Monday, January 19th, 2009
It was only a matter of time before our biggest road users began using the windtunnel to optimise performance and Freightliner’s new Cascadia is the first Class 8 truck designed this way. The result is a 3 percent improvement in fuel economy over previous models. When developing the Cascadia, Freightliner studied the needs of drivers and how they operate their vehicles. This feedback was the basis for design features like a wider cab with automotive styling, ergonomic controls, and extensive lighting and storage space to make the cab more comfortable and livable. The Cascadia will be available for order next week, with trucks rolling off production lines in August.
Built from an entirely new platform, the Cascadia delivers significant fuel savings and is designed based on the Run Smart philosophy to be the most productive, efficient, and drivable truck on the market. Plus, with its new styling, a quieter and more comfortable cab, ergonomic controls, and exceptional handling, the Cascadia was specifically constructed with driver comfort and improved operating ratios in mind.
Member of the DaimlerChrysler Advanced-Car-Seats Board of Management responsible for the Truck Group, said at the official presentation of the new truck in Charlotte, North Carolina: “With our five truck brands Freightliner truck, Sterling truck, Volvo truck, Mercedes truck Behind-the-Line-Mercedes -Benz and Mitsubishi Fuso ensuring our world-wide presence, we are able to leverage the global resources and expertise of the Truck Group for the benefit of each brand.” Renschler continued: “The Cascadia profits in many ways from our global experience: It is the first truck that will be equipped with our new global Heavy-Duty Truck Platform as well as the new common Electric/ Electronic architecture. Freightliner’s new flagship truck will be manufactured using our high level DaimlerChrysler production system.”
The Cascadia was designed to easily accept EPA ’07 emission engines. Its expandable electronic platform can easily accommodate the technology. Plus, the Cascadia was built to be paired with the all-new global Heavy-Duty Engine Platform, the first of which will debut later this year under the Detroit Diesel engine brand.
The Cascadia offers a three percent improvement in fuel economy over previous models. To achieve this, more than one million engineering hours, including 2,500 hours in Freightliner’s state-of-the-art full scale wind tunnel, went into its development. It is the first truck built and engineered using Freightliner LLC’s wind tunnel – the only testing facility in the world built specifically for Class 8 vehicles.
“Our customers are faced with the consequences of ever-tightening emissions standards, higher fuel prices, rapidly escalating wages and benefits, and a dire shortage of maintenance technicians,” said Chris Patterson, president and CEO of Freightliner LLC. “Freightliner was built on solving our customers’ most pressing concerns, and only Freightliner has the resources and the know-how to bring a completely new model to market at this difficult time for the trucking and truck-building industries.”
Freightliner initiated an extensive study of its key customers’ needs and issues to evaluate product improvements that could alleviate these stresses. Numerous fleet owners and owner-operators provided detailed feedback about everything from cost-saving features to comfort options and aesthetic attributes.
Thus the truck also was designed to maximize payload. The aluminum cab boasts a significant weight savings over steel, and the hood, bumper and quarter fenders are Lighter than comparable models. All of these improvements enable operators to haul more freight.
Features such as improved diagnostics, an HVAC system designed to reduce repair frequency, and breakaway side extenders ensure that the Cascadia stays on the road and out of the shop. Other maintenance upgrades include an easy-to-replace roped-in windshield, extended life headlamp bulbs, and easy access to the engine and accessory components mounted to it.
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Tuesday, January 6th, 2009
If you are in the market for a used truck here are some things that you should look for:
1. If you are looking for a newer used truck, you should try to find one that is less than three years old, if possible. The depreciation rate is the reason for this guideline. Immediately after any car or truck leaves the lot brand new, it depreciates faster than it will for the rest of its life, and then the rate slows and levels off at about 3 years.such as International truck, sterling truck, isuzu truck, chevrolet truck, volvo truck etc.
2. You can get a good idea of what you can afford for your used truck by using an online financing calculator. You simply enter the amount of the loan (do not forget to subtract any trade in value or down payment from the purchase price) and then put in the current interest rate and the length of financing.
