Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/949884
22 commercial carrier journal | march 2018 Ford adding diesel option to Transit Connect F or the 2019 model year, Ford will add a 1.5-liter EcoBlue diesel engine as an option to its Transit Connect lineup with a targeted U.S Environmental Protection Agency-estimat- ed fuel economy rating of at least 30 mpg highway. e diesel engine features low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation combined with water-air charge cooling for more efficient combustion and reduced emissions, and an integrated intake manifold for optimized engine breathing. A low-inertia turbo- charger promotes faster, more controllable response, while a high-pressure fuel injection system is engineered to be quieter and more responsive and offer more precise fuel delivery. Tim Stoehr, general fleet marketing manager for Ford Commercial Trucks, said the new diesel option will be paired with a new 8-speed automatic transmission. e Transit Connect's standard engine will be a new 2-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with direct injection that will feature Auto Start-Stop as standard equipment; it also comes matched to the 8-speed automatic. An optional 2.5-liter gas engine can be prepped for natural gas. – Jason Cannon INBRIEF • Daimler Trucks North America launched a digital platform for its U.S. contracted freight carriers to match them with its spot loads by using a customized version of an app developed by Loadsmart, a technol- ogy company that specializes in full truck- load shipping and offers an online digital platform that leverages data and machine learning to help maximize efficiencies for both shippers and carriers. • Navistar selected several Phillips Indus- tries products as standard equipment for its International Class 8 trucks, including the company's Pogosticks and Tracker Bar Spring Kits for back-of-cab cable support; spiral-wrapped 3-In-1 Electrical and Air Assemblies; Stow-A-Way single- and du- al-hose holders; and various nylon air coils, rubber air hoses and gladhands. • BorgWarner announced that its HVH250 electric motor and eGearDrive transmis- sion was selected for the launch of Fuso's eCanter all-electric light-duty truck. • East Manufacturing announced that Truck-Lite's 99 Series wiring harness is standard on all of its new BST, BST II, MMX and Narrow Neck flatbed trailers. Truck-Lite's 99 Series is a closed system that integrates a molded plug with two sealing surfaces to help keep moisture and debris out of the plug and impede corrosion. • Western Star has expanded its 50th an- niversary "Wings of Awesomeness" limit- ed-edition graphics package. Originally available in gold and silver, the winged pattern design can be ordered for any Western Star truck model as a premium factory paint option in the customer's choice of colors. • Wabco debuted its ProVia aftermarket budget spare parts lineup that includes brake pads that come with about 10 differ- ent kits and offer replacement alternatives for more than 120 part numbers of various commercial vehicle builders, as well as brake chambers with a universal design. • Haldex now offers a full line of all-makes air disc brake pad repair kits for its North American customers through a joint sales and marketing partnership with Fras-le. Haldex is marketing and distributing the products under its Midland brand, while Fras-le is providing engineering and manufacturing. The program provides application-wide product coverage and a full range of sales and technical essentials. Ford has added a 1.5-liter EcoBlue diesel engine as an option to its Transit Connect lineup. New Sprinter targets connectivity, e-commerce M ercedes-Benz Vans last month introduced the latest version of its flagship Sprinter, the van segment's global heavyweight. e third-generation Sprinter is slated to be available for order in the United States later this year, and for the first time, the van will be offered in a gasoline option in addition to its tradition- al diesel spec. MBV said the new Sprinter has been retooled to meet the demands of key emerging megatrends looming in the transportation industry and the global economy, includ- ing urbanization, connectivity and e-commerce. For freight transporters, the Sprinter intends to take on the challenging final-mile segment amid rapid growth in parcel deliveries and e-grocery services. "e new Sprinter gives answers that are relevant to the entire industry," said Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. "e Sprinter continues to embody the traditional attributes that have made it so successful worldwide since its market launch – flexibility, robustness and economy." e new Sprinter will be available in more than 1,700 configurations, allowing it to be a player in a wide range of applications, Mornhinweg said. For freight applications, the vehicle is available in four body lengths and a variety of cargo space heights and tonnage capabilities. e van also will be factory-equipped with the Mercedes Pro telematics system, which offers real-time routing and fleet management capabilities. – James Jaillet Mercedes-Benz Vans unveiled the new Sprinter in a global media event held in Duisburg, Germany.