R&D consortium strives for ‘advanced diesels’

Ricardo is one of some 16 organisations participating in Project REWARD to develop advanced diesel engines beyond Euro6 for passenger cars and light commercials under 3,500kg, including a new two-stroke diesel for B/C segment cars. 

Peterbilt to offer CGI truck diesel

According to US sources, Paccar’s Peterbilt brand will soon offer the MX-11 diesel engine, which debuted in Europe in 2013.

Navistar: The changing face of MaxxForce

Could Navistar International be heading towards dropping its mid-range diesel engines following a quiet rejig of its nomenclature?

GKN to boost driveline output in Poland

GKN Driveline has launched the first phase of a significant expansion of its operations in Poland, with the construction of a new production facility. 

Torotrak seeks £13.8m to drive transmissions

Torotrak is asking investors to stump up £13.8 million. But will it be money down the drain?

AB Dynamics set to double capacity

AB Dynamics is moving to a new facility next year that will double capacity, allowing staff to work on one site for the first time in many years.

Tear-downs: paving the way for CGI growth

How will OEMs respond to Ford’s 2015 F-150 pick-up truck with its intensive use of aluminium and a gasoline engine with a CGI block?

End of the road in sight for EGR

Diesel engine makers for trucks in the US are closely watching the legislators as they mull implementing reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that will come on top of EPA 2017 requirements.

Has Volvo plans to be a world leader?

Is Volvo planning to become Number One in world truck manufacture?

Atlas Copco swallows Henrob of SPR fame

 Atlas Copco has now acquired the shareholding of self-piercing rivet (SPR) specialists Henrob Ltd of Flint in the UK.

Hyundai extends CGI leadership in Asia

Hyundai Motor Company, the world’s fifth largest auto manufacturer, has begun series production of compacted graphite iron (CGI) cylinder heads for the company’s 12.7-litre heavy duty commercial vehicle engine.

FCA: now the real journey begins

Trading has begun in the shares of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the stock ticker symbol “FCAU”.

The shares opened on 14 October at a price of $9. The price rose briefly before ending the day at $8.92. Considering the Dow Jones industrial average dropped 222 points late in the day, this was no mean achievement. The stock also trades on an exchange in Milan, Italy.

Where now for Volvo and Dongfeng?

Observers are watching with interest, now that Volvo's 45 per cent stakeholding in Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles Co. Ltd. is official, to what extent the Swedish company will be able to influence senior executives in the Chinese truck maker, which has been in business since 1969.

The more so since Cummins Inc. of the US and Dongfeng have a 50-50 joint venture company, Dongfeng Cummins Engine Co. Ltd. Also Knorr-Bremse Commercial Vehicle Systems is expanding in China by taking a 51 per cent stake in Dongfeng Electronic & Technology Co. Ltd to make parts for commercial braking systems.

Mercedes launches AMTs for Atego range

Mercedes-Benz is to launch its new Atego light- and medium-duty truck series at the IFAT 2014 exhibition in Munich, Germany this month.

For the first time, the company will introduce an automated mechanical transmission (AMT) in lightweight trucks.

Dongfeng Peugeot: three into one?

China’s Dongfeng Motor Corporation Ltd, the Peugeot family and the French government are poised to control France’s largest vehicle business, and the second largest in European car sales.

But how well will China's Dongfeng Motor Corporation be able to drive a company, that if past history is anything to go by, has been difficult to steer in the right direction – the right direction being the ability to make profits and grow the business on a world-wide scale?

Navistar putting MWM up for sale?

According to US news agency Bloomberg, heavy duty truck maker Navistar Inc. is exploring its options for MWM, its South American truck-engine business. One option may be to sell the unit.

Last May, this newsletter posed the question: Navistar: has it too many engine plants? Clearly the issue of Navistar International’s engine overcapacity, coupled with a growing closeness to Cummins Inc., suggests the topic of conversation in Navistar’s board room has stretched beyond the fate of its three engine plants in the US.

Solihull revs up for 2015 aluminium Jaguar

 This year, JaguarLandRover’s UK Solihull manufacturing site will be the scene of much activity as advances are introduced in the aluminium process of building body-in-white (BIW).

Up until now, JLR’s two main centres of excellence for aluminium vehicle BIW manufacture have centred primarily on the company’s Castle Bromwich site and Solihull. Castle Bromwich, in particular, has seen a previously substantial investment (by Ford Motor Company) in equipment to stamp and handle aluminium body panels, primarily using a line of Schuler presses, provided the bedrock for the technology.

Holset plans new turbo facility

Plans for an all-new purpose-built multi-million pound manufacturing facility and technical centre in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire,  UK have been revealed by Cummins Inc.

The plant will be operated by Cummins Turbo Technologies which is part of the engine maker’s components group.

The company began life over 60 years ago and became known as Holset Ltd. Cummins acquired the company in 1973 and changed its name to Cummins Turbo Technologies in 2006.

Navistar set for more bought-in engines?

The latest twist in developments at Navistar International (see Navistar ditches DT 466 in Class6/7 trucks) suggests the North American truck maker is moving away from vertical integration.

At a time when Class 8 rivals Freightliner, Paccar and Volvo are trying to encourage customers to buy in-house engines, Navistar appears to be edging in the other direction when it began to specify the ISX 15-litre engine from Cummins Inc.

There was a time not so long ago when Navistar was embracing Caterpillar’s 15-litre engine as the way forward towards creating the MaxxForce 15. But this adventure had to be scrapped when it became clear that an EGR-only strategy for the company’s engines was a ‘no go’ area as a means of meeting emissions requirements.

Challenges ahead for Stadler

When Wolfgang Stadler arrives at JaguarLandRover to begin work full time for his new employer he will find much with which to familiarise himself.

Recently, JaguarLandRover (JLR) appointed Wolfgang Stadler its new director of manufacturing. Stadler will be responsible for JLR’s global manufacturing operations and will report directly to Dr Ralf Speth, chief executive officer.

Stadler will join the company from BMW Group where he has held the position of senior vice president, BMW Plant Dingolfing. Prior to this he has held a number of senior positions at BMW Group internationally, including the post of managing director, BMW South Africa.