8/31/11

Buyers Products DumperDogg Selection At 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show





Here's some shots from the 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis of the DumperDogg by Buyers Products section showing several of their DumperDogg models. These are made from steel, stainless steel and polymer for lightweight and durability. See much more at http://www.dumperdogg.com/.

8/30/11

Dumper Dogg-DIY


The Dumper Dogg insert turns any truck into a dump truck. This video is part of Cool Tools show hosted by Chris Grundy . SHOW DESCRIPTION :Did you know there's a device that lets you carry a sheet of plywood with one hand? How do you use your drill for cleaning ducts or snipping sheet metal? And just what does WD-40 stand for anyway? DIY Network's Cool Tools answers these and other questions offering an insider's look at the tools you may not yet know about. Innovative new products, funky gadgets, technological advancements and improvements to old stand-bys - we take you behind-the-scenes for a look at design, development, demonstrations and testing. Stay on top of the changing tools marketplace as you see new tools in action and get tips on how to use them. If it's cool, you'll see it on DIY's Cool Tools!

8/29/11

Introducing Buyers LiftDogg Liftgates



Buyers Products

LiftDogg Liftgate

  • 2 piece(60"x 39"), plus 4" tapered ramp edge
  • 1,300 lb. capacity
  • 12V DC, Electric hydraulic power unit with built-in pressure relief.
  • Keyed, security switch operation standard (Remote control pendant optional)
  • Twin, chrome plated direct-lift cylinders
  • 40" floor-to-ground travel height
  • Tread plate steel platform surfaces
  • Torsion spring platform assist
  • Platform folds down for simple dock  and forklift loading
  • Accommodates spare tire and frame mounted hitches
  • Recessed license plate housing with LED light
  • Truck specific bed mounts provide quick installation w/o compromising bed space
  • Durable, black powder coat finish
  • Greasable pins at all pivot points
  • Back of platform is protected with anti scratch material at ground contact points
  • Exposed fasteners are stainless steel
See more about the Buyers LiftDogg Liftgates:

8/27/11

HINO HYBRID DISPLAY VIDEO


Hino Diesel-Electric Hybrid cab-overs represent a giant leap for alternative fuel commercial vehicles in North America. For more information visit http://www.hino.com/coe/story_922.php

8/25/11

The First Fuel Cell Buses With Hybrid Technology Are Now In Service In Hamburg

 
The first Mercedes-Benz Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid worldwide went into service in Hamburg on 17 August 2011. From left to right: Rainer Bomba, undersecretary at the German ministry of transport; Günter Elste CEO of Hamburger Hochbahn AG; Hartmut Schick head of Daimler Buses; Olaf Scholz, First Mayer of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg

  • Four Citaro FuelCELL Hybrids for Hamburger Hochbahn
  • Electric, quiet, emission-free
  • Mercedes-Benz Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid
Stuttgart/Hamburg – The bus of the future is up and running in Hamburg – ultra-quiet and with zero emissions. Hamburger Hochbahn AG has acquired four Mercedes-Benz Citaro FuelCELL Hybrids under the German "NaBuZ demo" scheme to promote sustainable bus systems for the future. Three more buses are to follow next year. Hartmut Schick, head of Daimler Buses, handed over the first two buses of this new generation to Günter Elste, CEO of Hamburger Hochbahn AG, in the presence of Olaf Scholz, First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, and Rainer Bomba, undersecretary at the German ministry of transport. "With the new FuelCELL Hybrid vehicles, Hamburg is once again assuming a pioneering role in this field. This transport company has already made a name for itself and acquired good experience with its trials in Europe of fuel cell buses from the previous generation. Passengers and drivers were also delighted with the new technology," said Hartmut Schick at the handover ceremony.
Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid
The Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid features a number of key innovations in comparison to the fuel cell buses which went into trial operation in Hamburg in 2003: hybridisation with energy recovery and storage in lithium-ion batteries, powerful electric motors in the wheel hubs offering a continuous output of 120 kW, electrified auxiliary units and more advanced fuel cells. The latter are designed for an extended service life of at least six years or 12,000 operating hours. The fuel cell stacks of the new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid are identical to those of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class FCELL with fuel cell drive, which is also being put to the test by customers in Hamburg. As on the earlier fuel cell buses, the two stacks are already installed on the vehicle's roof. They are now accompanied by the lithium-ion batteries which store energy that is recovered during braking, for example. With the electric power from this energy accumulator, the new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid is able to run for several kilometres on battery power alone. The concept behind the new FuelCELL bus essentially corresponds to that of the Mercedes-Benz BlueTec Hybrid buses which are in service in Hamburg. A key difference is that the latter derive their electric power from a diesel generator, while in the new FuelCELL buses the fuel cells generate the electricity for the drive motors, without producing any emissions whatsoever.
The improved fuel cell components and the hybridisation with lithium-ion batteries result in a reduction of almost 50 percent in hydrogen consumption for the new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid in comparison to the previous generation. As a result, it has been possible to reduce the number of tanks from the total of nine on board the fuel cell buses deployed in earlier trials in Hamburg to seven on the current vehicles, holding 35 kg of hydrogen in all. The fuel cell bus has a range of around 250 kilometres. The drive system with the fuel cells is furthermore virtually maintenance-free and has a very long service life. These diverse technical advances bring buses running on electric power alone with fuel cells as energy generators a major step closer.
Günter Elste, CEO of Hamburger Hochbahn AG observed: "According to all the forecasts, 20 to 25 years from now mineral oil and, in turn, diesel will be in short supply and too expensive to be a viable fuel for buses. From the coming decade on, HOCHBAHN thus aims to purchase only electrically driven zero-emission buses. Commissioning this new generation of buses represents an important step on the road to electric mobility."
Hartmut Schick, head of Daimler Buses, noted: "Hamburger Hochbahn AG is a company that displays a great commitment to sustainability in all areas, from the generation of energy to its sustainable use. We at Daimler Buses have similarly defined sustainability as a leading corporate objective."
The NaBuZ demo project
Demonstration of the Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid buses as part of the "NaBuZ demo" project is to take place on HOCHBAHN's regular services. The project is integrated into the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP).
The NaBuZ project receives funding through the federal transport ministry's National Innovation Programme (NIP). NIP is coordinated by NOW GmbH. There will also be close cooperation with the European CHIC project, in which 26 fuel cell buses are being run in five European cities.
Daimler Buses' involvement in the NaBuZ demo project and the CHIC project follows on from the European Union's successful CUTE and HyFLEET:CUTE projects which were staged from 2003 to 2009. In the course of these projects, 36 Mercedes-Benz Citaros fitted with second-generation fuel cell drives put in an excellent showing in operation with twelve transport companies on three continents. Mercedes-Benz buses demonstrated the practical viability of the environmentally friendly fuel cell drive over more than 140,000 operating hours covering more than 2.2 million kilometres.

