October 2017 | VehicleServicePros.com 11
Continental launches Automatic or Adaptive Cruise Control for
commercial vehicles, with the mission of increasing driver comfort
2000
without sacrificing safety. The systems behave as a conventional cruise control
system in an open lane condition. Using the Powertrain and Electronic Brake
System, the vehicle is able to adjust speeds to keep the driver’s selected headway.
U.S. EPA adopts a rulemaking to establish stringent standards designed to reduce
emissions from on-road heavy duty trucks and buses by up to 95 percent and
cut the allowable levels of sulfur in diesel fuel by 97 percent. Beginning with the
2007 model year, 100 percent of the on-road heavy duty engines will require the
use of a diesel particulate filter and 50 percent of the engines will require NOx
exhaust control technology. Beginning with the 2010 model year, 100 percent of the
on-road heavy duty diesel engines will require NOx exhaust control technology.
The U.S. Department
of Justice approves the
acquisition of Mack Trucks
by AB Volvo of Sweden.
Freightliner acquires
Western Star Trucks.
Michelin introduces
the industry’s first
wide base truck
tire, the X One.
Great Dane Trailers
celebrates its 100th
anniversary.
In October, WIX Filters introduces
its WIX XD (extended drain) Oil Filters.
Featuring the company’s Spin Flow
Technology, they are engineered to increase the
miles driven between oil changes, thus reducing
downtime and allowing fleets to extend oil change
intervals when combined with proper oil analysis.
California
adopts the first
greenhouse
gas emissions
regulations for
motor vehicles.
The FMCSA issues the first substantial
change to the hoursof
service (HOS) regulations
for commercial motor vehicle drivers since 1939.
HOS regulations were first issued in 1938 by
the Interstate Commerce Commission, which
was then the relevant regulatory agency.
Meritor WABCO introduces the first roll stability
control (RSC) systems for commercial vehicles. It
is an active vehicle safety system that automatically
intervenes if a high rollover risk is detected
while driving. If a rollover threat is occurring,
the system intervenes and assists the driver
in minimizing the rollover risk by automatically
applying the foundation brakes and reducing
engine torque output to decrease vehicle speed.
Toyota premiers its Hybrid Synergy Drive
powertrain in the all-new 2004 Prius. A
full hybrid system, it is capable of operating
in three modes: gas only, electric only
or in a combination mode where the gas
engine and electric motor work together.
Zonar receives a patent for the first ever
Electronic Verified Inspection Reporting
(EVIR) system. Compliant with all U.S. DOT,
OSHA and MSHA (Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) inspection
requirements, EVIR is the only fully
electronic way to perform verified
inspections and eliminate paper
reporting. This advance in technology
is part of a wider trend in digitalization
of the commercial vehicle
industry, from fleet telematics platforms
to digital tire management
and electronic inspection reporting.
Daimler Chrysler buys Detroit Diesel Corporation.
The first Global Positioning System(GPS) system and Global
System for Mobile Communications (GSM) come to market.
In joint regulatory actions, the U.S. EPA and National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) adopts greenhouse
gas emissions standardsand harmonized Corporate Average
Fuel Economy(CAFE) legislation for light duty vehicles.
2002
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