stiffness and reduced weight – the former having high thermal insulation to prevent condensation. The body structure is fixed to an integrated steel chassis frame. A dielectric paint is used to prevent electrolytic corrosion between different metals, while the steel chassis frame is treated with a wax injection prior

to under-sealing. The aluminium one side panel are fixed with hidden fixings and hinges to avoid protrusions and reduce dirt build up. Whilst the front and rear windows are bonded, all side windows use ADL’s new and patented quick release glazing (QRS) system, which allows the glass to be replaced in three simple steps and in just three minutes by a single operative – see separate article in this issue. (Safe T-punches are fitted to the glass (instead of the traditional life hammer) as standard for passengers to break the glass for escape in an emergency). The front entrance has pneumatically operated twin-leaf inswing Ventura doors and the two-entrance model, is to have twin-leaf sliding plug doors. Masat electric doors may be specified. Manual and powered lightweight ramps are available.

InteriorMoving to the interior, the cabin is approximately

100mm longer due to a more compact and square staircase behind. The driver has improved visibility due to a curved bonded windscreen, which connects with A-pillars that are set back further compared with previous designs improving the field of vision by 30%. A one-piece assault screen protects the driver, and this is fitted with a redesigned steel-frame cabin door with compression seals to make the door rattle proof. The driver has a fully adjustable steering wheel and instrument binnacle.

The interior height in the saloon is the same height in the low height model (4.3m) as that of the standard height model (4.4m), which will allow ADL to reduce the number of body parts it has to keep in stock and to improve speed and efficiency of production.

Improvements have been made to the furnishings, the wire and electrical systems and, the heating and ventilation systems. The hand poles fixings, for example, are designed in such a way so as not to twist loose over time. The electrical system is all new, based on a fully multiplexed design. The wiring harness, which has been designed to maximise resistance to damage from heat and corrosion) is made up of short modular sections that can be replaced easily if faulty. The harness is housed in side panels in the upper deck for protection from dirt and moisture. The electrical control system is in a longitudinal side panel of the staircase in the upper deck and there is a separate panel for the operators’ electronics in the panel at the top of the stairs.

ADL says it has worked closely with Midlands firm, Graysons, to make a quantum leap in the heating and ventilation system. Together with ADL’s engineers, the company says it has made profound changes. These, it says, are based on a new approach that incorporates a heating unit located in the lower saloon. ADL explains that this forces air to all corners of the bus quickly and efficiently, providing a constant temperature throughout. When supplemented by an air chiller it can also contain the temperature to between 17 and18 deg C ensuring that passengers remain warm in the winter and cool in the summer months.

USA / Japan – With market availability within 12 months, Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, Michigan, has announced development of a new generation of steering technology, called Adaptive Steering that is suitable for all types of vehicle regardless of vehicle size or class types classes and which, Ford says, will help make vehicles easier to manoeuvre at low speeds and in tight spaces. At

Ford develops new generation of steering technologyProduct

faster speeds, the new technology, Ford adds, is expected to make the vehicle more agile.

Adaptive Steering changes the ratio between the driver’s actions at the steering wheel – the number of turns – and how much the front wheels turn. In traditional vehicles, this is a fixed steering ratio, but with Ford’s new Adaptive Steering, the steering ratio continually changes with vehicle speed, Ford

explains in order to optimize the steering response in all conditions.

Ford’s system has been developed for production by Ford in collaboration with Takata Corporation of Minato, Tokyo, Japan, a supplier of automotive steering and safety systems. It uses a precision-controlled actuator placed inside the steering wheel that requires no change to a vehicle’s traditional steering system. The actuator – an electric motor and gearing system – can essentially add to or subtract from a driver’s steering inputs. The result is a better driving experience at all speeds.

Truck & Bus Builder


T&BB June 2014

UK – Revenue at Britain’s largest bus builder, Alexander Dennis Ltd of Larbert exceeded GBP540m in 2013, up from GBP480m in 2012, with a recorded profit of circa GBP20m, stated Colin Robertson, CEO of ADL at the launch of its new Euro 6 Enviro400.

The company was now building on that strong performance in 2013, Robertson continued, pointing out that the foundations were there for future growth. He said the company had successfully re-financed the business for the next five years, started 2014 with an order book worth GBP300m (which had increased to GBP400m by the end of the first four months), and that some 50% of the business was now coming from its international operations and export sales. Robertson pointed out that this financial and trading position was a far cry from operations just ten years ago, when the predecessor company (TransBus International) had high levels of debt and went into administration as part of the wider Mayflower Corporation parent company.

However, Robertson has no illusions about the nature of the business they are in - low margins for relatively high risk, high cash flow requirements and high levels of investment. Research and development is key to its future business success, said Robertson, and this is why the company would be re-investing all of its GBP20m profit in developing the business further.

Ken Scott, group engineering director, speaking at the new Enviro400 launch said that the new two axle decker was just one of many new product developments (NPD) projects and at an investment of GBP7.5m, this represented approximately 25% of its NPD budget over the past two years. NPD projects this year alone are at an unprecedented level, said Scott; numbering 23, which is up from 19 in 2013, nine in 2012 and 11 in 2011. New bus design is very much platform lead, said Scott, in order be able to control costs, provide high quality, whilst at the same time deliver variety.

Whilst the domestic market accounts for many of the NPD projects, due to the change in emissions standards to Euro 6 and a number of project initiatives involving alternative drive and energy systems, there is a global spread of activities and if the different adaptations of the NDP projects (this includes double deck, single deck, hybrid, electric and coach) are included this takes the number of NPD to 37. This includes double deck projects consisting of seven in the UK, two in North America, three in Asia Pacific and one in the Middle East. It also includes alternative drive / fuel projects,

Growing international business now accounts for 50% of turnover says ADL

Performance / Strategy

including a hybrid bus using a high speed flywheel, which ADL calls its Gyrodrive project and a hybrid-electric bus project (incorporating BAE Systems hybrid technology) with a greatly extended electric range, which it is calling its ADL virtual electric bus range. Thus the company is to continue to internationalise its activities and thereby continue to de-risk the business - but Robertson stressed that it would remain a British business and that the UK would remain the bedrock of its operations.

Robertson, in his presentation, last month said that ADL had secured more than 45% of the UK city bus market (above 8t gvw – midi, single and double deck segment) for three years in a row. Last year its nearest rival, Volvo, held a market share of 16%, Wrightbus with 16%, Optare (integral) 11.6% and Scania 4.4%.

It was making strong progress with all of the major groups in the UK – for instance, in April, it signed a five year deal with National Express for 600 buses made up of a mixed fleet of Euro 6 double decks and midi vehicles worth GBP100m. Deliveries of the first 100-plus vehicles are to be in the second half of 2014 and a further 125 buses per year during the period 2015 to 2018, is anticipated. Another example is that ADL currently enjoys around 60% of the double deck buses being delivered to Go Ahead in the UK, said Robertson. But ADL is also making strong progress with small and medium-sized operators, claiming to share some 40-50% of the smaller retail end of the UK market in the last five years.

It has invested strongly in its aftermarket service support and this division of the business had contributed some GBP50m in 2013. In the early part of 2014, ADL says it struck a five-year parts deal with FirstGroup with a potential value of GBP55m.

Internationally, the bus builder has been highly successful in selling the Enviro500 tri-axle double deck in the left hand drive markets of North America, and in the right hand markets of the Far East (namely Hong Kong and Singapore). The latest E500 model (body and chassis combination), which after close discussions with export customers was redesigned and launched just 18 months ago in November 2012, has won orders for some 1,400 units since then, said Robertson. This includes orders received recently for some 600 of the three-axle E500 double decks, they include: 40 for Malaysia; 327 for Hong Kong (70 for Citybus, 86 for New World First Bus and 171 for KMB); 201 for SMRT in Singapore and 22 for operators in Seattle, USA. (In addition, ADL is to build 80 Enviro200 midi-buses for operation in

Malaysia). “These latest Enviro500 orders are worth around GBP175m and come at a time when we are actively pursuing further initiatives to increase our build capacity in Malaysia,” Robertson announced, “which is a strategic gate-way to significant new territories in the Asia region.” While the name of the Malaysian partner was being kept secret for the time being, he confirmed that the new vehicle building partner in Malaysia would give ADL both chassis and body building capability.

Models for North America are shipped currently fully-built up with a North American driveline. In the future, from the third quarter of this year, its new build partner, ABC Companies of Faribault, Minnesota, will assemble ADL open-top and transit double decks from kits sent from Falkirk, UK, at its Nappanee facility in Indiana. This will augment the joint venture ADL currently has with New Flyer Industries of Winnipeg, Canada, the largest bus and coach manufacturer in North America, which has now launched a new midi bus for the USA and Canada based on ADL’s Enviro200 midi-bus model.

For Hong Kong, it has a build partner in Zhuhai where it now has four production lines capable of assembling up to 16 E500 units a week; it can also build the E400 model. This arrangement has been for the past four years and it has managed to source some of the body kit component extrusions, GRP and glass etc from China.

For Malaysia currently it has a contract chassis manufacturing site with a third party on the Malaysia / Singapore border, set up two years ago, which assembles chassis for the E200, E400 and E500 models.

In New Zealand, since 2011, it has been working in partnership with Kiwi Bus Builders Ltd, based in Tauranga, in the North Island, and ships kits of the E200 midi-bus out for assembly and sale. More than 400 ADL units are now operating in NZ.

In Australia, body builder, Custom Coaches of Villawood, New South Wales, a subsidiary company since June 2012, as well as offering Custom Coaches’ galvanised steel models it now offers ADL’s aluminium bus bodies, the E500 double deck, E200 midi-bus and the full size E350H hybrid.

As was mentioned earlier, there is a new product development project for a double deck bus in the Middle East. Robertson explained that there have been major investments in this region in passenger transport systems, particularly in metro systems, and that there were further projects to build more metro systems out to 2020. He sees an opportunity for ADL to be a supplier of feeder buses for these metro systems, as a metro is only ever as good as the feeder routes that support it. In this regard he sees an opportunity to supply ADL’s Enviro200 midi-bus as well as its three-axle Enviro500 double-deck.

In April this year, ADL exhibited at UITP’s inaugural MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition in Dubai, UAE and now has two partners in region; Al Rostamani in Dubai and the Naghi Group in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Turkey - Güleryüz Otobüs Fabríkasi of Bursa announced its strongest year on record at Busworld Turkey in April reporting it had built 368 complete vehicles in 2013.

Its products included the only double deck buses built in Turkey, both closed top for service in Istanbul and open top for sightseeing in Turkey and export markets. These vehicles were 11m long and fitted with either an MAN or DAF Euro 5 engine. Ismail Hakki Keskin, CEO, said that its exports now accounted for more than 50% of its business.

Good year for GüleryüzPerformance

USA / China - BYD’s 40ft (12m) all-electric bus has completed the ‘new model bus testing programme’ as stipulated by the United States of America’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) at the Altoona Bus Research and Testing Centre in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The Altoona test is an essential and internationally recognised testing programme, which all transit buses must undergo to be eligible for operation within the United States. More specifically, the BYD ebus has successfully completed the Altoona structural integrity testing

BYD’s 40ft electric bus completes Altoona test Product

program in a fast 116 track days - full reports are due to be published soon, BYD stated.

The Shenzhen, China-based specialist electric bus builder said that the bus under test had been built at BYD’s new assembly plant in Lancaster, California.

The 40ft BYD electric bus is just the first of three different size options that it plans to offer transit operators in the United States. Next it plans to test a 60ft Bus-Rapid-Transit (BRT) all-electric bus at Altoona.

jimgibbins

Highlight

April 2013 Truck & Bus Builder


T&BBJune 2014

UK - A new company set up some two years ago called Lite-wire Ltd of Brandon, Suffolk, UK - a partner organisation of the British automotive wiring and lighting specialist, Perei, to offer what it calls ‘a ground-breaking vehicle harness system’ requiring just a single cable type to be used throughout a complete lighting system in commercial vehicles - has been offered a major contract to fit its wire harness and lighting system into recovery vans belonging to the Automobile Association in the UK.

