Economy

MATS: Mack engine family focused on fuel efficiency

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The latest generation of the Mack Econodyne engine family is designed to deliver more torque at low engine speeds for improved fuel efficiency and hill pulling performance.

No exit tax for Ont truckers

TORONTO -- It's official. When the Ontario government eliminates the multi-jurisdictional vehicle tax on July 1, as the province moves towards the HST, truckers won't have to pay any exit tax.

Vehicle makers call for stronger anti-counterfeit laws

WASHINGTON -- The Motor & Equipment Manufacturer Association has called for increased enforcement of anti-counterfeiting regulations and more resources toward intellectual property rights violations.

Report points to inventory control as top recession buster

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Reduced inventory levels was the most common response to challenges faced by retail companies during the global economic slowdown.

Report looks at changing roles of supply chain managers

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A study by an Oregon State University researcher indicates just how important it is for supply chain professionals to keep their people skills well-honed -- particularly during tough economic times.

Little change in 2010 slow sales forecast for heavy trucks

NASHVILLE, Ind. -- North American class 8 demand is still expected to rise ever-so-slowly heading into 2011 -- just 3 percent over 2009, forecasts FTR Associates.

Chinese undercarriage prods hit mainstream

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A new and serious player has emerged in the business of manufacturing undercarriage components for medium and heavy trucks. Trax Mechanical Systems, based in Louisville, Ky., is now supplying steer, trailer, and drive axles, plus air suspensions, brakes, and trailer landing gear to both OE and aftermarket customers.

Loonie parity “new reality,” economist says

OTTAWA -- The robust Canadian dollar matched the U.S. greenback this morning for the first time in nearly two years.

Daimler, Renault-Nissan form alliance

STUTTGART, Germany -- Daimler AG and the Renault-Nissan Motor Co. have joined forces to collaborate on small cars and the development of a commercial van for the European market.

Mullen Group gets Smooked

OKOTOKS, Alta. -- Flatbed and oil services giant Mullen Group has entered into a letter of intent to acquire Smook Bros. Contracters, a privately owned company in Thompson, Man.

Westport to ramp up production with Delphi deal

VANCOUVER -- Westport Innovations says it has reached high-volume scale production capability, thanks to a deal with Delphi Automotive Systems to supply Westport's proprietary HD fuel injectors.

Titan recruits Remorques to roll out trailers in PQ

MONTREAL -- Want to beat the competition? Invite them into your company. That's what Titan Trailers did when it recently welcomed Denis Marcoux, the owner of Remorques VDS in Montreal to join the Titan Trailer family.

Tico first Canadian OEM to offer Meritor axle

TORONTO -- Tico of Canada Intermodal Equipment Solutions is the first manufacturer in North America to offer the Meritor MOR-32 heavy-duty single drive rear axle for port and terminal tractors.

Changeover dynamics pulling truck demand forward: FTR

NASHVILLE, Ind. -- Current truck and trailer production is much more robust than over the last year, but, warns market analysts FTR Associates, a significant portion of that is a short-run surge being created by the imminent onset of new EPA-compliant 2010 engines.

Cat-Navistar Chinese joint venture plans press on

BEIJING, China -- Caterpillar and Navistar International, which are already collaborating in heavy equipment markets all over the world, are making progress with China's Jianghuai Automobile Group in joint venture discussions.