EnRoute
Headlines From The Vehicle Renting and Leasing Industry
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Top Stories
Members of the trucking industry continue to learn more about the storage and use of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), the key material to be used in most engine manufacturers plans to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) tighter standards on diesel emissions. FULL STORY
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Dealerships should look at strengthening their parts departments to help get through slow sales times and position themselves to capture new truck sales when the economy turns around. FULL STORY
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A two-year study of idle-reduction systems through partnerships with fleets Schneider National, Diversified Transfer & Storage and National Freight Inc. is expected to be released this summer by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). FULL STORY
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The White House has launched www.recovery.gov which is intended to track the progress of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that was signed into law on Tuesday by President Obama. FULL STORY
Technology Trends
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Karmak has unveiled its ProfitMaster product line software which was designed exclusively for the heavy-duty truck industry to help businesses improve efficiency, control costs, and manage margins more closely. FULL STORY
Navistar is launching PartSmart, a new value-line, private-label brand of truck parts aimed at cost-conscious truck owners. FULL STORY
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Fontaine Trailer has debuted its new Revolution and Revolution Hybrid flatbed trailers that are designed to allow easy placement of tiedowns and chocks anywhere on the trailer deck and feature a patent-pending strap retention rope hook system to facilitate easier strap securement. FULL STORY
New retread designs will be available in the first quarter of 2009 for Goodyear’s G287 MSA, G282 MSD and G558 WTD tires. FULL STORY
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Remanufactured brake shoes with PlatinumShield-coating have been introduced by ArvinMeritor and are designed to provide superior protection against corrosion and rust-jacking. FULL STORY
Briefly
Ryder System, Inc. has opened a new retail used vehicle facility located in Vaudreil-Dorion, Quebec. . .Carrier Transicold has announced that the new ClearSky diesel particulate filter (DPF) has been conditionally verified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for use with Carrier’s ComfortPro auxiliary power unit (APU). . .Detroit Diesel’s use of turbo compounding on its DD15 engine has earned it the 2008 Truck Writers of North America (TWNA) Technical Achievement Award. . .Marvin Rush, Chairman of Rush Enterprises, Inc., has received an Outstanding Business Leader (OBL) Award for 2008 by Northwood University. . .Xata Corp. has opened a 16,000-square-foot distribution center in Burnsville, MN. . .Thermo King has been recognized for the second year in a row, as an “Operations Supplier of the Year” by Sysco Corp. . .Debra Moore has been named Pressure Systems International’s Salesperson of the Year for 2008. . .Kenworth’s pocket innerspring mattress is now standard on lower bunks in all new Class 8 trucks equipped with sleepers. . .J.D. Power and Associates presented its Founders Award to PACCAR this year. . .ArvinMeritor marks its 100th anniversary and will commemorate this historic milestone throughout 2009 at events and product exhibitions. . .Johnson Refrigerated Truck Bodies received Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) approval on first shipment of 37 fiberglass refrigerated truck bodies. The entire order for 195 fiberglass refrigerated truck bodies was awarded by Navistar Defense. . .Eaton Corp. has signed an agreement with India’s Tata Motors to provide heavy-duty truck transmissions through 2014.
People on the Move
Doug Lenz has been named director of product management for Thermo King. . .SAF-Holland Group GmbH has named Dr. Reiner Beutel as chief executive officer. . .Christopher Kete has been appointed vice president and general manager of ArvinMeritor’s Specialty Products business unit.
Taking $tock
A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:
| Company | Symbol (Click for Chart) |
02/18 Close | Two Week Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArvinMeritor | ARM | $0.63 | $0.11 | 14.86% |
| Avis Budget Group Inc. | CAR | $0.59 | $0.02 | 3.28% |
| Cummins Inc. | CMI | $22.23 | $0.24 | 1.09% |
| Dana | DAN | $0.50 | $0.03 | 5.66% |
| Eaton | ETN | $41.93 | $0.11 | 0.26% |
| General Electric | GE | $10.86 | $0.05 | 0.46% |
| Goodyear Tire & Rubber | GT | $6.38 | $0.36 | 5.98% |
| PACCAR Inc. | PCAR | $27.30 | $0.14 | 0.14% |
| Ryder | R | $26.96 | $1.35 | 4.77% |
SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance and bigcharts.com
Money Matters
PACCAR earned the fourth-highest annual net income in its 103-year history in 2008 and delivered its 70th consecutive year of net profit. FULL STORY
XATA Corp. reported first quarter sales increased to $14.6 million from $7.7 million for the same period in fiscal 2008. 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.