Rob Corke, business development director at Lite-wire Ltd said at Tip-Ex 2014 in Harrogate last month said that Lite-wire had been formed as a separate entity, dedicated to the supply of this new system to the CV industry - light vans, trucks, trailers, buses as well as other non-car market segments.

The use of LED lighting and a pulse system have enabled Lite-wire to use just a single 6mm wire throughout the vehicle. The system, although very clever, is also incredibly simple, said Corke. Lite-wire control units covert standard vehicle signal wiring into unique pulse signals allowing both lighting and other electrical products to be controlled by a single electrical feed; road lighting, beacons, switches, warning alarms, GPS and more can be connected onto the same cable. It is simple to install, said

Lite-wire wins first major contract with AACompany / Product

Corke, as the wire harness is modular made up of different length wires with simple connectors – the connectors are standard but are surrounded with a hand-clipped moulded outer connector that requires no training or experience to put together. It is simple to connect the pulse control unit to standard vehicle lighting outputs and then add the product using the specially designed Lite-connect T-piece, said Corke, demonstrating as he spoke.

Lite-wire systems use substantially less cable, said Corke, can be fitted far quicker than the multitudes of cables used currently by many commercial vehicle builders, can provide an opportunity for much greater functionality with LED lighting and the design is highly likely to save vehicle manufacturers money, time and improve serviceability.

Corke said that it was already working with some big names in the industry (including Mercedes-Benz, Solaris and Optare). It plans to expand further into other markets using dedicated distributors per country. It commenced an awareness campaign of its new ground-breaking vehicle lighting and harness system for commercial vehicles by exhibiting at the IAA show in Hannover in September 2012 and its purpose at Tip-Ex in Harrogate was to achieve the same.

UK – A consortium* of UK research and commercial enterprises, led by the London-based Dearman Engine Company, has been awarded GBP1.9m in funding by the UK government amounting to approximately 58.5% of the cost of a GBP3.25m project to develop a heat-recovery system for urban commercial vehicles. (The funding is part of the latest GBP10m funding scheme competition (under the tenth integrated delivery programme - IDP10) run by the UK’s Technology Strategy Board, which is a focused on providing support for low-carbon vehicle initiatives).

This project, says Dearman, is targeted at delivering a production-feasible waste-heat recovery system for urban commercial vehicles, which offers life-cycle carbon-dioxide savings of up to 40%, fuel savings of between 25% and 50% and a potential payback of less than three years. The project is to use the Dearman Engine, a liquid nitrogen (LiN) engine (otherwise referred to as an air engine) that uses energy from low-grade heat sources recovered from the vehicle.

The Dearman Engine uses a tank of liquid air (LiN), air that’s been cooled to minus 196 degrees Celsius – LiN is a common by-product of many industrial processes that is frequently produced using off-peak electricity and often just vented into the atmosphere. The engine works by passing small amounts of the liquid into a piston, where it comes into contact with another liquid at ambient temperature, which causes it to expand. The reaction causes the liquid to turn to gas, releasing the energy stored from the cooling process. The expanding gas then pumps the piston and provides power. By recovering waste heat from the normal internal combustion engine (ICE) for use as a heat source with the Dearman engine – used to expand the gas more quickly - results in a hybrid powertrain that further improves the energy efficiency of urban medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles and buses.

The consortium is to deliver an on-vehicle demonstration of the hybrid system over the next two years.

New funds for Dearman heat-recovery projectFunding / Technology

Commenting on the funding support, Toby Peters, founder and CEO of the Dearman Engine Company, said: “This grant from the Technology Strategy Board to support the engine’s use in a heat-recovery system is welcome validation of the important role this technology can play in creating more efficient medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, and we look forward to working with our partners on this ground-breaking programme.”

Chris Reeves, commercial manager of Future Transport Technologies at MIRA Ltd, added: “Liquid air technologies have the potential to reduce significantly well-to-wheel emissions. This exciting project builds on a programme of activity already underway jointly with Dearman and it will validate the use of liquid nitrogen hydride powertrains in urban applications.”

*The consortium includes the Dearman Engine Company, MIRA, Air Products, Productiv, The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), CENEX and Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), bringing together expertise in the Dearman system, industrial gases, internal combustion engines (ICEs), vehicle systems, legislation and standards, and manufacturing.

Liquid Air and the Dearman Engine gains European energy saving status

Liquid air and the Dearman Engine were recently recognized as a potential road transport energy vector by the European Road Transport Advisory Council (ERTRAC).

ERTRAC is the European technology platform for the road transport industry, established to deliver the accelerated development of sustainable, integrated transport solutions. Called ‘Energy Carriers for Powertrains’, the ERTRAC report seeks to establish a road map for how the industrialized countries of Europe and elsewhere can reduce the production of greenhouse gases in the road transport sector by up to 80% by 2050 when compared with 1990 levels a goal, which the European Commission is committed.

UK / USA – Hendrickson Europe Ltd of Wellingborough, UK, announcing development of its third generation mid-lift axle (MLA), the axle specialist stated that demand from European truck operators was driving sales of its mid-lift axle at a growth rate of some 20%. The company supplies vehicle manufacturers and body builders with its MLA2 (second generation) axle range optimised for 22.5in, 19.5in and 17.5in wheels.

Hendrickson’s new European managing director, Mark Page, remarked that UK truck operators were finding that mid-lift axles with smaller wheels could provide a welcome boost to their profitability. Page said: “This has given us confidence to invest in a new generation of MLA that we believe will provide an outstanding return on investment for operators and welcome engineering benefits for truck manufacturers.”

At the British CV Show in Birmingham in late April, Hendrickson Europe announced that its next-generation mid-lift axle system would cut weight by a further 63kg across the complete wheel-size range. Page said that this massive weight reduction had been achieved through the use of the very latest design analysis and testing tools combined with a detailed review of materials specifications as well as use of an undisclosed ‘revolutionary’ manufacturing process.

Hendrickson stated that in addition to the fuel economy and tyre wear benefits of a lift axle, today’s MLA2 could already reduce un-sprung weight by up to 200kg on a typical OEM unit by eliminating the need for a second steered axle. All configurations are suitable for 44 tonne GVW on six axle applications, with suspension ratings between 4.8 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes depending on wheel size. Integral air springs are standard to improve driver comfort and vehicle protection. The specification can be optimised for customer-specific applications and options include disc or drum brakes and computer-controlled automatic engagement. The system is available for original equipment fit or through body builders.

The next generation mid-lift axle (MLA3) has been designed, developed and tested extensively at the Group’s new European headquarters in Wellingborough, UK, (est. Q3/2014), where it will be also manufactured. It is to be launched at the IAA in September with availability shortly thereafter.

Hendrickson says mid-lift demand growing at 20%

Product / Trend

Germany - Funkwerk eurotelematik GmbH and idem GmbH, the telematics provider subsidiaries of Wiehl-based BPW Group, have been merged (April 1, 2014) to form idem telematics GmbH. The headquarters of idem telematics GmbH is located in Munich; the site in Ulm, the former head office of Funkwerk eurotelematik, remains as a branch.

Funkwerk eurotelematik and idem have been working together closely for some time in solving tasks in trucks and trailer telematics, said BPW. Now by combining the truck data with the trailer information, a telematics system which covers the entire combination can now be provided for the first time by the BPW Group, the company stated. Truck and trailer data captured electronically can be provided as a clear and practical display in one application.

BPW combines telematics activities into one company

Merger / Product

Truck & Bus Builder


T&BB June 2014

USA - odyne Systems of Waukesha, Wisconsin and Valley Power Systems Inc of City of Industry, California, (a distributor of transmissions for Allison Transmissions in California) have teamed up to install the Odyne plug-in hybrid system on new commercial trucks for the California market.

Under a contract from the California Energy Commission, administered through Calstart, Valley Power is to integrate new hybrid systems on truck chassis for Odyne in California. Valley Power Systems is to also retrofit five existing work trucks in the California market with advanced Odyne plug-in systems under a recently announced California Energy Commission agreement, ARV-11-013, administered through the Electric Power Research Institute.

Odyne claims that it is currently the only plug-in hybrid system supplier in the market for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles that reduces fuel consumption both while driving and at the work site, enabling companies and government fleets to reduce operating costs, while also better meeting sustainability objectives

The Odyne hybrid system, which features Johnson Controls’ lithium-ion batteries and a Remy advanced electric propulsion motor, is capable, Odyne claims, of reducing fuel

Odyne appoints Allison distributor to install plug-in hybrid system in medium and heavy-duty trucks

Alternative Drive / Partnership / Assembly

consumption by up to 50% or greater, depending upon the duty cycle. This results in lower emission levels of carbon dioxide and allows large work vehicles to operate more quietly at a work site.

Odyne stated that it worked with Allison Transmission, an equity partner with a non-controlling interest in Odyne, to seek out Valley Power Systems as a manufacturing and installation contractor. Valley Power is to provide sub-assembly installation and testing of hybrid systems for Odyne.

The Waukesha-based company says that the relationship with Valley Power Systems complements Odyne’s strategy to establish a highly scalable manufacturing network, capable of integrating the Odyne hybrid system during the new vehicle build process on trucks of gross vehicle weight exceeding 14,000 pounds, and for installing systems on existing vehicles to upgrade efficiency.

Odyne’s contracts mark a significant step toward high-volume production of plug-in hybrid systems that are integrated with a wide variety of new and existing truck chassis and work seamlessly with robust, industry leading transmissions from Allison. Odyne hybrid systems interface with the vehicle’s Allison transmission through the PTO on the 3000 and 4000 series transmissions.

UK - Whale Tankers Ltd of Solihull, UK has added a new medium volume combination gully emptier, the Whale MVC, for working on mainline sewers, gullies and drains, featuring its new ‘ESN’ (Emissions, Smell and Noise) Environmental Package. The ESN package combines three optional environmental features, which when specified together, give operators a 30% saving on their list price had they had been selected as individual options, says Whale. The three options are as follows.

The first option is fitment to the vacuum system of a special up-rated coalescing de-oiler unit, which further removes discharged oil from the lubrication system. The upgraded unit, Whale claims, removes 99% of all oil particles, reducing emissions and improving air quality.

The second is a de-odorising system fitted to the vacuum/pressure system pipe work which masks and destroys unpleasant odours. The unit uses a carefully formulated fluid that is a blend of surfactants,

Whale adds environmental package to its medium-duty combination gully emptier

Product / Environment

perfumes, biocides and dyes, all of which, says Whale, are biodegradable and soluble in water.

The third is an uprated silencer fitted to the vacuum/pressure system at a specific point where the resonance and airflow produces the most noise. This results in a significant reduction in noise level for the operators working environment, as well as reducing the impact on the general public.

In addition, a number of new features to improve safety and operation have been fitted on the Whale MCV has as standard. The jetting system has ‘Jetting self start’, which ensures the jetting pressure reverts to zero after each use and ‘Jetting soft start’, which allows the pressure to start at a much lower level, thereby reducing the usual kick in the lance. A heavy-duty unloading valve gives much more responsive jetting control over a longer period of operation, facilitating greater control and reducing fatigue. On the gully arm, an anti-vibration boom control has been fitted as standard.

UK / France - Jet and suction tank vehicle specialist, Whale Tankers Ltd of Solihull has diversified its vehicle portfolio with the development of a new range of lightweight vehicles designed for jetting and suction operations in urban areas where access with larger vehicles is notably difficult. Called CityWhale, the new range is a joint development project between Whale Tankers and its French partner, Baroclean of Vendeuvre-sur-Barse in northern France. In fact, the new CityWhale range, the company says, is based on a popular European concept using lightweight combination tankers in congested city centres and car parks.

Three versions featuring aluminium tanks right across the model line-up are to be available – the Micro (3.2-3.5t gvw), the Midi (3.5-4.5t) and the Major (7.5t).

