Why do lorries (trucks) sold in Europe and the U.S.A. have different engine shapes?

Question

I've never seen an American style lorry (truck) in Europe and I've never seen a European style lorry in the U.S.A.. Why? Is it an American tradition, is there a law in Europe or something I don't understand.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, here are the Volvo Lorries sold in:

Europe: http://www.volvo.com/NR/rdonlyres/AA4033D1-0614-4246-8F07-18AD85BCB00D/0/566x228fh16introduction03.jpg

U.S.A.: http://www.volvo.com/NR/rdonlyres/9A5A05E0-815D-470B-A470-E56F983DA3D6/0/880_green_freeway_619x246.jpg

British English: Lorry

American English: Truck

Answer 1

in the uk and in the euro zone we are restricted to overall length (16.5 meters long) this can be of any combination most trailers are 13.5 meters long(45 foot) thus leaving 3 meters for cab space this is the bit from front of trailer to front bumper (3 meters). when you pull a smaller trailer say 40 foot this allows you more space so you con put a scania t cab on a 40 foot trailer all new roads and junctions are built to allow 16.5 meter lenghts  

Answer 2

There is a Scania truck with the engine "Out front" The main reason for the "American" design as opposed to the " Cab over engine" is actually quite simple.Most European truck design goes back to the day when they operated within the boundaries of their own country. Most European countries are tiny compared with the USA. You can have a two manned American truck driving vast distances. The crew actually live in the truck, it has twin bunks, cooking facilities, refrigerators and even a shower and chemical toilet. The cab area was much greater because the engine was out front and this allowed the extra equipment. On a visit to Florida in 1989 I was in conversation with two truckers I had a look at the "rig" they were driving, they had been on the road for a week and would return home the following week. The truck was just over a year old and had done 114,000 miles !

Answer 3

It's because in Europe they must comply with 'Euro4' regulations, for information go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck

It's mostly to do with emissions.

Answer 4

Both Volvo and Scania make bonneted (or 'standard control') style tractor units.  They are very common on the continent and a few companies do actually use them over here in Great Britain, mainly on tipper work.

The main reason we tend to use the cab-over (or 'forward control') style of lorry in the U.K, has to do with size.  If you ever get the chance to look at an American rig closeup, like a Mack or a Peterbilt, they are HUGE!!.  You'd never get them round our narrow, twisty roads or through our town centres.

In the U.S., where there roads are generally wider and straighter than ours, a 30 foot long tractor unit is quite feasible - but not in Blighty!  A forward control (European) lorry is shorter than a standard control (American) truck, hence they work better on our roads.

Answer 5

I think it's just style. I have seen a Mack Truck in a US film thet had a completely flat front like a Euro/UK truck.

One here:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbx/1939...