EnRoute
Headlines From The Vehicle Renting and Leasing Industry
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Top Stories
Truck technicians previously had to work with only two engine fault codes, however next year there will be a pronounced increase in fault codes because of the onboard diagnostic systems added to 2010 and later model engines. FULL STORY
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A proposed standard has been issued by the Obama administration which is aimed at growing the supply of biofuels and for the first time requiring them to meet emission-reduction targets. FULL STORY
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Dealerships are looking for ways to simplify many common maintenance shop procedures as the recession forces cutbacks in personnel and hiring. FULL STORY
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New Brunswick is the latest province in Canada that is considering speed limiter mandate on all commercial trucks. FULL STORY
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The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has adopted a regulation that calls for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from California’s transportation fuels by ten percent before 2020 and aimed at diversifying the variety of fuels used for transportation. FULL STORY
Technology Trends
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Claims InSite, is a collision management solution offered by Penske Truck Leasing and is designed to facilitate management of the entire accident process in real time, from the incident reporting to ensure vehicles are repaired in a quick, efficient and cost-effective manner. FULL STORY
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Goodyear has released two regional truck tires, G661 HAS and G662 RSA, which offer deeper tread depth and enhanced tread designs and compounds to maximize tire life in urban and regional driving conditions. FULL STORY
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The T800 liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks are now available from Kenworth and are equipped with the Westport Innovations LNG fuel system and Westport GX 15-liter engine which meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions certification standards. FULL STORY
PeopleNet has launched Logistics Intelligence platform, an entirely new reporting platform and graphical dashboard for PeopleNet’s fleet management system. The system allows users to quickly identify best and worst performing drivers or vehicles based on engine-related performance metrics, speed, RPM, fuel efficiency and idle time. FULL STORY
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Yokohama’s 103ZR medium truck tire, which is now in full production, contains special rock ejector platforms; stronger and more pliable rubber to reduce heat generation and rolling resistance. The tire is part of Yokohama’s eco-friendly Z.environment line. FULL STORY
Briefly
Michelin’s X One XDN 2 drive and X One XTE trailer wide-base tires have been added to the U.S. EPA SmartWay program’s list of verified fuel-saving technologies. . .Roadranger has received an SAE E2T Environmental Excellence in Transportation Award for its environmentally friendly lubricants. . .Hino Trucks has launched a new website at www.hino.com that provides insight into the expanding vocational breadth of Hino truck applications and enhanced resources for new and returning customers. . .J.J. Keller & Associates has honored Harrold “Jay” Black, environmental, health and safety manager for Trex Co., as the 2008 KellerOnline Safety Professional of the Year (SPOTY). . .Detroit Diesel has announced it has become an EPA Energy Star partner and will take steps to green its operations. . .BAE Tactical Vehicle Systems has selected Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. to outfit its widely used military transport vehicle with original equipment tires. . .Wallwork Kenworth has opened a state-of-the-art dealership in Bismark, N.D., expanding its operations with a new facility that offers better accessibility and enhanced support. . .ZF and Continental AG have finalized a strategic alliance to develop and produce hybrid drives for commercial vehicles. ZF will produce the parallel hybrid transmission, while Continental will provide the lithium-ion battery accumulator and system electronics. . .ArvinMeritor has unveiled a new dual-mode hybrid Class 8 tractor prototype which was developed through a partnership with Wal-Mart, Navistar, Inc. and Cummins Inc.
People
Ron Huibers has been named the new vice president of International Operations for Mack Trucks. . .R.L. Polk & Co. has appointed Jim Dimond as vice president of global network planning. . .Deputy Transportation Secretary Thomas J. Barrett is leaving the Department of Transportation to become deputy federal coordinator at the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects.
Taking $tock
A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:
| Company | Symbol (Click for Chart) |
5/13 Close | Two Week Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArvinMeritor | ARM | $2.15 | $0.24 | 10.04% |
| Avis Budget Group Inc. | CAR | $2.95 | $0.75 | 20.27% |
| Cummins Inc. | CMI | $29.41 | $2.15 | 6.81% |
| Dana | DAN | $1.43 | $0.34 | 19.21% |
| Eaton | ETN | $44.78 | $1.35 | 2.93% |
| General Electric | GE | $12.91 | $0.77 | 5.63% |
| Goodyear Tire & Rubber | GT | $10.73 | $1.36 | 11.25% |
| Navistar International Corp. | NAV | $36.50 | $3.85 | 9.54% |
| PACCAR Inc. | PCAR | $29.57 | $1.55 | 4.98% |
| Ryder | R | $25.65 |
$1.71 | 6.25% |
SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance and bigcharts.com
Money Matters
Xata Corp. reported a 39 percent increase in revenue for the second quarter as revenue increased to $6.9 million from $12.1 million for the same period in fiscal year 2008. FULL STORY
Johnson Express Financing Program is a new offer for qualifying customers through Johnson Refrigerated Truck Bodies’ financing arm. FULL STORY
SAF-Holland reported the company maintained group sales in 2008 at nearly the same level as in the previous year at $1.05 billion. FULL STORY
News From TRALA
Access the Entire Renting and Leasing Industry!!
Advertising space is still available in TRALA’s 2009-2010 Membership Directory and Buyers Guide! Contact TRALA’s Brian Hefner at (703) 299-9120 or bhefner@trala.org for more information on the rates and guidelines.