The CityWhale Micro is built on a 3.2t gvw Ford Ranger chassis (it can also be specified on a Land Rover chassis at 3.5t) and offers a 1,200-litre capacity, divided into 400 litres for water and 800 litres for sludge. It features a Jurop PN33 suction pump and a Pratissoli KT22 high pressure triplex piston pump, giving a water flow of 50 litres/min at 250 bar with a half-inch steel braided jetting hose – other pumps and flow rates are available. Both pumps hydraulically driven are by the vehicle engine through an OMSI 210MKG transfer box.

The 4.5t gvw CityWhale Midi is built on the Nissan Cabstar chassis and has a larger 2,000-litre capacity aluminium tank (600 litres water, 1,400 litres sludge). The Midi model features a higher rated Jurop PN58 suction pump, although the Pratissoli KT22 high pressure pump is common to both Micro and Midi models. The transfer box is the Hydrocar P22 Z3 on the 4.5t gvw unit.

Available later this year, the CityWhale Major is to be based on the Mitsubishi Fuso chassis and is to have a 3,800-litre tank (800 litres water, 3,000 litre waste) with a jetting pump performance of 80 litres/min at 200bar.

Whale Tankers’ commercial director, Chris Anderson remarked: “Our partnership with Baroclean, a leading European manufacturer with particular expertise in lightweight combination units, has allowed us to develop the CityWhale as an exciting addition to our product range.” The business case for the development is in response to recent UK legislation, Anderson explained: “The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 created the onus on clearing drain blockages in situ, rather than simply just jetting the blockage further down the drainage system. This highly flexible combination unit gives both suction and jetting capability, mounted on a popular chassis, which will allow operators to work in situations which might be inaccessible to larger machines.”

The new CityWhale range compliments the company’s already well-established WhaleCompact range of van mounted equipment.

New light-duty range of tankers from Whale

Product / Diversification / Partnership

UK / Taiwan – Importer, IMS Ltd of Shepshed, UK used Tip-Ex last month to announce a third finish is now available on its ALEX RIMS aluminium wheel range, it imports from Alex Global Aerospace Technology in Taiwan. The wheels are available in sizes from 16in to 24.5in in a Machined, Polished and now A-shine finish.

IMS offers third choice of finish in Alex RIMS wheel range

Product

Turkey / UK – Kässbohrer of Adapazarı, Turkey, has used a number of specialist equipment shows the past few months in the UK to promote new products and brand name through its newly appointed dealer, Tinsley Special Products Ltd of Eaglescliffe, UK. Kässbohrer said the dealership agreement between Kässbohrer and Tinsley Special Products Ltd was signed in March this year.

On display at the two separate exhibitions were

Kässbohrer appoints Tinsley Special Products as dealer in UK

AppointmentKässbohrer’s new extendable low-bed trailer (K.SLH 6) and its new 3-axle low-loader (K.SLL 3); both trailers were first launched in February at Kässbohrer’s Goch facility in Germany to a broad number of interested parties, the company stated.

Kässbohrer’s extendable low-bed semi-trailer (K.SLH 6) is equipped with six hydraulic steering axles and wireless remote control. It has 106 tons transport capacity and is designed for all types of heavy duty transportation. It has a gooseneck capacity of 34 tons and is extendable up to 15.2m.

Kässbohrer’s 3-axle low-loader (K.SLL 3) has a bolted gooseneck and ground clearance height of 400mm, provides safe transport of heavy haulage goods up to 3.6m in height and is extendable by up to 5.2m.

MANUFACTURER PRoFILE Future Fuels & Power

10 Truck & Bus Builder

GoVERNMENT PoLICY Future Fuels & Power

Please return this form to: Truck & Bus Builder Publishing Ltd, PO Box 15, Williton, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 4YP, ENGLAND

Tel: +44 (0)1984 618707 Fax: +44 (0)1984 618708 Email: [email protected]

www.truckandbusbuilder.com

Registered Office: 29 Catwell, Williton, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 4PF, ENGLAND Registered in England No. 2673180 VAT No. GB 538 6432 26

www.truckandbusbuilder.com Email: [email protected]

Subscription Order Form 2014


Method of Payment

Please tick preferred payment method.

ChEqUE Please make cheque payable to Truck & Bus Builder.

CREDIT CARD VISA / Mastercard / American Express (delete as appropriate) CARD NO:



DIRECT CREDIT Please contact us regarding our bank details. Telephone: +44 (0)1984 618707 Fax: +44 (0)1984 618708 Email: [email protected]

INVOICE An invoice will be sent. Company purchase order no if applicable.

To be completed by EC members only VAT Registration No.:

Contact Information

Name: Position:

Company:

Address:

Post Code: Country:

Phone No: Fax No:

Email: Website:

UK Europe USA, Canada & Rest of World GBP 345.60* EUR 420.00** USD 588.00

Truck & Bus Builder12 monthly issues including supplementsPlease tick subscription rate based on delivery address.

* GBP 288.00 + VAT.** EUR 420.00 is exclusive of VAT. EC members who do not supply a VAT registration number will be charged VAT.

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT 28

APRIL 2014

Special Supplement to Truck & Bus Builder on Commercial Vehicle Developments in China

CHINADear Reader,Despite words of caution and concern by a

number of analysts that the Chinese economy

is at risk of overheating, the commercial vehicle

manufacturing industry, which generally is one of

the first industry sectors to display evidence of this

happening, is, as yet, not showing any signs of this

occurring. The CV sector grew by a steady 6.4%

overall to eclipse the four million mark.

In fact, the industry as a whole appears confident

of continuing growth into the future. Furthermore,

this confidence is evidenced by the continued

investment, not just in capacity but in alternative

fuel vehicles and their production.In fact, in this issue, there are three companies

looking to raise money through the Shenzhen or

Shanghai stock exchanges for defined investment

projects involving advanced technologies and / or

alternative fuels and drivelines.Jim Gibbins, editor

1

Name Change / Product / Manufacture

Hangzhou / Japan / Sweden - Dongvo

(Hangzhou) Truck Co Ltd (formerly Dongfeng

Nissan-Diesel Motor Co Ltd) has announced that

series production of the new UD Quester heavy-

duty truck would start during the second quarter

this year.A prototype of the UD Quester tractor - which is

to be called Kuteng in China as this is the Chinese

name - made its debut on the Chinese market

in December 2013 at Hangzhou City, Zhejiang

Province. Its dimensions were 6.8m long, 2.5m

wide and 3.7m high, it had a curb weight of 8.76

tons and a gross combination weight limit of 40

tons. It was fitted with the GH1C 11-litre Euro

IV compliant diesel engine made by UD Trucks

Corporation, with a power output of (424hp)

316kW and matched with a Shaanxi Fast

12-speed manual transmission.In preparation for production, a spokesperson

for the Volvo Group, (which owns UD Trucks

(formerly Nissan Diesel), in response to questions

from Truck & Bus Builder, said: “We have

introduced a number of new systems and

processes to be able to make use of Volvo’s

global supplier structure. And in production, we

have invested in a number of tools and working

methods to strictly ensure that we can meet the

quality standards required by Volvo. We have

also introduced Volvo’s quality audit process

before delivery to dealers and customers.” A high

percentage of the truck is to be manufactured

using local suppliers, although the engine is to

come from UD Trucks in Japan.Dongfeng Nissan-Diesel Motor Co Ltd (DND),

founded in 1996 in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang

Province, is a parity joint venture (50:50) between

UD Quester trucks to be built and sold in

China under the name of KutengDongfeng Motor Corporation and UD

Trucks Corporation, with registered capital

of CNY290m. The spokesperson added that

Dongvo (Hangzhou) Truck Co Ltd was currently

still an independent joint venture, but that it would

become a subsidiary of Dongfeng Commercial

Vehicles (DFCV)*, once DFCV received all the

necessary approvals for its start-up, which, the

spokesperson said was expected to happen by

mid-2014.However, even after the inauguration of DFCV,

Dongvo (Hangzhou) Truck, as a subsidiary of

DFCV is to continue to only manufacture UD

branded trucks, whereas, DFCV itself is to only

manufacture DongFeng branded trucks.

The curent annual production capacity is 10,000

UD truck chassis. Output remains low; the

company built 362 truck chassis in 2012, which

generated revenue of CNY231m.Backgound to the new DFCV joint venture

*In January this year, the Volvo Group announced

that China’s National Development and Reform

Commission (NDRC) had given its approval to the

proposed joint venture between the Volvo Group

of Gothenburg, Sweden and China’s Dongfeng

Motor Group Co Ltd (DFG). This is one of a number of approvals required

from the Chinese authorities. It was back in

January 2013 that AB Volvo (the Volvo Group)

signed an agreement with DFG to acquire 45%

of a new subsidiary of DFG, Dongfeng Commercial

Vehicles (DFCV), which would include the major

part of DFG’s medium- and heavy-duty commercial

vehicles business and to produce commercial

vehicles under the Dongvo brand name.

Product / Technology

Xiamen / Taiwan - Xiamen King Long United

Automotive Industry Co Ltd (Xiamen King Long)

of Xiamen City, Fujian Province has brought to

market an all electrically powered coach for the

commuting service markets. The coach at 10.7m

long, 2.5m wide and 3.3m high, has a monocoque

body structure and has an in-house developed

100kW KLBEVTM200 electric motor, which provides

motive power from lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4)

batteries produced and supplied by Taiwanese

company, Simplo Technology Co Ltd of Huko,

Hsinchu county, Taiwan. It offers a carrying capacity

of 51 passengers and has a gross weight of 16.6t.

Xiamen King Long launches electric commuter coach

Funding / Investment / Expansion

Hangzhou - Steering system and related parts

and components for commercial vehicles and

passenger vehicles, Zhejiang Shibao Co Ltd of

Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, announced that

it plans to raise funds of CNY708m to expand its

operations and specifically in four projects.

The four projects are:• To increase output capacity of its hydraulic steering

systems for passenger vehicles and commercial

vehicles, including 200,000 sets for commercial

vehicles – Investment needed CNY128m;

• Manufacture and processing of precision

Zhejiang Shibao steering systems to raise stock

market funds to expand operationsfoundry parts and to increase capacity to

60,000 tons a year (CNY200m).• Building an R&D and testing centre (CNY40m)

in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province;• To build a production line for electric power

steering of 2.1 million sets a year (CNY340m).

Zhejiang Shibao Co Ltd has been listed on the

Shenzhen stock exchange since 2006 (002703,

SZ), and supplies steering systems to major

manufacturers such as FAW, DFM, JAC, King

Long, Foton, Chery, as well as to customers in

export markets such as Iran’s Saipa Diesel Group.

Export

Shanghai / Thailand - February saw SAIC

Maxus Motor (Thailand) Co Ltd - a joint venture

company established in 2013 by SAIC Motor

Commercial Vehicle Co Ltd of Shanghai and

the Chai Tai Group of Thailand - start sales of the

MAXUS van range in Thailand.The new joint venture is engaged in the sales of

Maxus buses in Thailand. The first batch of about

100 V80 minibuses, are to be delivered to consumers

in Thailand for commuter service operations.

The V 80 minibus is 5.7m long, 2m wide and 2.5m

high. It has a gross vehicle weight of 4,100kg and

a carrying capacity of up to 16 passengers. It uses

a Shanghai Diesel SCR 2.5-litre Euro III compliant

diesel engine, which offers an output of 100kW.

Production of Maxus started in 2011. Sales

totaled 11,302 units in 2013, 7,076 units in 2012,

and 2,833 units in 2011.

SAIC’s joint venture starts sales of MAXUS in Thailand


APrIL 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

Dietrich Carebus pioneer’s new child seat

2

Indcar to build buses in Romania

3

DCG importing Yutong coaches to Europe

4

EEC trailer innovation award results

6

ATDyanmics enters Europe with boat-tail 8

Foton enters Europe with new energy

9

Special Supplement to Truck & Bus Builder on Commercial Vehicle Developments in India

Contract

China - BYD Auto Co Ltd of Shenzhen, China,

a fast expanding new energy company, with

its short but very progressive 15 year history in

battery technology and now since 2003 and 2009,

also specializing in the manufacture of electrically

powered cars and taxis and most recently buses,

announced at Busworld last month that it has won

an order for 2000 full size electric buses from the

City of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China.

