News: 2008

Kögel says its 14.92m Big-MAXX rail semi-trailer can be loaded without restriction on T2000 and T3000 combined traffic rail wagons. A trial loading operation by Kögel and Kombiverkehr GmbH confirmed the fit. "This is another significant step in the quest to obtain European approval for longer semi-trailers," said Alexander Tietje, chairman of the Kögel Board.. 300 such trailers are part of a field trial in Germany. Kögel says the results are encouraging some other European countries to consider changing the lengths of semi-trailers. The firm claims their use could deliver an 8% cut in fuel use and emissions. The Big-MAXX rail is a standard, 14.92m semi-trailer with a maximum internal height of 2.70m and a semi-mounted dimension of 1.1 to 1.25m.

Details »

European market leader, Schmitz Cargobull AG says that in its last financial year ,trailer production rose by 30% to over 66,500 and turnover jumped from €1.685bn to some €2.14bn. Speaking to journalists recently at a pre-IAA briefing, Bernd Hoffman, chairman said the firm's next 'strategic goal' is an annual production of 100,000 vehicles and a turnover of more than €3bn. The overall production rate from the firm's nine European plants was over 350 a day. Hoffman says economic growth continues to drive demand throughout Europe. In the new EU countries consumption and new production facilities are keeping the transport industry busy, with Russia's economy and that of the bordering former Soviet republics growing rapidly, in part due to very high oil and gas-based income.

Details »

Volvo Trucks is launching a new family of HGV’s whose principal characteristics are summarized by the manufacturer as follows: a better cab for the driver, improved engines and new active safety measures. And on this point of safety, Volvo Trucks is proposing a new system (Driver Alert Support) which aims to avoid accidents. The system warns the driver when he is showing signs of fatigue and therefore abnormal behavior.

Details »

Caterpillar and Navistar International Corporation have signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ involving the continuation of their cooperation in the area of HGV’s and engines. The two manufacturers are in particular planning the development of diesel engines in the medium sector, but without using SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology which is based on the use of urea. The two groups are also planning to develop and distribute utility vehicles outside of North America.

Details »