8/24/11

Silverado 2500 Extended Cab with Royal Service Body


Mike Spencer of Royal Truck Body shows off the features and benefits of a Royal Service Body on a Silverado Chassis at Bob Stall Chevrolet in La Mesa, CA (http://www.bobstall.com/).

See more about Royal Truck Body at http://www.royaltruckbody.com/.

8/22/11

Steelweld Service/Utility Body At The 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show










This was part of the Steelweld display at the 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis this year. Below is more about their service body line from their website:

When you get a Steelweld body, you not only get the highest quality in the industry, but you also get a body that is durable enough to withstand any application.

All Steelweld service and utility bodies are manufactured from a high quality galvannealed steel, and finished with DuPont Imron paint. Various configurations are available on both open and enclosed bodies, and the ability to customize them to your application is easy because you're dealing directly with the manufacturer...US!

Steelweld bodies are built to be tougher that an average service body and come standard with an unprecedented list of features:

•Full "C" Channel Parameter Frame
•Full Header and Footer Plates to join the side saddle boxes
•Door Hinges are all stainless steel, capped by capped brass
•Automobile type door seals
•Double paneled tailgates
•Steelweld designed Master Locking system
•Rear bumper step
Choose a body that's right for you or we'll help you design something unique
S-Series Service Bodies / Open Bodies
SC-Series Utility Bodies / Enclosed Bodies

See all the bodies that Steelweld makes and learn much more about the company at their informative website at http://www.steelweld.net/.

8/21/11

The new Canter from Fuso: Now Even More Economical, Functional and Comfortable

  • DUONIC® – fully automated dual clutch transmission available for trucks for the first time
  • Start/stop function reduces fuel consumption
  • Front axle with independent suspension
  • New cockpit offers even better functionality
  • New variants, significantly increased payload
  • Enhanced body mounting ability

Stuttgart – Following its extensive revision, the Fuso Canter is all set to enter into its next generation. FUSO is the first manufacturer to launch a dual clutch transmission for trucks onto the market, and together with extended service intervals, an increased payload and a chassis design featuring enhanced body mounting ability, the new Fuso Canter is now even more economical than ever. The 3.5 t variant features independent suspension on the front axle, and is also optionally available with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP, on the 6S and 7C). The driver's cab, which has been redesigned both inside and out, now offers even greater operating comfort. Series production of the new Canter for Europe will commence at the Tramagal/Portugal plant in September.

Duonic® – fully automated dual clutch transmission, available for trucks for the first time

The Duonic six-speed dual clutch transmission is one of the Fuso Canter's outstanding technical innovations. In addition to lower fuel consumption, the direct-shift transmission - well-known from its use in passenger cars - causes less wear to auxiliary equipment, reduces the burden on the driver and combines the convenience benefits of an automatic transmission with the economy of a manual transmission. The Duonic® dual clutch transmission with wear-free clutch changes gears smoothly and with virtually no interruption to road adhesion, but without the torque converter losses for which the automatic transmission is known. If required, manual shifting is also possible at any time. The fully automated transmission is available as an alternative to the standard five-speed transmission
Start/stop function reduces fuel consumption

The transmission is paired with the tried-and-tested four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, which as standard complies with the Euro 5 emissions standard. Featuring a displacement of 3.0 litres, the engine is available in three power output levels of 96 kW (130 hp), 110 kW (150 hp) and 129 kW (175 hp). It is now also available as an option with start/stop function for Duonic® and a manual transmission. This technology helps to reduce the already low fuel consumption of the Canter in short distance driving applications by up to a further 3%. Extension of the service interval from 30,000 to 40,000 km has also helped to enhance the outstanding economic efficiency of the Fuso Canter.

Front axle with independent suspension on the 3.5 t model

At the same time, the handling safety and comfort of the Fuso Canter have also been brought to new levels. The front axle on the 3.5 t variant now features independent suspension, and all Canter models have an electronic braking system. In the two top weight classes, the Canter is now offered with the optional Electronic Stability Program (ESP). In addition, it can also be supplied with optional driver and co-driver airbags.

New cockpit offers even better functionality



The cab-over-engine truck now boasts a new cockpit. The highly functional cab features new instruments with a multifunction display, new seats with adjustable lumbar support - suspension seats are also available as an option - new heating and automatic air conditioning system, improved access from left to right through the cab as well new stowage facilities.

Externally the new Canter impresses with its robust three-part steel bumper with practical plastic corner sections, as well as V-shaped radiator grille featuring a powerful design. The new cathodic dip priming process used on the driver's cab, along with the powder-coating process used on the frame, help to ensure ultimate long-term corrosion protection.

More variants, bigger payload

As part of the model changes, the Fuso Canter range has been readjusted. With 3.5 t, 6.0 t (new) and 7.5 t permissible gross vehicle weights, it now covers all of the main segments of the light-duty truck sector. In addition to the gross weight classes, the permissible axle loads and frame layouts have also been redefined. Depending on the model, these are also accompanied by increases in payload of between 85 and 500 kg. Also worthy of note is a rear axle with a load capacity of 6.0 t for the Canter model with a permissible gross vehicle weight of 7.5 t.

A new addition to the range is an extra-long wheelbase of 4750 mm for bodies up to 7000 mm in length, a 3.5 t Canter producing 129 kW (175 hp), and also a 3S with an overall width of just 1700 mm. Furthermore, the engineers have enhanced the body mounting ability of the Canter design thanks to new mounts, additional power take-off units and a uniform hole pattern on the frame.

Classic strengths of the Canter remain unchanged



The classic strengths of the Canter remain unchanged or have been strengthened further: extreme manoeuvrability and space-saving cab-over-engine design, robust construction, compact joystick shift lever in the cab, enhanced safety and lower wear as a result of the standard engine brake.

The Fuso Canter is the world's best-selling truck model from Daimler. High service quality is guaranteed thanks to an extensive European service network.

http://www.mitfuso.com/, http://www.mitsubishifuso.com/

8/20/11

100 Millionth Chevy Small Block To Be Built In 2011



DETROIT – The 100-millionth Chevy Small Block engine will be produced in 2011, commemorating a defining chapter in Chevrolet’s 100-year history. Introduced in 1955, the “Chevy V-8” transformed the brand, and fueled American’s love of performance that continues today.