Paul Lin, senior manager, branding, BYD,

explained that the city of Shenzhen announced

in July this year that by 2015 all public vehicles

buses, taxis and other state-owned vehicles

operating in the city would be those that were fully

electrically powered only with zero emissions. Lin

added that during the recent Universiade2011

(University games) held in Shenzhen in August this

year, 40, BYD electric buses (eBUS-12) served the

sports village, sports venues and media centre, to

provide transportation for competitors, technical

officials, reporters and spectators. Lin said that

already 200 eBUS-12 were being operated as part

of Shenzhen’s public transportation system.

The eBUS-12 is a three-door full low floor city

bus made of an all-aluminium monocoque body

construction. It is fitted with a synchronous

e-motor, which drives through a 3-speed

automatic transmission, with electrical energy

stored in BYD’s own Fe battery pack, for which

BYD calculates, will last a full ten years based on

4000 cycles. (He also stated that the company

made battery packs with capacity for 6000 full

cycles, the equivalent to 15 years life). The battery

pack, says Lin, can then be recycled for energy

storage in another application such as solar power

storage. The eBUS is fitted with ZF rear drive axle

and has electronically controlled air suspension

front and rear which provides a kneeling function.

Lin is also able to installed the 100kW charging

station and thereby provide a turn key solution to

Vehixel and Indcar announce collaboration

to expand business internationally

its customers).

The eBUS-12, has a curb weight of 13.8t and

offers what Lin considers to be a conservative range

of 250km on a single charge in urban conditions

with stop-start depending on the duty cycle (280

to 300km is possible on less demanding routes,

says Lin). The bus can be fully charged in 3.5 hours

with a 100kW charger; energy consumption, says

BYD, is around 130kWh/100km with a battery

power pack density of 324kwh.

BYD exhibited at both APTA Expo in New

Orleans, USA and Busworld in Kortrijk, Belgium,

last month to introduce its eBus on both continents.

At Busworld, Lin announced that the eBus would

enter trial service in several European cities,

including Copenhagen and Frankfurt, in the coming

months. It is also understood that BYD’s electric

bus has started undergoing trials at one of the

world’s busiest airports in the city of Los Angeles.

The company added that the eBUS-12 was the

first in a range of electric buses under development;

other variants are to include a 10m model (eBUS-

10, 280km per charge), a double deck (eBUS-

12D, 200km per charge) and a right-hand-drive

version of its eBUS-12.

A further development announced as Future

Fuels & Power was going to press was an

agreement signed by BYD and Daimler AG

to establish “Shenzhen BYD Daimler New

Technology Co Ltd,” a 50:50 research and

technology centre to develop electric cars in China.




to establish “Shenzhen BYD Daimler New

Technology Co Ltd,” a 50:50 research and

technology centre to develop electric cars in China.




Investment / Research Centre

Germany / USA - Voith Turbo GmbH & Co KG of

Heidenheim, Germany, has opened a hybrid power-

train development centre in Poway, California, north

of San Diego for the further development of its hybrid

diesel/electric drive systems for transit buses.

Voith says that the centre covers more than

5000 square feet and includes office, warehouse

space and testing facilities. Also, a large solar panel

installation provides electricity for most day-to-day

facility operations.

“We are extremely excited to open a US-based

Hybrid Power-Train Development Centre,” said

Rob Wiss, vice president, Voith Turbo US Road

Voith opens US hybrid centre



USA - BAE Systems of Johnston City, New

York, USA used APTA Expo 2011 in New Orleans,

Louisiana, last month to launch, the HDS 300

system, its HybriDrive series propulsion system for

articulated buses.

Based on the company’s proven HDS 200 hybrid

electric propulsion system technology currently

deployed in more than 3,500 transit buses across

the globe, the HDS 300 system will allow higher

capacity buses with gross vehicle weight ratings of

up to 63,000lbs (28.6t).

BAE Systems said it was currently working with

bus manufacturers New Flyer and Nova Bus to

make its HDS 300 hybrid electric propulsion system

available to North American bus transit fleets.

The system, BAE added, can be purchased as a

standard package or with electrified accessories

which further increase the system’s efficiency

by reducing energy demands on the engine.

Electric accessories offer reduced maintenance

and improved safety over their conventional

counterparts, eliminating the normal jungle of belts

and hydraulic lines from the engine compartment.

USA - BAE Systems of Johnston City, New

York, USA used APTA Expo 2011 in New Orleans,

Louisiana, last month to launch, the HDS 300

system, its HybriDrive series propulsion system for

articulated buses.

Based on the company’s proven HDS 200 hybrid

electric propulsion system technology currently

deployed in more than 3,500 transit buses across

the globe, the HDS 300 system will allow higher

capacity buses with gross vehicle weight ratings of

up to 63,000lbs (28.6t).

BAE Systems said it was currently working with

bus manufacturers New Flyer and Nova Bus to

make its HDS 300 hybrid electric propulsion system

available to North American bus transit fleets.

The system, BAE added, can be purchased as a

standard package or with electrified accessories

which further increase.

Kässbohrer moves into truck

body building

Irizar plans entry into USA

Division. “The centre will allow us to further

develop hybrid bus technologies and cater to

the specific needs of our customers who want

to expand their use of this emerging technology.

Above all, we are making an important contribution

to the US economy by expanding the use of

clean-energy technology in transportation fleets

across the country.”

California-based Maxwell

Technologies is

to supply Voith with ultra capacitors; it already

uses Maxwell to supply systems for its patented

DIWAhybrid parallel drive system, which went into

production last month. Voith has been working

with Gillig to field test its parallel DIWAhybrid drive

system and says the aim of the Hybrid Power-

Train Development Center to expand on DIWA and

create new hybrid technologies for the US market.

INDIA

AXLES

1


MArCh 2014

Special Supplement to Truck & Bus Builder on Commercial Vehicle Developments in East Asia

EAST ASIA

AXLES

1

Assembly / Agreem

ent

South Korea / Vietnam - Hyundai M

otor Co

of Seoul, South Korea is considering pulling out

of an agreement with Vietnam’s Truong Hai Auto

Corporation of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam,

because of delays in completing a local plant.

Hyundai signed an agreement with Vietnam’s

largest commercial vehicle assembler in 2011 for

the latter to assemble diesel engines at a new

USD182m facility in the Chu Lai Economic Zone of

Vietnam’s Quang Nam province.

But the delay in implementing the agreement has

Hyundai reviews Vietnam diesel engine project

meant that Hyundai’s regional requirements have

moved on from what was originally agreed. The

Korean firm is now understood to object to Truong

Hai’s plans to press ahead with assembly of Euro

II and Euro III engines, saying it would prefer to

switch to Euro IV engines from 2016.

Meanwhile, the Vietnam government has just

approved the assembly by Truong Hai of up to

100,000 diesel engines over a five year period,

ending in December 2018, in line with the

specification requirements of the local market.

Expansion / Assembly / Distribution

Indonesia / Sweden - Swedish truck and bus

manufacturer, Scania AB of Sodertalje, aims to

strengthen its position in the Indonesian bus market

following the establishment of a new bus plant in the

country in late 2013, with the collaboration of its long-

standing local truck distributor, PT United Tractors.

The new facility has a monthly production

capacity of 25 completed buses, or around 250-

300 units per year. Demand for intercity and tourism

buses in Indonesia has expanded rapidly over the

last several years, with rising incomes encouraging

more leisure travel.

Public transport in the country’s major cities is

also heavily dependent on buses and demand here

is also increasing rapidly. The overall bus market is

currently dominated by Hino and Mercedes-Benz,

with Chinese brands beginning to make inroads in

the last year or two.

Scania has a stronger presence in Indonesia’s mining

truck segment, however. The company estimates last

year’s truck sales in the country at 450 to 500 units, a

level largely unchanged from the previous year despite

the tough conditions in the mining sector - with coal

prices depressed for some time.

Indonesia is one of Asia’s largest producers of

coal, which it exports to major regional markets such

as India and China. Scania estimates that around

95% of its truck sales in this country are to mining

companies. Its largest client here is PT Pamapersada

Nusantara (PAMA), which has one of the largest fleets

of mining trucks in the world - including 640 Scanias.

Mikael Benje, head of Scania’s representative office

in Indonesia, said around 2,900 Scania mining trucks

were currently in operation in Indonesia, as well as

Scania expands presence in South-east Asia

150-200 (mostly imported) buses.

Scania expects

its truck

sales to

increase

from current levels, particularly when coal prices

recover and investment in coal production rises

once again. Mr Benje believes the tough off-road

operating conditions in this segment offer additional

opportunities for his company.

The company

has established

a new

parts

warehouse in Singapore to improve aftermarket

supplies and reduce its clients’ truck downtime.

“Mining vehicles are worked hard and require rapid

access to parts. One of the reasons we built a new

parts warehouse in Singapore is that we want to cut

lead times in the region”, Mr Benje added.

Large truck operators in Indonesia increasingly

look at the life-cycle costs of trucks, including fuel

consumption, and capacity utilisation, rather than

just the initial truck cost and load capacity, says

Scania. This is expected to benefit European truck

manufacturers such as Scania, as well as others,

Mercedes-Benz and Volvo for example, which offer

good fuel economy and durable trucks compared

with Japanese and Chinese trucks.

Scania is also enjoying strong demand for its

vehicles in Singapore, fuelled by the island-nation’s

construction boom. It sold over 200 trucks in this

market last year and the company claims to have a

strong presence in the bus segment, having delivered

1,100 units since 2007. Deliveries in 2013 are

estimated at around 30 units, however.

As regards other markets in the region, Scania sold

around 670 commercial vehicles in Malaysia and

500 in Thailand last year. It also recently established

dealer operations in Myanmar in 2013.

Product

Japan / Germany - Last month saw Kawasaki-

based Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation

New 8.55t Fuso Canter

now on sale in Japan Aftermarket / Investm

ent

Japan / Singapore - Isuzu Motors Ltd of

Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan, through its subsidiary,

Isuzu Motors Asia Ltd has established a new

aftermarket centre in Singapore to help improve

aftermarket parts availability and service backup

across the ASEAN region.

The Singapore centre is to be managed by Isuzu

Motors Asia Ltd and is in response to increasing

volumes of Isuzu medium and heavy trucks in use

in the region and rising local content levels. Isuzu

Motors Asia Ltd was established in March 1996

and its function is the control of Isuzu business

in ASEAN countries, supply of CKD parts/service

parts and providing support for after-sales activities

of distributors / dealers in the ASEAN region.

The new aftermarket parts facility has been set

up in Johor, on the southern tip of the Malaysia

peninsula and just across the causeway from

Singapore, with more than 30,000 parts in stock to

supply aftermarket distributors across the region.

A similar centre was established in Dubai in 2010

to serve Middle-Eastern markets.

Isuzu establishes new

aftermarket centre in

Singapore

(a subsidiary of Daimler AG) introduce a new high-

payload version of its Canter medium-duty truck

through its network of dealerships across Japan.

The new truck has a payload of almost six tons

and a gross weight of 8.55 tons, compared with

a maximum gross weight of 8.25 tons previously.

The new truck model is also being rolled out this

year in 40 other markets worldwide.

Export / ExpansionUSA / South Korea – February saw US truck-

maker, Navistar International Corporation of

Lisle, Illinois, USA enter the South Korean market

with the launch of its ProStar 6x4 range of heavy

cargo trucks, powered by its 475hp 12.4-litre

(Maxxforce 13) engine.

The move

by Navistar

follows the

recent

implementation of a trade agreement between

South-Korea and the USA in March 2012, which

eliminates import tariffs on these products.

Navistar says it has sold 70,000 units of this truck

model in the US to date and is upbeat about its

sales prospects in South Korea. The company

claims that the ProStar, which it has priced at KRW

159 million (USD149,000), is 9% more fuel-efficient

than its European competitors.

Navistar suggests the South Korean heavy-

duty truck market is currently 55% controlled by

European brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Scania,

Volvo and MAN, with the remainder taken up by

domestic trucks from Hyundai and Tata Daewoo.

Navistar plans to support products in South Korea

through its International truck dealerships, currently

found at six locations and plans to continue to grow

its service and support network.

