Logistics News ME catches up with all the latest transport industry happenings at IAA Commercial Vehicles Show 2016
The 66th IAA Commercial Vehicles Show took place in Hannover, Germany, last month with a firm focus on future technology and sustainable solutions.
The show was packed with sustainable alternative fuels, self-driving vehicles and enhanced safety and drive features across a range of new models.
This IAA Commercial Vehicles opens wide the window on the future of transport, logistics and mobility. It shows that we are driven by ideas. The commercial vehicles of tomorrow will be digitally connected. That will bring more safety, more efficiency and more comfort. The advantages of commercial vehicles will be even greater in towns and cities. Urban logistics will become ever-more emissions-free because many of the vans and buses operating in towns will use electric and hybrid drive. The online society that has goods delivered to the door needs commercial vehicles more than ever. The market will continue to grow worldwide, said Matthias Wissmann, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), during the IAA Media Night.
A total of 2,013 exhibitors from 52 countries displayed their latest developments at the show. Foreign exhibitors comprised 61%, with the five highest representations of any country, made up of: China, with 229 exhibitors; Italy, with 145; the Netherlands, with 121; Turkey with 92; and France, with 85. Just over one exhibitor in three hailed from Europe, excluding Germany, with one in five from Asia.
SHOW NEWS
FUSO E-canter to enter production 2017
Fuso will bring the third generation of the all-electric light-duty truck, eCanter the systematic enhancement of the Fuso Canter to market under a small series production run for delivery across Europe, the USA and Japan from 2017.
Six years after the launch of the first generation fleet, Fuso presented its all-electric Fuso eCanter; celebrating its world premiere at the IAA this year marks the third generation of the vehicle and will go into small series production by next year.
New features on the eCanter include a variet of combinable battery packs with the vehicle being premiered at the IAA features a battery capacity of 70 kWh. Depending on the body, load and also usage, a range of more than 100 km without stationary recharging is possible. The batteries are spread over five units, one centrally in the frame right behind the cab and two more on each side of the frame. Individual battery packs with three to six sets of batteries of 14 kWh each are planned for the upcoming small-scale production run. This allows the eCanter to be adapted to customer requirements with regards to range, price and weight.
New design features on the models include LED headlamps a distinct grille and bumper, and a redesigned interior including a central, removable tablet. The wide comfort cab is painted in metallic blue, while the fully-clad sides are finished in anthracite grey with a blue LED strip. A walk-on glass floor in the exhibition vehicles box body offers a view of the drive unit and the batteries.
The all-electric truck provides an economic alternative to diesel engines, with low running costs bringing ROI down.
The results of a year-long fleet test with the second generation of the Fuso Canter E-Cell have shown that around 1,000 per 10,000km can be saved with this vehicle compared with a diesel version. Coupled with maintenance costs which are around 30% lower, this makes the Fuso an economical solution for customers.
FUSO is the third brand from Daimler Trucks after Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner.
ZF Trucks see, think and act
ZFs Innovation Truck 2016, works to the vision of accident-free driving or Vision Zero.
Its efforts have resulted in a Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system which helps to keep the vehicle in its lane, and an Evasive Maneuver Assist (EMA) system which allows a truck to independently evade obstacles and brake. The latter was developed in cooperation with WABCO. The Innovation Truck 2016 also boasted the highly efficient solution with its autonomous maneuvering function SafeRange.
Both the EMA and the HDA systems can help prevent accidents more effectively.
The system not only warns the driver that the semi-trailer truck is unintentionally moving out of its lane, it also actively and independently keeps the truck in the lane. At the same time, it automatically maintains a safe distance from the vehicles in front at any speed, also including stop-and-go functionality.
Kögel: Ideas drive us
Under the slogan, ideas drive us, Kögel and exhibiting partner Humbaur, displayed more than 11 products during IAA Hannover, with Thomas Eschey, MD of Kögel GmbH & Co. KG, commenting: We are very pleased to be able to show our customers a large number of solutions, innovations and trailers again this year as well, which provide diverse added value.
We have found the right approach to our customers with the Kögel trailer axle KTA and the new Kögel Light, he added.
Iveco delivers Germanys first LNG-powered long-haul truck
Iveco will soon be operating 20 Stralis NP trucks the first gas truck designed for long haulage for the purposes of fresh food logistics and distribution in the Berlin area.
The liquid natural gas- powered (LNG) vehicle is equipped with a 400 hp engine, it has the same payload as an equivalent diesel truck and, with a range autonomy of up to 1,500 km, it can travel from Madrid to Frankfurt without refuelling.
Guaranteeing the same of higher TCO (total cost of ownership) The STralis NP can be a profitable option at 120,000 km/year, and deliver significant extra savings over that mileage.
Meyer Logistik is also co-ordinating the construction of a public LNG filling station on the east side of the Berliner Ring orbital motorway.
Pierre Lahutte, Iveco Brand president, is delighted that the door to more sustainable logistics is now open in Germany, and said: Iveco is a leading technology developer in the natural gas sector.
Our customers in Spain, Italy, the UK and the Netherlands are demonstrating that LNG is an equally reliable and efficient technology that has far less of an environmental impact than other fuels.
The Stralis NP not only produces cleaner emissions, but is also extremely quiet. This makes the vehicle suitable for urban use and calms residents concerns about noise.
