Since the beginning of 2024 the New Zealand Trucking Media team has been beavering away behind the scenes on an all-new Friday EDM experience – and we’re proud to present it to you today! In addition to the usual weekly news, you’ll find the latest content from Trucking Radio 24/7, our latest video and podcast media, our top must-read picks from Little Trucker Down Under and New Zealand Trucking magazine and, of course, our weekly editorial opinion piece. We’re particularly excited about our new Editor’s Minute, where we present our thoughts and opinions to you in video format. In this f ..read more

Before I get to discussing the economic downturn, this week has seen some positive historic events for our organisation. On Wednesday, following a lot of work from our members and directors, our two North Island regional associations unanimously approved the adoption of our new constitution. Our two South Island associations will hold similar meetings in the coming weeks. Subject to the outcomes of these two meetings, the Transporting New Zealand Board and Regional Presidents will gather in Wellington on 28 May to formally adopt the constitutional and governance changes. These changes will en ..read more

Recently, at least two transport operators have hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Failing to look after their people, both fell foul of the Employment Authority and had to pay the price, literally. One operator was ordered to pay an employee $55,000 on wages arrears, holiday pay and Kiwisaver entitlements. That business unfortunately went into liquidation as a result. The other operator had to pay $37,000 due to multiple breaches of employment law that added up to migrant exploitation. Both of these cases could have been avoided. National Road Carriers works directly with the Minis ..read more

Scania has announced record earnings in the first quarter of 2024 with an uptick in sales driven by the launch of the Scania Super. Net sales grew by 20% to SEK55.1 billion, while  adjusted operating income reached SEK8.0 billion, with adjusted operating margin 14.5%. Vehicle deliveries increased by 17% to 26,496 vehicles, with Zero Emission Vehicles amounting to 47 units. Order intake increased by 7% to 20,171 vehicles, with Zero Emission Vehicles amounting to 133 units. The Swedish truck manufacturer said global truck demand remains stable, driven by sustained fleet utilisation and rep ..read more

Mercedes-Benz Trucks is planning for this summer the most extensive test run in the history of the company – with its new electric flagship eActros 600. Two near-series prototypes of the battery-electric long-haul truck will travel across more than 20 European countries, each completing more than 13,000km with 40 tonnes total towing weight. The trip, dubbed “eActros 600 European Testing Tour 2024”, is set to kick off from Frankfurt/Main on June 11. Mercedes-Benz Trucks said the tour will gain extensive experience on a wide range of routes in different topographies and climate zones, with an ey ..read more

Amazon is deploying nearly 50 new heavy-duty electric trucks across Southern California to haul shipments and customer packages. It is the company’s largest fleet of these vehicles in any country to date. The launch is an important step in Amazon’s work towards decarbonising every step across first, middle, and last mile deliveries. The fully electric trucks will haul cargo containers and customer packages in first- and middle-mile operations, joining the hundreds of last-mile electric vans already delivering packages across the state. Combined, the trucks are expected to travel more than 1.6 ..read more

Kenworth has launched its new Legacy video, designed to celebrate the “multi-generational businesses that form the backbone of the road transport industry”. Featuring a father and son over time, and set against an original musical score, the video was filmed at locations across Australia including the Great Ocean Road, the Otway Forests, Mornington Peninsula, and Broken Hill. The music, which was written and produced for the video, features percussion sounds sampled from Kenworth trucks, including an engine cylinder sequence. “This video is effectively a short film that highlights how importa ..read more

This month, we are straight into construction with the assembly, detailing and painting of the engine and gearbox for our 40th-anniversary Torquing Bulldog build. As I mentioned last month, the Torquing Bulldog build is going to require some modification and scratch- building to get an accurate representation. Here we are, with the box opened, looking at the instruction sheet, and straight off, we’re faced with exactly that. We are using a kitset based on the early American R685ST powered by a 237hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine. Torquing Bulldog, on the other hand, was the later R688R ..read more

One year ago, the NRC team was in crisis mode, responding to members caught in Cyclone Gabrielle’s aftermath and flooding. This year, I see a more upbeat mood among members. No doubt the beautiful weather and new government have helped. The quieter January gave the team at NRC time to reflect and plan for the year ahead – to ask ourselves how we can serve our members better. We looked at three things: Our team – are we well set up to serve our members? Our services – are they providing what our members need? Our advocacy – are we pushing for the right priorities with the government? Our tea ..read more

The level of excitement and anticipation certainly ratcheted up a notch or three on the lead-up to 2024 Truck of the Year Australasia. The second outing for the award, it was presented at the inaugural Teletrac Navman Technology Maintenance and Safety Conference held in Christchurch in March and Western Star’s bang-up-to-date and ruggedly good-looking X-Series drove off with the trophy. “It’s a real thrill to accept this award on behalf of the team at Penske Australia and New Zealand,” said Hamish Christie-Johnston, CEO of Penske for both countries. “To see such an iconic brand redesigned ..read more