ProStar units for the Korean market are built at

the company’s assembly plant in Springfield, Ohio.

Navistar enters South

Korea’s heavy truck market

SP

ECIA

L SU

PP

LEMEN

T 1

AP

RIL 2014

Special Supplement to Truck & Bus Builder on Com

mercial Vehicle Developm

ents in South America

SOUTH AMERICA

AXLES

1

Dear R

eader,

Welcom

e to

our new

est regional

supplement

recording the

most

important

developments

concerning the comm

ercial vehicle manufacturing

industry in Brazil and other South American countries.

As w

ith our

other regional

supplements,

we

highlight new

business

relationships, new

products, legislation impacting the m

arket and the

manufacturers’ research and production strategies.

As usual we look at the m

arkets by product segment

and w

eight. In

this inaugural

edition w

e have

focussed on the largest market, Brazil.

Jim G

ibbins, editor

Jose C Secco, local correspondent

Investment

Brazil

/ U

SA

- Supplying

engines for

new

customer applications in trucks and buses is one

of the key pillars of Cum

mins’ grow

th strategy in

Brazil.

As part

of this

initiative, C

umm

ins Inc

of

Colum

bus, Ohio, through its subsidiary, C

umm

ins

Brasil Ltda of São Paulo, B

razil plans to invest

USD

48m on engineering technology and in further

modernization

of its

plant in

Guarulhos,

state

of São Paulo unit, where its diesel engines are

produced. It also announced plans to invest more

than USD

90m in the first phase of construction

of a new plant at Itatiba, in state of São Paulo,

to where it plans to transfer its energy and filter

business areas. This new plant is expected to

begin operations during 2015.

The com

pany expects

the truck

market

to

grow steadily in 2014, by betw

een five and ten

per cent. A number of truck m

anufacturers have

launched production

operations recently

with

trucks fitted with C

umm

ins engines. One such

example w

ould be MAN

Latin America, w

hich has

been installing the Cum

mins ISL 420hp engine in

the VW C

onstellation since 2012. Other brands

that have installed or plan to offer a Cum

mins

Cumm

ins to invest USD

138m in diesel engine

manufacturing operations in Brazil

engine unit in Brazil are all C

hinese; they include

Beiqi Foton M

otor, Foton Aum

ark do Brasil,

Metro-Shacm

an and JAC

Motors should utilize

the brand’s

engines. Foreign

manufacturers

/

assemblers m

ust comply w

ith local rules, which

require that 65% of com

ponents must be sourced

from w

ithin Brazil – so thus requirem

ent ensures

that the engines are built by Cum

mins in B

razil and

not imported from

China.

Cum

mins estim

ates that nearly 70,000 diesel

engines are to come off its production lines this

year for installation in trucks. For the bus segment,

the company expects an increase in m

arket share

from 11%

to 20% w

ithin three years, with its

engines being offered in a number of new

models

and in new applications during this tim

e; this

includes, says Cum

mins, the supply of engines to

Mercedes-B

enz do Brasil for installation in light-

duty Mercedes-B

enz buses.

Cum

mins Inc has four divisions and business

in Latin

America

is split

as follow

s: Engines

45%, D

istribution 30%, Energy G

eneration 13%

and components 14%

. After a slower year than

expected in 2013, the company is now

focused

on meeting forecast projected grow

th.

Import / D

istribution / Agreem

ent

Brazil / C

hina - Following in the footsteps of a

number of its fellow

truck and bus manufacturers,

like Shaanxi Auto, Sinotruck and Foton, another

Chinese

bus producer,

Shanghai Shenlong

Bus C

o Ltd (Sunlong) of Shanghai, China, has

announced that it plans to begin exporting buses

to Brazil before the end of June.

This announcem

ent w

as m

ade by

Brazilian

entrepreneur, Mauri M

oreira de Oliveira, w

ho has

been appointed as Sunlong’s Brazilian partner.

Oliveira announced that he w

ould be investing

an initial BR

L15m (U

SD6.4m

) to construct a new

distribution centre on an 80,000 sq m site in Juiz

de Fora, in the state of Minas G

erais.

With 35 years of experience in the segm

ent and

having worked w

ith foreign bus chassis builders,

Volvo and Scania and Brazilian bus body builder,

Com

il, Oliveira stated that Sunlong’s arrival in B

razil

would be the result of three years of discussions

and negotiations with the C

hinese builder.

Oliveira says the buses and coaches are to be

imported fully built up ready for operation in the

Brazilian market place and that already, a num

ber of

vehicles were undergoing type approval in the country.

Shenlong Bus appoints industry entrepreneur

in Brazil to sell Sunlong buses

As is comm

on in the passenger car and truck

segments,

buses im

ported from

C

hina have

a

certain attraction and market place due to their

often highly competitive low

price. Oliveira points

out that the vehicles being imported, how

ever,

incorporate a great deal of advanced technology

to improve both com

fort and safety such as air

suspension, air conditioning systems and AB

S.

Oliviera says that w

hilst all the imported vehicles

would be equipped w

ith diesel engines, Sunlong

has the technology to offer a full range of other

powertrains

including hybrid

vehicles, electric

vehicles and even buses propelled using fuel cells.

How

ever, import of such m

odels would only be

likely once the Brazilian governm

ent had defined its

incentive programm

e.

Oliveira

also announced

that Sunlong

would

consider producing buses in Brazil in a few

years’

time; this w

ould, if it went ahead, be its first plant

outside of China. O

liveira remarked: “O

ur plan is to

win a sm

all slice of the Brazilian m

arket by offering

products that complem

ent the market.”

Sunlong buses to be sold in Brazil are to include

9m to 12m

coaches and 12m city buses.

Brazil - In addition to the ungraded Ford C

argo

816, Ford Trucks of São Bernardo do C

ampo, has

announced that later this year it plans to expand its

presence in the medium

truck market by offering

the 11 ton Cargo 1119 m

odel. Details w

ere not

released but Ford suggests it will have the highest

output and load capacity in its class.

Product

Ford to offer new 11t truck

Sweden

/ B

razil –

Worldly

knnown

for its

brake system

s and

brake com

ponent products

for comm

ercial vehicles, Sweden’s H

aldex AB of

Landskrona, is targeting the Brazilian truck and bus

markets to expand sales.

Brazil is, indicates Haldex, the largest and single

most im

portant country in South America. It points out

that, after a slow year in 2012, the Brazilian econom

y

once again started to show its strength during 2013.

In addition to a growing econom

y, Brazilian legislation

was also driving technical developm

ent forward. An

emissions standard equivalent to EU

RO5 had, H

aldex

points out, already been introduced, as well as rules

regarding ABS and automatic brake adjustm

ent.

ABS

legislation w

as introduced

in 2013

and

required new trailers in B

razil to be equipped with

ABS system

s, comm

ents Haldex, adding that the

legislation would be fully im

plemented in 2014.

The ABS legislation w

as also expected to increase

the penetration rate of automatic brake adjusters

in order to fully utilize ABS perform

ance. Haldex

draws

attention to

the fact

that annual

trailer

production volume for the South Am

erican market

amounted to approxim

ately 80,000 vehicles.

In its annual report for 2013 it points out that Haldex’

new m

anufacturing plant in São José dos Cam

pos

saw a 50%

increase in production volume. This, it

says, is a brand new facility w

ith a new organization,

so this positive progress is a welcom

e addition to

meet the grow

ing demand in South Am

erica. The

plant in São José dos Cam

pos replaced three former

sites, and it was, says H

aldex, carefully chosen for its

strategic and logistical location.

Sales

Haldex targets Brazilian m

arket

VOLUME 35 ISSUE NUMBER 4 MaRch 2014


The International Newsletter of commercial Vehicle Manufacturing Developments

Contract

China - BYD Auto Co Ltd of Shenzhen, China, a fast expanding new energy company, with its short but very progressive 15 year history in battery technology and now since 2003 and 2009, also specializing in the manufacture of electrically powered cars and taxis and most recently buses, announced at Busworld last month that it has won an order for 2000 full size electric buses from the City of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China.

Paul Lin, senior manager, branding, BYD, explained that the city of Shenzhen announced in July this year that by 2015 all public vehicles buses, taxis and other state-owned vehicles operating in the city would be those that were fully electrically powered only with zero emissions. Lin added that during the recent Universiade2011 (University games) held in Shenzhen in August this year, 40, BYD electric buses (eBUS-12) served the sports village, sports venues and media centre, to provide transportation for competitors, technical officials, reporters and spectators. Lin said that already 200 eBUS-12 were being operated as part of Shenzhen’s public transportation system.

The eBUS-12 is a three-door full low floor city bus made of an all-aluminium monocoque body construction. It is fitted with a synchronous e-motor, which drives through a 3-speed automatic transmission, with electrical energy stored in BYD’s own Fe battery pack, for which BYD calculates, will last a full ten years based on 4000 cycles. (He also stated that the company made battery packs with capacity for 6000 full cycles, the equivalent to 15 years life). The battery pack, says Lin, can then be recycled for energy storage in another application such as solar power storage. The eBUS is fitted with ZF rear drive axle and has electronically controlled air suspension front and rear which provides a kneeling function. Lin is also able to installed the 100kW charging station and thereby provide a turn key solution to

Vehixel and Indcar announce collaboration to expand business internationally

its customers).The eBUS-12, has a curb weight of 13.8t and

offers what Lin considers to be a conservative range of 250km on a single charge in urban conditions with stop-start depending on the duty cycle (280 to 300km is possible on less demanding routes, says Lin). The bus can be fully charged in 3.5 hours with a 100kW charger; energy consumption, says BYD, is around 130kWh/100km with a battery power pack density of 324kwh.

BYD exhibited at both APTA Expo in New Orleans, USA and Busworld in Kortrijk, Belgium, last month to introduce its eBus on both continents. At Busworld, Lin announced that the eBus would enter trial service in several European cities, including Copenhagen and Frankfurt, in the coming months. It is also understood that BYD’s electric bus has started undergoing trials at one of the world’s busiest airports in the city of Los Angeles.

The company added that the eBUS-12 was the first in a range of electric buses under development; other variants are to include a 10m model (eBUS-10, 280km per charge), a double deck (eBUS-12D, 200km per charge) and a right-hand-drive version of its eBUS-12.

A further development announced as Future Fuels & Power was going to press was an agreement signed by BYD and Daimler AG to establish “Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co Ltd,” a 50:50 research and technology centre to develop electric cars in China.

A further development announced as Future Fuels & Power was going to press was an agreement signed by BYD and Daimler AG to establish “Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co Ltd,” a 50:50 research and technology centre to develop electric cars in China.

A further development announced as Future Fuels & Power was going to press and technology centre to develop electric cars in China.



USA - BAE Systems of Johnston City, New York, USA used APTA Expo 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana, last month to launch, the HDS 300 system, its HybriDrive series propulsion system for articulated buses.

Based on the company’s proven HDS 200 hybrid electric propulsion system technology currently deployed in more than 3,500 transit buses across the globe, the HDS 300 system will allow higher capacity buses with gross vehicle weight ratings of up to 63,000lbs (28.6t).

BAE Systems said it was currently working with bus manufacturers New Flyer and Nova Bus to make its HDS 300 hybrid electric propulsion system available to North American bus transit fleets. The system, BAE added, can be purchased as a standard package or with electrified accessories which further increase the system’s efficiency by reducing energy demands on the engine. Electric accessories offer reduced maintenance and improved safety over their conventional counterparts, eliminating the normal jungle of belts and hydraulic lines from the engine compartment.

USA - BAE Systems of Johnston City, New York, USA used APTA Expo 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana, last month to launch, the HDS 300 system, its HybriDrive series propulsion system for articulated buses.

Based on the company’s proven HDS 200 hybrid electric propulsion system technology currently deployed in more than 3,500 transit buses across the globe, the HDS 300 system will allow higher capacity buses with gross vehicle weight ratings of up to 63,000lbs (28.6t).

BAE Systems said it was currently working with bus manufacturers New Flyer and Nova Bus to make its HDS 300 hybrid electric propulsion system available to North American bus transit fleets. The system, BAE added, can be purchased as a standard package or with electrified accessories which further increase.