“The introduction of the Small Block changed everything,” said Jim Campbell, vice president, GM Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “The Small Block was an instant success because it offered customers high performance and an affordable price, in a compact design that was very easy to modify. The Small Block also started a wave of innovation – and escalating performance – that transformed the cars Americans drove on the street and the track.”

The Small Block Redefines Chevy Performance

From 1929 and 1955, Chevrolet only offered six-cylinder engines. To address the burgeoning performance market, chief engineer Ed Cole set out to design a Chevrolet V-8 that was powerful, lightweight and affordable.

His solution was elegantly simple: a compact, efficient 90-degree V-8 engine, featuring overhead valves, pushrod valvetrain, and 4.4-inch on-center bore spacing. The Chevrolet Big Block follows the same formula, with the exception of a wider 4.8 inch bore spacing.

When it debuted, the Small Block delivered 195 horsepower with an optional four-barrel carburetor, and outperformed most anything then on the market. But that was just the beginning. New technologies rapidly increased horsepower. Just two years after the Small Block was introduced, the addition of fuel injection increased output to 283 horsepower – or one horsepower for every cubic inch of the 283 cid engine. By 1970, the Chevy V-8 family grew to include a staggering 450 horsepower, 454-cid Big Block.

“The performance of the Small Block transformed Chevrolet,” said Campbell. “The Small Block made Chevrolet the weapon of choice for grassroots racers on the drag-racing and sports-car tracks across America. It also powered Chevrolet’s factory racing programs, leading to wins in stock car, endurance, and Trans Am series. Chevrolet’s racing experience in turn led to more potent production cars, creating legendary names like Corvette, Camaro, Impala, and Chevelle.”

The Culture of Small Block Performance

The combination of compact dimensions, impressive power and available aftermarket parts made the Chevy V-8 the most popular crate engine in the industry. For example, Tammy Ray never considered anything but a Chevy Small Block when building “Gold Digger,” her 1933 Ford Phaeton hot rod that won the 2010 Ridler Award:

“My builder will say you can get more horsepower out of a Chevy than a Ford,” she said. “For me, the decision was based solely on appearance. The Chevy V-8 is much cleaner, more compact, and with so many parts available, I could customize every part of engine – right down to the gold nuggets inlaid on valve covers.”

Today, hot rodders can select from a wide range of new Chevrolet V-8 crate engines from General Motors Performance Parts. For example, the classic 350 cid Small Block, with 290 horsepower, delivers affordable power and easy modification, making it ideal starting point for many project cars. The earth-shaking, 572-cid ZZ572R Big Block delivers 720 horsepower and 685 pound-feet of torque make it ideal for drag racing.

The newest addition to the GMPP line is the E-ROD engine family, the first crate engine in the industry to meet California emissions requirements. The E-ROD engine package includes everything customers need to get modern performance, emissions and fuel economy out of their hot rods, including: GMPP engine wiring harness and engine control module; exhaust manifolds, catalytic converters, oxygen and mass-airflow sensors; and even a fuel-tank evaporative emissions canister.

“More people do more things with a Small Block than any other engine, and probably more than all other engine platforms combined,” said Campbell. “There’s a Small Block to fit almost any hot rodder’s needs, whether they are building a gold-plated hot rod, a 1,000-horsepower dragster, or an emissions-compliant project car.”

The Continued Evolution of the Small Block

Today, Chevrolet sells more four-cylinder engines than V-8s. But, descendents of the original Chevy small block still power Chevrolet’s most-capable production and racing vehicles. As per the original, the newer V-8s are physically small and light – and extremely efficient at turning fuel into horsepower.

“Without question, the current Chevrolet V-8s are lineal descendants of the 1955 small block,” said Sam Winegarden, GM executive director for Global Engine Engineering. “They retain the 90-degree V-configured eight-cylinder layout, overhead valve placement and characteristic pushrod valve train. Where they differ are the modern technologies that would have sounded like science fiction 50 years ago, such as all-aluminum blocks, titanium connecting rods, Active Fuel Management, and variable valve timing.”

On the track, the Small Block has made Chevrolet the most-winning name in NASCAR history, and it powered the Corvette Racing team to seven class wins at Le Mans between 2001 and 2011.

On the street, the modern Small Block powers Chevrolet’s full-size trucks, such as Silverado and Suburban, as well as performance cars including the Camaro and Corvette. These modern engines deliver levels of power, durability, and efficiency that were inconceivable 50 years ago. For example, the 6.2L Small Block in 2012 Corvette delivers 436 horsepower, up to 26 miles per gallon, and is backed by General Motors’ five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

“Constant innovation and evolution have made the Small Block relevant for more than 50 years,” said Winegarden. “We are actively working on the fifth generation of the Small Block, which we believe will be the best V-8 engines ever made. By adding new technologies, such as direct injection, we will continue to improve the performance, durability, and efficiency of the iconic Chevy V-8.”

8/19/11

Heavy Hauling and High-Speed Racing: Hajek Motorsports Breaks Two Land Speed Records with Ford F-250 Super Duty



Brent Hajek and is nearly-stock F-250 Super Duty set the new B Production Diesel Truck land speed record with a speed of 167.300 mph.

•Hajek Motorsports has broken two land speed records for diesel and biodiesel trucks with a Ford F-250 Super Duty. Using the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 turbo-diesel, the truck hit a top speed of 171.123 mph setting the new B Production Diesel Truck land speed record. Running on B20 biodiesel the truck smashed the existing 130.614 mph unlimited biodiesel land speed record by running 182 mph
•The 2011 Ford F-250 is mostly stock, with changes to the high-pressure fuel pump, fuel injectors and turbochargers for more fuel flow. The compression ratio was also modified
•The production 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel produces best-in-class 400 horsepower and 800 lb.-ft. of torque with best-in-class fuel economy, further strengthening Super Duty’s best-in-class towing and payload capabilities

WENDOVER, Utah, Aug. 19, 2011 – Ford F-Series is known for its unparalleled capability and power, but now it’s found a place in the history books: Hajek Motorsports has broken two land speed records using both a diesel and biodiesel-powered 2011 Ford F-250 Super Duty at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats. Using a mostly stock truck with the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8, the team achieved a speed of 171.123 mph on regular diesel and 182 mph on B20 biodiesel.

