Navistar’s new internal combustion engine will be its last

Navistar LT with trailer on track at Las Vegas International Speedway

LAS VEGAS — Navistar Inc.’s S13 integrated powertrain for its on-highway trucks is the manufacturer’s last new internal combustion engine. It is the strongest signal yet that legacy truck makers are embracing electric trucks with zero tailpipe emissions.

Combined with aerodynamic styling, the new powertrain that goes into production in July 2023 offers up to 15% better fuel efficiency than the current A26 engine and Eaton Cummins Endurant transmission in Navistar’s flagship on-highway...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/navistars-new-internal-combustion-engine-will-be-its-last

Carlike luxuries complement new Western Star 57X ruggedness

Western Star 57X heavy haul takes a load

YPSILANTI, Mich. — If brushed metal interior accents, digital displays, and the latest safety and connected technology sounds like an ad for a luxury SUV, think bigger. A lot bigger. Like Class 8.

On Tuesday, Western Star, the off-highway-focused brand of Daimler Truck North America, revealed the third vehicle in its X-Series lineup — the on-highway 57X that oozes luxury appointments.

It replaces the 5700XE model, introduced in late 2014 and little changed over the years.

The order window opens in...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/carlike-luxuries-complement-new-western-star-57x-ruggedness

Navistar readies integrated powertrain to supply Traton Group brands

Aerial view of Navistar engine plant in Huntsville, Alabama

On the heels of opening an advanced manufacturing plant in San Antonio for conventional diesel and battery-electric vocational trucks, Navistar said Wednesday it is ready to build an integrated powertrain in Huntsville, Alabama, for itself and its Traton Group siblings.

Navistar announced the engine plant expansion in 2019. The original investment of $125 million now stands at more than $190 million.

A modular approach will allow the integrated powertrain, originally announced as a diesel...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/navistar-readies-integrated-powertrain-to-supply-traton-group-brands

Daimler recall inadvertently confirms new Western Star truck model

Western Star 47X in quarry

A Daimler Truck North America recall inadvertently confirmed the next addition to the Western Star X-Series of heavy-duty vocational trucks. A small number of pre-production 57X models have a defect in which part of the hood can become unglued and fall off.

Western Star has been renaming its off-highway heavy haul trucks as X-Series models. The 49X and 47X account for most of a 2,294-unit recall to replace stainless steel hood-mounted side intake covers that can come debonded from the intake....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/daimler-recall-inadvertently-confirms-new-western-star-truck-model

Paler shade of white? Navistar recalls trucks for wrong backup light color

Navistar Inc. is recalling more than 4,000 truck models from 2019 because the backup lights illuminate with the wrong shade of white light, which federal safety officials say could lead to a crash.

Navistar decided to recall 3,981 LT and 296 RH Series models after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration denied a petition for inconsequential noncompliance by the supplier, Weldon Distributors. A division of Akron Brass, Weldon submitted a recall for the equipment in October 2018. The...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/paler-shade-of-white-navistar-recalls-trucks-for-wrong-backup-light-color

Paccar reveals 18-speed automated manual transmissions for Peterbilt, Kenworth

MARSHALL, Mich. — Paccar Inc.’s new 18-speed automated manual transmissions prove their worth long before approaching a 15-degree hill on Eaton Corp.’s snow-covered proving ground in mid-Michigan.

The TX-18 debuting this July in Peterbilt and Kenworth heavy-haul trucks for on- and off-highway uses doesn’t drive like the family SUV, but maneuverability hauling 140,000 pounds is not that far off a family hauler when it comes to steering feel, braking and a lot of smart assist features Paccar...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/paccar-reveals-18-speed-automated-manual-transmissions-for-peterbilt-kenworth

Navistar boss says battery-electric trucking is long-term decarbonization answer

Navistar International is continuing work on fuel cell projects that began before it was acquired by Volkswagen’s Traton Group, but CEO Mathias Carlbaum follows parent Traton Group’s mantra that batteries are the long-term solution for decarbonizing commercial trucking.

“There is a window there, but over time because of the better energy efficiency, batteries will prevail,” Carlbaum told a virtual roundtable of reporters Friday in his first public remarks since becoming CEO Sept. 1, 2021. 

Navista...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/navistar-boss-says-battery-electric-trucking-is-long-term-decarbonization-answer

Truck Tech: Taken for a ride edition

This week, Paccar whittles down its red tag inventory. Two Nikola hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks take a test ride, but to where? Tesla shows multiple Semis but is mum on production.  Mack Trucks gets predictive with its automated manual transmission. And the best of the rest.

Red tag sale

Paccar Inc., the first automaker to build and park trucks during the semiconductor shortage, made some nice progress in whittling down its so-called “red tag” inventory in Q4. About 7,000 of 10,000 trucks...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/truck-tech-taken-for-a-ride-edition

Newly independent Daimler Truck reports 20% group sales gain in 2021

Daimler Truck, the newly spun off stand-alone entity out from the shadow of Mercedes-Benz automobiles, reported Tuesday that groupwide sales rose 20% in 2021 compared with a year earlier. The gains came despite parts and semiconductor shortages that hampered production.

The group sales of 455,000 units outpaced 2020 results of 378,290 trucks and buses and hit volume targets at the group level and in segments. 

Trucks North America, the largest of four industrial business segments created in the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/newly-independent-daimler-truck-reports-20-group-sales-gain-in-2021