September 1, 2023 sees Erica Correa Daumichen responsible for the operations of the 4.0 factories in São Bernardo do Campo (SP) and Juiz de Fora (MG).

Production, according to Silvio Furtado, vice-president of Solutions for Commercial Vehicles and Industrial Technology ZF South America, exceeds 100 units a day and that the factory has recently completed a production sequence of more than 32,000 transmissions without a failure.

Beginning in 2024, Modine’s facility in Pontevico, Italy will make products from the ‘EVantage’ line of thermal management systems, including battery thermal management and electronics cooling systems.

Developed in collaboration with fellow German company Trailer Dynamics, Krone will present its new eTrailer, equipped with an electrified eAxle that recovers braking energy through recuperation, reducing the consumption of diesel and therefore the amount of CO2 produced.

In the Dutch city of Eindhoven, there remains one of those odd survivals of the former industrial age, now largely superseded by the digital revolution: the privately owned diversified manufacturing company, VDL Groep. Founded by Pieter van der Leegte in 1953, it now comprises more than 100 companies operating in 19 countries, overseen by Willem van der Leegte, who represents the third generation of the VDL family.

A top-of-the-line Actros extra-heavy truck cabin in zirconium blue was used to celebrate this historic milestone with all employees at the factory in Minas Gerais.

Beginning in 2024, the company will integrate its batteries, battery software and auxiliary modules into the unnamed North American OEM’s electric vocational trucks.

Employing 250 skilled workers, the centrally located facility will support the efficient production and distribution of complete BEV heavy-duty trucks for the North American market.

BYD debuted two new electric buses for the European market. These new buses joined two established BYD models on the stand: the BYD eBus B19 and the BYD eBus B15.

Since its market introduction in 2003, 89,515 units have been registered, of which 85,461 are light trucks and 4,054 are medium trucks, which means an average of 4,475 units per year.

Launched in 2003, the company says the VM represents a watershed in Volvo's Brazilian operation. It was the brand's first semi-heavy vehicle in the country, being designed and produced exclusively in the Curitiba (PR) industrial complex, one of Volvo's main factories around the world.

The deal includes the Proterra development centre for battery modules and packs in California and an assembly factory in South Carolina. Whilst details remain sparse at this point, the deal is expected to close in early 2024 and remains subject to the approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.