Iveco also announced news from the bus and coach side of its business, introducing a new Evadys coach, positioned between the Crossway and Magelys and completing the Iveco Bus coach range; and Iveco Magelys was voted International Coach of The Year 2016.
Mercedes/ Krone tie up to reduce CO2 by 20%
Working together, Mercedes-Benz Trucks and the trailer manufacturer Krone are aiming to transform the concept of an integrated approach to reduce CO2 by 20% in less than twelve months. The integrated approach involves everyone in the haulage sector playing their part in reducing fuel consumption: commercial vehicle manufacturers, body/tyre suppliers, logistics companies and, last but not least, political decision-makers.
The specific Mercedes-Benz Actros unveiled at the IAA 2016 features the efficiency package and the latest generation of the OM 471 six-cylinder in-line engine, Predictive Powertrain Control (the anticipatory cruise control system) and A-label low rolling resistance tyres. When combined with the new Krone Profi Liner Efficiency trailer, it promises a reduction in fuel consumption, and therefore CO2 emissions, of up to 20% compared to existing combinations. A standard semitrailer-tractor combination from 2014 forms the basis of this comparison. Mercedes-Benz Trucks and its partners launched the first Efficiency Run last year and were able to save up to 14% on fuel as a result in comparison to a standard semitrailer-tractor combination.
Gero Schulze Isfort, managing director of the Krone Commercial Vehicle Group, said: Working in partnership has moved us a decisive step forwards in terms of the integrated approach. Last years Efficiency Run more than confirmed our expectations. We have subsequently further foptimised our trailer, particularly with regard to everyday practicality. Thus, this year we were able to launch another field trial, now ended, which has resulted in a semitrailer that is fit for series production and is now going on the market the Profi Liner Efficiency.
MAN unveils new portfolio
MAN presented its future-proof portfolio of trucks at the IAA Commercial Vehicles fair, including design innovations for the TG Series.
In combination with the new versions of the MAN TipMatic transmission, the MAN ranges provide highly efficient, economical and environmentally-friendly drivetrains. As a result of the reworking of the exterior and interior design; all TG series models are equipped with new standard steering wheels.
MAN is introducing numerous driveline innovations in its new TipMatic generation, designed to reduce fuel consumption and increase driving comfort. In combination with the new versions of the MAN TipMatic transmission with individually coordinated driving programmes for every area of application.
With its new generation of gearboxes, MAN is further enhancing the potential to save more fuel. MAN has optimised the automated TipMatic gearbox in their vehicles with individual moving-off and switching strategies for each specific area of application and added various new functions to enhance efficiency and comfort. The new version of the GPS-supported MAN EfficientCruise with its anticipatory cruise control is now available in combination with the EfficientRoll gearbox function. This switches the gearbox into neutral on a gentle downward gradient to use the momentum of the vehicle without any drag losses. Models also include new infotainment systems with larger displays and refined sound will be available in the MAN TGX, TGS, TGM, TGL and TGS WorldWide. The top-of-the-range model is the MAN Multimedia Truck
Daimler presents urban transport vision
Aiming to make the transportation of goods and people emissions free in the near future, Daimler unveiled its ambitions for urban transport at IAA Hannover 2016, in front of a packed hall of industry executives, including the world premier of Urban eTruck from Mercedes-Benz.
The locally emission-free 26-tonner for heavy-duty distribution transport has a range of approximately 200 kilometers. Market launch could be early in the next decade. As early as 2018, Mercedes-Benz Vans will launch a series-production van with electric drive. Mercedes-Benz previously announced series production of an electric city bus. In order to make the transportation of goods and persons by road more economical, Daimler is giving its commercial vehicles full connectivity and offering extensive digital solutions for all parties involved in transportation.
At the last IAA Commercial Vehicles, we focused on long-distance transport: With our Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025, we were the first to show the world that autonomous trucks will make long-distance transport safer and more efficient, stated Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, member of the board of management of Daimler AG, responsible for Daimler Trucks and Buses.
At this years IAA, our focus is on cities: we are presenting our vision of urban transport. Just like with long-distance haulage, our goal is to achieve more safety and efficiency than ever before and also to be free of local emissions. This will make our cities even more pleasant to live in, despite rising populations and an increased need for transportation, continued Bernhard. While on the move, the Mercedes-Benz Actros with Highway Pilot contacts other autonomous trucks that are traveling in the same direction. They come together and form a platoon.
The three trucks moving as a unit reduce their wind resistance; this reduces fuel consumption by about 7% as well as the space needed on the freeway, as they can drive with a gap of 15 meters between them instead of 50. Thanks to intelligent connectivity, the platoon seeks the most intelligent route with the lowest traffic density. Such AI could be common place in the not too distant future, with teams from all three divisions, Daimler Trucks, Daimler Buses and Mercedes-Benz Vans, working intensively on bringing this vision into reality.
Commenting specifically on Daimler Buses, Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses, said: Our partially autonomous Future Bus from Mercedes-Benz revolutionises public transportation. We are the first with a city bus that can drive in automated mode in real traffic situations.
CityPilot will make traveling by bus in the city even safer, more comfortable and significantly more efficient. That will pay off: for the passengers, the bus operators and the bus drivers. Thats why we are going to invest about 200m in the further development of our city-bus portfolio in the next five years. We want to put CityPilot into series production early in the next decade.
In parallel, Daimler Buses is working systematically on the introduction of a fully electric city bus, planning for 2018, with electric vans to follow.