UD Trucks Releases All-New Condor PK/PW Series

UD Trucks Releases All-New Condor PK/PW Series

— Combining heavy-duty truck cab comfort with medium-duty truck economy —

UD Trucks Corporation (formerly Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.) announced the nationwide sales launch today of the all-new Condor PK (9-ton class payload) and Condor PW (12-ton class payload) series following the execution of a full model change.

The newly released Condor PK and Condor PW models feature a new cab design that expresses a unified family identity with the Quon heavy-duty truck series along with the nimble maneuverability characteristic of medium-duty trucks and achieves outstanding aerodynamic performance, safety and comfort. In addition, the new Condor models share the same axle parts and brake parts with the Quon heavy-duty truck series to construct suspension and brake systems for enhanced peace of mind.

Powering the Condor models is the self-developed GH7 engine equipped with a newly developed common rail system with a higher maximum fuel injection pressure. For the first time, the Condor series is now fitted with the UD Particulate Cleaning (UDPC) system and a urea selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. These emission control technologies for reducing particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions were previously refined on the Quon heavy-duty truck series. As a result, the new Condor models deliver better fuel economy combined with improved environmental performance that complies with Japan's 2009 exhaust emission regulations.

Moreover, like the Quon heavy-duty truck series, "UD Genuine After Market Product" which is comprehensive after-the-sale service product is set out, and the new Condor models come with, as standard equipment, the "Fuel Economy King" system that advises the driver on driving techniques for improving fuel economy and a multifunction display with a newly added function for monitoring the vehicle's operational status via the Internet. These features are fitted to further strengthen the support functions for improving operation rate, fuel-efficient driving and safe driving.

1. Major Features


(1) All-new cab design

・ The cab is executed in a simple, clean design that expresses a unified family identity with the Quon heavy-duty truck series as well as the nimble maneuverability characteristic of medium-duty trucks. This all-new cab design projects a dynamic, rugged image of a tough truck designed for work.


(2) Improved aerodynamic performance, safety and comfort achieved with the new cab

1. The aerodynamic design techniques honed on the Quon heavy-duty truck series were utilized to reshape the cab front end, bumper, roof and back corner panels for reduced air resistance.

2. The cab width was increased by 14 mm over that of the previous models, and the ample distance between the driver’s seat and the top of the windshield provides comfortable head room. These and other improvements contribute to enhanced cab comfort.

3. Visibility has been improved by discontinuing the center sash on the window glass on both sides.

4. Crash safety performance has been further improved. The high-rigidity cab suppresses deformation of the cab structures around the occupants in the event of a collision to ensure their survival space. Knee protectors have also been newly adopted to reduce the impact to the knees and thighs.


(3) Adoption of newly developed GH7 engine

1. The fuel economy of the engine itself has been improved by adopting a newly developed common rail system that raises the maximum fuel injection pressure to 2000 bar. All of the 9-ton class payload Condor PK models meet Japan's fuel efficiency standard for heavy-duty vehicles.

2. Power performance has been improved by adopting a variable nozzle turbocharger (VNT) that improves low-rpm torque to achieve a flat high torque curve across the entire operating range from low to high speed.


(4) First Condor series application of PM and NOx reduction systems

・ The UDPC system and urea SCR system used on the latest generation of the Quon have been adopted on the new Condor models to reduce PM and NOx emissions. These emission control technologies combine with the newly developed GH7 engine to reduce PM and NOs emissions so as to comply with Japan's 2009 exhaust emission regulations.


(5) Brake and suspension systems for greater peace of mind

・ The Condor models share the same full air brakes, brake lining, axle parts and other components with the Quon heavy-duty truck series to construct brake and suspension systems for greater peace of mind.


(6) Enhanced support functions for improving operation rate, fuel-efficient driving and safe drive.

1. Like the latest generation of the Quon, "UD Genuine After Market Product" which is comprehensive after-the-sale service product is set out to improve operation rate.

2. The Condor models are fitted with the "Fuel Economy King" guidance system that uses voice messages and screen images to advise the driver on driving techniques for improving fuel economy. A multifunction display is also provided that incorporates a new function for monitoring the vehicle's operational status via the Internet. These standard equipment features support fuel-efficient driving and vehicle operation with peace of mind. (Excluding mixer trucks)

3. An idling stop system (ISS) which supports fuel-efficient driving is available as an option. (Excluding mixer trucks and refrigerator trucks)

For more information see http://www.udtrucks.com/.