Kässbohrer moves into truck body building

Irizar plans entry into USA

Truck & Bus Builder

IN THIS ISSUE

Dietrich Carebus pioneer’s new child seat 2

Indcar to build buses in Romania 3

DCG importing Yutong coaches to Europe 4

EEC trailer innovation award results 6

ATDyanmics enters Europe with boat-tail 8

Foton enters Europe with new energy 9

Germany / USA - Voith Turbo GmbH & Co KG of Heidenheim, Germany, has opened a hybrid power-train development centre in Poway, California, north of San Diego for the further development of its hybrid diesel/electric drive systems for transit buses.

Also, a large solar panel installation provides electricity for most day-to-day facility operations.

“We are extremely excited to open a US-based Hybrid Power-Train Development Centre,” said Rob Wiss, vice president, Voith Turbo US Road Division. “The centre will allow us to further develop hybrid bus technologies and cater to

Voith opens US hybrid centre

the specific needs of our customers who want to expand their use of this emerging technology. Above all, we are making an important contribution to the US economy by expanding the use of clean-energy technology in transportation fleets across the country.”

California-based Maxwell Technologies is to supply Voith with ultra capacitors; it already uses Maxwell to supply systems for its patented DIWAhybrid parallel drive system, which went into production last month. Voith has been working with Gillig to field test its parallel DIWAhybrid drive system and says the clean-energy technology in transportation aim of the Hybrid Power-Train Development Center to expand on DIWA and create new hybrid technologies for the US market.

Development SAMPLE

Truck & Bus BuilderT&BB


The European Truck-Trailer ReportPublished November 2013 Please tick appropriate box.

GBP 725.00* EUR 895.00** USD 1,175.00

The above prices include express delivery worldwide of a hard copy of the report as well as online access to a digital copy.*This price excludes VAT. British based customers will be charged VAT at the standard rate.**This price is exclusive of VAT. EC members who do not supply a VAT registration number below will be charged VAT.

Name:

Position:

Company:

Address:

City: Postcode:

Country:

Tel no:

E-mail:

Method of Payment

CREDIT CARD

VISA / Mastercard / American Express (delete as appropriate) CARD NO:



Contact Information

ChEqUE

Please make cheques payable to Truck & Bus Builder Reports Ltd.

INVOICE

An invoice will be sent and report despatched upon receipt of payment.

To be completed by EC members only VAT No.


Please return this form to: Truck & Bus Builder Reports Ltd,

PO Box 15, Williton,

Taunton, Somerset,

TA4 4YP, ENGLAND


Sixth Edition

The European Truck-Trailer Report


Order yOur cOpy tOday!

June 2014

UK - Transdek UK Ltd of Doncaster has launched what it calls its new Double Deck Urban Eco Trailer (DUET) developed, it says, to meet growing retailer demand for greater efficiencies on last-mile deliveries in urban centres.

Designed to carry high load volumes in the city, the new DUET trailer is 10.6m long and 4m to 4.3m high, depending on customer specification. Transdek says it has a payload of 22 tonnes compared with just nine tonnes for a typical 18 tonne rigid vehicle.

To achieve optimum loading efficiency at distribution centres, the DUET is fully compatible with low-profile double deck lifts and features a unique rear door closure with separate twin sliding rear doors, which provides a number of significant benefits - the lowest possible height for safe kerbside offloading, improved load security and temperature retention for each deck. Full loading can be achieved in as little as 45-minutes. It also offers a significantly smaller turning circle than a rigid truck.

Transdek’s managing director, Mark Adams, at the launch at this year’s CV show remarked: “With our new DUET trailer, up to 100% more product can be carried per vehicle, which offers significantly improved operations for logistics companies. The DUET can effectively half the number of deliveries, slashing transport costs and CO2 emissions by up to 50%.”

DUET decker – a new urban trailer by Transdek

Product

UK / India - MetroDecker is the name of an all-new design of double deck bus, launched by Ashok Leyland’s premium British bus building subsidiary, Optare Plc of Sherburn-in-Elmet at the London transport museum in Convent Garden, London, England last month.

Designed and built at Optare’s three year old state-of-the-art assembly facility in Leeds, the new decker is in keeping with Optare’s fully integral build philosophy using a stainless structure. Specified and built to strict Transport for London (TfL) standards, the MetroDecker measures 10.5m (L), 2.5m (W) and 4.3m (H) and weighs less than 10 tonnes gvw (9,980kg unladen weight), which, according to Glenn Saint, chief technical officer, makes it the lightest decker in the market and most importantly, extremely fuel-efficient. The MetroDecker is a two door, single staircase design offering a maximum of 63 seats (41 seats on the upper deck and 22 seats on the lower deck) and 36 standees, with a total capacity of 99 persons based on a gross total weight of 18t. (Saint pointed out that it is built to a width of 2.5m rather than the limit of 2.55m, in order to be able to offer it in those markets, which are still restricted to 2.5m).

Like its other models in the Optare range, the engine and transmission are mounted as a removable power-pack, which includes an optimised Mercedes-Benz OM 934 LA, 5.1-litre, top-rated 230hp Euro 6 engine matched with ZF’s Ecolife transmission with TopoDyn and AIS. (TopoDyn is intelligent software that maps the

Optare re-enters decker segment with MetroCityProduct

topography of the route and optimises shifting according to load, speed and topographical parameters. AIS is an abbreviation for Automatic Idle Shift function this controls the multi-disc clutch for the gear sets of the transmission, so that when in idle as little power as possible is consumed in the torque converter and fuel consumption is minimised).

The MetroDecker is equipped with fully independent two-bag front air suspension (ZF RL75EC, which has two Koni dampers, Knorr-Bremse SN7 disc brakes and 53/42 degree lock angles) and a four-air bag rear drive axle on parallel linkage (AV132 portal axle, 6.2:1 ratio, four Koni dampers, anti-roll bar and Knorr-Bremse SB7000 disc brakes) with full electronic levelling, and precise steering, again supplied by ZF.

Saint pointed out that all chassis and access points for servicing have been placed externally without the use of any floor-access plates and a high-mounted exhaust allows the DPF cartridge to be removed in-situ, which should help the operator to keep the vehicle clean at all times.

The MetroDecker is the second of a series of products developed specifically for the London market; the first being the MetroCity single deck bus. Open top and single door designs of MetroDecker are to follow in the last few months of 2014, said Saint, and hybrid and full electric options are due to be ready to order from 2015 and are scheduled to be available from the second and fourth quarters of that year, respectively.



T&BB

Contact Information


June 2014

Italy - Meritor HVS Cameri SpA is making continuous investments in its research and development facility at its European headquarters and axle technology centre in Cameri, northern Italy.

Marco Bassi, engineering director for Meritor HVS Europe and South America, announced that it had recently completed the installation of an ABB energy recovery system to its 700hp axle dynamometer, which measures the braking performance of the axle. Prior to the braking recovery system being installed the amount of energy used daily was around 700kW, now with the braking output energy being recovered, converted to electric power and reused as input power, the dynamometer is using just a fraction (10-15%) of the energy as before - the equivalent to approximately 80 kilowatts of energy a day. Bassi said that this was one of the first of this size in Europe to be produced by ABB.

As part of this green and energy saving initiative at its axle R&D technology testing centre in Cameri, Bassi said that in June, it would begin installation of a similar energy recovery system on its 600hp axle dynamometer. He also announced that its most recent test bench investment, known as the garage and strain gauge laboratory, which test the forces of its hub reduction axles, from September will be able to test the gears on its single reduction axle. Furthermore, this later dynamometer generates much heat and this heat will be used to heat the research and development in winter.

Bassi pointed out that many of the different tests cells were to test durability, reliability and performance. But in order to improve the energy efficiency of its axles, which are already highly

Meritor fits energy recovery system to R&D dynamometers

Investment / R&D / Environment

efficient - the energy efficiency of its 17X and 18X single reduction axles around around 97% efficient, so the margin for improvement is just three per cent – it has to have highly accurate and controlled testing facilities with ultra-fine tolerances.

Meritor in Europe has two axle plants; one in Lindesberg, Sweden, which, in fiscal year 2012 had a turnover of USD466m and 865 employees and the other in Cameri, Northern Italy.

The Lindesberg plant is highly automated; it offers flexible manufacturing processes and laser-welding. More than USD16m has been invested in the plant the last two years. This has included installation of a new line for the single reduction axles of the 17X (44t gvw, now extended to 50t gvw) and 18X (up to 60t gcw) as well as more flexible manufacturing processes - meaning that should an axle assembly have a fault, the jigs are laid out in such a way that the station with the faulty axle can be by-passed without holding up production line.

The Cameri axle manufacturing plant, which is the European headquarters for Meritor as well as its axle research and development centre for the EU and South American markets, in fiscal year 2012 employed 531 people and recorded a turnover of USD285m. It too is highly automated with laser-welding and flexible manufacturing processes with more than USD30m invested in the last four years.

It has two other plants in Europe, these comprise an axle housing casting plant in Venissieux, France (200 employees and USD58m in FY12) and brake manufacturing plant in Cwmbran, Wales, where it has its global R&D centre for brake technology (418 employees and USD172m in FY12).

Russia / EU – The GAZ Group of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, has received European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval for its light-duty (≤3.5t gvw) GAZelle NEXT commercial vehicle enabling it to sell the vehicle in all EU countries.

Certification tests were carried out in Russia and abroad. The Euro 5 vehicle emission standards tests were carried out by the European technical organisation, Idiada of Barcelona in Spain. It was confirmed that the vehicle complies with 43 safety requirements and 113 international certificates were received, 74 of those certificates were for the components: safety belts, tyres, glass etc.

The GAZ Group says it is negotiating with potential distributors in several EU countries to create a sales and service maintenance network.

Vadim Sorokin, GAZ Group President, said: “The extension of export deliveries is the one of the spheres of GAZ strategic development which is especially important as the commercial vehicles market in Russia is reducing. The European certification grants us the right to sell GAZelle NEXT Euro-5 in 28 European Union countries, and we have the similar certificate for selling AWD Gazelle BUSINESS and Sobol BUSINESS vehicles. Moreover, the certificate itself is the official confirmation of the fact that GAZ LCVs

WVTA for GAZelle NEXT gives GAZ green light for sales in EU countries

Certification / Export

comply with the requirements and standards set for this vehicle class in Europe”.

Exports of GAZ vehicles in 2013 (mainly to CIS countries, but also South-East Asia, North Africa and Middle East) amounted to 16,400 vehicles, 15% growth compared with 2012; it accounted for some 17% of total GAZ sales.

The design of GAZelle NEXT was launched in April 2013. It combines state-of-the-art engineering solutions from well-known reputable component suppliers from Western Europe enabling it to meet high levels of active and passive safety. GAZelle Next suppliers (component) include: Cummins diesel engine, ZF steering, Mando shock absorbers, Anvis silent blocks, braking system elements from Bosch and Mando, CSA Castellon adjustable steering column, Sachs clutch, Takata safety belts, Delphi HVAC, and a driving seat from Isringhausen.

*The Euro 5 standard for cars and vans (≤3.5t gvw) became mandatory from January 1, 2011 for the registration and sale of new types of cars and vans sold in the EU market. Euro 6 becomes binding for the type approval of vehicles as of September 1, 2014 and for the registration and sale of new types of cars and vans as of September 1, 2015.

Sweden – Scania AB of Sodertalje has announced availability of a 450hp version of its 13-litre engine using only SCR after-treatment technology to meet Euro 6 emission standards for its heavy-duty Streamline truck and tractor range.

The Swedish builder states the new Scania engine model – DC13 147 – requires neither a variable geometry turbocharger nor an EGR cooler. The 450hp version adds to the 410 SCR only engine launched last autumn, as Joel Granath, Head of Product Management for Scania trucks, explains: “Our success with the 410hp version of the 13-litre engine with only SCR has spurred us to go further down the road to reduce both complexity and diesel consumption. Our customers,” he continued, “now have a range of 18 different models of Euro 6 engines to choose from. Just as with the extremely fuel-stingy 410hp model that appeared last autumn, this engine is ideal, especially for European long-haulage customers who prioritise low fuel consumption, but don’t want to give up torque or driver comfort. According to our own calculations of running a Scania Streamline, this results in a one per cent fuel saving compared with the previous model using both EGR and SCR – everything else being equal.”

