Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, July 28, 2026:
Toyota becomes equal partner with Volvo, Daimler in cellcentric fuel cell venture
The Volvo Group, Daimler Truck AG, cellcentric and Toyota Motor Corporation have signed a binding agreement for Toyota to join as an equal partner and shareholder in cellcentric, with each owner to hold a third each.
The agreement follows a previous non-binding agreement signed at the end of March this year. Completion of the transaction is conditional upon obtaining regulatory approvals.
Through the collaboration, the parties intend to strengthen cellcentric's position as a leading developer and manufacturer of fuel cell systems for heavy-duty commercial applications.
Upon completion of the transaction, Toyota will become an equal partner in cellcentric together with the Volvo Group and Daimler Truck. The companies plan to collaborate on equal terms, with the aim of strengthening cellcentric's technological lead, industrial scale and competitiveness in heavy-duty fuel cell technology.
Through collaboration with industry associations and partners across the entire hydrogen value chain, the partners aim to actively support the development of hydrogen supply and infrastructure and unlock the hydrogen ecosystem.
cellcentric will continue to operate as an independent and autonomous company and serve a broad range of customers in heavy-duty on- and off-road transport, as well as other heavy-duty applications such as coaches, stationary power generation, rail and heavy off-highway equipment. Volvo, Daimler and Toyota will continue to compete independently in all other areas of their respective businesses, the companies noted.
Completion of the transaction is expected around year end 2026 or start of 2027 and is subject to obtaining regulatory approvals.
[Related: Daimler, Volvo Group announce hydrogen partnership]
International replaces, expands previous battery-related recall
International Motors is recalling more than 15,000 heavy- and medium-duty vocational trucks for a battery-related issue that could cause a fire.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents note that in the affected trucks, the battery interconnect cable may contact the auxiliary stud and hold down bracket, causing a short circuit, increasing the risk of fire.
The recall includes approximately 15,628 model year 2021 and 2023-’27 International MV units and 2026-’27 International HV trucks.
This recall replaces and expands on a previous recall issued in 2025 that included 1,175 model year 2026 International MV trucks. Trucks previously repaired under that recall will need the new remedy completed.
Dealers will install plastic saddles onto the positive interconnect cable and as necessary, install wind laces and a J-bolt between each battery, free of charge.
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Sept. 14. Owners can contact International customer service at 1-800-448-7825 with recall number 26510. NHTSA’s recall number is 26V-459.
Great Dane recalls dry van trailers for rear impact guard issue
Great Dane Trailers has issued a recall for 11 model year 2027 Champion dry van trailers, which may have been produced without the installation of the rear impact guard extension channels.
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 224, "Rear Impact Protection."
Great Dane said it “did not install rear impact guard extension channels to rear impact guard horizontals once rail type liftgates were installed in the factory. This caused the rear face of the rear impact guard horizontal member to be more than 12 inches forward of the rearmost extremity of the trailer.”
The company noted that trailers built before and after this small group of trailers were equipped with the extension channel that brings the rear face of the rear impact guard within the 12-inch requirement.
Dealers will install the rear impact guard extension channels, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 15, 2026. Owners may contact Great Dane's customer service at 1-877-369-3493. NHTSA’s recall number is 26V-465.
![Reintroducing The Mack Anthem Rebuilt For Regional Haul[79]](https://img.ccjdigital.com/mindful/rr/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/07/reintroducing-the-mack-anthem-rebuilt-for-regional-haul79.FdrR1gEDrK.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
