Freightliner Cascadia

Trucking braces for uphill cost climb in 2022

After taking advantage of unexpected cost savings and profit windfalls caused by a historic pandemic, the trucking industry is already facing an uphill climb that could result in carriers closing shop.

“With costs increasing in diesel fuel, driver compensation and equipment purchase/leasing, carriers are likely to face higher operational costs in 2021 and 2022,” according to the to the latest analysis on trucking expenses released Tuesday by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI).

“...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trucking-braces-for-uphill-cost-climb-in-2022

Seasonal assist: Waymo Via testing autonomous trucks with UPS in Texas

Waymo Via is joining the freight-dense Interstate 45 route from Fort Worth, Texas, to Houston in a six-week test of its latest autonomous trucking software for UPS that comes as the package delivery company benefits from extra help for the holiday shipping season.

The human-supervised Class 8 trucks with the Generation 5 Waymo Driver system are the first commercial application of Waymo’s system that will be integrated into Freightliner Cascadias through Waymo’s partnership with Daimler Trucks...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/seasonal-assist-waymo-via-testing-autonomous-trucks-with-ups-in-texas

Truck Talk: Hydrogen conundrum edition

This week, we look at insuring hydrogen fuel cell trucks, Nikola’s patent infringement case against Tesla — is there still a case to make? — and Volvo Construction Equipment and LEGO: They’re at it again, but this time, it’s the toy inspiring the real vehicle.

A hydrogen conundrum

At critical mass, hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks promise elimination of greenhouse gas emissions as long as the hydrogen comes from renewable sources like solar or hydropower.

But there is a more pressing issue. How...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/truck-talk-hydrogen-conundrum-edition

How much do Waymo Via’s autonomous trucks benefit from driverless cars?

More than any autonomous trucking startup, Waymo Via claims that a dozen years of self-driving car development from the original Google self-driving car program affords unparalleled lessons for creating autonomous trucks.

The case is one that only one other autonomous trucking startup can make. That is Aurora Innovation, which has melded technology from the acquisition of Uber’s ATG unit into its Aurora Driver software that Paccar and Volvo have embraced.

Waymo has more real-world miles and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-much-do-waymo-vias-autonomous-trucks-benefit-from-driverless-cars

5 fires lead Daimler to recall certain 2022 Freightliner Cascadias

Daimler Trucks North America is recalling a few hundred of its flagship 2022 Freightliner Cascadias after five fires caused by a misdirected exhaust tip led to the melting of underbody components.

The issue is expected to affect less than 3% of the recalled trucks built between April 1 and July 12 at DTNA’s Cleveland, North Carolina, manufacturing plant. There have been no known crashes or injuries.

On vehicles built with a Cummins engine and battery boxes mounted between the frame rail, the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/5-fires-lead-daimler-to-recall-certain-2022-freightliner-cascadias

123,481 Freightliner Cascadias recalled because steering linkage can separate

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling 123,481 Freightliner Cascadia heavy-duty trucks in the U.S. and Canada because the joint connecting the steering arm to the drag link may not have been properly tightened, which could lead to steering failure and a possible crash.

Since April 2020, the market-leading truck maker has received hundreds of complaints about loose steering and a few cases of steering separation.

The reports on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/123481-freightliner-cascadias-recalled-because-steering-linkage-can-separate

Fuel cell truck maker Hyzon Motors’ shares drop 20% in market debut

Hyzon Motors Inc. began public trading Monday on a terrible note as its shares fell more than 20% on a day when markets continued to tumble.

The maker of hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks, which has more than $37 million in confirmed orders for delivery globally this year, was nonetheless upbeat about its prospects. Total booked orders amount to $86 million.

“We’re having some pretty good success. We’re collecting orders for vehicles in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. We’re starting deliveries...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fuel-cell-truck-maker-hyzon-shares-drop-20-in-market-debut

Daimler recalls 122,056 heavy-duty trucks for possible loss of electric power

Daimler Trucks North America is recalling 122,056 Freightliner and Western Star trucks because the battery terminal cable may break, resulting in a loss of electrical power followed by an engine stall.

The recalled vehicles are 2019-2022 Freightliner Cascadia P4, 2021 Western Star WH126, 2020 Western Star WJ121, and 2021-2022 Western Star 49X.

DTNA is unsure what led to two reports of engine shutdown it received in January and March. It suspects improper sealing of aluminum and brass, which are...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/daimler-recalls-122056-heavy-duty-trucks-for-possible-loss-of-electric-power

Daimler recalls Freightliner Cascadias after 36 headlamp fires

Three dozen fires resulting from improper installation of replacement headlamps is prompting Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) to recall more than 72,000 Freightliner Cascadia Class 8 trucks across six model years.

No injuries were reported by DTNA or in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) filing.

Daimler does not think the issue, which has led to complete losses of some trucks, is a safety issue because it occurs in after-sales service, but said in its filing it was...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/daimler-recalls-freightliner-cascadias-after-36-headlamp-fires

Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 4700 recalled for clutch issue

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling 6,107 Freightliner Cascadias and Western Star 4700 models because a broken flange could lead to clutch disengagement and increased risk of a crash.

The truck maker said it has no field reports of failure. But it received two internal reports. That led to the decision to recall the trucks. This follows a separate recall of 1,233 of the same models for a similar condition last November.

Flange failure may cause loose parts to fall into the clutch...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/freightliner-cascadia-and-western-star-4700-recalled-for-clutch-issue

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