Scania warns that engines using only SCR technology do require more AdBlue; in the case of Scania, this is normally an average of 6% of diesel fuel, while engines with EGR and SCR normally use around 3%, it says. For those that want to optimise their diesel fuel capacity, Scania says, it offers a wide assortment of AdBlue tanks, including special solutions that use vacant space inside the frame in an intelligent way. The new SCR-only engine model has a top rating of 450hp and maximum torque of 2,350Nm from 1,000 rev/min.

Scania continues to offer the 450hp 13-litre diesel engine that uses EGR and SCR after-treatment technology at Euro 6, which is also available as a specially adapted version to run on up to 100 per cent biodiesel.

New Scania 450hp SCR only engine

Product

USA - Thermal management technology and systems, Modine Manufacturing Company of Racine, Wisconsin is to close its manufacturing facility in McHenry, Illinois, USA over the next 18-month period as part of a restructuring programme of its global production facilities to remain cost-competitive.

The McHenry plant makes parallel flow and serpentine condensers, oil coolers and radiators for the automotive, commercial vehicle, off-highway and building heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) markets. Over a period of 18 months, Modine plans to transfer the McHenry production to other facilities in North America, including plants in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee and Jefferson City, Missouri.

Total cost of the closure is calculated as being in the region of USD5m, but annual cost savings are anticipated annually of at least USD5m, once the closure is completed in fiscal 2016.

Modine restructuring sees closure of McHenry plant

Restructure

Truck & Bus Builder


T&BB June 2014

Germany / Turkey – The board of MAN Truck & Bus AG in Munich has announced that agreement reached with the representatives of MAN and Neoplan workers enabling it to transfer production, namely of the Starliner, Cityliner and Jetliner intercity buses and coaches, from the former Neoplan plant in Plauen to its bus and coach manufacturing plant in Ankara, Turkey – this is scheduled for completion by May 2015. MAN’s Ankara plant already produces models such as the Neoplan Tourliner.

MAN justified the move stating the market volume for buses and coaches in Europe was at an all-time low. Due to the poor economic situation in important target markets and to the low demand for buses in the luxury sector, MAN continued, it was no longer economically viable to maintain production in Plauen.

Anders Nielsen, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus commented: “We regret this situation. This has been a hard decision to make. At MAN, we are aware of Neoplan’s long tradition in Plauen, but, ultimately, we have been left with no alternative but

MAN to move Neoplan coach production in Plauen to Ankara

Reorganisation

to move production, in order to increase efficiency within our production network. We, together with employee representatives, have succeeded in finding our NEOPLAN co-workers a new home within the Volkswagen family.”

The site at Plauen, from May 2015, is to take on a new role in the MAN structure: The site is set to become a new bus modification centre for MAN and Neoplan public transport buses and coaches. A staff of around 140 of the 420 employed currently in Plauen is to be retained to implementing the modifications to specific customer requirements, whilst the remainder are to be offered the opportunity of redeployment at the Volkswagen Sachsen car plant in nearby Zwickau. (MAN said it was also guaranteeing all existing contracts for trainees as well as those signed up for 2014).

MAN says it has operated two truck modification centres (TMC) at Wittlich and Ismaning, both in Germany, for a number of years already. Plauen is set to become the first bus modification centre in 2015.

USA - Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, Michigan, USA, has introduced a new driveline to its F-650/F-750 medium-duty truck range for introduction from the second quarter of 2015.

These Class 6/7 trucks, which are built up to 37,000lb gvw are to be offered with Ford’s second generation 6.7-litre Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel engine in three power ratings: 270hp (675 lb/ft of torque), 300hp (700 lb/ft) and 330hp (725 lb/ft). The engines are matched with a six-speed TorqShift HD automatic transmission, which, says Ford, has been developed and tested for medium-duty applications. The powertrain is to be offered with a five-year/250,000-mile limited warranty.

Key innovations on the 6.7-litre Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel are its compacted graphite iron engine block that enhances durability and helps reduce noise, vibration and harshness. The reverse-flow layout places the exhaust inside the engine’s V-shape, while the air intake is positioned on the outside of the V. This design says Ford, shortens the airflow from the exhaust system to the turbocharger sitting between the engine’s cylinder banks thereby improving turbo responsiveness, which, continues Ford, is key to providing torque quickly to truck customers when

New driveline for Ford F750 & F650 in 2015Product

they need it most. Positioning the turbo inside the engine’s valley helps isolate the engine’s hottest temperatures, aiding performance and efficiency while also reducing noise, vibration and harshness for improved driver comfort.

Ford says it is the only medium-duty truck manufacturer that designs and builds its own diesel engine and transmission combination. This approach Ford states, enables its engineers to optimize vehicle performance across the entire lineup and further refine the powertrain to the specific needs of the customer.

In addition to its Power Stroke diesel, Ford remains the segment-exclusive manufacturer to offer a gasoline-powered engine for a medium duty truck. The 330hp, 440lb/ft torque 6.8-litre V10 is now available for both F-650 and F-750 models with the TorqShift® HD six-speed automatic transmission. Ford states the 6.8-litre V10 can be factory-prepped for converting to compressed natural gas or liquid propane gas.

The 2016 F-650/F-750 range (available spring 2015) is to be offered in Regular Cab, Super Cab and Crew Cab configurations as well as a new dedicated tractor model for heavy towing applications.

USA / Germany - Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) of Portland, Oregon, USA, has announced that the Jost JSK36 lightweight fifth wheel is to be fitted as standard on all Freightliner truck models in North America. This follows a framework agreement signed last month between the two companies.

The JSK36 is also available as an option for the DTNA’s Western Star 4700 and 4900 truck models.

Jost International Inc of Grand Haven, Michigan, USA, a subsidiary of Germany’s Jost-Werke GmbH of Neu-Isenburg, Germany, has been manufacturing fifth wheel coupling devices globally since 1956 and began manufacturing for the North American market at its facility in Greenville, Tennessee in 2000. In total, Jost supplies roughly a half-million fifth wheels to the global market, with more than 350,000 Jost fifth wheels currently on the road in North America.

Jost fifth wheel now standard on Freightliner trucks

Agreement

Germany - ZF Friedrichshafen AG has announced investment plans to construct a new testing centre for transmissions at its corporate Research & Development Centre on Graf-von-Soden-Platz at its headquarters in Friedrichshafen, Germany with the expenditure covering a two and half year period to 2016.

Explaining the investment, Dr Stefan Sommer, CEO simply said: “Strong research and development is fundamental to ZF’s continued success.” He went on to say that the lack of space in the Research & Development Centre – some 1,700 employees are currently working at the facility – would only be relieved by relocating the Group’s central departments to the new corporate headquarters in the ZF Forum. The Group also plans to merge development departments, which are currently spread out across several leased office facilities in Friedrichshafen, into the Research & Development Centre, thus returning the site to its original purpose.

The new testing centre is to be built in the western part of the research and development Centre and is to accommodate test benches and workshops. The plan, continued ZF, is to have modular interior fixtures so that the building can be used for various purposes depending on the research and development requirements. “This design allows us to respond quickly to new developments in metrology and test technology for vehicle parts,” said Dr Harald Naunheimer, head of ZF’s Corporate Research and Development.He added that it was particularly important given the increasing number of alternative drives that it needs to be at the cutting edge, and certainly in terms of technology and in providing customers with state-of-the-art and tailored solutions.

The actual design of the new research and development testing facility is still being determined but any final design of new building would, said Sommer, be focused on high energy efficiency and compliance with emissions targets.

New transmissions testing facilities planned by ZF

Investment / Research

Sweden / Germany / UK - Volvo Trucks of Gothenburg has added a low-entry version of the new medium-duty Euro-6 Volvo FE truck. Unveiled last month in Munich, Germany at IFAT 2014 - one of the world’s largest exhibitions specialising in the environment and refuse handling equipment sector - the Volvo FE LEC (Low Entry Cab) has, says Volvo Trucks, been specially designed for refuse operations and city distribution. The cab features a low entry, a flat floor design with three seats and space for up to four people.

As the new Volvo FE LEC is based on the new Euro 6 Volvo FE, the chassis, driveline, design, instruments

New Volvo FE with low entry cabProduct and controls are all more or less identical, says Volvo

Trucks. Where it differentiates itself are those properties specific to its application: The entry height is 530mm and with the kneeling function activated, this is lowered by a further 90mm to step height of just 440mm. The doors can be opened to 90 degrees and the floor is flat throughout the cab. A key feature to aid operation function and speed is that the kneeling function is activated as soon as the parking brake is applied, making it possible to exit the cab safely, quickly and conveniently. The kneeling function can also be turned on and off via a button in the instrument panel.

The new Volvo FE LEC chassis is EU Whole Vehicle Type Approved and meets both EU and Swedish legislation - in addition to, Volvo Trucks’ own stringent demands on collision safety.



T&BBJune 2014

Russia – Truck sales in Russia of vehicles 1.5t gvw and above in January-March dropped by 17.8% year-on-year to 49,100 units, according to statistics kept by ASM-Holding.

The drop was registered in all market segments, except new foreign vehicles, that demonstrated a certain increase. Deliveries of domestically branded trucks dropped by 32.4% to 20,200 and this category’s market share contracted from 50% to 41.1%. Sales of Russian-made foreign brands also contracted and by 26.4% to 4,500 units and this segment’s market share fell from 10.4% to 9.3%. The combined market share of trucks manufactured in Russia (domestic and foreign models) decreased from 60.4% to 50.4%. Imports of new trucks grew 10.8% to 24,100 pushing its share from 36.4% to new record levels of 49%. Sales of imported used vehicles plummeted by 84% to 315 units while their market share dropped from 3.2% to 0.6%.

The volume of truck production during the first three months of 2014 fell by 25.1% to 28,845 units with foreign models constituting 17.3% of total output compared with 14.9% in January-March 2013.

Among the key market manufacturers, production growth was realised by Ural Auto Plant (1,648 units, +36.4%), Fuso-KAMAZ Trucks Rus (474 units, +107.9%) and SOLLERS-Isuzu (449 units, +835.4%). Meanwhile, those recording a contraction in output were: KAMAZ, it produced 7,859 units (–20%); GAZ – 11,422 units (–25.0%); UAZ – 2,435 units (–56.5%); Volvo Vostok – 551 units (–14.6%); Mercedes-Benz Trucks Vostok (MBTV) – 345 units (–43.3%); Scania Peter – 166 units (–27.8%) and IVECO-AMT – 104 units (–37.7%).

Statistics

According to estimates by analysts at ASM-Holding, Russia, in 2014, is forecast to produce 193,844 trucks. In 2012 (the best year during the previous five-year period 2009-2013) a total of 205,617 vehicles were built.

Russia - Truck production (> 1.5t gvw, incl. Chassis),January to March 2014 v 2013

Manufacturer Q1-14 Q1-13 % Chg

GAZ 11,422 15,224 -25.0

KAMAZ 7,859 9,821 -20.0

UAZ 2,435 5,592 -56.5

SOLLERS - Isuzu 449 48 835.4

Ford-SOLLERS 1,996 3,183 -37.3

URAL 1,648 1,208 36.4

BAZ 35 35 -

IVECO-AMT 104 167 -37.7

VAZinterservice 461 851 -45.8

Volvo Vostok 551 645 -14.6

Scania Peter 166 230 -27.8

MBTV 345 609 -43.3

Fuso-KAMAZ Trucks Rus 474 228 107.9BAW-RUS Motor Corporation

0 584 -100.0

Avtoto 784 20 3820.0

Tonar 9 3 200.0

Caterpillar Tosno 8 28 -71.4MAN Truck & Bus Production RUS

99 0 -

Total: 28,845 38,476 -25.0

Source: ASM-Holding

Russia – According to ASM-Holding statistics, the Russian bus market experienced the biggest fall in sales of all the segments of the automotive market in the first quarter in 2014.

