The 2011 Fifth edition of Heavy Duty Truck Systems (HDTS) was completed in December of 2009 and will be available in bound format in March 2010. Because of the speed at which technology develops, every revision of a motive power textbook these days is a major operation and HDTS 5e is no exception. For this Fifth edition, I have retained the basic chapter structure of the fourth edition although some of the chapter titles change a little.

Along with a text version of HDTS 5E, the book will be available in two digital formats. A downloadable pdf version of the textbook will be available in the Spring of 2010 and an Enhanced E-version of the core text will be introduced in the Fall of 2010. In addition, to the electronic versions of Heavy Duty Truck Systems, a Student Workbook and comprehensive instructor E-resource package will be available. This includes chapter-by-chapter PowerPoints, ExamView Computerized Test Bank, and WebTutor Advantage resources. WebTutor Advantage uses Blackboard® or ANGEL® course management systems to facilitate online course delivery. It provides an array of assignment material keyed to text chapters, including end-of-chapter review questions, pre-tests and post-tests, discussion springboard topics and more. The HDTS WebTutor Advantage includes PowerPoint™ presentations with selected illustrations from the text, a set of animations and a glossary of terms Student Access Keys, required to access WebTutors, will be available at a special low price upon adoption of the textbook. My task through the Spring of 2010 will be to work on final versions of these ancillary resources.

My next writing project will be a textbook dealing with the latest generation of light duty diesel engines. This category of engines is appearing more commonly as the powerplant of choice in heavy duty spec’d pickup trucks. They are also an option in medium and high end import automobiles. It remains to be seen whether the American consumer is going to be as accepting as Europeans of diesel technology. But whether this transpires or not, light duty diesel engine sales are increasing, the only question is whether they will continue their gradual rise or suddenly take-off.