Articles by Mike Ryan

Showcasing 400 exhibits, the 2012 International Truck, Trailer and Equipment Show drew a record attendance in excess of 37,000 visitors over the duration of the three-day event and significantly enhanced its growing reputation in Australia's transport industry and beyond. The show also attracted the highest number of international guests in its short history with delegates from more than 45 countries visiting the event.

PACCAR Australia P/L, manufacturers of Kenworth trucks, have been honoured at the recent Victorian Manufacturing Awards, inducted into the Hall of Fame for their creativity and dedication to Victorian manufacturing.

JCB has upped the ante in its drive for increased penetration into major broadacre farming applications in Australia with the launch of a revised flagship Fastrac 8310 tractor boasting a number of new features.

MaxiTRANS has announced they have acquired side tipper specialist, AZMEB Global Trailers, as part of a strategy to further expand its participation in the mining and resources sector.

Following the success of the first "Gone Farmin'" auction devoted to collectable tractors in 2010, American auction house Mecum have made these auctions a regular part of their schedule. The first Gone Farmin' auction for 2012, held in April at Mecum's HQ in Walworth, Wisconsin, attracted some rare and immaculately restored tractors.

Released in the US late last year, John Deere's newest addition to the Z900 series, the ZTrak PRO Z925, is now available locally. The talking point with this ride-on mower is the claimed 25% reduction in fuel use thanks to a new EFi engine.

Whether it's for work or play, John Deere believe their 'Gator' XUV range offer a range of advantages over traditional ATVs. The current range consists of the XUV 825i, 855D and 625i models, all of which John Deere says are packed with safety and versatility features.

DAF is introducing a new air-sprung tandem axle with single reduction, which has been specially developed for heavy applications requiring additional traction and where off-road driving is limited.

Ford will showcase a new one tonne Ford Transit at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The Ford Tourneo concept will offer eight seats and luxurious interior to provide a new look for people movers and commercial vehicles.

A Brazilian construction company, Camargo Corrêa has ordered 115 Mercedes-Benz trucks to upgrade its fleet. The order encompasses a wide range of products, including medium-duty Atego, heavy-duty Axor and Actros trucks.

The DAF LF - in its North American specification, as the Peterbilt Model 210 - has just been named by the American Truck Dealers (ATD) as the '2012 Commercial Truck of the Year' in the medium duty category.

Ahead of its mid-year Australian launch, GM Holden has released details of the new 2x4 and 4x4 Colorado utility range.