Heavy Duty Trucking, September 2019

Iveco recently unveiled two concept trucks The Italy based OEM said the Iveco Fit Cab and the Magirus are customer centric concepts that will be the object of a co working process involving customers Iveco will use the concepts to conduct a series of customer workshops with drivers and owners during the 2019 European Truck Racing Championship which launched this summer at Germanys fabled Nürburgring That feedback will then be considered in the final development phase for new truck designs In developing our products we adopt a customer and driver centric approach They participate in our field testing activities they give us guidance with their insights and feedback explained Gerrit Marx Ivecos president for commercial and specialty vehicles He added that the process aims to engage them in a dialogue about their job to tailor the next trucks to closely match their needs and desires trucks developed by the customers for the customers Iveco said the Fit Cab takes driver centricity to a new level by seeking to improve the well being comfort and performance of the driver mitigating the consequences of long driving hours A logo inspired by fitness programs signals the cabs additional role as a gym on wheels with devices for improving the drivers mobility stability strength and overall fitness Dedicated hooks and anchor points are integrated into the exterior to host specially designed accessories The retractable front step can double as a training tool In addition the cab interior is outfitted with such equipment as a wall integrated multi directional pulley a roof integrated folded multi grip solution and a functional package that includes resistance bands sliders and weights The other concept the Magirus pays tribute to that marques heritage while looking firmly towards the future It incorporates multiple elements of the original brand including classic two tone livery and chrome details Magirus a German truck brand dating back to 1866 was acquired by Iveco in 1975 The OEM described the Magirus concept as innovative in its approach to developing a custom made truck Extraordinary attention has been devoted to every single detail from the top quality leather finishings and fine fabrics to the metallic levers switches and inserts and a wide range of options to enable each customer to make their cabin truly unique David Cullen Ford VW collaboration Ford Motor Co and Volkswagen AG are expanding their global alliance to include electric vehicles and will collaborate with Argo AI to introduce autonomous vehicle technology in the U S and Europe Argo AIs focus will remain on delivering a SAE Level 4 capable system that will be applied for ride hailing and goods delivery services in dense urban areas Volkswagen and Ford independently will integrate Argo AIs system into purpose built vehicles Ford will use Volkswagens Modular Electric Toolkit a dedicated electric vehicle architecture with plans to start releasing high volume zero emission vehicles in Europe beginning in 2023 The companies are also on track to deliver midsize pickup trucks for global customers aiming to start in 2022 followed by commercial vans Samsung battery packs for Volvo trucks Volvo Group and Samsung SDI the battery manufacturing subsidiary of Samsung have entered into a strategic alliance to develop battery packs for Volvo Groups electric trucks Working with Samsung SDI Volvo Group aims to accelerate the speed of development and strengthen the long term capabilities and assets with in electromobility in different truck segments and markets The alliance will cover joint development of battery packs developed for Volvo Groups truck applications Volvo Group will then use Samsung SDIs battery pack technology for assembly in its manufacturing operations BAIC Daimler investment Beijing Automotive Group BAIC Group of Beijing China through its Investment Global Co Ltd subsidiary has acquired an equity interest of approximately 5 in Germanys Daimler AG Daimler and BAIC have been linked in a strategic partnership since 2003 Since then the two companies have cooperated in the production research and development and the sale of passenger cars vans and trucks In 2013 Daimler acquired an equity interest in BAIC Motor Corp a subsidiary of BAIC and currently holds 955 of its shares This makes BAIC the third largest investor in Daimler after Li Shufu private investor holds shares through Tenaciou Prospect Investment Ltd at 97 and Kuwaits Sovereign Savings Fund at 68 as of July 23 HDT SEPTEMBER 2019 24 WWW TRUCKINGINFO COM Iveco concept trucks look to past present and future Iveco calls the Fit Cab a travelling work and workout companion for the driver Hotline Global is published in partnership with UK based Truck Bus Builder For a free trial subscription to T BB go to www truckandbusbuilder com trial request asp Hotlineglobal TRUCKINGS WORLDWIDE BUSINESS REPORT PHOTO IVECO