Does the Ice Road help?

The showing of a realistic documentary about truckers hauling mining equipment across the frozen lakes of Canada could be a two edged sword. It does show the truckies themselves in a positive light but behaviour of some of the characters later in the series may reinforce people’s negative stereotypes about drivers in the transport industry.

Is this the shape of things to come?

Rising fuel prices are forcing truck and trailer developers to come up with improved fuel economy and aerodynamics is an attractive option for designers to work on and has stimulated some interesting design.

Safety gizmo test

According to the findings of development engineers at Mercedes-Benz following a fleet test conducted with a total of 1,000 Mercedes-Benz Actros semis in 2005/2006, half of the serious truck accidents in Europe could be prevented.

Wright awarded honour

Former Managing Director of Paccar Australia, Andrew Wright, has been honoured by the Australian Government in the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his outstanding contribution to Australian Manufacturing and the road transport industry.

St Kilda sponsorship

UD Trucks has announced a new partnership with the St Kilda Football Club and will be a premium partner for the club, signing on for season 2008 with an option until the end of 2010. The deal will see the UD Trucks logo feature on the team’s media shirts, training personnel uniforms and on the media backdrops at post match press conferences.

New Canter unveiled

Fuso’s popular Canter range is back starting with the car license-friendly Canter 2.0 all the way up to the Canter 4.5 FE extra long wheel base, the longest wheelbase available.