3. Always check the Blue Book price for any used truck you are thinking of buying. If the price you are being offered on the used truck is a lot lower than what you find or a lot higher, you can ask questions to find out the reasons.
4. Don’t try to buy more used truck than you need or can afford. If you are a professional who uses a truck to haul heavy materials from location to location or around your work site, you may need a full-size, heavy duty truck. But, if you are going to be using it to haul groceries or an occasional sofa, you can probably get a mid-sized or compact pick-up.
5. Use caution when buying a used truck from a private seller. You may become the victim of identity theft or some other crime. Make sure that you not only check the identity of the seller, you also should check out the truck with a mechanic of your choice and also on a service which checks to see if your car has had any reported problems or been in an accident.
6. A dealership may offer higher prices than a private seller, but you will probably get some type of warranty and you can purchase an extended warranty if you choose. A dealer will often have on site financing as well. Talk to people you know who have recently bought a used car or truck to get names of good reputable dealers-this is a great way to get a firsthand account of the dealer.
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Thursday, December 4th, 2008
Ford and Chevrolet used trucks are among the most popular trucks used by many because of their robust and powerful engines. These are used heavy duty trucks for sale that can perform heavy duty task like transporting heavy industrial materials without any problem. Used trucks are perfect choice for someone in need of vehicles that can beat ordinary cars in terms of power and strength. In addition, used trucks from these companies are trusted by people who were extremely satisfied with their performance.
Models such as Ford Explorer Sport Trac, Ford F models, and Ford Courier are among the most sought after used truck for sale. Prices of these trucks can be as low as $900. These are models known to many for their contributions to the owner’s success in day to day use. Finding Ford used trucks can be done either by visiting the nearest car dealer or by simply visiting websites of known used trucks dealers.
Used Chevrolet trucks are hard to beat. These trucks have established the name for the manufacturer because of the rigid performance at the same time maintaining the elegant look. Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, Chevrolet Silverado, and Chevrolet C models are among the best known trucks ever built by the manufacturer. An older model of Chevrolet C model can be as low at $500-$600. Not bad for a little investment, but of greater returns.
Used trucks are perfect choice for families who enjoy going to beaches. There are also several known good models of used trucks. HUMMER truck, Dodge truck, and Subaru truck, kenworth truck, sterling truck are amongst the lists of trucks for sale that are gathering huge interest from many buyers. Thousands of trucks for sale share the same story for their owners. They have completed countless heavy duty tasks. Driving these types of vehicle give the owner the power to drive on any types of weather and terrain while preserving the look and comfort of the truck.
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Friday, October 24th, 2008
A recent study conducted by the state of Washington found that the number of truck accidents involving log trucks has declined by 11 percent even as the number of accidents involving all commercial trucks increased by 15 percent over a two-year period.
Commercial truck accidents are considered the most expensive and fatal vehicular accidents that can occur throughout the country. The ripple effects of a commercial truck accident can often be vast and devastating to victims, family members and friends.
What are Commercial Trucks?
In the United States, commercial trucks, also commonly referred to as heavy duty trucks, are those vehicles used to transport cargo and weighing more than 26,001 pounds in which case a commercial truck driver’s license is also needed.
Commercial trucks transport a number of goods and products across state lines and throughout the country including food supplies and logs and some are specifically designed for tasks such as mixing and moving concrete as well as transporting light duty trucks for military use.
Researchers have reported that while the construction of commercial trucks continues to improve, the level of quality still remains well below the quality level of automobiles and it has been said that commercial trucks remain well below automobiles in quality due mainly to the fact that nearly 3/4 of all commercial trucks are custom built, causing inefficiencies in steamlining a commercial truck assembly line. However, a lengthy list of popular commercial truck manufacturers remains both worldwide and in America. The list of top manufacturers includes: Chevrolet truck, Dodge truck, Freightliner truck, Ford truck, GMC truck, Isuzu truck, Kenworth truck, Mack truck, International truck, Peterbilt truck, Western star truck, Volvo truck, Sterling truck.