Compared with the first quarter of 2013, sales in the Q1 of 2014 dropped by 27.3%, to 8,450 units. The sales of domestic buses which continued to dominate the market fell 37.6% to 4,500 units bringing down their market share from 61.6% to 52.9%. The sales of Russian-made foreign models edged down by 4% to 2,800 units while their market share grew by 7.7 percentage points to 33.5%. The combined share of sales of buses made in Russia (domestic and foreign models) shrank from 87.4% to 86.4%. The sales of imported buses went up by 1.4 percentage points, while imports of used buses plummeted 78% to merely 19 units.

Production in January-March 2014 fell by 30.1% to 7,805 units. Out of the total number of vehicles manufactured, 4,975 were Russian models (-39%) and 2,830 foreign models (-6.3%). It is worth noting that during the period under review the share of foreign models in terms of total output was 36.3% up from 27.0% in Q1 2013.

According to early estimates by ASM-Holding analysts, the production of buses in Russia in 2014 should total some 49,957 units, 12,296 of them foreign models. In 2012 (the best year during

Russian bus market contracts by 30.2% in Q1

Russian truck market drops 17% in first three months of 2014

Statistics

the previous five-year period 2009-2013) a total of 57,928 buses were made.

Russia - Bus production (>1.5t gvw), January to March 2014 v 2013


GAZ 1,692 2,290 -26.1

GOLAZ - 62 -

KAVZ 72 110 -34.5

LIAZ 158 233 -32.2

NEFAZ 60 126 -52.4

PAZ 1,258 1,932 -34.9

UAZ 995 2,502 -60.2

Ford-SOLLERS 10 31 -67.7

URAL 78 60 30.0

VOLZhANIN, Volzhskiy 18 98 -81.6

Nizhegorodets* 1,622 1,825 -11.1

Kuzbuss-Avto - 17 -BAW-RUS Motor Corporation

- - -

Luidor* 1,445 1,215 18.9

Promtech* 381 639 -40.4

KAMAZ-Marco 11 22 -50.0

Total 7,800 11,162 -30.1

Source: ASM-Holding Note:*Mini-buses and small buses on Russian and foreign chassis

CIS – The Belarusian manufacturer of medium and heavy-duty trucks, MAZ, posted a 38.5% drop in production in the first quarter to 2,700 vehicles, down from 4,388 units in the same period of 2013. Together with stocks deliveries to consumers totalled 3,496 vehicles, 1,538 of them rigid tippers, 903 tractors and 1,055 general-purpose vehicles.

MAZ sales dominated by tipper sales

CIS - Truck production (> 1.5t gvw, incl. Chassis),January to March 2014 v 2013


BELAZ 172 415 -58.6

ZAZ 205 63 225.4

KRAZ 192 111 73.0

MAZ 2,700 4,388 -38.5

MZKT 151 136 11.0

MOAZ 20 11 81.8

Bogdan 4 64 -93.8

BAZ - - -

Total 3,444 5,188 -33.6

Source: ASM-Holding

CIS – AMAZ, the bus division of the Minsk Auto Plant manufactured just 285 buses in the first quarter of 2014, which is 38.6% down on the same period in 2014.

Big city bus constituted the bulk of the output (158 units) followed by midi-buses (113 units) and then 15m and articulated buses (10 units). The statistics also included four small buses.

AMAZ bus production lower by 38.6% in Q1

Statistics

CIS - Bus production (> 1.5t gvw),January to March 2014 v 2013


MAZ 285 464 -38.6

Bogdan - 71 -

BAZ - 59 -

Chasovoyarski plant 60 66 -9.1

ZAZ 14 28 -50.0

Cherkasski avtobus 22 65 -66.2

Chernigovski plant 40 8 400.0

Total 421 761 -44.7

Source: ASM-Holding

UK / Turkey – The board of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) based in London, England, has approved a EUR140m long-term loan to Ford Otomotiv Sanayi A.S. (Ford Otosan) of Gölcük, Turkey. This is to finance the development of new Ford Ecotorq engines, modernization of manufacturing processes, modernization of the existing Cargo truck models, development of a new Cargo model truck and to increase truck production capacity at its Inönü plant in the Eskisehir province.

European Bank loan for Ford Otosan

Financial / Investment

Statistics


Truck & Bus BuilderT&BB June 2014

UK - Schmitz Cargobull (UK) Ltd of Warrington, UK has introduced its reefer trailer onto the UK market last month, returning to a segment of the trailer business it was previously strong in during the years until it closed the satellite factory at Harlow in 2010.

However, ‘the reefer is not for sale’, said Paul Avery, managing director at Schmitz Cargobull UK, who then explained that it is only available for lease over five or seven year period. Avery said that it is offering a 5-year full maintenance lease contract with an option for R&M on the chassis and tyres. The refrigerated unit is offered with a choice of Carrier, Thermo King, Schmitz own unit or that of another make. It is fitted with Schmitz’ own fully diagnostic telematics system that provides a 24 hour real time fault diagnosis system that advises the driver immediately of a fault with the refrigeration unit as well as providing directions and an appointment with the nearest service partner.

The refrigeration unit is based on the European standard to 4m, but is sold in the UK with a coupling height of 1,250mm, which can be lowered 1,150mm when being sold after the lease period in mainland Europe. Schmitz has deliberately chosen the EU height limit of 4m in order to give it a higher residual value second hand due to the larger potential second-hand market the height offers.

Schmitz has been offering the UK market a refrigerated body for rigid trucks for the past six months through Bevan Motor Bodies Ltd of Halesowen in the UK; it is assembled and sold by Bevan using the Cargobull logo.

Schmitz returns to the reefer market in UK

Product

Iran / Turkey - Oghab Afshan Industrial Manufacturing Co of Tehran, Iran announced at Busworld Turkey in April that it was in the process of gaining certification to sell coaches in Turkey.

The company displayed a full size high deck 12m coach but with a new and different Scania chassis, the KEB chassis rather than the KIB chassis it has traditionally used that features an independent front suspension for better handling and comfort. A spokesperson for Oghab said that it would concentrate on the coach segment firstly to compete with Turkey’s clear market leader, Mercedes-Benz Turkey.

It has been working with a partner company in Turkey, Canmak Makin Ltd, for sourcing and purchasing body components (seats, racks, ceiling systems, etc) for its Iranian bus and coach production operation in Semnan, Iran, over many years and so many of the component suppliers are already very familiar with the Oghab company.

The new coach is called Dorsa, which loosely translated means precious pearl, of which, it has built ten, so far, but has orders for some 100 units from its domestic market.

As well as the Iranian markets, Oghab also plans to intensify its export activities, focussing

Oghab targets neighbouring countries for exportsExport / Strategy / Product

on neighbouring countries. The recession allowed Oghab to change its production processes to become more modular in its construction approach with improvements in quality, precision and working capital. A major change is that the steel body structure, aluminium and galvanised steel panels are painted, before being mounted on the chassis, saving time and money in the production process. These new methods, said Oghab, should allow it to establish a sub-assembly operation in other countries possibly in a relatively short period of time.

Oghab said it was optimistic about annual production returning to something like its pre-2012 levels of 1200 units in 2015; in 2012, output fell to just 300 units. The market in Iran was rebounding, said Oghab, and it plans to export some 100 coaches and buses to neighbouring Iraq and Turkmenistan this year. Oghab suggested the normal annual market for coaches in Iran was some 1500 units and some 2,000 units for city bus. It estimated some 19,000 coaches were running on the roads in Iran, of which, more than a third (36%) were Oghab units. Furthermore, as many as 7,000 are more than ten years old, said Oghab, and a recent mandatory ten-year replacement rule, requires their replacement.

Russia – The Ulyanovsk Engine Plant (UMZ), a subsidiary of the GAZ Group has started production of the 125hp EvoTech 2.7 petrol engine- built to both Euro 4 and Euro 5 emissions standards - developed for GAZ’s latest light commercial vehicle range, the GAZelle Business and GAZelle Next. Previously, the GAZelle Next was offered only with the Cummins’ Chinese made 120hp 2.8-litre ISF diesel engine.

The new engine has been developed jointly by the GAZ Group and South Korea’s Tenergy, a leading international engineering company. It keeps its four-cylinder eight-valve design but compared with the previous generation of UMZ engines, the EvoTech 2.7 is distinguished by its smaller volume (2.7 litres instead of 2.9 litres), new design of piston block, camshaft, compression chamber and engine block and new valve train.

New UMZ petrol engine for GAZ LCVs Product / Manufacture

Significant changes have been made to the mounting blocks and attachments of the engine as well as its electrical systems, cooling, fuel injection, ignition and lubrication systems. GAZ points out that broad use of plastic elements has reduced its weight, improved vibration and sound parameters.

The engine, says GAZ, widely employs units and components produced by leading international manufacturers. The piston block, spark plugs, most of the hoses and sealing joints, as well as the crankcase, are supplied by LG of South Korea, the electronic control system is supplied by Bosch in Germany and hydraulic adjusters by Eaton of the USA.

EvoTech has a design life of 400,000km. A three-year or 150,000km warranty is offered. Compared with the previous generation of UMZ engines, GAZ suggests that it has a fuel consumption improvement of up to 10%.

Turkey - Ford Otosan of Kocaeli, Turkey, the Turkish 55-year-old joint venture between Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, Michigan, USA and Koç Holding A.S. of Istanbul, Turkey, has announced the start of light commercial vehicle production of the Ford Transit Courier small commercial vehicle and Ford Tourneo Courier entry-level people-mover at a recently built USD511m facility in Yeniköy, Turkey.

The new 70,000 sq m plant, which enjoys the same advanced and environmentally-friendly manufacturing technologies that Ford has introduced across its global production facilities, is capable of building up to 110,000 vehicles a year. It is located next to Ford Otosan’s existing Kocaeli vehicle assembly plant and it is the third Ford Otosan plant to build Ford vehicles. The Ford

New Ford Otosan plant for Transit / Tourneo CourierManufacture / Product

Tourneo Courier entry level people-mover and the Ford Transit Courier, Ford’s smallest commercial vehicle, are to be sold in around 46 countries.

Bill Ford, executive chairman at Ford, speaking at the official opening ceremony last month, remarked: “Ford Otosan is one of the longest-lasting and most successful joint ventures in the global auto industry and today marks another great milestone in this partnership.”

Ford Otosan is a core part of the ‘One Ford’ global commercial vehicle plan. It currently builds the Cargo heavy truck, the Transit and Transit Custom medium commercial vehicles, the Tourneo Custom people-mover, and now, the new Tourneo Courier entry-level people carrier and Transit Courier small commercial vehicle. Ford Otosan says it exports Ford vehicles to 106 markets globally.

DATES FOR THE DIARY 2014AUSTRALIAJune 6-7: Australian Trucking ConventionVenue: Hamilton Island QldWebsite: www.atatruck.net.au/FRANCEJune 10 to 12: Transport PublicsVenue: Paris-Expo, Porte de Versailles75015 Paris – FranceWebsite: www.transportpublics-expo.comSoUTH AFRICASept 15-19: Transport Expo 2014Venue: Expo Centre Nasrec,JohannesburgWebsite: http://10times.com/transport-expo-johannesburgGERMANYSeptember 25 to october 2: IAA CVs (65th)International Commercial Vehicle ShowVenue: Hannover Messe, HanoverWebsite: www.iaa.deITALYoctober 09 to 11: International Bus Expo 2014Venue: Rimini Fiera, Rimini, Italy.Website: http://10times.com/bus-tourism USAoctober 13 to 15: APTA EXPo 2014Venue: George R Brown Convention Centre,Houston, TXWebsite: www.aptaexpo.com SPAINoctober 28 to 31: FIAA 2014Venue: Madrid Expo CentreWebsite: www.ifema.es/fiaa_06UKNovember 4 to 6: Euro Bus Expo 2014Venue: NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT, UK.Email: [email protected]: www.eurobusxpo.com

jimgibbins

Highlight

Truck & Bus Builder

Documents

Transcript of Truck & Bus Builder