News: August 2008

The new Volvo Trucks range shown at IAA

At the heart of Volvo Trucks’ stand will be the new range of Volvo trucks. For the first time ever outside Sweden, the general public will be able to experience these trucks inside and out. With the new range, Volvo Trucks has focused on optimising the driver environment and introducing advanced safety support systems. Visitors will also get a first-hand look at the world’s first operational heavy hybrid refuse truck, and many other groundbreaking innovations.

New 11-litre Volvo FM tractor:

To meet the unique demands of weight-sensitive applications such as tanker and bulk transport, Volvo is introducing a new 11-litre engine for the Volvo FM 4x2 and 6x2 tractor. The new D11B engine, which will be on display, is about 140 kg lighter than the larger D13 engine. This gives customers high load capacity, while offering high performance and fuel efficiency. The 11-litre Volvo FM is equipped with I-Shift and features an updated driver’s environment in a unique LXL-cab.

New I-Sync for smooth gearchanges in city traffic:

For city and regional transport, Volvo has introduced I-Sync, an advanced automated transmission for the Volvo FL distribution truck. By decreasing the need for manual shifting, this solution makes driving in traffic and highly congested areas much more enjoyable and comfortable. It also makes it easier for the driver to focus on the road and cope with the busy activity of the city. I-Sync will be on display at the stand.

Taking comfort to a higher level:

When visitors step inside the cab of the new Volvo FH, they will experience a completely redesigned interior that offers convenience while working and almost luxurious comfort while resting. It includes innovative lighting solutions, a more spacious interior, smart storage solutions and is prepared for the latest entertainment technology.

But for the ultimate truck experience, the Volvo FH16 has no equal. Every detail stands out above the rest. And to get a taste of this truck’s exclusive design and powerful stance, visitors will be able to experience an 8x4 FH16 for heavy haulage on display.

Innovations in safety and security:

Visitors to Volvo’s stand will also be able to learn more about new advanced safety support systems, such as the industry-first Driver Alert Support that uses a camera to monitor the vehicle's course in relation to the road markings. If the driving pattern is perceived as irregular, the driver is alerted. Other safety innovations include Rain Sensor, Cornering lights and Lane Changing Support that uses a radar to detect vehicles driving alongside the cab on the passenger side – eliminating the blind spot.

Helping to prevent skidding or turning over – that’s what another Volvo safety system, ESP, (Electronic Stability Program) is designed to do. Using sensors that monitor the truck’s behaviour, ESP automatically redistributes the braking forces to regain stability and straighten the vehicle. The ESP offer is now extended to include 6x2 trucks and trailers and multi-trailer combinations.

A cleaner future – today:

In 2006, Volvo Trucks introduced its parallel hybrid technology – a revolution in quiet, clean and fuel-efficient operation. It combines a diesel engine with an electric motor and charges the batteries using the energy released during braking. This past April, Volvo introduced two hybrid refuse test vehicles that will be tested during daily operation by two refuse collection companies in Sweden. They are the world’s first operational heavy vehicle hybrid refuse trucks and one will be on display at Volvo’s stand.

In 2009, Volvo will start producing the Volvo FE hybrid for city distribution and refuse collection. It is designed to offer fuel and carbon dioxide savings of 15-20 percent and quiet operation when running on the electric motor. Using an extra battery pack for running the garbage compactor, it can reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emission by up to 30 percent.

Other features displayed at the Volvo Truck stand:

▪ New EEV (Enhanced Environmental friendly Vehicles) engine offer. These engines will improve air quality by reducing particulates and smoke. To be launched during 2009.

▪ New and expanded Volvo Trucks Merchandise Collection, including the bold, new designs of the FH16 Collection.

▪ Over View Surveillance System, developed together with Toshiba Corporation, installed on Volvo’s hybrid refuse truck – gives drivers a bird’s eye view for enhanced driving assistance and safety.

▪ A unique roll over cab located outside gives visitors the opportunity to experience a roll over first hand. Safety and security is also the theme at Volvo’s exhibition trailer.

▪ Alcolock, a pioneering pre-ignition breathalyzer and interlock system that prevents engine start if the blood-alchohol level is above the limit.

▪ And much more at the Volvo Trucks stand A05, hall 17. www.volvo.com

Continental to launch new products at IAA

Continental will show a wide range of products and services at the 62nd IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover, Germany, next month. Among these are new tyres and sensors to reduce fuel consumption and boost safety innovative driver assist systems to lower the risk of accidents new tachographs and more efficient fleet management.

Two new trailer tyres - the HTR2 and HTL1 - are said to provide "greater fuel efficiency" and "higher performance". A saving of around one litre of fuel per 100km is claimed for the HTR2 the HTL1 has been designed for use on supercube trailers. Last year's purchase of Siemens VDO Automotive expanded Continental's commercial vehicle products to include safety electronics, sequencing and control systems.

