Prakash Mulchandani, senior vp and president of Commercial Vehicle Systems, at ArvinMeritor Inc. will retire at the end of the year. He is being succeeded by Tom Gosnell, formerly senior vp and president of the company's commercial vehicle aftermarket business.
Mulchandani, senior vp and president of Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems before Meritor merged with Arvin Industries in July, joined the heavy-duty manufacturing operation in 1974 while it was still part of Rockwell Industries. When Rockwell spun off its automotive businesses to form Meritor in 1996, Mulchandani was serving as president of worldwide truck and trailer products. Prior to joining Rockwell, he held engineering and financial positions with Dow Chemical Co. and Owens Corning Fiberglass Corp. Gosnell joined ArvinMeritor predecessor Rockwell in 1979 as a plant purchasing manager.
Volvo Trucks North America is making an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system available on certain VN highway tractors. The Doppler-radar based system works with the truck's Volvo engine, Volvo retarder, and an automated transmission to slow the vehicle if it comes within a 3-sec. range of a vehicle in front of it.
Caterpillar has begun producing a 505-hp. rating of its C-12 diesel engine. Designed to meet the requirements of fire trucks and other emergency and specialty vehicles, the new rating offers increased power and acceleration for maximum response time, says Cat.
