TRUCKMAKERS NEWS * Europe - Truck sales jump as industry profits surge

Berlin,Germany/Stockholm,Sweden -M & C, by Andrew McCathie and Lennart Simonsson -Apr 27, 2011: -- The recovery in Europe's new commercial vehicle market is gaining ground with year-on-year registrations bounding ahead by 9.7 per cent in March and two leading truck makers on Wednesday reporting a surge in profits...  Releasing its latest commercial vehicle data, the Brussels-based European automobile association (ACEA) said first quarter new registrations raced ahead by 14.7 per cent to 499,456 units, compared with the same period last year...  The ACEA data showed commercial vehicle registrations in the region's biggest markets rising strongly during the first quarter. This included a 30.9-per-cent rise in Germany, a 30-per-cent increase in Britain and a 11.6-per-cent gain in France...  The increases were more marked in the Baltics, with total new commercial vehicle registrations soaring by a staggering 321.6 per cent and by 302.8 per cent during the first three months of the year. Sales were up 112 per cent in Estonia...  While registrations in Greece plunged by 56 per cent, Portugal recorded a 9.2-per-cent drop and Ireland, a 1.1-per-cent decline. All three nations have moved to tap the European Union-lead bailout fund to help their meet their debt commitments...(Photo from blog.mercadovial: A Scania truck)

* China - DAF exhibits at Shanghai auto show

Shanghai,China -HGV UK -April 26, 2011: -- PACCAR is showcasing its premium DAF product line at the Auto Shanghai exhibition, the world’s largest international automotive show... The DAF vehicles on display include the LF series for urban distribution applications, the versatile CF series for regional and vocational applications and the flagship XF105 for longer haulage. All DAF vehicles are equipped with PACCAR engines. PACCAR’s engines have been honored with the “Bus Engine of the Year” award at Busworld Asia for five consecutive years...

* Germany - Daimler and Bosch to establish joint venture for electric motors

Stuttgart,Germany -Fleet Europe, by Steven Schoefs -12 April 2011: -- German car manufacturer Daimler and automotive & technology specialist Bosch plan to cooperate in the development and production of electric motors for all-electric vehicles in Europe. The companies have signed a letter of intent and begun negotiations to establish a new 50:50 joint venture. Both companies aim, by bundling their competencies, to accelerate development advances in electric motors as well as to make accordant synergies accessible. According to their letter of intent, joint production should start in 2012. It is envisioned that the electric motors developed will be used in Mercedes-Benz and smart electric vehicles from 2012... (Photo from Guide to Green Rides: Plug-In Hybrid Pickup Truck Concept)