Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024:
Massive 220K-truck recall hits Paccar’s Peterbilt, Kenworth brands
The widespread recall of certain Bendix electronic control units has now spread to include more than 220,000 Paccar trucks.
Bendix’s recall initially included about 445,000 of the company’s EC80 Advanced ECUs, in which electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop working. In a Nov. 25 recall document, the recall was expanded to include 744,246 of the ECUs.
To date, Bendix’s recall has prompted Volvo to recall 126,649 trucks, Mack to recall 60,450 trucks, and International to recall 105,276 units.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents published Dec. 11 show that Paccar has joined the fray, recalling a whopping 220,927 trucks of various years, makes and models.
Affected trucks include:
- 2024-’25 Kenworth C500B
- 2023-’25 Kenworth T280
- 2022-’23 Kenworth T370
- 2021-’23 Kenworth T440
- 2022-’25 Kenworth T480
- 2021-’25 Kenworth T680, T800B, T880, W900B and W990
- 2021-’23 Peterbilt 337 and 358
- 2022-’25 Peterbilt 365, 367 and 520
- 2020-’25 Peterbilt 389, 548, 567 and 579
- 2024-’25 Peterbilt 536 and 589
- 2023-’25 Peterbilt 537
Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Feb. 7, 2025. Owners can contact Kenworth’s customer service at 425-828-5888 with recall number 24KWL and Peterbilt’s customer service at 940-591-4220 with recall number 24PBL. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-915.
[Related: Widespread ECU recall hits a whopping 105K International trucks]
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Uncertified shipment of sweetened condensed milk seized at border
In a rare, non-drug-related seizure from a tractor-trailer at the Pharr International Bridge, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers seized 34,286 pounds (15,552kg) of sweetened condensed milk, in an alleged fraudulent entry attempt.
CBP seized 34,000 pounds of sweetened condensed milk after agriculture specialists uncovered an alleged fraudulent import attempt using a Zoosanitary certificate that was determined not to be issued by the Government of Mexico.U.S. Customs and Border Protection
At the inspection dock, agriculture specialists reviewed the documentation and after additional inspection and review, it could not readily be determined if the certificate was authentic.
A Zoosanitary Certificate, issued by the Mexican Government, is required for shipments with products and byproducts of animal origin to make entry to the United States. This shipment containing cow’s milk requires a Zoosanitary Certificate that certifies the product to be free from foot and mouth disease and did not traverse through a country with risk of foot and mouth disease.
The shipment was held pending investigation of the Zoosanitary certificate. With assistance from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), contact was made with Mexican government officials who confirmed that the certificate was not issued by them and therefore fraudulent.
On Nov. 26, the determination was made to seize the tractor-trailer and shipment. A total of 18 pallets loaded with 48 boxes, for a total of 864 containers of sweetened condensed milk, were seized pending destruction.
Big cocaine, meth shipments busted at border
Also at the Pharr International Bridge’s cargo facility, CBP field ops officers have been busy this month with more illegal narcotics seizures.
Packages containing 838 pounds of methamphetamine were seized from a load of jicama by CBP officers at Pharr International Bridge.U.S. Customs and Border Protection
After physically inspecting the unit, officers extracted 80 packages of alleged cocaine weighing 196.21 pounds (89 kg) concealed within the shipment of peppers. The cocaine had an estimated street value of $2,619,800.
Then, on Dec. 9, another truck attempting to enter the U.S. from Mexico was found to have 892 packages containing 838 pounds (380.28 kg) of alleged methamphetamine concealed within a load of jicama, or Mexican turnips. The methamphetamine has a total estimated street value of $7,494,558.
Daimler investing $285M into Detroit plant
DTNA anticipates a capital investment of up to $285 million for the project, which will be located on the Detroit Manufacturing Campus in Redford Township, Michigan.Daimler Truck North America
Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) this week announced its intent to make significant investments in its Detroit Manufacturing Plant located in Redford Township, approximately 15 miles west of downtown Detroit.
DTNA said this investment is made in partnership with the local community, Michigan Legislature, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) as part of state’s Critical Industry Program, which provides financial support to create capital investments in Michigan.
“Our Detroit Manufacturing Plant, with its legacy of over 85 years in Michigan, stands as a testament to innovation and progress,” said Matt Pfaffenbach, vice president of powertrain operations. “This expansion is about more than just innovation; it’s about creating job opportunities and upskilling our workforce to meet the demands of tomorrow’s technology, while helping to stabilize the heavy-duty supply chain.”
The company said its plans include:
- Reinvestment in the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Platform: Continuing to support existing technologies.
- Enhancement of Research and Development (R&D) Facilities: Promoting innovation and technological advancements.
The investment aims to modernize and enhance the existing plant to maintain its current production capacity and innovation of ICE components, DTNA said, which remain crucial for many commercial trucking applications, and support the growing demand for cleaner, more fuel-efficient engines and components, fostering an environment for expanded research and development in the commercial trucking sector.
DTNA anticipates a capital investment of up to $285 million for the project, which will be located on the Detroit Manufacturing Campus in Redford Township, Wayne County. In addition to the more than 2,000 existing jobs at the facility, the company noted more than 400 new jobs are expected to be created at the site. The plant has a longstanding partnership with the United Auto Workers, maintaining Michigan as a hub of DTNA’s operations and supporting a stable and skilled workforce in the area.
Additionally, the MEDC has incentivized the project with a $27.7 million performance-based Critical Industries Program grant, supporting job creation and economic growth in Michigan. DTNA also received Michigan Strategic Fund support for a State Essential Services Assessment abatement with an estimated value of up to $3.29 million. Construction is expected to begin in early 2025, contingent on the completion of planning and approval processes.