The Malaysian commercial vehicle market above 2 tons gvw declined by almost 15% to 12,431 units in the first quarter of 2019 from 14,549 units a year earlier, as the economic growth in the country continued to weaken.

Operator, DB Schenker, vehicle manufacturer, MAN Truck & Bus SE and research body, Hochschule Fresenius – University of Applied Sciences have completed successfully what this consortium of companies claims to be the world's first field test with truck platoons (electronically linked trucks or truck trailer combinations) in real logistics operations.

Continental Tyre Group Ltd for the past nine months or so has been making its tyre pressure monitoring system (ContiPressureCheck system) available via Microlise’s on-board telematics in-cab display.

The Philippine market for pickup trucks continued to expand strongly in the first quarter, increasing by 26% year-on-year to 15,147 units after growth of over 16% to 12,026 units in the same period of last year.

Parker Hannifin Corporation, a specialist in motion and control technologies, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire global conglomerate, Lord Corporation, for approximately USD3.675bn in cash.

The first production model of the Mercedes-Benz flagship Actros 1851 LS 4x2 rolled off the production line at the Wörth plant on 21 May.

Trailer and body (7.5t gvw+) builder, Don-Bur (Bodies & Trailers) Ltd, at the 2019 Commercial Vehicle Show displayed its latest lifting deck trailer, which has been re-engineered for optimal durability and to reduce maintenance by an estimated 12.2%.

Edbro, a brand and tipping gear division of Germany’s Jost Group, used Tip-Ex 2019 last month to launch its latest generation hydraulic cylinder for ejection trailers. 

Priden Engineering Ltd, which is now part of the TVS group alongside SB Components (International) Ltd (Wisbech) and McPhee Mixers McPhee Bros Ltd, recently opened a new five bay purpose-built manufacturing unit in Wisbech for bulk tipping trailers.

FEV, the Aachen-based engineering services consultancy specialist revealed a new 48-volt electric drive axle system at the Vienna Motor Symposium in May.

Japan’s light commercial vehicle market of 2.0-4.5 tons gvw expanded by 6.5% to 75,525 units in the first quarter from 70,904 units a year earlier, despite weakening private consumption in the country.

The commercial vehicle market over 2 tons gvw in Japan expanded by 5.1% to 130,778 units in the first quarter of 2019 from weak year-earlier sales of 124,448 units, based on data released by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.