TRUCKMAKERS NEWS * USA - Earnings Preview for Navistar International

Warrenville,ILL,USA -Benzinga, by Nelson Hem -June 06, 2011: -- Navistar International is scheduled to report second-quarter fiscal 2011 results before the markets open on Tuesday, June 7...  During the three months that ended in April, the company received an order from the U.S. Army for troop transport vehicles to be used in Afghanistan and another for ambulances from the Marines. The revenue forecast for that period calls for an increase of 20.3% from the same period of last year to $3.3 billion. And sequential and year-over-year growth of revenues is projected for the current quarter as well...  Navistar International operates in four segments. The Truck segment makes and distributes trucks and buses for the common carrier and private carrier, military vehicles, and student and commercial transportation markets. The Engine segment designs and manufactures diesel engines for medium and heavy trucks, military vehicles and buses, as well as sells engines for industrial and agricultural applications. The Parts segment offers truck, trailer and engine service parts. The Financial Services segment provides retail, wholesale and lease financing services for its trucks and parts...  (Picture from i20.tinypic: Navistar's MaxxPro)

ELECTRIC TRUCKMAKERS * USA - Balqon offers new one

Harbor City,CAL,USA -Fleet Owner -May 25, 2011: -- Balqon Corporation has introduced the latest model in its line-up of heavy-duty, all-electric trucks, the Nautilus XR E20. The new truck can operate for 16 hours (or up to 150 miles) between recharges, according to company president and CEO, Balwinder Samra... The new truck is designed to serve as a yard tractor, it is built on an AutoCar chassis and features a four-speed, fully automatic transmission; high-performance AC induction motor - 200 HP @ 1800-2400 RPM with 600 lb-ft of torque @1800 RPM; and is powered with a lithium iron phosphate battery pack which has an extended life cycle. There is a five- year warranty on all battery packs...  (Photo from lh3.googleusercontent: Balqon CEO B. Samra with pure battery electric XR E20 tractor)

* Smith Electric Vehicles taps A123 for batteries

Kansas City,MO,USA -Fleet Owner -May 27, 2011: -- Smith Electric Vehicles will buy batteries from A123 Systems, a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate lithium ion batteries and systems, according to a recent announcement from A123. The company expects to begin shipping its 5kWh automotive-class prismatic modules to Smith for integration into battery packs in the second half of 2011... According to Smith, A123’s battery technology will be first implemented in the Smith Newton truck, an all-electric, 7.5 ton (16,535 GVWR)–15 ton (33,000 GVWR) vehicle that has been commercialized globally... Smith’s customers include Frito-Lay (a division of PepsiCo), Staples, Coca-Cola, Sainsbury’s and Dairy Crest, as well as the U.S. Marine Corps... (Picture from smithelectricvehicles)

TRUCKMAKERS NEWS * USA - Mack adding second shift to keep up with truck demand

Macungie,PA,USA -Truck News (CAN) -May 20, 2011: -- Mack Trucks is hiring workers and ramping up production of its Pinnacle highway truck... The company said it requires about 300 new employees to support production demand of its Mack Pinnacle, and since it has already recalled most of its laid-off workers, most of the additional personnel will be new hires... "Customers are extremely pleased with the Pinnacle model and our MP series engines, in terms of both performance and fuel economy," said Kevin Flaherty, Mack senior vice-president, US and Canada. "With recently announced enhancements to our vehicle aerodynamics and engine offerings, we expect the enthusiasm to continue" ... Mack will be adding a second shift at its Macungie plant and says it will have the new hires up and running by early August... (Image from Macktrucks: Macungie plant Assembly Operations)

* USA - Steady growth in light & medium/heavy regs

Detroit,MICH,USA -AutomotiveWorld -May 23, 2011: -- A new report published by AutomotiveWorld.com forecasts steady growth in US light vehicle registrations to 16.3 million units in 2015, and considerable growth over the same period in new registrations of medium and heavy (on-road, including buses) vehicles...  The report, entitled Forecast: The US new vehicle market: prospects to 2015, sees growth in US light vehicle registrations of 15% in 2011, with further growth of 13% in 2012...  Whilst 2010 saw a year-on-year rise in medium and heavy registrations, this figure was still well down compared to some recent years, and the second lowest since 1991. However, the forecast anticipates growth of 41% in Class 4-8 for 2011, followed by 26% in 2012. Sales will continue to rise in 2013, but at a slower rate, before a peak in 2014 and a cyclical decline in 2015... (Photo from cache.gawkerassets: medium_GMC-Isuzu)