The Ford truck broke the B Production Diesel Truck record of 166.850 mph by a Duramax diesel GMC. This class is normally comprised of race vehicles with extensive aftermarket modifications. The F-250 that Hajek Motorsports ran is something of a rarity as it used extensive production parts to perform at high speeds.

Underscoring that the 2011 Super Duty is the cleanest Power Stroke ever, a land speed record was also set using soy-based biodiesel fuel. The truck broke the biodiesel land speed record of 130.614 mph.

Every 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel can operate on a mixture of diesel up to 20 percent biofuel. This capability is significant for the Hajek Motorsports team given its history and support for sustainable farm-based fuels and desire to prove that speed and performance are not compromised by using fuels like E85 and B20 biodiesel.

“Racing is part of Ford Motor Company’s DNA so it’s only natural for us to build a race vehicle that demonstrates Ford’s leadership in the diesel and biodiesel truck market,” said Brent Hajek, Hajek Motorsports owner. “The F-250 is an excellent truck with amazing capabilities. I’m amazed at how, with very few changes from stock, we were able to accomplish this.”

Hajek, a soybean and corn farmer from Oklahoma, knows a thing or two about Ford F-250s and biodiesel fuel. He owns six for use on his farm, with his 1997 Ford F-250 having accumulated more than 400,000 miles.

“Super Duty has always been the leader in the heavy-duty truck segment,” said Brian Rathsburg, Ford Super Duty marketing manager. “Breaking these records reinforces our leadership position, allows us to raise awareness around the truck’s biodiesel capabilities, and gives us an opportunity to reach out to enthusiasts in a fun and engaging way.”

Ford engineers teamed up with Hajek Motorsports to design and install the modifications to the production-level truck. Changes were made only to the top-end components of the engine including the high-pressure fuel pump, fuel injectors and turbochargers for more fuel flow. The compression ratio was modified as well.

“The engineering that went into the base engine provided us with a rock-solid foundation to start from,” said Paul Niessen, powertrain engineer. “And it worked out great since we increased the output of the engine by more than 50 percent over production with just a few changes.”

Work on a chassis dynamometer before the attempt proved the engine was able to adapt to biodiesel fuel and deliver on both horsepower and fuel economy. It also verified the performance of the production transmission and drivetrain.

Components were added for safety purposes, including a full roll cage and five-point harness.

Delivering more
The 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel produces best-in-class 400 horsepower and 800 lb.-ft. of torque with best-in-class fuel economy, further strengthening Super Duty’s best-in-class towing and payload capabilities. The Ford-engineered diesel engine uses inboard exhaust architecture, an automotive-industry first for a modern production diesel engine.

Key features of the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel engine:

•Compacted graphite iron engine block
•Aluminum cylinder heads
•Single-sequential turbocharger with double-sided compressor wheel mounted on a single shaft uniquely center-mounted on the engine block
•Unique inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture
•High-pressure fuel system – new Bosch 29,000-psi common-rail fuel-injection system
•Standard biodiesel compatibility up to B20
E85 performance
In 2009 Hajek Motorsports propelled an E85-powered Mustang to a land speed record at Bonneville with a record-breaking run of 255.764 mph and an exit speed of 258.410 mph with Danny Thompson, son of motorsport icon Mickey Thompson, behind the wheel.

In 2010 Hajek Motorsports, Ford Racing, Wood Brothers, Bud Moore and NASCAR driver Bill Elliott teamed up to establish a closed-course speed record on E85 with the reconfigured Bonneville land speed Mustang at Talladega Super Speedway. On the second attempt Elliott ended the day with a crash, but not before establishing an E85 record of more than 170 mph

8/18/11

2012 Ram 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab Overview

  • 2012 Ram Chassis Cab Trucks Get Increased Capabilities
  • Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) increased to 30,000 lbs.
  • Ram Chassis Cab trucks designed for towing
  • Ram Trucks provide lower cost of ownership

Auburn Hills, Mich. - 2012 Ram 4500 and 5500 medium-duty (Class 4 and 5) Chassis Cab commercial trucks are available with an optional 30,000-lb. gross combined weight rating (GCWR), an increase from 26,000 lbs.

“This is a direct benefit to our core customers in agriculture and the construction industries,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO, Ram Truck Brand and Lead Executive for U.S. Sales — Chrysler Group LLC. “Essentially, this will help our ‘work truck’ work harder and meet our customers’ towing needs.”

30,000-lb. GCWR and Max Tow
The new Ram 4500/5500 Chassis Cab GCWR upgrade is part of an optional “Max Tow” package, and is available on both regular and crew cab models and in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations.

The Ram Max Tow package includes a new transfer case gear set and chain and sprocket upgrades, recalibrated transmission software and an enhanced collection of thermal management devices.

Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks come equipped with the proven, commercial-grade 305 horsepower (228 kW) @ 2,900 rpm and 610 lb.-ft. (827 N•m) @ 1,600 rpm 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine.

Max Tow is available on Ram Chassis Cab trucks equipped with the optional, commercial-grade Aisin six-speed automatic transmission and 4.88 rear-axle ratio. A 4.44 axle is standard on 4500 models and not available with the Max Tow package. A class-exclusive six-speed manual transmission is standard on Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab models.

The 30,000-lb. GCWR gives the Ram Chassis Cab a 4,000-lb. increase in trailer-towing capabilities, up to a maximum of 22,300 lbs. on a Ram 4500 or 5500 Chassis Cab equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and unsurpassed GCWR on Class 4 Chassis Cab trucks.

Ram 3500 Chassis Cab trucks are powered by the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 and will add a new six-speed automatic transmission in 2012 that will increase GCWR to 20,000 lbs. – a 3,000-lb. increase – as well as provide an increase in fuel economy. With a standard 383 horsepower, 400 lb.-ft. of torque 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, the Ram 3500 Chassis Cab delivers best-in-class horsepower and torque. The Cummins Turbo Diesel is available an option on Ram 3500 Chassis Cab trucks.

Designed for Towing
Ram Chassis Cab trucks are specifically designed for towing, with features such as the strongest exhaust brake in the industry – 49 percent stronger than the nearest competitor – and the largest brake rotors and pads in their class. Ram has also upgraded the trailer brake controller on Chassis Cab trucks to include electric over hydraulic capability, to further enhance its towing ability.

“Customers are always focused on towing more,” added Diaz. “It’s a simple matter of economics. More towing and payload means fewer loads. And fewer loads mean lower fuel bills. For commercial customers, cost of ownership is a primary consideration.”

