John G Smith

Canadian Solar invests in commercial transportation

GUELPH, ON - Canadian Solar has acquired a 10% interest in eNow, a U.S. business that specializes in solar energy management systems for commercial transportation. The partnership leverages Canadian Solar's expertise in developing and producing photovoltaic systems. Its module technology will interface with eNow's power management system - delivering a solar-based energy management system that can help to reduce idling needs. "While we have become one of the world leading solar energy solution providers with close to 20 GW module deployment since 2001, I still remember we started very small in 2001 when we provided a 3-watt solar power battery trickle charging system for cars," said Shawn Qu, Canadian Solar's chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Clad in plaid for your dad

TORONTO, ON - The Ontario Trucking Association was the top fundraiser among workplaces participating in Prostate Cancer Canada's 2016 Wear Plaid for Dad campaign, and the Canadian Trucking Alliance is looking to build on that success -- and help fight a cancer that will affect one in eight men in their lifetime.

Kinedyne to host cargo securement webinar

BRANCHBURG, NJ - Kinedyne will host a free webinar on cargo securement this month, as the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance prepares for the Roadcheck inspection blitz and its own focus on cargo securement.

Navistar’s Sass surveys the road ahead

As Navistar works to move past the mistakes of the past and looks ahead to the future, International Trucks' Jeff Sass opened HDT's inaugural Heavy Duty Trucking eXchange fleet networking conference in Phoenix this week with a peek at the future, from electric trucks to autonomous vehicles. HDTX is a new invitation-only event for select truck fleet executives co-hosted by an array of suppliers.

‘The future is here’: Nikola CEO

GATINEAU, QC - The founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nikola Motor Company suggests today's truck manufacturers face a fate similar to Kodak, which watched its film business collapse during the advent of digital cameras. "They [Kodak] were so powerful that they never expected to change anything," Trevor Milton said in an address to the 66th annual meeting of the Quebec Trucking Association. "Why change something that already works?" His Utah-based company is certainly looking to reinvent the idea of a Class 8 truck, as it looks to produce a hydrogen-powered electric model known as the Nikola One.

Registration opens for FTR transportation conference

BLOOMINGTON, IN - Registration has opened for FTR's 13th Annual Transportation Conference to be held September 12-14 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Salute to women among Atlantic show highlights

MONCTON, NB - The Atlantic Truck Show returns to the Moncton Coliseum June 9-10, with a biennial event that typically attracts more than 12,000 visitors over two days, organizers say.

Geotab now supports CNG equipment

Geotab GO can now report on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel levels and temperatures on all Momentum Fuel Technologies CNG fuel tanks and systems.

First Formula by Pirelli tire

The Formula II All-Position Rib tire for long-haul and regional applications is the first offering from the new Formula by Pirelli product line.

Cummins-approved additives

Cummins has for the first time endorsed two additives for diesel engines - Power Service's Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost and Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost.

Navigation unit with Wi-Fi

The TomTom GO 52 combines connected navigation with Wi-Fi updates and smartphone notifications.

New transload site planned in Manitoba

LETELLIER, MB - Mid Canada Transload Services has announced plans to build a new inland port and rail siding at the Canada-U.S. border, about 1.5 kilometers south of Letellier, Manitoba.

Institute makes case for side guards

ARLINGTON, VA - New crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) have demonstrated that well-built sideguards could keep passenger vehicles from sliding under the side of a semi-trailer. It was the first time that such guards were tested.

Industry asked to support flooded communities

TORONTO, ON - The Canadian Trucking Alliance and Trucks for Change Network are looking for equipment and services to support emergency relief deliveries in flooded areas of Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and British Columbia.

Driver exam crush ahead of mandatory training

TORONTO, ON -- An increasing number of would-be truck drivers are lining up for licensing tests at Ontario DriveTest centers as the province approaches a July 1 deadline to introduce Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT). The number of appointments has increased since the beginning of 2017 and was up 20% last March when compared to the same month in 2016, an Ontario Ministry of Transportation spokesman confirms. The surge was not unexpected, either. Extra examiners were trained, and more classified test slots had been allocated to respond to an increase in demand.