EnRoute
Headlines From The Vehicle Renting and Leasing Industry
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Top Stories
Companies are switching to a more strategic approach when it comes to leasing, not just focusing on the immediate needs, but the long-term as well. FULL STORY
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If approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a new law in California will take effect in December 2008 that won't allow refrigerated trailers in the state if the models are 2001 or older. FULL STORY
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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) comment period for its notice of proposed rulemaking on electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) has closed and FMCSA Administrator John Hill has indicated that he is standing firm on the plan to publish a final rule. FULL STORY
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The strong economy has more trucks transporting goods, but the number of rest stops and parking available for turcks in not expanding as quickly. FULL STORY
Technology Trends
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The Cascadia, a new class 8 truck introduced by Freightliner, will deliver improved fuel mileage, driver comfort and ergonomics. FULL STORY
PeopleNet has introduced its handheld platform that integrates PeopleNet's g3 mobile computing and communication system with handheld devices that enable drivers to gather and display information both in and out of the truck. FULL STORY
Karmak has released Legend Acess, which is designed to allow users to connect to and run applications on their Karmak Legend business system from a Windows-based PC. Legend Access is now certified for Windows Vista. FULL STORY
Allison Transmission has been selected by Peterbilt Motors Co. to serve as the exclusive supplier of automatic transmissions for Peterbilt’s medium-duty line of trucks and several heavy-duty models. FULL STORY
Skybitz has added three enhancements to its solutions portfolio that are designed to heighten security and increase operational efficiencies for carriers of all sizes. FULL STORY
Briefly
PACCAR Financial Services announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Truck Center Hauser GmbH (TCH), an independent truck rental and leasing company in Germany. . .Wells Fargo & Company and Greater Bay Bancorp have signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Greater Bay Bancorp by Wells Fargo in a stock-for-stock merger. . .Key Safety Systems has selected Ryder System for logistics and transportation management services supporting all of Key Safety's North American and European operations. . .Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC was recently named by Frost & Sullivan as the recipient of its 2006 Customer Value Leadership of the Year Award in the North American Class 6-8 truck original equipment market. . .Michelin announced it plans to double the amount of tires it will donate to first responders across the U.S. in the coming year through the company’s “Michelin Driving America’s Safety” program. . .The PACCAR plant in Ste. Therese, Quebec, was named Business of the Year and received the Human Resources Award in the large business category at the 27th edition of the Mercuriades competition. . .Cummins Filtration was awarded the Engineering Merit Award from the American Filtration & Separation Society for its Fleetguard Closed Crankcase Ventilation (CCV) System. . .The Volvo Group is investing in an assembly facility for trucks in Russia to meet increasing demand on the fast-growing markets there and in the countries of the former Soviet Union. . .Oxlo Systems Inc. and Karmak, Inc. announced an agreement for Oxlo to provide Ford dealer communication system integration for Karmak Legend Business Systems. . .J.J. Keller & Associates and IdleAire Technologies Corp. have signed an agreement giving IdleAire the exclusive license to provide in-cab delivery of J.J. Keller’s video-based commercial motor vehicle driver training and transportation safety-related materials. The training will be delivered via IdleAire’s Advanced Truckstop Electrification technology platform. . .To read more news about TRALA members, please click here.
People on the Move
Navistar International has appointed Ramin Younessi as vice president of truck group strategy and business operations, to succeed John Lamoureux, who recently became vice president of global sourcing and business development. . .Stephen Crante has been hired as director of TMcare for FleetNet America. . .Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has hired Kevin Olifiers to be vice president, supply chain for its North American Tire unit. . .Webb Wheel Products has promoted Rich Gaulrapp to the newly created position of national sales manager for its OEM business unit. . .Nicholas Petek, an engineering supervisor for Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, has been elected to serve a three-year term as one of the 18 members of the national board of directors for the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). . .Warren Avis, a founder of Avis Rent A Car, died of natural causes at his farm in Ann Arbor, MI on April 24, according to the L.A. Daily Times.
Taking $tock
A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:
| Company | Symbol (Click for Chart) |
05/09 Close | Two Week Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArvinMeritor | ARM | $20.57 | $0.33 | 1.63% |
| Avis Budget Group Inc. | CAR | $28.59 | $0.19 | 0.67% |
| Caterpillar Inc. | CAT | $74.75 | $1.32 | 1.80% |
| Cummins Inc. | CMI | $90.30 | $1.63 | 1.84% |
| Eaton | ETN | $91.18 | $0.22 | 0.24% |
| General Electric | GE | $37.26 | $0.18 | 0.49% |
| Goodyear Tire & Rubber | GT | $33.61 | $0.35 | 1.05% |
| PACCAR Inc. | PCAR | $88.85 | $1.52 | 1.74% |
| Ryder | R | $53.56 | $0.07 | 0.13% |
SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance and bigcharts.com
Money Matters
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has awarded Penske Truck Leasing a three-year fleet managment and maintenance service contract valued at $47 million.FULL STORY
Continental AG reported that sales rose 9.8 percent to 3.96 billion euros in the first quarter of 2007. FULL STORY
In the Americas, Bridgestone's operations played a big role in lifting sales by 7 percent to $2.81 billion.FULL STORY
Truck and speciality tires are just one of the groups that contributed to the growth of Groupe Michelin's 5.5 percent net sales increase from 2006. FULL STORY
News From TRALA
Advertise in the TRALA Vehicle!
There is still time to advertise in the premier industry reference guide. . .The TRALA Vehicle! Information about the 2007-2008 rates and guidelines for our annual Membership Directory and Buyers Guide are available on the TRALA website or by contacting TRALA’s Maggie Brown at (703) 299-9120 or mbrown@trala.org