Jim Park

Former HDT Equipment Editor

Jim Park served as Heavy Duty Trucking's equipment editor from 2006-2024. Specializing in technical and equipment content, Park is an award-winning journalist who has been covering the trucking industry since 1998.

Before joining HDT, Park was a truck driver and owner-operator for 20 years and served as an editor for HighwayStar magazine, which ceased production in 2011. He maintained his commercial driver’s license to bring a real-world perspective to Test Drives, as well as to features, videos and podcasts about equipment spec’ing and trends, emissions regulations and developments, maintenance and drivers.

He is the recipient of 16 Jesse H. Neal honors (both finalist and Neal awards), including “Best Range of Work by a Single Author” in 2020.

News•by Jim Park•September 22, 2014

Daimler Trucks Shares its Vision of the Future

When Daimler Trucks revealed to the world the first truly autonomous on-highway truck, it was digitally camouflaged to prevent anyone, including competitors, from getting a close look at it. In Hanover, Germany, the day before the official opening of the 2014 International Commercial Vehicle show (IAA), Daimler took the wraps of the truck and showed the worlds its vision of the future.

Articles•by Jim Park•September 18, 2014

Quick Spin: Peterbilt Model 220

Peterbilt's new Class 6/7 COE is ideally suited for city P&D as well as landscaping applications.

News•by Jim Park•September 12, 2014

Western Star Breaks the Mold with the 5700XE [Video]

Western Star has broken the aerodynamic truck mold with a new angular, edgy and very slippery version of its classic configuration. The 5700XE boasts a very fuel efficient powertrain as well as some groundbreaking aero treatment.

Articles•by Jim Park•September 12, 2014

Natural Gas Technology Improvements Changing Attitudes

While adoption is slower than expected, technology improvements are changing some traditional assumptions of compressed and liquified natural gas.

Articles•by Jim Park•September 8, 2014

What’s Going on with my Brakes?

When we started looking at wheel-end issues for this month's Tires & Wheels story, we discovered that reduced stopping distance rules have had some unintended consequences.

On the Road•by Jim Park•September 8, 2014

The Little Engine That Did

Fans of old engines and machinery would have been thrilled to find this working, 95-year-old engine on display at the the 40th anniversary celebrations of Cummins Jamestown, N.Y.. assembly plant. It's believed to have been among the first engines ever produced by the Cummins Engine Co., hand-built by Clessie Cummins himself. Jim Park has more in his "On the Road" blog.

News•by Jim Park•September 5, 2014

Eaton Stirs up Medium-Duty Market with Dual-Clutch Transmission

A new medium-duty, dual-clutch transmission from Eaton, called Procision, promises automatic-like driver feel and interface with the performance attributes of a manual transmission, plus fuel and maintenance savings. Equipment Editor Jim Park has the story.

Articles•by Jim Park•August 26, 2014

How Tires Affect Fuel Economy Testing

When setting out to evaluate a fuel-saving product, you don't want your numbers skewed by differences in rolling resistance from the tires. With some fuel-saving devices promising only marginal gains, the tires' contribution to the fuel consumption can adversely affect the apparent performance of the product. Here's what to watch for when setting up an evaluation or testing program.

Articles•by Jim Park•August 26, 2014

Driving the Peterbilt-Cummins Fuel-Sipping SuperTruck

The SuperTruck lives up to its name as a groundbreaking technology demonstration project that is also fun to drive.

Articles•by Jim Park•August 12, 2014

Medium-Duty Tires Go Fuel-Efficient

The factors driving tire design for medium-duty trucks has changed. Today, tire makers must balance fuel efficiency and bulletproof durability to stand up to a harsh P&D environment.

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