Ram Chassis Cab Trucks Deliver Best-in-Class Performance
Ram Chassis Cab trucks offer class-leading performance in many key areas, including a best-in-class combination of brake pad wear, brake fade resistance and exhaust brake performance. They also deliver best-in-class fuel economy. In a recent head-to-head comparison, the Ram 5500 Chassis Cab was 10 percent more fuel efficient than its direct competitor – and that can add up to thousands of dollars a year in owner savings.

Among Ram’s best-in-class features:

  • Best-in-class standard Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 19,500 lbs.
  • Ram Chassis Cab brakes last twice as long as the competition under severe use
  • Ram Chassis Cab trucks have 160 percent less brake fade than the competition
  • Ram Chassis cab trucks stop in less distance in both wet and dry conditions when carrying a heavy payload
  • The Ram Chassis Cab’s diesel exhaust brake is more effective than the competition’s
  • Ram Chassis Cab offers a better turning radius – by 10 feet – than competitors
  • Ram Chassis Cab trucks offer the largest standard fuel tank – 52 gallons for superior operational range
  • Ram Chassis Cabs offer the lowest cost of ownership in the segment, based on significant owner expenses, including fuel economy, brake wear and tire wear Ram Chassis Cab trucks come with the best powertrain warranty in the business: five years / 100,000 miles
Cummins Turbo Diesel
The Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, with its proven inline-six architecture and cast iron block and head, has been providing decades of reliable service in everything from agriculture and construction equipment to over-the-road heavy trucks.

Ram Trucks powered by Cummins diesel engines have been the benchmark of power, durability, reliability and fuel economy since 1989, the first model year that Ram offered the Cummins engine. This partnership is defined by more than two decades of long-lasting, hard-working history.

Cummins has produced over 1.7 million Cummins Turbo Diesel engines for Ram Trucks. Today, over 80 percent of Ram Heavy Duty truck customers purchase their truck with the legendary Cummins Turbo Diesel.

Upfitter Friendly
Maximum upfit-friendliness is achieved with industry-standard 34-inch frame rail spacing and flat, clean frame rails on a proven one-piece C-channel rear-frame rail boasting a best-in-class 50,000-psi steel strength. All chassis components are below the frame surface allowing easy adaptability and versatility for virtually any upfit application.

Further improving upfitter-friendliness, 2011 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs feature four all-new upfitter switches integrated on the instrument panel. Each of these four upfitter switches are linked to an auxiliary Power Distribution Center (PDC) located under the hood which includes one fused 20 amp battery feed and one fused relay-controlled 20 amp ignition. In addition to these feeds, the PDC supports four new customizable switches. Two switches are ignition-fed and the remaining two are either battery or ignition. Switch outputs are found under the hood in a connector for further ease of upfit. A seven-circuit trailer harness and a special upfitter jumper cable – a wiring harness for ancillary power needs -- are both standard.

Electrical connections are user-friendly thanks to one fused battery feed and one fused ignition feed routed into the cab and to the rear of the chassis. Upfitter wire circuits and electrical schematics are identified in the Body Builder Guide. With built-in tandem PTO capability, all models feature a heavy-duty cooling system in order to meet additional heat loads that are often generated from PTO upfits and/or extreme hauling.

A special capped auxiliary fuel line on the fuel tank makes upfitting even easier, facilitating the use
of auxiliary equipment running on fuel. The fuel filler is routed through the frame and an optional
22-gallon mid-ship fuel tank frees up more space behind the rear axle for special upfit applications. Fuel and brake lines are routed together on the frame’s driver side to make better use of space along the frame, which also provides clearance for rear exhaust routing.

Ram Chassis Cab also employs an intelligently engineered, Cummins commercial-grade DEF system that is placed out of the way of upfit zones, saving time and money in the upfit process.

Special Paint Colors Available
Based on customer demand, the Ram Truck brand has added a number of special, low-volume paint colors, including “National Fire Safety Lime Yellow” to its commercial truck palette.

Ram Truck manufacturing operations can fulfill special paint orders with a minimum batch size of
10 trucks, although any one customer may order as few as a single vehicle.

Ram Truck offers the following special low-volume paint color options for 2500 through 5500 models: Black, Bright Red, Dark Brown, Detonator Yellow, Light Cream, Light Green, Omaha Orange, School Bus Yellow, Timberline Green Pearl, Yellow and National Fire Safety Lime Yellow.

The Ram Truck team is also in the process of introducing eight additional colors to the low-volume paint palette in the near future, which will bring the total to 29 available paint colors. The new colors, coming soon on Ram Heavy Duty and Chassis Cab trucks include: Case IH Red, Case Construction Power Tan, New Holland Agriculture Blue, New Holland Construction Yellow, D.T. Green, Green Angel, S.R. Green and Robin Egg Blue.

Programmable Features
For 2012, the Ram Chassis Cab has a customer-selectable maximum speed. Ram Chassis Cabs can be ordered from the factory with or programmed by a Ram Truck dealer at no charge with either 55, 60, 65, 70 or 75 mph speed limits. Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks have a best-in-class standard 87 mph top speed, an important feature for fire, ambulance and other safety and rescue roles.

A five-minute shutdown timer is also available.

The 2012 Ram Chassis Cab with Max Tow will reach dealerships in the third quarter of 2011. Max Tow pricing will be announced closer to launch.

About the Ram Truck brand
With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Ram Truck brand offers the boldest, most powerful and capable pickup truck lineup on the planet.

Introduced in 2008, the Ram 1500 is a game changer in terms of its ability to "outsmart" and "out-tough" the competition with its bold exterior design, crafted and refined interior, engineering excellence, superb innovation and best-in-class features and amenities.

The Ram Truck brand added to its award-winning truck lineup with the introduction of the 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks. Ram heavy-duty trucks provide customers with first-time innovations and features along with new standards of strength, utility and drivability, building on the Ram's leadership in the heavy-duty pickup segment.

The Ram Truck brand is further enhancing its commercial vehicle presence with a "new crew" of commercial-grade work trucks: the new 2011 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs. Led by an
all-new crew cab, the new 2011 Ram Chassis Cabs are built on a proven frame and chassis, and engineered for maximum uptime, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability.

