At IAA Transportation 2024, held between 17-22 September in Hanover, Germany, the vehicle manufacturers said in unison to delegates: “We are ready for the transition to electric vehicles. Now we are waiting for the market to follow.” Maxion Wheels had a similar message for its OEM customers: “We are ready. Everything is developed. We know how to do it.”At its stand, the company showcased a range of different wheels, from sustainable steel to light electric urban to forged aluminium – this last type being shown to the public for the very first time since Maxion announced its intention to enter this market segment at IAA Transportation 2022. But Maxion’s execs were keen to stress that the company’s moves to support electric vehicles and sustainability are not disruptive; rather, these initiatives are in keeping with a longstanding “culture of innovation” at Maxion.

The focus was on innovations for trailers to drive efficiency whilst addressing environmental concerns. The company highlighted gains in the fields of artificial intelligence applications and electrical energy generation solutions.

The company said it has focused on using the most advanced technologies for hydrogen fuel cells, battery electric vehicles, and alternative fuel-powered engines.

All new SmarTrailer’s will be equipped with TC Trailer Gateway, enabling real-time vehicle management. This systems monitors driver behaviour, vehicle location and gathers data (and transmits the data) from various trailer components such as temperature sensors, brake systems and tyre pressure.

During a press conference at the show, Güriş said that Parsan is now working with AVL to adapt the e-axle for series production.

This variant has been tailored for demanding heavy-duty applications like logging, construction and heavy-haul operations. The design improves stability, weight distribution and control aiding in driver comfort, performance and safety.

At IAA Transportation 2024 last month, I experienced firsthand the magnetic effect of the “Tesla phenomenon”. Towards the end of a series of keynote speeches delivered by some of the industry’s most important executives, Dan Priestley, who heads the development of Tesla’s heavy electric ‘Semi’ truck, took to the stage to provide an update on the company’s plans for the commercial vehicle segment. I had a place towards the front, having sat through the preceding talks that afternoon, which were reasonably well attended; however, looking behind just before Priestley’s entry to the stage, I saw a new crowd of attendees filling out the entire space.

Part of its ‘Eckstreme’ series of twin-deckers, the new trailer sits on three axles and weighs about 450 kilograms less than previous iterations in the range.

The ‘HE 19’ is the latest model in Carrier Transicold’s ‘Vector’ series of TRUs and is claimed to be the company’s most sustainable product yet.

The NM20 is apparently still in development, with initial customer deliveries to begin towards the end of this year.

The deal would see Alltrucks serving Sany customers from its network of over 700 workshops across thirteen European countries.

In the future, the former Van Hool facility will produce stainless steel tankers, whereas GRW will produce aluminium products at its own facilities, said GRW CEO Gerhard van der Merwe.