10 years of I-Shift by Volvo Trucks

When I-Shift was launched in 2001 it was something that had never been seen before. Back then, few people believed in a transmission system designed exclusively for automatic gear-changing. Today, however, I-Shift is one of Volvo Trucks� most highly appreciated products worldwide.

This year, I-Shift is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Today no fewer than 80 per cent of Volvo�s FH trucks are equipped with the system, making I-Shift virtually a standard feature. At its launch in 2001, however, things looked very different. There were already a number of so-called AMTs (Automated Mechanical Transmissions) on the market, but they were all based on manual gearboxes adapted to permit automatic gear-changing. They were often not entirely reliable and customers complained. Vehicle manufacturers were forced to face angry customers who had paid a great deal of money for a transmission that caused problems.



Tailored for long-distance operations
However, Volvo Trucks believed in the concept of a transmission system designed from the very outset for automatic gear-changing. The first target was to adapt it for long-distance transport.

The company succeeded and in 2002, just one year after the system�s launch, 14 per cent of all Volvo trucks sold were equipped with I-Shift. This can be compared with its predecessor, Geartronic, Volvo Trucks� first AMT, which was only fitted to one per cent of all trucks sold by the company.

Sven-Erik Tibb was the main project manager throughout the development of I-Shift. �We created a totally new unsynchronised basic transmission and an integral control unit with all the electronics, sensors and so on. We then added software that was fully tailored for long-distance traffic. This gave us total control of the engine and gear-changing,� he recalls.


The new I-Shift was thus a combination of fairly straightforward, uncomplicated mechanics along with electronic control. �There are many benefits with I-Shift. In addition to lower fuel consumption, the system contributes to safer driving, which benefits everyone," says Ricard Fritz, Senior Vice President Strategic Planning and Business Development, Volvo Trucks.

�The driver is free to fully concentrate on the traffic and does not become tired from all the gear-changing by the end of the working day. I-Shift is also very easy to drive, and this is appreciated by both experienced drivers and those who are not so experienced," he adds.

Other advantages of I-Shift are that it changes gears very quickly compared with other systems on the market, there is no need for a clutch pedal, and there is software optimised for different types of driving.

Second generation
In 2005, when the second generation I-Shift made its appearance, the front and rear parts of the transmission had been redesigned to include a new clutch system and a new range-change unit. This provided greater capacity for higher gross combination weights and, consequently, I-Shift could now be fitted to trucks used for some heavier construction and forestry transport duties. As a result, the transmission also found its way into trucks with the 16-litre engine and not just vehicles with 9- and 12-litre power units.


Launch of third generation
The third generation was launched in 2009 and was tailored to match Euro-5. It featured a number of hardware improvements, together with new software which made the transmission suitable for additional, even more demanding assignments. It was now possible, for example, to rock heavily laden trucks free if necessary.

�From the very start, we had developed programs for different types of operation and customers were able to choose between the various programs. Each new generation added new applications and now even really heavy-duty construction vehicles like the Volvo FMX can be equipped with I-Shift,� says Sven-Erik Tibb, who today is section manager for drivelines and hybrids at Volvo.

�ke Zander, technical director at Volvo Powertrain, was also involved from the start. According to him, I-Shift can keep fuel consumption at the same level as the best driver on his best day with a manual transmission. The electronics make sure that the correct gear is always selected to enable the engine to work as economically as possible.

�The advantage when it comes to I-Shift is that it doesn�t have bad or good days. It provides the same fuel-efficient progress, regardless of who is driving or how the driver feels. What�s more, the driver does not need to apply any force to shift gear,� says �ke Zander.