Santa Monica's All-Electric ZeroTruck Displayed At NAFA Meeting

ZeroTruck Electric Medium Duty Truck

Santa Monica’s All-Electric Truck Displayed at NAFA Chapter Meeting - News - Government Fleet

Isuzu Reliability Is A Winner With Wollongong City Council

With an infrastructure maintenance budget of almost $70 million for the 2010-11 financial year, Wollongong Council’s City Works staff are responsible for repairing and maintaining roads, footpaths, cycle-ways, car parks, buildings and other assets throughout the municipality.

To get the job done they need reliable vehicles that can handle a range of demands in both suburban and semi-rural settings; it’s therefore no coincidence that more than 90 per cent of the city’s truck fleet is manufactured by Isuzu.

Wollongong Council’s City Works Engineering Services Coordinator, Mark Mills, says Isuzu trucks have proven popular with his organization because of their all-round suitability for council’s operational needs.

"Our aim is to buy something that’s fit-for-purpose," Mr Mills said.

"The last thing we want to do is modify or change the manufacturer’s product. We aim to purchase a product that meets our requirements as closely as possible."

The Council’s trucks are used in a variety of applications ranging from parks and general maintenance to construction, repairs and asset refurbishment.

The fleet also includes two unique trucks based on FRR 600 and NQR 450 chassis – the former employed as a field refuelling truck and the latter as a mobile plant servicing truck.

"We’ll use the field refuelling truck to fuel major items of plant on site such as our waste handling and construction-type equipment and other vehicles that can’t be driven to a service station," Mr Mills said.

"It’s specified with a bulk diesel tank with a 4,500 litre capacity, fuel dispensing and storage areas, its own greasing unit and low voltage/high intensity lighting.

"This lighting is used when we have emergencies like bushfires where the truck will be working through the night supplying fuel to emergency services mobile units in a fire area."

The Council’s NQR 450 mobile plant servicing truck carries all the equipment needed to conduct plant maintenance in the field and attend vehicle breakdowns.

"It pretty much has everything imaginable on it," Mr Mills said.

"There’s a 600-litre tank built within the centre of the chassis rail which is used to carry oil removed from Council’s major plant.

"This is great for occupational health and safety and the environment. Instead of lugging around barrels of oil our employees plug a hose from the servicing truck into the plant’s oil sump to suck the oil out. It’s all nice and clean."

The mobile plant servicing truck is based on an NQR 450 service body and features pneumatic hose reels, a dual battery system for jump starting machinery, a compressor, a pneumatic greasing reel and drum, and storage cupboards.

Truck body fabrication is handled by Berry Howe Industries (BH Industries) in Unanderra, which works alongside the Council and Isuzu Dealer, Dwyers Truck Centre, to specify vehicles before delivery.

"We’ll oversee the project management after going to BH Industries with our Isuzu representative to discuss layout and specification," Mr Mills said.

"BH Industries has fabricated the majority of bodies we’ve received over the past 10 years and their workmanship is excellent."

Aside from maintaining its 75-strong fleet of trucks, Wollongong Council is responsible for ensuring 18 of the New South Wales Rural Fire Services (NSWRFS) Isuzu trucks are ready for deployment throughout the year.

The Council works to keep the NSWRFS trucks roadworthy, safe for operation, fit for purpose, and covered by after-hours support service.

See more from Isuzu Truck Australia at http://www.isuzu.com.au/.

The Falcon Ute ... 'Never Leave'

Unique Ford Transit Connect Turns Heads At Dream Cruise, Helps Local Business Generate Sales

Custom-designed by Marygrove Awnings, the Transit Connect serves as a mobile showroom for the company

• A unique-looking Ford Transit Connect drew a lot of attention on the street at last weekend’s Woodward Dream Cruise
• Custom-designed by Marygrove Awnings, the Transit Connect serves as a mobile showroom for the company – complete with colorful, striped roof-mounted functioning manual and motorized awnings – that extend out from the vehicle on both sides
• Marygrove Awnings says its business has grown 15 percent since the Transit Connect was purchased in March

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 25, 2010 – If you were cruising up and down Woodward Avenue during last week’s Dream Cruise, chances are you did a double-take at Marygrove Awnings’ Ford Transit Connect.

No, that was not a misprint. It’s true.

Among the tens of thousands of spiffed-up new and classic cars garnering oohs and aahs from the crowd at one of the largest automotive events in the world was a rather unique-looking Ford Transit Connect wrapped from front to back with Marygrove’s distinctive logo and sporting colorful, striped roof-mounted awnings that extended out from the vehicle on both sides.

Mike Falahee, owner of Marygrove Awnings, says the cruise down Woodward Avenue generated a lot of interest in the Transit Connect – and in his company.

“It’s amazing how much attention it gets. People were coming up just to see the vehicle,” he said. “But they weren’t just looking at the Transit Connect, they were inquiring about our products as well.”