8/17/11

Chrysler Group LLC Providing San Francisco and Sacramento with Test Fleet of PHEV Ram 1500 Pickup Trucks


  • 28 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) will be supplied to San Francisco and Sacramento as part of a demonstration project by Chrysler Group LLC
  • Real world city miles to be accumulated on demonstration vehicles over the next three years
  • Fleet of vehicles developed in partnership with U.S. Department of Energy
  • Ram 1500 plug-in hybrid test trucks will be used to evaluate city drive cycles, charging performance, fuel economy and real-world performance

August 2, 2011 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC, working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), will deliver 14 demonstration fleet Ram 1500 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) pickup trucks to officials in both San Francisco and Sacramento this week.

The 28 PHEV Ram 1500 pickups to be delivered by Abdullah Bazzi, senior manager of the Chrysler Group’s advanced hybrid vehicle project, are part of a national demonstration fleet of 140 vehicles that will be used during the next three years to evaluate customer usage, drive cycles, charging, thermal management, fuel economy, emissions and impact on the region’s electric grid. In addition to San Francisco and Sacramento, ten other partners across the United States will receive vehicles for demonstration and testing purposes.

Earlier this year, Chrysler Group LLC delivered 10 Ram 1500 PHEV trucks to the city of Yuma, Ariz., to take full advantage of hot weather and conduct thermal testing in the desert southwest.

Strictly a demonstration program, there are no plans for a production version of the PHEV Ram 1500 truck at this time.
Cities and states were selected to evaluate temperature extremes, urban traffic cycles and diverse climates and geographies from North Dakota, Massachusetts, Hawaii and Arizona. California cities include San Francisco and Sacramento.

The Ram 1500 PHEV includes a liquid-cooled 12.9kWhr lithium ion battery pack and a 6.6 kilowatt (kW) on-board charger. Additional features include AC power generation of up to 6.6kW; directional charging; reverse power flow and full regenerative braking used to capture more energy. For fuel economy improvements, the front axle of the four-wheel-drive automatic transmission can be disconnected when not needed. The powertrain also includes a 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine and a two-mode hybrid transmission. The 5.7-liter Hemi is equipped with a Fuel Saver technology that improves fuel efficiency at highway speeds by shutting down fuel delivery to up to four cylinders.

The battery pack is located under the second-row seat of the pickup and is liquid cooled to help maintain a consistent battery temperature. For on-the-job electrical power tools, a 240 volt/30 amp four-prong outlet and 120volt/20amp duplex outlet power strip is located in the rear box.

“Cities have been carefully selected to help the Chrysler Group LLC collect a wide range of data,” explained Abdullah Bazzi, senior manager of Chrysler’s advanced hybrid vehicle project. “Both San Francisco and Sacramento offer heavy traffic and urban driving that are ideal city test cycles. The constant charging will allow us to measure the impact on battery life and charging efficiency.”

The choice of a Ram 1500 pickup truck was based upon two-speed transmission technology that was readily available.

Urban use also will be tracked to measure battery performance and overall hybrid efficiency with the demonstration fleet of pickups. Other uses include military bases where vehicles will be able to provide power back to the electric grid in what is termed “reverse power flow” of up to 6.6kW.

Funding for the program in part is provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 through the Transportation Electrification Initiative sponsored by the DOE. The grant, totaling $48 million from DOE and $49.4 million from Chrysler Group LLC, was designed to develop vehicles that will be cost-efficient for consumers, satisfy safety concerns of daily travel without recharging and help reduce dependence on foreign oil.

The Chrysler Group LLC also is developing a similar fleet of 25 Town & Country minivans with plug-in hybrid technology for demonstration and evaluation that will be allocated to select cities later this year.

8/16/11

Start the Shift to a Better Future for Transportation


FedEx Chairman, President and CEO, Fred Smith has said [1] of our nation's dependence on oil, "What is needed now is an urgent, national commitment to action." As oil prices once again top $100 a barrel, we're unveiling a video that we hope will help bring more attention to doing just that.

Seventy [2] percent of oil used in the United States is for transportation fuel. In his testimony [3] to Congress, Fred Smith outlined the incredible costs and burdens this dependence creates on families, businesses and our national security. There are better alternatives. And while we're used to delivering overnight at FedEx, we know this shift is something that's going to take a little longer [4]. Check out this short piece about the current challenge and go here [5] to find out what other steps you can take right now.

[1] http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/01/technology/frederick_smith_energy.fortune/ind...

[2] http://electrificationcoalition.org/reports/EC-Fleet-Roadmap-screen.pdf

[3] http://appropriations.senate.gov/ht-energy.cfm?method=hearings.download&i...

[4] http://about.fedex.designcdt.com/citizenship_report

[5] http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagid=1142

8/15/11

Sortimo Solutions At NTEA


David Magnuson with Sortimo shows us a portion of the Sprinter display at the 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis in March 2011. Look how the L-brackets can be used in so many places.

To see more from Sortimo, go to www.sortimo.com

8/12/11

Tuf-Tug Hoist/Pullers



Tuf-Tug Cable and WebHoist/Pullers is just a few of the fine products manufactured and sold by Tuf-Tug Products. See much more at http://www.tuf-tug.com/

8/11/11

Work Truck Show 2012 Opens Earlier to Give Attendees More Time to Explore

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI (August 9, 2011) — In response to demand from attendees and exhibitors, show floor hours for The Work Truck Show® in 2012 will be extended. The Work Truck Show, North America’s largest work truck event, takes place March 6-8, 2012, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. The NTEA Annual Convention, educational sessions and Green Truck Summit kick off March 5.

The show floor will open 30 minutes earlier on Tuesday, March 6, and Wednesday, March 7. The show will be open from 10:30am to 5:00pm both days. Show hours on Thursday, March 8, remain unchanged at 9:00am to 12:00pm.

“The Work Truck Show has always been the industry’s best venue to strengthen business connections and see the newest product developments and technology solutions,” says Frank Livas, NTEA 2012 convention chairman and senior vice president of Brake & Clutch, Inc. (Salem, MA). “We’re excited to provide attendees even more time to make face-to-face connections and examine the thousands of products on display.”

The Work Truck Show brings together one of the largest gatherings of work truck industry professionals each year, including vocational, governmental and private truck fleet managers and truck buyers from the Class 1–8 market, as well as truck and equipment manufacturers, distributors and truck dealers. The event gives attendees the opportunity to check out the latest full-size work trucks, vocational equipment, and vehicle components. It also features industry-specific technical and business management training sessions.

Registration for the Work Truck Show 2012 opens in October. For additional event information, visit www.ntea.com, or call 1-800-441-NTEA (6832).

