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

Volkswagen mandatory offer for MAN

Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft through its mandatory offer has reached an important milestone on its way towards an integrated commercial vehicles group consisting of MAN, Scania and Volkswagen. MAN shareholders have tendered 35,857,607 ordinary shares and 164,613 preference shares into the offer. Following the required regulatory approvals, Volkswagen will hold 55.90% of the voting rights and 53.71% of the share capital of MAN SE.

With the high acceptance rate Volkswagen Group has conclusively achieved its aim to have a stable majority at future general meetings of MAN. �Volkswagen is more than pleased with the result,� said Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, and added: �As a result, our objective of realizing substantial synergies between MAN, Scania and Volkswagen in the interest of all shareholders, employees and customers is moving closer. We will continue to work expeditiously in close coordination with the relevant authorities towards obtaining the required regulatory approvals globally.�


Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft had made a mandatory offer to all shareholders of MAN SE according to German takeover law to acquire their shares in MAN SE with the offer period running from 31 May until 29 June 2011. The offer price was �95.00 per ordinary share and �59.90 per preference share.

Following receipt of the regulatory approvals and subsequent settlement of the mandatory offer, substantial synergies in the fields of procurement, development and production can be realized through a closer cooperation of MAN, Scania and Volkswagen.

| Volkswagen