EnRoute
Headlines From The Vehicle Renting and Leasing Industry
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Top Stories
-
Truck fleets will have to adjust their activities in 2010 to deal with the “new normal” by continually putting in place innovative cost-control measures and operational strategies. FULL STORY
There are several notable truck-related regulations scheduled for action in 2010, including electronic onboard recorders (EOBRs), entry-level driver training, carrier safety fitness determination and rearview mirrors. FULL STORY
-
FTR Associates is optimistic about truck and trailer sales in 2011 based on stronger than expected freight volumes at the end of 2009. FULL STORY
Technology Trends
-
Peterbilt Motors Co. has a new proprietary stainless steel, cowl mounted air cleaner and cap which was developed in partnership with Donaldson Company. FULL STORY
-
The Bandag-brand BDR-HT3 tread is a new tread designed by Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions for less-than-truckload fleet customers operating single-axle tractors. FULL STORY
-
Dana Holding Corporation has introduced two new Spicer tag axles that improve fuel efficiency, reduce vehicle weight, and lower OEM installation costs. In conjunction with the axle launch, Dana has also introduced new Spicer conversion kits, while providing the option of converting existing 6x4 vehicles into a 6x2 configuration. FULL STORY
-
Aim NationaLease’s information technology department created a solution to the need for driver vehicle condition reports (DVCRs) by developing an electronic method for drivers, dispatchers and leasing customers to write up vehicle conditions and communicate seamlessly with shop supervisors. Aim recently upgraded the eDVCR system to allow write-ups to be posted directly to the fleet maintenance management system as a “Work Roster” entry. FULL STORY
Briefly
Freightliner Trucks has announced a partnership with Allison Transmission Inc. to offer Allison Optimized packages for vocational markets. Allison Optimized is a holistic approach to configuring a vehicle’s driveline designed to deliver optimal performance, durability, fuel efficiency and driveline protection for specific vocational trucks. . .Great Dane Trailers has acquired Johnson Refrigerated Truck Bodies. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed however both companies say the deal promises to be a synergistic move for both. . .Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America has a new incentive program for the first quarter of 2010 called “Get Up & Go.” The program offers 1.9 percent APR financing for 24 or 36 months in the United States and 5.4 percent APR financing for 48 or 60 months in Canada to qualifying retail customers who purchase and take delivery of a new model Mitsubishi Fuso medium-duty truck by March 31. . .R.L. Polk & Co. has new headquarters which is a single site that is less than two miles from where the company currently resides in Southfield, MI. . .Kenworth Truck Co. and PACCAR Financial have introduced a new extended warranty program for U.S. customers who purchase new 2010 emissions-compliant Kenworth Class 8 factory trucks that meet eligibility requirements. . .Continental Tire North America has changed its name to Continental Tire the Americas LLC. . .Karmak, Inc.’s Client Talk automated communication software has been selected by the editors of Heavy Duty Aftermarket Journal(HDAJ) as one of the Top Five 2010 Aftermarket Products. . .Daimler Trucks North America(DTNA) has inked a deal with Cleaire Advanced Emission Controls to be the exclusive North American provider of its retrofit emission control systems. . .Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has introduced the G296 WHA super-single waste haul steer tire which joins the company’s drive/steer G289 WHA and is available in 425/65R22.5 sizing in load range L at 11,400-pound capacity. . .SAF Holland has opened a new trailer axle manufacturing plant in Warrenton, MO. The $4-million, 100,000 sq-ft plant has the capacity of 80,000 trailer axles per year. . .Penske Corporation and its family of companies has donated over $1 million worth of diesel-powered flatbed trucks to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. . .PACCAR has made a $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross to support Haitian relief efforts. . .Ryder System employees together with the Ryder Charitable Foundation are making a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross to support disaster relief efforts in Haiti. This new financial support is in addition to the three-year, $1 million commitment made in 2009 by the Ryder Charitable Foundation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
People
AmeriQuest Transportation Services has recruited three new sales directors for its Supply Management Program sales team. Kevin Fessler will handle sales in the West Region; James E. “Jim” Shea Jr. will be responsible for customers in the South Central Region; and Robert J. “Rob” Carlucci will manage the Great Lakes Region. . .Curt J. Anderson has been named president of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s North American Tire business unit.
Taking $tock
A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:
| Company | Symbol (Click for Chart) |
2/10 Close | Two Week Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avis Budget Group Inc. | CAR | $11.77 | $0.34 | 2.97% |
| Cummins Inc. | CMI | $51.98 | $0.26 | 0.50% |
| Dana | DAN | $10.34 | $0.10 | 0.98% |
| Eaton | ETN | $63.53 | $0.33 | 0.52% |
| General Electric | GE | $15.69 | $0.09 | 0.58% |
| Goodyear Tire & Rubber | GT | $12.84 | $0.04 | 0.31% |
| Navistar International Corp. | NAV | $38.50 | $0.46 | 1.18% |
| PACCAR Inc. | PCAR | $34.88 | $0.07 | 0.20% |
| Ryder | R | $33.21 |
$0.19 | 0.57% |
SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance and bigcharts.com
Money Matters
Cummins Inc. reported its fourth quarter profit jumped to $270 million due in part to strong sales in China, India, and Brazil. FULL STORY
Paccar has reached its 71st consecutive year of net profit and showed an improved fourth quarter revenue and income from the third quarter, from $46.1 million, compared to earnings of $13 million in the third quarter. FULL STORY
News From TRALA
Attend TRALA’s 2010 Annual Meeting February 12, 2010 is the last day to take advantage of the advanced registrations rates for TRALA’s 2010 Annual Meeting. This year’s meeting will take place at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa from April 6-8. 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.
For over 24 years, TRALA has recognized men and women who achieve the highest level of excellence in professional truck driving and demonstrate our industry’s continuing commitment to highway safety and security. We invite you to continue this tradition and nominate your best driver(s) as candidate(s) for TRALA’s 2010 Driver of the Year Award. To download an application, please click here. Deadline for nominations is March 5, 2010. For more information, contact TRALA’s Shannon Murray at smurray@trala.org or (703) 299-9120.