Established in 1964, NTEA, the Association for the Work Truck Industry, represents nearly 1,600 companies that manufacture, distribute, install, sell and repair commercial trucks, truck bodies, truck equipment, trailers and accessories. Buyers of work trucks and the major commercial truck chassis manufacturers also belong to the Association. NTEA provides in-depth technical information, education, and member programs and services, and produces The Work Truck Show. The Association maintains its administrative headquarters in suburban Detroit and a government relations office in Washington, DC.

8/10/11

Gortite® Roll-Up Covers and Doors





Gortite roll-up covers and doors at the 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianappolis. Here is some information from their website at http://www.gortite.com/:

Gortite® has designed and built Roll Up Covers for over 30 years. This expertise, combined with state of the art manufacturing technology and equipment, and the largest cover selection in the industry, make Gortite® the natural choice for even the most demanding applications


Available in a variety of fabrics, stainless steel or flexible aluminum, Gortite® Roll Up Covers can be delivered as is, or in a protective canister - factory pre-loaded and ready to mount, or with air motors for large walk-on applications

Steelclad Covers are manufactured with 1/8"x1/2" steel bars riveted to an elastomer-coated fabric shade. They provide a smaller rolled up diameter and greater bending flexibility, up to a 90° angle with a 1" radius, and offer the ideal protection for confined applications.

Alumaflex Covers are manufactured of 1/8" aluminum extrusions joined by urethane hinges. Their great flexibility offers a small rolled up diameter, or they can be used alone without a roller.

8/09/11

Techno Fab Rack Systems


This is a shot of the Techo Fab Design and Manufacturing booth at the 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianappolis, makers of aluminum and stainless steel racks for many commercial applications. See more about their products at http://www.techo-fab.com/.

8/08/11

Taylor Ready System - Shelving Solutions



The Taylor-Ready System at the 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianappolis.

The first flexible shelving system for delivery vehicles that is foldable, adjustable and incredibly strong.

See more about the Taylor-Ready System at http://www.t-rs.com/

8/07/11

Real Power Display At 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show







Here's some shots of one of the more interesting displays at the 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianappolis. This is the Real Power Truck Mounted AC Generator display. See more at http://www.realacpower.com/.

Plus, here's a great video:

8/06/11

ALTe ANNOUNCES ELECTRIC HYBRID POWERTRAIN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WITH PG&E

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., – August 5, 2011 – ALTe, the developer of a range-extended electric powertrain used to repower light commercial vehicles, announced today a collaborative effort with Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) to help validate the company’s powertrain for the fleet industry. With this agreement, ALTe will retrofit one of PG&E’s 2007 Ford F150 trucks with its plug-in series electric hybrid powertrain. PG&E will evaluate the performance of the initial ALTe powered truck and provide data and feedback to ALTe.

“We are thrilled to partner with PG&E on this project that will further solidify the performance of our powertrain technology in the fleet industry,” said John Thomas, CEO of ALTe. “PG&E is recognized as a leader in both the utility fleet industry as well as in clean fuel technology. Their evaluation and feedback will be invaluable to ALTe and assist us in meeting the requirements of all of our fleet customers as we prepare for installations next year.”

The partnership is a mutually beneficial one that will allow PG&E to see the potential benefits of the electric vehicle performance, including its reliability and cost-saving potential. ALTe gains more exposure and understanding of any potential ways to improve their system.

“A major initiative in our operation today is to electrify our fleet, and by doing so use clean energy to power clean vehicles. This project supports our efforts in that area and will continue to show PG&E’s commitment to the environment and to the citizens of California. If successful, the technology could ultimately be applied to a large number of vehicles and applications within our fleet of trucks and vans,” said Dave Meisel, PG&E’s Director of Transportation Services.

The ALTe powertrain will include a 20kw lithium ion battery pack, a four-cylinder engine, electric motors and proprietary communication interface modules. The powertrain is projected to provide an initial 30 miles of driving in an all-electric mode powered directly from the lithium ion battery pack. The vehicle can then drive an estimated additional 270 miles in a charge sustained mode before the vehicle would need to be either refueled or plugged in. The battery pack can be charged within an eight-hour timeframe from a 110-volt outlet or in about four hours from a 220-volt outlet. Fuel economy is projected to increase by up to 200% with no loss in cargo capacity, increased torque, and similar horsepower and towing capability compared with the original V8 engine.

The ALTe powertrain is being targeted to the light truck market (full size pickups and vans) with a focus on commercial, government and utility fleets. ALTe is projected to start installing its electric powertrain systems in summer 2012 with the company beginning to accept purchase orders at the end of the 2011.

About ALTe

ALTe is the developer of a Range Extended Electric Powertrain used to power light commercial vehicles up to 26,000 GVW. The system will be retrofit into existing fleet vehicles as well as used in “glider” applications of new vehicles to dramatically increase their fuel economy and lower emissions. Designed to replace a base V-8 internal combustion engine powertrain, the system’s patented technology improves fuel economy from 80% to 200%. Based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, the company is headquartered in an 185,000 square foot facility where it will assemble its powertrains that will be shipped to Manheim installation locations across North America. For more information, visit http://www.altellc.com

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to 15 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/.

8/05/11

A Truck Towing A Trailer Towing A Jeep - A Long Haul


Kevin Snedeker of Vaca Valley Truck and SUV shows us a job they recently did for a client who has a crew cab 4x4 pickup with an 8' bed (most are 6.5'), to that he has a 23' travel trailer and to that he attaches a jeep! Whew! That's a lot of towing!

Vaca Valley Truck installed 5,000 lb Air Ride Air Bags in the rear suspension of the pickup to help stabilize the load they are carrying. In addition they installed a Rampage front bumper, Draw-Tite hitch, an 8,000 lb Smittybilt winch, wiring and more. It was an interesting project and the most unusual part is the jeep being towed by a trailer.

Vaca Valley Truck & SUV does a lot of interesting jobs. Call them at 707-447-9905 and visit the website at http://www.vacavalleytruck.com/

8/04/11

Pickup Truck Tool Drawer - Load'N'Go Tradesmen Drawer


1000# capacity pull out parts drawer - largest drawer unit available that fits a full bed size - shown here on a 2011 Chevy 2500HD pickup truck - available in short and long bed models - fully customizable.

