Aeolus Truck & Driver News

Three local debuts for new battery electric trucks and the first public appearance of the most anticipated Western Star model for many years were among highlights of the TMS Teletrac Navman Technology | Maintenance | Safety Conference & Exhibition which opened in Christchurch on March 13.

The two day conference organised with the NZ Trucking Association and National Road Carriers was officially opened by the Hon. Matt Doocey, whose portfolios include Minister for ACC and Associate Minister of Transport.

Among the new trucks on display at the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre was an 8x4 variant of the new Western Star 48X, part of the brand’s new generat...

The March 1 launch of New Zealand’s Tyrewise scheme for managing the stewardship of `end of life’ tyres is revealing some early fee anomalies which are being worked through by the scheme delivery managers.

The Tyrewise fees scale for loose regulated tyres is based on 53 NZ Customs tariff code items, ranging from small motorcycle and ATV tyres through to large earthmoving and aircraft tyres.

The early days of the scheme have highlighted that some tyres have historically been imported under multiple Tariff codes for some time.

“It has highlighted there has been a lot of unintentional misdeclaration of Tariff codes by tyre importers, but that hasn’t im...

The Volkswagen-owned Traton Group has announced it is advancing plans for Level 4 autonomous trucking across its Scania, MAN Truck & Bus and Navistar brands.

Traton is launching an Autonomous Commercial Pilot Programme based on an autonomous solution powered by the leading technology stack from U.S. tech pioneers Plus. 

The pilot programmes will expand the strategic development of autonomous hub-to-hub transport solutions and scalable operational concepts using the Level 4, fully autonomous Plus SuperDrive technology stack.

This new solution stands out due to its adaptability to customers’ specific routes and transport profiles. 

“W...

Bragging rights in the horsepower stakes will soon switch back to Volvo Trucks with the introduction of a new engine for its iconic FH16 model. 

The new 17-litre engine develops up to 780hp with up to 3800Nm of torque – besting arch-rival Scania’s 770hp V8 flagship models.

The 780hp engine is being joined by 600hp/3000Nm and 700hp/3400Nm variants with the higher power and torque levels translating to faster engine response, better driveability, maximum productivity and improved fuel efficiency.

“I’m proud to present our new engine. It really is a masterpiece and the result of world-class engineering,” says Marcos Weingaertner, Product Manager a...

When State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyn Hills is closed for a $61million repair programme in coming months, the detour route for all HPMV traffic will add 71km to the journey between Auckland and Whangarei.

The Brynderwyn closure is scheduled to begin on Monday February 26 and in recent weeks work has been progressing on the various detour routes to be used.

Steve Mutton, Director Regional Relationships NZTA says that crews have been preparing SH12 and SH14 for heavy vehicles while working closely with the Northland Transportation Alliance on local detour routes for light vehicles including Cove Road and Paparoa Oakleigh Road.

NZTA says high produ...