EnRoute
Headlines From The Vehicle Renting and Leasing Industry
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Top Stories
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced a series of public “listening sessions” which will allow for public comment and input on hours-of-service (HOS) rules. FULL STORY
-
Some intermodal chassis safety equipment requirements have been delayed by FMCSA until December 17, 2010 to give operators of that equipment more time to create a database to track the condition of each chassis. FULL STORY
-
A final rule on electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) has been sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The contents of the final rule will not become public until it is released by OMB which is expected to be some time in February. FULL STORY
-
The fee structure for the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Agreement for 2010 has not been finalized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The program may be forced to offer a grace period in 2010 before states begin enforcement efforts. FULL STORY
-
The Department of Homeland Security plans to extend the deadline to January 1, 2011 for implementing toughened drivers’ licenses and identification card security standards mandated by the REAL ID Act of 2005. FULL STORY
-
British Columbia and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have signed a memorandum of understanding to pave the way for stringent greenhouse gas emission standards for new light-duty vehicles. FULL STORY
Technology Trends
-
Donaldson Co. is spending $5 million to enable one of its plants to manufacture parts that comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2010 diesel emission standards. FULL STORY
Briefly
Hendrickson Bumper and Trim announced its lightweight AERO CLAD bumper is now available as a production option on the International ProStar tractor. . .Metalsa S.A. de C.V. has agreed to purchase the structural products business of Dana Holding Corporation. . .Michelin Americas Truck Tires has launched a new, enhanced online truck tire dealer locator, locator.michelintruck.com that now offers additional information about the area surrounding these locations, including traffic updates, road construction alerts, restaurants, hotel and the weather. . .Thermo King is extending its rebate program for Espar heaters. Customers can receive rebates of up to $1,000 from participating dealers when purchasing certain Espar heaters through January 31, 2010. . .Penske Truck Leasing’s fleet grew by about 3,400 tractors, trucks and trailers after its acquisition of Dallas, Texas-based Bright Truck Leasing and Bright Distribution. . .J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. has announced their sponsorship of Seavey’s Iditarod Racing Team for the fourth consecutive year. They will be the exclusive sponsor for musher Dallas Seavey and a major sponsor for Dallas’ father, Mitch. . .Six colleges across the U.S. are due to receive either a 2005 or 2006 commercial vehicle from Hino Trucks to provide apprentices and students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with engines and other components, allowing them to learn the latest on-board diagnostic technology.
People
Chris Helman has been hired as the manager for new trucks sales at Diamond International of Kansas City. . .Eaton Corp. has named Richard D. Holder the president of the newly formed Electrical Components organization and Uday Yadav will succeed Holder as executive vice president for Eaton Business System. . .Curtis Dorwart has been named vocational marketing product manager for Mack Trucks Inc. . .J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. has hired Timothy Riebau as vice president – product sales. . .Rich Freeland has been promoted to president of Cummins Engine Business operation and Anant Talaulicar will succeed Freeland as president of the Components Business. . .Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America Inc. has promoted Don Oliver to the position of national parts distribution center manager.
Taking $tock
A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:
| Company | Symbol (Click for Chart) |
1/13 Close | Two Week Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avis Budget Group Inc. | CAR | $12.55 | $0.06 | 0.48% |
| Cummins Inc. | CMI | $52.78 | $0.57 | 1.07% |
| Dana | DAN | $11.64 | $0.36 | 3.19% |
| Eaton | ETN | $68.89 | $0.70 | 1.03% |
| General Electric | GE | $16.83 | $0.06 | 0.36% |
| Goodyear Tire & Rubber | GT | $14.82 | $0.67 | 4.33% |
| Navistar International Corp. | NAV | $40.76 | $0.59 | 1.47% |
| PACCAR Inc. | PCAR | $39.00 | $0.17 | 0.44% |
| Ryder | R | $40.22 |
$1.17 | 3.00% |
SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance and bigcharts.com
Money Matters
Navistar International Corp. reported the company’s fourth quarter income jumped to $86 million compared to a loss of $343 million a year ago. FULL STORY
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded more than $115 million to heavy truck and engine makers in a partnership designed to improve the efficiency of Class 8 trucks. The grant program, “Super Trucks,” is part of a larger $187 million program that DOE hopes will reduce carbon emissions from road vehicles by 20 percent before 2030. FULL STORY
Recent changes in tax law is now making S corporation status a good choice for many companies, however fleets should take a look at C corporation and S corporation to find the one that is right for their operation. FULL STORY
News From TRALA
Only two days left for your son or daughter to submit their application to apply for a TRALA Scholarship that could amount to $20,000 over four years. Applicants must be dependent children (high school seniors only) of full-time employees of TRALA member companies. Employees must have been working full-time for the company a minimum of one year as of the application deadline. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and plan to enroll in a full-time course of study at an accredited four year college or university. Just click here to apply. The application deadline is January 15, 2010. Please contact TRALA’s Tonya Gibbs at (703) 299-9120 or tgibbs@trala.org.
Join us April 6-8 at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa for TRALA’s 32nd Annual Meeting. To register for the meeting, simply visit TRALA’s website to find out more details and register for the meeting. Hotel accommodations can be reserved online or by contacting the Doral at (800) 713-6725. Please contact Shannon Murray at (703) 299-9120 or smurray@trala.org if you have any questions.