The firm is launching series production of a driver assist system to monitor the nearside blind spot and warn of imminent colli-sions, anticipating statutory regulations announced for 2013 to make such systems mandatory. It also makes systems allowing trucks to automatically monitor the distance between them and the vehicle ahead.

Other products include a lane-departure warning system and a radar sensor with emergency brake assist to avoid rear-end collisions. Continental also offers management devices to regulate "all conventional injection and emission engine control systems" and claims its Piezo common rail diesel injection improves fuel efficiency by up to 15% in the case of a small van.

Continental is also focusing on enhanced power electronics and batteries to enable commercial vehicles operations within zero-emission zones in urban areas. The company's next generation of VDO DTCO digital trip recorders contain an option for the remote transmission of data. This enables the fleet manager to access a vehicle's mass-storage device and driver card data from the office, regardless of where the vehicle is located. www.roadtransport.com

Renault Trucks at the IAA Hanover Show: priority given to drivers and fuel saving

From September 25th to October 2nd, Renault Trucks will be demonstrating two key concepts for the brand at the International Automobile Show at Hanover: care for drivers (and in particular presentation of new cab layouts in the Magnum) and fuel saving, with today’s solutions (Optifuel Solutions) and tomorrow’s solutions (innovatory technologies promoting fuel consumption reduction).

Renault Trucks places the driver at the heart of its concerns, and in particular in the design of its vehicles. The new Renault Magnum with its new cab, which is even more spacious and ergonomic, is the clearest sign of this. Along the lines of this emblematic vehicle, the whole of Renault Trucks’ range has been studied and developed similarly. The Renault Trucks stand will also be focusing on driver comfort in all aspects, looking very much like a Long Haul vehicle in the Premium Lander cab and a car in the Master cab. We will find every-day comfort in the Midlum cab with its automated gearbox.

The second key development theme which Renault Trucks will be presenting at Hanover is the continuous search for increasingly innovatory solutions to help customers reduce fuel consumption over the long term. And so, Renault Trucks will be presenting the solutions it has developed today, with the whole scope of the Optifuel Solutions range comprising:

- Optifuel Technology, which identifies optimal engine - gearbox – drive axle combination, but also the choice of SCR technology;

- Optifuel Infomax, a monitoring tool which, through precise analysis of consumption and vehicle use, allows customers to reduce fuel costs by up to 10% and therefore reduce their operating expenses;

- And Optifuel Training, a course which trains drivers in the most economic forms of driving.

In Hanover, Renault Trucks will also be unveiling solutions for the future, with for the first time at an international show, presentation of the Renault Premium Distribution Hybrys Tech, a hybrid vehicle dedicated to the Distribution trades.

For Renault Trucks, the Hanover show will also be an opportunity to present the Renault Trucks Adventure project planned for 2009. After the Silk Road in 2005, Renault Trucks will once again be combining the know-how of its people and the competitiveness of its products to go forth and meet different cultures, testing the technical capacity of its vehicles with six Keraxes and six Sherpas which will travel from the extreme North to the extreme South.

Vehicles presented:

Long Haul

Renault Magnum 500.19

Renault Magnum 460.26

Renault Premium Long Distance 450.19

Renault Premium Long Distance 450.19 Tanker

Distribution

Renault Premium Distribution 450.19 Double Car Carrier

Renault Midlum 220.12

Premium Distribution Hybrys Tech Customer field test

Construction

Renault Premium Lander 450.32 Optidriver +

Renault Kerax 500.26 Tipper

Delivery

Renault Master 120.35 Van

Renault Maxity 130.45/6 Flatbed

Renault Mascott 150.65 Tipper

Truck Racing

Renault Premium Racing Team

Renault Trucks Adventure

Renault Sherpa 2

Renault Trucks at the Hanover Show:

Hall 17

From September 25th to October 2nd

Press days: September 23rd and 24th

Press Conference: September 24th, from 2 to 2.30pm www.renault-trucks.com

Joint venture between Hellmann Worldwide Logistics and TMG Cargo

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics has set up a joint venture with Lithuanian company Transport Management Group Cargo. Hellmann is now represented in Estonia and Lithuania and a further office is planned in Latvia. TMG Cargo turned over 5.5 million Euros in 2007, and employs 25. This transaction will enable transport between Germany and the Baltics to be undertaken, and an access gateway to Belarus and Russia to be established. www.hellmann.de

Scania aims for 150,000 production

In the latest edition of Scania Value, Scania reaffirms its objective of producing 150,000 vehicles per year by 2015. This represents a substantial increase in production capacity which today stands at around 60,000 vehicles. www.scania.com