Mercedes-Benz Focuses on Autonomous Driving Trucks

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Daimler has realigned the focus of Mercedes-Benz on autonomous driving. Instead of self-driving cars, trucks are now at the top of its priority list.

Dalibor Sablic
Dalibor Sablic

The German car maker initially planned to concentrate on autonomous cars, explained Daimler CEO Ola Kallenius in a conversation with journalists at the canceled Geneva Motor Show. The group believes that self-driving trucks are initially the more attractive area, says the Daimler boss, according to the news platform news.com.au.

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CARB Is Phasing Out Heavy Trucks

NORTH AMERICA REPORT
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

In April, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted unanimously to finalize its Advanced Clean Fleets rule that requires all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold or registered in the state of California to be zero-emission by 2036. 

Among these requirements is a new 2036 target for an end to diesel truck sales. This was lowered from an early 2040 target, with the thought that 2040 would be too late to reach California Governor Gavin Newsom’s goal for 100% zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2045. 

The 2036 target is only one year after the 2035 target for passenger cars.  Also in the rule, state and local agencies must purchase 50% ZEV by 2024, and 100% ZEV by 2027.

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Mercedes Produces Initial Heavy Trucks in China

CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao
Jack Hao

Mercedes-Benz heavy-duty truck factory in China has started mass production and its first domestic Chinese heavy-duty truck has rolled off the assembly line. The rollout reflects the Mercedes Benz truck localization project, under which Mercedes is producing heavy duty trucks built specifically for the domestic Chinese market.

The first batch of Mercedes Benz domestic heavy trucks is scheduled to  be delivered to customers in early November.

In the process of localization, MB is striving to achieve a balance between high quality and cost. It is working with 150 domestic suppliers to improve manufacturing quality capability and localize the supply of more than 1500 parts. Presently, the localization rate of Mercedes Benz heavy truck Actros series exceeds 50%, and the localization rate of Actros C series is 90%.

Mercedes Benz trucks has established a Mercedes Benz business unit under the joint venture of Daimler Trucks Co., Ltd. and Foton Motor, which have a 50: 50 share ownership.

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29% of 2023 Trucks Fit with Euro 6 Engines

Data released by Anfavea about July Sales and Production show only 29% of the trucks sold in 2023, and produced during the year, met the PROCONVE P8 / Euro VI emissions regulation.

From January to July 2023, 53,900 trucks were produced, 36.2% below the 84,500 units produced in same period last year. This amount is also lower than that produced in the same period in 2021, when 89,500 trucks were produced on the Brazilian OEM assembly lines.

Truck production is still at a slow pace as the market continues to generate low demand for the new PROCONVE P8 technology.

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Russia: KAMAZ Tests Driverless Trucks in Arctic

KAMAZ driverless trucks have been tested in the Eastern-Messoyakh oilfield in the Nenetsky region. The vehicles were driven 2,500 kilometers without accidents.

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

The joint project of Gazpromneft and KAMAZ was put together with support of region authorities in difficult climate conditions beyond the Polar Circle. The main target of tests was to determine the efficiency of driverless trucks, which would increase safety of cargo transportation and optimize supplies to territories with difficult access.

During the tests, the driverless trucks showed high potential to move on pre-set routes with high accuracy, to exchange information via duplicated communication systems, to recognize obstacles and forecast movements on actual environment.

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Weichai Delivers 150-Ton Mining Trucks

Jack Hao
Jack Hao

The 150-ton large-scale mining truck delivered by Weichai has accumulated more than 50,000 hours of trial operation, with a total mileage of more than 360,000 kilometers, a 70% increase in efficiency, and a 10% reduction in unit energy consumption.

This product is equipped with a powertrain system consisting of Weichai Group’s 17-liter engine + 3300 Nm high torque 8-speed gearbox + 60-ton drive axle. The operation equals the output of two trucks, which significantly reduces the number of vehicles need for a specific job, greatly reduces operating costs, and brings considerable economic benefits to customers

Source:  Weichai Power  Read The Article

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Volvo To Begin Testing Heavy EV Trucks

Volvo has received authorization from the Ministry of Transportation to begin testing its heavy electric trucks in Brazil. The vehicles will be part of a study and will be able to operate in urban areas, metropolitan regions, and short to medium-distance intercity transportation, aiming to evaluate their performance and impact on pavement in this type of operation.

The transport companies ReiterLog and Ritmo Logística will be the first to operate the Volvo electric trucks. Preliminary results from the study, led by Senatran (National Traffic Department), with technical coordination from Inprotran (National Institute of Traffic and Safety Projects), in partnership with Volvo, Prometeon, UNB, and UFRGS, indicate benefits of operating zero-emission CO2 vehicles, such as high energy efficiency, absence of noise, low vibration levels, and increased driver comfort.

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Production of BelAZ Dump Trucks May Be Started in Russia

Minsk has offered to Moscow to localize production of heavy mining BelAZ trucks in Russia. It was announced by deputy of Trade Minister Mr. Evtukhov.

“At the moment Belorussian colleagues have offered to produce BelAZ trucks in Russian Federation, to localize… I think, this project could be implemented – says Mr. Evtukhov on joint meeting of trade committees of two countries.

Note, that in Belarus since 9 August the protests have started. BelAZ workers also participated in meetings and strikes.    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: BelAZ produces one of the world’s largest HHP mining trucks (up to 450 ton capacity), and Russia was one of its key markets until this year. However, now the import volumes to Russia have dropped significantly. Today, production of similar trucks in Russia is localized by Caterpillar. Similar projects also are developed by local OEMs (Tonar, KAMAZ). So, BelAZ is searching for ways to keep its market share.    PSR

Maxim Sakov is Market Consultant, Russia, for Power Systems Research