Ready for 2010

Engine makers outline new technologies


Officials from heavy-duty engine manufacturers gave an audience of drivers and fleet representatives the latest details concerning cost and performance of their technologies for meeting 2010 engine regulations.

The event was the 2010 Engine Super Session, held at the Great American Trucking Show in August.

With the exception of Navistar, which is using advanced exhaust gas recirculation, selective catalytic reduction is the technology being introduced by engine manufacturers to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s mandate to reduce NOx emissions to 0.2 grams, starting in 2010.

SCR requires the use of diesel exhaust fluid. Navistar plans to meet the requirements in the engine cylinder without an additive.

The 2010 Cummins ISX engines will yield better fuel economy than current engines, said Jason Owens, customer performance technical manager with Cummins. “Our new engines will have a larger ‘sweet spot,’ resulting in better drivability,” he said.

David Siler, director of marketing for Detroit Diesel, also touted improved fuel economy as a big advantage for truck owners with the company’s BlueTec technology. “The DD15 will provide fuel economy not seen since the pre-2002 engines,” he said.

In addition to improved mileage claims by the engine manufacturers using SCR, David McKenna, director of powertrain sales and marketing for Mack, reported that there would be no change in engine hardware under the hood, making the engines “service friendly.”

Volvo’s engines will show higher horsepower and the bonus of no active regeneration with the 2010 power units, said James Fancher, marketing product manager.

Navistar said its 2010 MaxxForce engines offer truck owners greater simplicity because no new agent will have to be added, as with DEF. “We have a turn-key strategy,” said Steve Perkins, senior sales specialist for the Navistar engines. “We take the burden off the customers and put it on us as the manufacturer.”

Perkins said Navistar will likely use EPA credits to meet emissions regulations into 2012, depending on sales, as the company continues to hone its technology.

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The panel also fielded questions from the audience concerning issues such as driver inducements for systems using DEF, additional weight, DEF shelf life, cost per mile, as well as price increases for each engine brand.

Video of the presentation will be available soon at 2010truckengines.com.
The event was sponsored by Castrol and Rand McNally. The panel was moderated by Randall-Reilly editors.


New Features Help Lift GATS Attendance – by Staff Reports

The Great American Trucking Show in August experienced a slight increase in overall attendance from 2008, helped in part by new features added to this year’s show.

“We are very pleased with the results of this year’s GATS, as well as the attendee turnout,” said Mike Reilly, chairman, president and CEO of Randall-Reilly Publishing Co., which owns GATS. “To attract so many highly qualified visitors, in such a challenging environment, is a testament to our commitment to deliver the attendees our customers are looking for.”

New events included the 2010 Engine Super Session and expanded educational opportunities offered through a re-formatted educational track, called the TruckSmart Summit. “We are confident that the vital information delivered during these sessions contributed to the increase in the number and quality of this year’s attendees,” says Randy Davidson, GATS national sales director.

Show management reported overall visitor registrations grew from 44,669 in 2008 to 45,987, an increase of 2.9 percent. The largest registration increases were in the company driver, executive management/owner and transportation operations/safety areas.

GATS also hosted the 2009 Truckload Carriers Association Independent Contractor Meeting. The event ran concurrent with GATS and attracted several hundred attendees.

Next year’s Great American Trucking Show will be Aug. 26-28 at the Dallas Convention Center. Randall-Reilly also produces the Great West Truck Show, held annually in Las Vegas. The GWTS was recognized earlier this year as one of the Tradeshow Week “Fastest 50” shows for 2008.


Cross-Border Program Awaits Congress – by Jill Dunn
Progress hasn’t been made in resuming the Mexico-United States trucking program, but the Senate will consider a long-term transportation funding bill that provides funds for it if congressional concerns are met.

Meanwhile, a recent poll shows most Americans are against restarting the program.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calder

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