EnRoute
Headlines From The Vehicle Renting and Leasing Industry
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Top Stories
Dealers who consider purchasing under-performing dealerships with the expectation of turning them around must prepare to face several challenges over the next few years. FULL STORY
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The Commercial Medium Truck Tire Debris study, which was conducted by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has concluded there is no significant link between retreads and accident-causing debris on the road. FULL STORY
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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has withdrawn the formal Electronic On-Board Recorder (EOBR) proposal from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as President Obama has expressed interest in reviewing and possibly broadening the EOBR mandate. FULL STORY
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Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) producers and distributors are letting everyone know they should not worry about truck stops meeting the demand for DEF. FULL STORY
Technology Trends
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J.J. Keller’s online management tool, Prospera, which advises on the core areas of a human resources program, has launched an enhanced version of the Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) feature based on the feedback of subscribers. FULL STORY
PACCAR Parts dealers are now offering an aftermarket passively regenerating diesel particulate filter (DPF) that meets EPA and California clean air standards that can be installed on 1993 through 2006 model-year heavy-duty trucks from several manufacturers. FULL STORY
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Detroit Diesel has launched new features for its Diagnostic Link (DDDL) tool which will help technicians interpret data and determine their next step of action. FULL STORY
MyFleetAtPenske.com is the new extranet site for Penske Truck Leasing customers that is designed to provide fleet managers with practical tools and information they can use to manage their Penske account, maximize fleet efficiency and improve compliance and driver safety. FULL STORY
Briefly
NationaLease has upgraded its online emergency road service directory, offering customers faster response times. The directory is available to members online at www.nationalease.com. . .Clean Diesel Technologies Inc. and Eaton Corp. have entered into a global non-exclusive licensing agreement for Eaton to use Clean Diesel’s patented advanced reagent injector system (ARIS) technology. . .Navistar has received dual certification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is now a SmartWay Transport Partner. . .Inland Kenworth has combined its Port McNeill operations with its Campbell River branch as B.C.’s ailing forest industry reduces truck demand. . .Ryder System, Inc. has completed its acquisition of substantially all the assets of Edart Leasing LLC, headquartered in Hartford, CT. . .Volvo Trucks inaugurated its new Russian production plant in Kaluga which coincides with the introduction of new, higher Russian custom duties for imported trucks. . .Allison Transmission, Inc. broke ground on a new India facility designed to meet the growing global demand for Allison automatic transmissions. . .SelecTrucks of Toronto has a new home in Mississauga, Ontario which will allow the company to display more inventory and provide additional customer service and program support. . .Eaton Corp. is reorganizing its businesses into two sectors – electrical and industrial – with a vice chairman and chief operating officer for each division. The industrial sector is being formed by combining Eaton’s aerospace, automotive, hydraulics and truck businesses.
People on the Move
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC (BATO) vice president of sales engineering Dave Laubie has retired and William Thomas has replaced him. . .Clarence Nunn has been named president and chief executive officer of GE Capital Solutions Fleet Services business. . .Manheim has promoted Lilicia Bailey to the position of senior vice president, in addition to her responsibilities as chief people officer for people strategies/human resources and Todd Croom has been promoted to fill the newly created position of vice president of finance-operations. . .Continental Tire North America has named Jay Dhillon general marketing manager for Continental Tire Canada. . .Craig Arnold has been named vice chairman and CEO of Eaton’s industrial sector.
Taking $tock
A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:
| Company | Symbol (Click for Chart) |
02/04 Close | Two Week Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArvinMeritor | ARM | $1.41 | $0.40 | 22.10% |
| Avis Budget Group Inc. | CAR | $0.73 | $0.06 | 7.59% |
| Cummins Inc. | CMI | $25.52 | $1.03 | 4.21% |
| Dana | DAN | $0.77 | $0.06 | 7.23% |
| Eaton | ETN | $43.25 | $0.39 | 0.91% |
| General Electric | GE | $11.26 | $0.11 | 0.97% |
| Goodyear Tire & Rubber | GT | $6.40 | $0.28 | 4.58% |
| PACCAR Inc. | PCAR | $27.55 | $0.02 | 0.07% |
| Ryder | R | $30.00 | $4.53 | 13.12% |
SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance and bigcharts.com
Money Matters
FTR Associates has released its truck and trailer sales report for December 2008 which reported only 8,649 Class 8 trucks net orders, the lowest level for orders since September 2006. FULL STORY
News From TRALA
There is Still Time to Register to Attend TRALA's 2009 Annual Meeting
Join us March 10-13 at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara for TRALA’s 31st Annual Meeting. This is one meeting that should be an absolute priority as we gather as an industry in order to confront current challenges and plan our priorities. To register for the meeting, simply visit TRALA's website. Hotel accommodations can be made by contacting the Four Seasons at (760) 603-6800 and mention TRALA to receive the discounted rate. Please contact Shannon Murray at (703) 299-9120 or smurray@trala.org if you have any questions.