Logging trucks and log truck drivers are no different from commercial trucks or commercial truck drivers, however, the Washington study conducted by the Washington State University found that a small group of log truck drivers are often considered seasoned and experienced drivers of the dangerous profession, which may be attributing to the total decrease of log truck accidents. However, the study also noted that as these individuals begin to retire, not only will the logging industry suffer, but accidents may begin to increase instead of decrease.
The study noted that, “rising costs, aging drivers and long hours of service” as well as “other factors that could affect safety and economic viability include the ongoing effects of deregulation, poor driver recruitment” could all become factors responsible for a potential increase of log truck accidents.
Individuals who have been involved in a commercial truck accident are advised to seek medical assistance even if no signs or symptoms of an injury are present. Often, injuries sustained in a vehicular or commercial truck accident can remain unseen and may include internal bleeding or bruising, which could have fatal consequences on a victim if injuries are not immediately assessed and treated. In addition to consulting a medical professional and ensuring injuries are properly treated, it may also be advisable to contact an experienced commercial truck collision law firm.
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Tuesday, October 21st, 2008
The continual flourishing sales of heavy-duty trucks are beyond the expectation of many analysts. Undoubtedly, heavy-duty trucks became the largest highlight in the market for motor vehicles during the first quarter of 2008, their sales added up to 167,232 sets with a year-on-year growth rate of 58.70 percent, thus making trucks the type with the largest growth margin in the respective markets for the 4 major types of motor vehicles and the only type having seen an increase of market shares. During the first quarter, altogether 29,953 heavy-duty trucks were sold with a growth rate of 72.78 percent year on year.
What is noteworthy is that in the market for heavy-duty truck for sale, the higher the tonnage of heavy-duty trucks of a type is, the smaller the growth rate will be and medium- and heavy-duty motor vehicles began to sell like hot cakes, which is in contrary to the case in 2007. Both the proportion and market demands for those series of heavy-duty trucks with a total mass of 19~30 tons are improving steadily while both the proportion and growth rate of those heavy-duty trucks with a larger tonnage and a total mass larger than 32 tons decrease, and demands for such trucks present a decreasing trend in the market. As analyzed, the main reason is that many clients engaged in long-distance transportation begin to purchase motor vehicles with a light kerb weight under the influence of charging by weight. During the first quarter, altogether 75,194 incomplete vehicles were sold with a year-on-year growth rate of 64.32 percent. In the market for heavy-duty incomplete vehicles, the higher the tonnage of heavy-duty trucks of a type is, the larger the growth rate will be; and products with a large tonnage sell like hot cakes. Such a phenomenon is right in contrary to the case for heavy-duty complete vehicles. The proportion of chassis for those series of quasi heavy-duty vehicles with a total mass between 14 tons and 19 tons is increasingly decreasing, and the growth rate has been slow in recent years. The demands for those series of heavy-duty vehicles with a total mass larger than 19 tons and no less than 32 tons increase steadily and the proportion of such vehicles is the largest, and the demands for such vehicles are flourishing in the market. The proportion of those series of heavy-duty trucks with a total mass larger than 32 tons is the smallest, but demands for such vehicles have been increasing most rapidly in recent years.
During the first quarter, altogether 62,085 semi-trailer towing vehicles were sold and the year-on-year growth rate amounted to 46.85 percent, making semi-trailer towing vehicles a type with the lowest growth rate of distribution among three types of heavy-duty trucks. The main reasons include that the demands for such a type of heavy-duty trucks increased too rapidly last year and that the base was excessively large. In the market for semi-trailer towing vehicles, the growth rate and proportion of the demands for such series of quasi-towing vehicles with a total mass larger than 25 tons and no more than 40 tons are the largest. It can be said that any enterprise seizing the market for trucks falling into those series of heavy-duty trucks with such a tonnage will grasp the market for semi-towing vehicles as a whole. Heavy duty trucks are many diffrent models International truck, sterling truck, Chevrolet truck etc.
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