Small Companies Getting Big

September 25, 2019 Volume 1, Number 10

One of the more remarkable things to happen in the world of new technology over the last few years is the rise of small companies doing big things. And doing those big things very well, such that they often seem to get swallowed by much bigger outfits seeking to leapfrog over the development hump by acquisition. Nothing wrong with that. Quite the reverse, because it accelerates the trucking industry’s ability to make use of those technologies.

Some of those little enterprises have been hatched by impatient engineers turned entrepreneurs, unwilling to labor and learn under the auspices of a bigger company, and confident enough to go it alone. Others, especially in the automation realm, have come from the likes of Google and Amazon with real expertise and the ability to convince investors of their worth.

Some of them are still going it alone – and succeeding on the face of it. I think of companies like Xos Trucks, formerly Thor Trucks, based in Los Angeles and calling itself a “transportation lab”. It makes battery-electric vehicles including a somewhat ungainly Class 8 tractor with a range of up to 300 miles and a claimed full-recharge time of just 90 mintes. A functioning demo is promised this year. It also makes a Class 6 truck, two of which are on trials presently with Loomis Armored.

I think also of Quebec’s Lion Electric, a bit further down the success trail with more than 120 battery-electric school buses already on the road doing real work. Formed in 2011, it’s developing the Lion8, a class 8 so-called “urban truck” as well, with commercialiation due to start this fall. Uniquely for such a small company, it designs, manufactures, and assembles all components of its vehicles: chassis, battery pack, cab, and powertrain.

Then there are other companies that have been around for a while, quietly going about their business selling components big and small to larger outfits pursuing ground-breaking vehicle development here and abroad. That leads me to automation specialist Torc Robotics recently acquired by Daimler Trucks as I wrote last time out. Torc is now a partner in Daimler’s global push to get autonomous trucks on the road.

In that same issue I described Dana buying Nordresa Motors, also a Quebec business. Earlier this year Dana made a 55% majority investment in Quebec-based TM4, now Dana TM4, which designs and manufactures motors, power inverters, and control systems. It was formerly a subsidiary of Hydro Quebec, a huge power utility, which retains 45% ownership.

A ZILLION COLLABORATIONS TOO

One of the more interesting ones involves Ford, step-in van body-builder Morgan-Olson, and Australian electric truck-maker SEA Electric.

It’s a big turning point for SEA with the first Ford F-59 100% electric van in production at Ford’s Detroit Chassis Plant in Detroit. It’s now a global player.