The Marygrove Awnings Transit Connect was custom designed to be a mobile showroom for the Livonia, Mich.-based business, which is one of the largest retractable awning companies in the country. Falahee says the vehicle has helped improve sales by 15 percent since its purchase in March.
“The vehicle is paying for itself time and time again,” he said. “And the reason is because customers can touch and feel the product and see how it works. You can’t do that if a guy walks into your home or business with a catalog.”

The roof-mounted awnings actually demonstrate the product. One side shows the manual operation of the awning, and the other side shows the motorized function.

“What’s nice about having the display up on the roof of the Transit Connect is that it gives enough height so that our customers can get underneath the awning and really feel the comfort of the awning when it is projected,” said Falahee.

“And by taking the Transit Connect to a customer’s home, we can actually place the awning in the same direction of their patio. If they have a western exposure, for example, the Transit Connect is so maneuverable we can easily turn the vehicle sideways so that they can get a feel for the element of shade at a particular time of day,” he said.

Marygrove Awnings conducts business in Southeastern Michigan, Texas and Ohio. Currently, the company has two Transit Connect sales vehicles – one in Michigan and one in Texas.

“Our vehicle in Texas has even more bells and whistles, including an onboard computer,” said Falahee, referring to Ford Work Solutions™, an in-dash computer that allows employees to access appointment scheduling and billing information online. “We also installed a slide-out 30-inch flat screen television inside one of the doors so that we can show videos of various awning applications. It’s ideal for home and garden shows.”

Falahee says the company recently purchased two more Transit Connects.
“It’s been an extremely great product for us,” he said. “We’re very happy with it.”

According to Len Deluca, director, Ford Commercial Vehicles, Marygrove Awnings’ experience with the Transit Connect shows what businesses can accomplish with creativity and imagination.

“The Marygrove Transit Connect is not only cool, but it is another example of the vehicle’s versatility to meet the needs of our commercial customers,” he said.

For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

The Trambed Is A Great Idea!

What an awesome idea. Here is an inexpensive way to not only get more out of the truck you already have, but may mean getting a bigger truck is no longer necessary.

Introducing the most useful truck accessory you'll every own. The TramBed is the ultimate commercial-grade truck bed extension designed with the contractor and commercial user in mind. The patented telescoping frame with adjustable legs allows the weight of the load to transfer through to the ground rather than prying up on your truck bed and springs. To see the TramBed in action, view the video above.

For information on dealer/distributor opportunities, or more information on our product, please go to our website, http://www.trambed.com/ and use the Contact Us form.

Hino Unveils 2011 Model-Year Truck In West Virginia

http://www.wtap.com/home/headlines/101336634.html

HINO TRUCKS 2011 MODEL YEAR LAUNCH ON TV!

DMAX Marks 10-Year Manufacturing Milestone

• More than 1.2 million engines produced
• Company nears environmental landfill free goal

DAYTON, Ohio – DMAX Ltd., a 60-40 joint venture between General Motors Co. and Isuzu Motors Ltd., today celebrated 10 years of making award-winning diesel engines.

In ceremonies attended by community and government leaders, company officials marked cumulative production of 1.2 million engines since July 2000. DMAX is the exclusive manufacturer of the award-winning Duramax diesel engine that powers Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups and Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full size vans.

“Over our company’s 10-year history, the Duramax diesel engine has become a success story and the pride of loyal Duramax owners around the world,” said Maho Mitsuya, DMAX chief executive officer. “We’re proud of the role we’ve played in producing the leading reputation for quality, reliability and durability in the heavy-duty truck market.”

A panel of experts recently selected the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4-ton heavy-duty and the Sierra one-ton heavy-duty, both powered by the new Duramax, as best overall diesel-powered trucks in the 2010 Heavy-Duty Shootout conducted by pickuptrucks.com.

DMAX today also announced a major environmental commitment for the facility – establishing it as a landfill-free operation by Oct. 1. The operation will join 69 GM facilities globally whose manufacturing wastes are recycled, reused or converted to energy. No waste from normal plant operations is sent to a landfill.

“Many manufacturing plants generate waste along with their products, but at the DMAX plant, diesel engines with fewer emissions are our only output,” Mitsuya said. “All manufacturing wastes generated at our facility will be recycled or reused in some way.”

GM announced in 2008 that it intended to convert half of its major manufacturing facilities worldwide into landfill-free operations by the end of 2010. GM is currently 95 percent toward delivering on that commitment.

GM was among the first organizations – and to date is the only auto manufacturer – inducted into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WasteWise Hall of Fame, recognizing ongoing outstanding waste reduction and recycling efforts.