See more information and products at http://www.fleetwest.net/

8/02/11

Isuzu Commercial Trucks Now Powered by B20 Biodiesel Blends

Biodiesel Industry Bolstered by Growing OEM Support, Momentum Under RFS-2

Jefferson City, MO – At its semi-annual board meeting in Washington D.C. last week, members of the National Biodiesel Board applauded the latest Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to announce its support for use of B20 biodiesel blends. Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. has confirmed that all of its new 2011 and forward model year diesel engines, including its four popular N-Series truck models as well as the new Isuzu Reach commercial van, are compatible with use of up to 20 percent biodiesel blends (B20). This is especially significant as Isuzu Commercial Truck is the first Asian manufacturer to approve B20 for U.S. market spec engines.

According to Isuzu Commercial Truck’s Retail Marketing Manager Brian Tabel, Isuzu’s announcement of B20 support is the result of three key factors: growing consumer demand for the fuel, an extensive and cooperative research project on B20 biodiesel blends by Isuzu engineers in the U.S. and Japan, and improved biodiesel fuel quality and industry support in the U.S. under the assurances of ASTM D7467, the American Society of Testing and Materials specifications for B6-B20 biodiesel blends.

“Our customers at Isuzu Commercial Truck of America have been asking for approval to use B20 in our products in the U.S. for many years,” Tabel said. “We are really happy to now turn that request into a reality and bring B20 biodiesel capability to the U.S. market.”

Isuzu’s announcement is indeed timely as the U.S. biodiesel industry ramps up for its biggest year yet, with expected production volumes of at least 800 million gallons of biodiesel in 2011 to meet requirements under EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS-2) program. Made from an increasingly diverse mix of feedstocks, biodiesel is the only fuel produced in commercial scale volumes in the U.S. that qualifies as an Advanced Biofuel under EPA definitions.

Biodiesel’s sustainability and cost-effectiveness as a domestically produced, renewable fuel was another factor that appealed to Isuzu Commercial Truck as they considered different powertrain options for meeting the increasingly stringent U.S. emissions standards.

“In looking for ways to lessen our environmental footprint while also improving fuel economy, we realized that our customers can much more easily afford a high fuel-efficiency, B20-compatible diesel vehicle running on biodiesel blends than some of the very expensive hybrid vehicles out there,” Tabel added. “Biodiesel just makes sense.”

National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe welcomed Isuzu’s announcement by saying, “We are extremely pleased to see Isuzu Commercial Truck join the ranks of OEMs openly supporting B20 biodiesel blends. Now more than 60 percent of manufacturers in the U.S. market approve the use of B20 or higher blends in at least some of their equipment. With Isuzu setting the pace as a market leader in the medium-duty truck segment, we look forward to more OEM announcements of support for B20 in the near future.”
Isuzu Commercial Truck commands an impressive 73 -75 percent market share of the low cab-forward medium-duty truck market in the U.S. Through its network of 293 dealers in the U.S., Isuzu expects to sell 10,000 – 11,000 diesel units in 2011, all of which are capable to use with B20 biodiesel blends.

Biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that is reducing U.S. dependence on foreign petroleum, creating green jobs and improving our environment. Biodiesel production, distribution and use will support more than 31,000 U.S. jobs in 2011 and replace nearly 1 billion gallons of imported petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is used in existing diesel engines and meets the strict specifications of ASTM D6751 and ASTM D7467.

For more details on biodiesel’s benefits, including economic and job boosts, energy security, and environmental advantages, visit http://www.biodiesel.org/. For more information on Isuzu Commercial Trucks, visit http://www.isuzucv.com/.

8/01/11

Balqon Corporation Enters Medium-Duty Zero Emissions On-Road Electric Truck Market



Balqon Ships First On-Road Zero Emissions Electric Mule M100 Truck to its Customer

HARBOR CITY, Calif., Aug. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Balqon Corporation (OTCBB: BLQN), a developer of electric drive systems, lithium battery systems and medium to heavy-duty electric vehicles, today announced the availability of its new Mule M100, a zero-emissions, all-electric on-road truck for use in inner-city deliveries and cargo transportation. The Mule M100 has a top speed of 70 miles per hour and can travel up to 100 miles before having to recharge, making it ideal for daily, short-haul deliveries. The Mule M100 also demonstrates the expansion of Balqon's product portfolio into the Class 7 on-road market and the versatility of its drive system technology, which is now being applied to buses and trucks.

The Mule M100 was developed using Balqon's proprietary heavy-duty electric vehicle drive system that includes complete power management, propulsion, and power conversion systems, which makes the Mule M100 more energy efficient than other medium-duty trucks with similar functionality.

"The Mule M100 was designed to address our customers' needs for a reliable, efficient and durable solution for on-road cargo transportation that expands beyond the heavy-duty, off-highway market," said Mr. Balwinder Samra, president and CEO of Balqon Corporation. "With fuel prices continuing to rise, we remain committed to continuing our leadership in innovative technologies and developing lower operating cost zero-emissions transportation solutions that are uniquely designed for each customer."

In addition, the Mule M100 features a 24-foot deck and four ton capacity to accommodate the pickup and delivery of beverages, packages and shipment of cargo for inner city deliveries. The Mule M100 is equipped with an air ride suspension and cab air conditioner providing the operator with all the comforts and ergonomics, but without the engine noise and emissions, of comparable gas or diesel powered trucks. The Mule M100 fully recharges in three hours, allowing customers to increase the vehicle's range with the opportunity of charging during the day.

About Balqon Corporation

Headquartered in Harbor City, California, Balqon Corporation is a leading developer of zero-emissions electric drive systems, lithium battery systems and medium to heavy-duty electric vehicles. Balqon's proprietary electric drive system encompasses complete power management, propulsion, flux vector motor controllers and energy systems. Balqon electric vehicles and drive systems are marketed globally to companies, governments and municipalities looking for viable and effective ways to reduce their vehicle maintenance and operating costs and lower carbon emissions. Balqon is recognized as a pioneer in commercial electric vehicle technology and development of energy efficient transportation solutions. For more information, please visit www.balqon.com.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this press release, including without limitation, the commercial viability of Balqon Corporation's Mule M100 and whether the Mule M100 is more powerful compared to other medium-duty trucks with similar functionality are forward looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The actual future results of Balqon Corporation could differ from those statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, customer acceptance of the Mule M100; unforeseen technical issues; Balqon Corporation's ability to attract sufficient capital and labor to manufacture its products; the ability of Balqon Corporation to attract and retain talented individuals; adverse economic and market conditions; the projected future demand for Balqon Corporation's products, including the Mule M100; changes in technology and governmental regulations and policies; and other events, factors and risks previously and from time to time disclosed in Balqon Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, specifically, those factors set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of Balqon Corporation's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.