So what does the future look like?
Euro 6 will soon be making its entrance, and transmission systems will need to be adapted to the new engines. �The next generation will be even more fuel-efficient. What�s more, we are going to consolidate, refine and stabilise what we have already achieved and further expand the applications for I-Shift,� promises �ke Zander.

| Volvo

ECOSTRALIS 6x2 mid-lift tractor units for Ace Movements

Ashford-based ACE Movements Transport has become one of the first operators to sign up to Iveco UK�s four per cent fuel guarantee, with the delivery of two ECOSTRALIS 6x2 mid-lift tractor units.The ECOSTRALIS Active Space Super3 tractors (AS440S46TX/P) have been supplied by Haynes Trucks on a three year lease backed by a comprehensive repair and maintenance agreement with Iveco Capital.

The four per cent fuel guarantee will be measured against the combined average performance of ACE Movements Transport�s current heavy truck fleet. Kevin Banbury, Managing Director of ACE Movements Transport, says: �Fuel is our main concern right now, and any savings we can make with ECOSTRALIS will directly impact on our bottom line.

�Before we placed the order Iveco technical staff carried out a detailed assessment of our current fleet before giving us the green light for the fuel guarantee. They are very confident ECOSTRALIS will deliver at least a four per cent improvement in fuel economy.�



Also key to securing the order for two new tractor units � which comprise one fleet replacement and one additional vehicle � were the whole life costs afforded by the ECOSTRALIS package.

�Total cost of ownership is paramount,� adds Banbury. �You don�t earn any more for operating the most expensive truck these days.

�The finance lease has enabled us to fix our costs over three years � with the only variables being insurance, putting a driver in the cab and diesel in the tank. And of course we expect the ECOSTRALIS to be the most economical on fuel.�

The two ECOSTRALIS tractor units benefit from a new EEV-rated Cursor 10 engine with revised engine mapping to reduce fuel consumption whilst maintaining performance. They are capable of producing up to 460 hp and a maximum torque of 2,100 Nm between 1,050 and 1,550 rev/min.

The ECOSTRALIS vehicles feature a standard specification which includes Blue&Me telematics, a comprehensive three year / 420,000 km* vehicle warranty and an ECOSWITCH device that limits engine power output by adjusting it to the load of the vehicle and its route. A EuroTronic automated transmission incorporating a new ECOfleet mode automatically adjusts to the loading of the unit to fine-tune fuel economy, whilst Michelin X Energy SaverGreen low rolling resistance tyres and a higher gearing contribute to the promised fuel saving.

The four per cent improvement in fuel economy offered with the Iveco ECOSTRALIS** is guaranteed for three years / 400,000 km***.

Family-run ACE Movements Transport has been trading for over 20 years and operates a fleet of eight trucks and four vans. The ECOSTRALIS� will be used in conjunction with a pair of Schmitz Cargobull and Dennison trailers, primarily used to transport pots to garden centres in Scotland, and returning fully-laden with Scottish stone.

* Whichever comes first
** Subject to terms & conditions, available in full on request to Iveco
*** The fuel guarantee does not cover the initial 20,000 km running-in period

| Iveco

More flexibility for Scania

Scania has signed an agreement with the Swedish Metal Workers� Union at Scania as part of the company�s efforts to boost flexibility at the production units in Sweden. The agreement regulates flexible working time and flexible staffing so that Scania can adapt human resources to fluctuations in demand. Both Scania and the Swedish Metal Workers� Union at Scania are in agreement that a long-term sustainable solution is required in order to ensure flexibility.

�The agreement will play an important part in our future ability to meet rapid changes in demand. It enhances our long-term ability to retain core competence at our production units,� says Anders Nielsen, Executive Vice President and Head of Production and Logistics at Scania.


For a long time, Scania has worked on boosting flexibility in production by using various methods. The new agreement means that the time bank system will continue in essentially the same way. The time bank system enables compensation to an employee to be held at a stable level, while he or she works more hours when demand is high and fewer hours when demand is low.

Scania also ensures flexibility through agreements on fixed term temporary employment. Current fixed term temporary contracts will remain in force under the existing agreement. After these contracts have expired, the new agreement aims to ensure that the bulk of flexible staffing will consist of personnel from staffing companies. The parties agree that the proportion of flexible staffing should not exceed 30 percent of the total number of production employees.