The all-new Duramax engine design contributes to the environmental accomplishments while featuring significantly more torque and higher horsepower, 11 percent better highway fuel economy and substantially reduced emissions.

“The 2011 Duramax engine produces 63 percent fewer emissions than the previous model and also can run on B20 biodiesel fuel,” said Rick Spina, GM vehicle line executive for full-size trucks. “Reduced vehicle emissions, combined with the DMAX plant's certification as a landfill-free facility, provide evidence as to GM's ongoing commitment to reducing our impact on the environment.”

The Duramax engine is a benchmark for reliability and durability as well as competitive horsepower, torque and quietness within the heavy-duty diesel pickup industry.

“The bottom line is that the DMAX engine plant built more than 1.2 million engines in 10 years with a track record of quality that sets them apart from other manufacturers,” Spina said. “Many of our loyal Duramax owners have hundreds of thousands of miles on their engines today.”

About DMAX, Ltd. – General Motors established the DMAX joint venture with Isuzu Motors Limited in 1998. The first diesel engine, jointly designed by the companies, was produced at the plant in July 2000. The 584,000-square foot DMAX plant currently employs 532 hourly and salary employees.

About General Motors: General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 208,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 157 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corp. on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corp. More information on the new General Motors can be found at http://www.gm.com/.

About Isuzu Motors Limited – Isuzu Motors Limited (Isuzu) is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of medium- and heavy –duty trucks and the number one selling low cab forward truck in North America since 1986. Since building its first truck in 1918, Isuzu has sold over 26 million trucks worldwide. Among its innovations are the first air-cooled diesel engine in 1936, the first two-ton low-cab-forward truck in 1959, and the first direct-injection diesel engine. Engines are the heart of Isuzu Motors Limited, an industry leader of over 20 million diesel engines worldwide. Isuzu products, noted for reliability and durability, have stood the test of time. Today, home base for the Powertrain Division of Isuzu Motors America, LLC is Plymouth, Michigan. Isuzu offers more than 30 different engine models with power ranges beyond 500 hp, for use in both on- and off-road applications. And, with a growing network of master distributor locations and over 300 authorized service dealers in North America, it is easy for any customer to obtain the most advanced, reliable diesel engines in the world. More information can be found at http://www.isuzu.com/.

Kettering University Unveils Biomethane Truck - News - Work Truck

Kettering University Unveils Biomethane Truck - News - Work Truck

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Virtual Test Drive

A virtual test drive in the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid! This video comes from YouTube CompareFord and http://www.comparefordsocial.com/.

Now, I hardly ever put anything in this blog about cars, but I was very impressed with this video. Since I spent most of my life in the automobile business and I've been a sales manager in one form or another since 1975, training to do presentations has always been a focus. Here's why this video impressed me from a sales perspective--and this applies to almost any kind of selling:

1. The greeting was excellent, real and in good spirits.
2. The vehicle was brought to the customer at the customer's convenience.
3. This is a familiar area for the customer, so they are much more comfortable.
4. THERE WERE ONLY A FEW KEY POINTS MADE. Some salespeople just love to talk about all the features, benefits, this and that and the other. People don't need that many things to make a decision. Frankly, the more you talk, the further the sale gets from you in general.
5. The demonstration was completely in flow with the rest of the conversation--and, this is key: it was conversational.
6. He treated the customer as a friend, yet not too personal. He was comfortable and that flows easily to the customer.
7. This was obviously not the time to close the sale, so there was not attempt to do so. This was a demonstration and effectively serves as a taste, a sniff, a social get together. As this, it is effective as a convincer of the sales person, the dealership, the product, and the experience.

I want to say, BRAVO! Well done. I know it was staged, but it was very well done and I would highly recommend this approach and please keep in mind not to tell too much. People have a hard enough time trying to decide and more information is usually not the deciding factor.

2011 Ford Super Duty Virtual Tour and Test Drive With Greg Foutz

Greg Foutz, Ford F250 Super Duty racecar driver from Foutz Motorsports, gives us a tour of the all new 2011 Ford Super Duty truck!

Ford Falcon XR8 UTE Commercial - It's A Guy Thing. . .

Very funny. Had to watch it two or three times and saw more each time. Fun!

The Glass Racking Company 6-Pole Height Adjustable Glass Van Rack Going Down

The Glass racking Company, show how easy our 6 Pole Glass van rack adjusts downwards. Three minutes, one person, no tools. Sweet! See more at http://www.glassrackingcompany.com/. Check out the US distributor for this product at http://www.alliedbody.com/ located in Seattle, WA.

Trucks Could Be Next Electric Power Frontier

Trucks Could Be Next Electric Power Frontier