EnRoute
Headlines From The Vehicle Renting and Leasing Industry
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Top Stories
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a final rule in the Federal Register that will require heavy-duty engine emission control systems be monitored for malfunctions via an onboard diagnostic system (OBD). FULL STORY
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Unified Carrier Registration fees are scheduled to increase in 2010 as a result of a legislative change in the language of the program and noncompliance by some motor carriers who are not paying their fees. FULL STORY
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As diesel prices continue to remain uncertain, fleet owners are being encouraged to start looking at ways to monitor and control drivers’ habits behind the wheel and at the pump to control fuel costs. FULL STORY
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The Government of Canada is expected to introduce a national on-road biodiesel mandate as soon as 2010. FULL STORY
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The $26.6 billion in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has been released eight days early to states and local transportation authorities to repair and build highways, roads and bridges. FULL STORY
Technology Trends
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Maxon Lift Corp. has unveiled the GPSLR Series Liftgate which is a slide-type liftgate that rides level from bed to ground and features an industry first, a SmartStow function, that enables the gate to automatically stow. FULL STORY
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FleetNet America has expanded its use of Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS), giving customers more detailed analysis of their maintenance costs and more control over their expenses. FULL STORY
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PeopleNet has unveiled a new tethered trailer tracking system that identifies a trailer and provides location information when hooked to a trailer equipped with the company’s g3 onboard communications system. FULL STORY
Waltco has updated its Glide Trac (GT Series) in response to a regulatory change from the Canadian government regarding rear impact guard protection. It is now the only liftgate offering Canadian rear impact guard certification. FULL STORY
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Kenworth Class 8 vehicles that are specified with round diesel fuel tanks will now offer as standard a tamper-resistant, durable, metal anti-siphoning device. FULL STORY
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The Wrangler DuraTrac is the latest addition to the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s Wrangler lineup of truck tires that will offer innovative new features that make it ideal for work applications. FULL STORY
Briefly
J.J. Keller & Associates has introduced Maintenance Manager Online, a secure Web-based application designed for motor carriers to track and manage daily preventative maintenance tasks. . .Supreme Industries, Inc. has announced it has begun production of the “SIGNATURE” van body which is the result of an 18-month project during which feedback from major industry customers, suppliers and OEM manufacturers drove the design process. . .PHH Arval has introduced its new PHH E*Toll Funds Management tool that provides companies with a uniform means of paying and tracking toll expenses incurred by their fleet drivers. . .Kenworth Truck Company has announced that a clear-coat finish is now part of the standard paint application on all Kenworth models to help provide enhanced, and long-lasting paint quality. . .Daimler Trucks North America has opened a 1.3 million-square-foot plant in Saltillo, Mexico and will have the capacity to build 30,000 heavy-duty trucks annually. . .ArvinMeritor, Inc. will be the drivetrain supplier for two of the three prime contractors awarded technology demonstrator contracts for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) – Lockheed Martin Systems Integration and BAE Systems U.S. Combat Systems. . .AeroScout, Inc. and IMEC Technologies have deployed a wireless parts replenishment solution for Thermo King Corp. . .Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems is continuing its fight against counterfeiting through its inclusion in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement Manual, the only company from the automotive industry to be included. . .Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Advantage Rent-A-Car have reached an agreement on the purchase by Enterprise of certain assets of Advantage out of bankruptcy for $19 million. . .Peterbilt Motors Co. has introduced a new aerodynamic package for its highway Models 386 and 384 designed to improve fuel economy up to an estimated 12 percent.
People on the Move
Rich Simons has been selected as the new president of Daimler Trucks Remarketing Corp. . .Eaton Corp. has named Eric Zahrai manager for Aftertreatment Marketing and Strategic Partners for the company’s truck group. . .David Johanneson has been named the new chief executive officer of Navistar Financial. . .Volvo Trucks North America has selected Patrick Collignon as plant manager at its New River Valley truck plant. . .Michael Rumsey has been appointed to the position of vice president, sales operations for Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America. . .Rod Robinson has announced that he will be retiring as President from Waltco Hydraulic Liftgates effective March 6 and his successor is Michael Militello, president of Ultron, a liftgate manufacturer also owned by Waltco’s parent company, Cargotec. . .Navistar International Corporation has elected long-time Navistar and Ford executive David Tarrant to be chief executive officer for Workhorse Custom Chassis in addition to his present duties as vice president and general manager.
Taking $tock
A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:
| Company | Symbol (Click for Chart) |
03/04 Close | Two Week Performance | ArvinMeritor | ARM | $0.51 | $0.00 | 0.00% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avis Budget Group Inc. | CAR | $0.43 | $0.04 | 10.26% |
| Cummins Inc. | CMI | $21.94 | $2.14 | 10.81% |
| Dana | DAN | $0.30 | $0.02 | 7.14% |
| Eaton | ETN | $33.92 | $0.47 | 1.37% |
| General Electric | GE | $6.69 | $0.32 | 4.56% |
| Goodyear Tire & Rubber | GT | $3.90 | $0.16 | 4.28% |
| PACCAR Inc. | PCAR | $23.98 | $0.74 | 3.18% |
| Ryder | R | $22.36 |
$1.61 | 7.76% |
SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance and bigcharts.com
Money Matters
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved more than $700,000 in grants to bolster the commercialization of three cutting-edge clean air technologies. Eaton Corporation (Eden Prairie, MN) will receive $214,401 as one of the three companies selected by CARB. FULL STORY
New commercial vehicle registrations for GVW 3-8 new vehicles for the calendar year 2008 were 485,000 units, which is the lowest level since 1994 when 489,500 new commercial vehicles were registered. 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.