As of January 1, 2025, the ramp and lift business (Hübner Transportation GmbH) will be fully integrated into the Hübner Group.

The company is aiming to partner with international CV OEMs in the light, medium and heavy-duty segments by presenting its hydrogen and natural gas products for the transportation sector.

Schmitz began production of its own axles at the Altenberge plant in 2004: since then, it has manufactured 2 million of them, installing them on trailers made in Altenberge or shipping them to its other trailer plants in Europe and Turkey.

At IAA Transportation 2024, held between 17-22 September in Hanover, Germany, Brazilian trailer and components firm Randoncorp presented products from its auto parts brands, including wheel-end components from Castertech, brake systems from Master Freios (a joint venture with Cummins), and axles, suspensions, and e-mobility products from Suspensys. However, the group’s most interesting showcase was invisible to the naked eye. In its axle products lay hidden a secret ingredient measurable only on the nanoscale: a niobium compound, which has the power to augment the mechanical properties of steel while considerably reducing its weight. It also improves the performance of other materials, enabling them to achieve their full potential.

Starting in late 2024, ZF will provide its CeTrax 2 dual electric central drive, which is designed for heavy-duty trucks, including Ford Trucks' electric rigid truck (F-Line E). This drive offers two electric motors with a continuous power of 380 kW and a peak torque of 24,700 Nm, enabling efficient and powerful performance.

The company highlighted the AddVolt Powerpack, an energy system that enables the electrification of refrigerated transport vehicles which can eliminate diesel use and reducing noise, making it ideal for operating in low-emission zones.

The new ‘HV (i.e., high voltage) Test & Validation Laboratory’ is already accredited to national and international standards for testing electric vehicles with architectures rated at 800 volts.

The German manufacturer recently unveiled three new fire trucks: two with corrosion-resistant aluminium bodies, one with a body optimised for airport applications, and all with new driver display systems in the cab.

The Schiphol Group has ordered 52 of MAN’s ‘Lion’s City 12 E’ buses, capable of carrying up to 107 passengers.

T&BB caught up with the CEO and co-founder Dr James Widmer at the show. Widmer claims that the electric motor offers all the performance and efficiency benefits of a conventional permanent magnet motor without their considerable environmental drawbacks.

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.