BEYOND THE CONVENTIONAL

In Europe, with its strict limits on total length, forward-control tractors dominate the heavy commercial vehicle market, but in the USA, 'cabovers', as they are called, have a small, steadily falling market share, because they are considered unsafe. All large lorry makers with sales and manufacturing operations in both the USA and Europe are aiming to cut costs by standardising their products and are keen to encourage American truckers not to dismiss cabovers. This article describes the recently announced Freightliner Argosy, which seems likely to remove some of the prejudice against cabovers. This lorry has some of the same systems and components as Actros, including electronic braking systems (EBS) and an airbag supplementary restraint system for the driver, but it uses different types of engine. The Argosy has a cab interior which is at least as modern and comfortable as that of any 'conventional' tractor. The cab structure is strong enough to satisfy the European Union's regulation 29 crash test, but not the tougher Swedish crash test. Four length-height combinations and several other options are offered. The Argosy 'concept truck', now touring the USA, has an array of active and passive safety devices that could soon become standard fittings.