Aeolus Truck & Driver News

A record $32.9 billion transport network investment through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will reintroduce the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme.

The new NLTP will deliver on the coalition Government’s agreements and establish a pipeline of 17 RoNS projects across the country.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown says the programme will create a more reliable and efficient transport network, boosting economic growth and productivity.

“New Zealanders rejected the previous government’s transport policies which resulted in non-delivery, phantom projects, slower speed limits, and an infestation of speed bumps,” says Brown....

The new national sales structure for the Daimler Truck brands has taken shape with Keith Andrews Trucks dealerships now trading in Christchurch, Timaru and Dunedin.

The official changeover took place on September 12 to create a New Zealand-wide network for the Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and Fuso commercial vehicle brands.

Under the previous structure Keith Andrews represented Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Freightliner and FUSO in the North Island, while CablePrice represented the three brands in the South Island.

Keith Andrews Holdings and CablePrice have now reached agreement on the sale and acquisition of selected South Island Daimler Truck dealerships.

The big headlines are reserved for the 17-litre displacement and 780hp output of the new MP11 Euro 6 engine.

But the Mack marque has plenty of other upgrades ready for introduction to customers across its Anthem, Trident, Super-Liner and Titan model lines.

The new MP11 Euro 6 engine will give the Super-Liner and Titan models the most powerful drivetrain ever offered in the Mack Trucks range.

While full details of the new `big block’ engine have yet to be confirmed, the 17-litre will develop 780hp and deliver an impressive 3800Nm of torque. It will be partnered by an upgraded mDrive transmission. 

It’s a significant performance boost over ...

Late 2024 now looks to be the timeline for the long-awaited start to New Zealand trials of Hyzon heavy duty fuel cell electric trucks.

The most recent update was provided at the launch of the first cabover configuration truck powered by Hyzon’s new single stack 200kW fuel cell (FCEV) powertrain in Melbourne on March 12.

The new prime mover was unveiled at the Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) in Melbourne where an Australian engineering team is leading the development of the cabover version.

The company expects to deploy 200kW cabovers in Europe and 200kW conventional trucks in the U.S. later this year and the first 200kW Prime...

Varying analysis techniques allow several commercial vehicle brands to celebrate New Zealand sales success with the new truck market achieving record volumes in 2023.

Notably Isuzu Trucks New Zealand has returned to the top spot on the sales charts (new trucks with a GVM above 3500kg), with year-end data confirming it outsold all competitors to regain the Number One position for 2023.

Isuzu enjoyed a run of 21 years of truck market leadership in New Zealand before Fuso claimed top spot in 2021 and 2022.

“It’s been a challenging few years, especially with COVID disruptions and significant pressure on the supply chain, but 2023 has proven to be a turn...