The VAG group wants 55,9% of MAN

The Germans didn't quit on the idea to rule the world(at least the automobiles world).Volkswagen just added one more name on the list of brands own-MAN.About the VAG group most of us know that is the parent company for VW,Audi,Skoda,Seat,Lamborghini,Bentley and Bugatti.But VAG is also a major player in the commercial vehicles sector and the European trucks sector.The German group owns almost 75% of Scania and a part of MAN.Recently VAG showed its interest in rising the percent of shares owned at MAN SE from 30,5% to 55,9%.The officials wait for the approval from the European authorities.If the increase of the VAG group at MAN will be approved than the German company will become the main trucks manufacturer in Europe.

MAN and Scania own now 30% of the market sales while Volvo - Mack - Renault and Daimler (Freightliner, Mitsubishi Fuso, Thomas, Sterling şi Mercedes-Benz) own each 21% of the market.

Mercedes-Benz Actros

Mercedes claims that the new Actros's main rival is the last generation of Actros that was sold in over 700.000 units in its 15 years of existence on the market.The life span of a truck generation is currently is of 15 years.Obviously in this time period the product in this case the Actros model receives numerous upgrades as the years pass, both visual and technical.
A concise description of the new Mercedes truck contains information's like:2600 hours in a wind tunnel for a optimal aerodynamic profile,engines tested at the equivalent of 25 million miles,12 million miles of tests in extremely rough conditions.Actros claims to be the truck with the most evolved aerodynamic, the Mercedes engineers having studied airflow patterns optimization.They say Actros is a revolution in engineering.At the interior Actros takes pride of its huge interior space that is enough ever for people that are 6 feet 7 inches high although the truck looks pretty narrow.The work at the interior where the designers Mercedes made a good job its pretty obvious.The cabin is divided in three spaces:-the working post,the relaxation zone and the bedroom zone.On its debut Actros is offered with only one engine with 4 power versions:421 HP and 2100 Nm,449 HP 2200 Nm,476 HP and 2300 Nm,510 HP and 2500 Nm.Engine are in Euro 6 and 5 versions.Actros is also equipped with 3 braking systems and it decelerates from 60 to 0 in only 130 feet which is absolutely amazing considering is such a big and heavy vehicle.

Dodge RAM Long Hauler

Last month Dodge presented a concept called Dodge RAM Long Hauler.The base chassis is a RAM 5500.Under the hood we find a Cummins 6.7 diesel engine which develops 350 HP and 649 lbs/ft of torque.Has a length of 16.5ft.There a version with the four doors called "Megacab" option.Is also equipped with a pneumatic suspension and 19,5 inch wheels.The most remarkable fact about this truck is that despite its size it can achieve an autonomy of 1600 miles thanks to its main 160 gallons fuel tank but there's also the secondary fuel tank of 60 gallons.So to fill both fuel tanks you need 220 gallons of gas.This vehicle weights a staggering 37.577 lbs.On the exterior, brilliant black paint is accented by white gold metallic lower two-tone including body side moldings and wide wheel flares at the front and rear. Up front, a bull bar extends the entire width of the vehicle. For full use of the bed, the spare tire is located under the box. To help make trailer line-up easier on the fifth wheel, a separate back-up camera provides a full view of the bed.A custom hitch-access tailgate allows easy hook-ups without the need to open or remove the entire tailgate.The RAM's interior looks really nice to bad its only a concept.The Ram Long-Hauler, while only a concept, will be seen across the country in the next eight months to help gauge public opinion on the appeal of a vehicle that provides an upgrade from a 1-ton truck without moving up to a full Class 6 truck.

God bless America for its trucks and muscle cars !!!