�My view is that Scania�s employees will gain greater security in the long run if everyone has permanent employment. We are also adding rules and regulations relating to flexible staffing. In addition, extra personnel on hire will gain a good pathway into Scania, since we will primarily use staffing companies to fill our vacancies,� says Johan J�rvklo, Chairman of the Swedish Metal Workers� Union at Scania in S�dert�lje.

The agreement enters into force on 1 September 2011 and replaces the existing agreements on flexible working hours at Scania (SFW) and temporary employment. It does not cover employees working today under fixed term temporary contracts at Scania � instead their agreements will remain in force as previously.

| Scania

Buick

2010 Buick LaCrosse

 Buick 

Buick

1973 great, Buick Biviera

Classic car: Buick Skylark Coupê

Buick Regal

1987 Buick Grand National

Buick History
Buick originated as an independent motor car manufacturer, the 'Buick Motor Company, incorporated on May 19, 1903 by Scottish-American David Dunbar Buick (who invented the overhead valve engine on which the company's success was based), Detroit , Michigan. Later that year, the struggling company was purchased by James H. Whiting (1842-1919), who moved it to his hometown of Flint, Michigan, and brought in William C. Durant in 1904 to manage its new acquisition. Buick sold his stock for a small sum upon departure, and died in modest circumstances twenty-five years later.
Durant after the acquisition of Buick soon became the largest car maker in America. Using the profits from this, Durant embarked on a series of corporate acquisitions, calling the new mega-corporation General Motors.
At first, manufacturers understand that General Motors competed against each other, that soon ended with Durant. He wanted to be a General Motors division to target one class of each purchaser, and in his new scheme Buick was near the top, only one was the Cadillac brand had more prestige.
In 1911, Buick introduced its first closed-body car,  four years ahead of Ford.  In 1929, Buick Motor Division launched the Marquette sister brand, designed to bridge the price gap between Buick and Oldsmobile, however , Marquette was discontinued in 1930.
Today Buick retains that position in the GM lineup. The target of the Buick was a client who wanted a comfortable car, but possibly not quite rich enough to afford a Cadillac or not desiring the ostentation of one, and I wanted a car on the market definitely above the norm. Buick is one of the oldest brands in the world, as the Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Peugeot, Cadillac, Daimler and the discontinued Oldsmobile.
Speculation  existed, however, as to whether GM will eliminate the Buick brand to cut costs. This followed the temporary suspension of GM's planned Zeta project to develop new rear wheel drive cars fitting the Buick market niche . GM also has started consolidating of Buick, Pontiac and GMC trucks into a single dealer franchises, which makes it simple to eliminate the Buick brand without leaving dealers devoid of product. However, with the development of the Zeta platform still ongoing (including the development of the 2006 VE Commodore and Chevrolet Camaro), it may be likely that Buick will survive still.
Buick began consolidating its lineup in 2005, replacing the Century and Regal with the LaCrosse (known as the Buick Allure in Canada), and the LeSabre and Park Avenue with the Lucerne in 2006. Both of its SUVs, the Rendezvous and Rainier were discontinued in 2007 to make way for the new 2008 Enclave, while the slow-selling Terraza minivan also was abandoned in 2008. That leaves the marque with just three models in the United States. There have been rumors about Edmund'seMotor Trend Buick will have a roadster sedan in 2010, which could mean that the marque survive beyond May 2009.
There is speculation that future Buick models will have interior and exterior designs with an increasing influence of China Buick. This is due to the overwhelming success of the Buick and a high reputation in China. Motor Authority has also written that it will introduce the Buick Excelle Buick in the United States in 2008.

Ford

Ford

Ford Flex

2006 Ford Fusion

2009 new Ford Fiesta

2009 Ford Focus Rs

Ford Gt

The classic Ford Mustang

Ford Fiesta

Ford Mustang gt 500

Ford logo

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500