EnRoute
Headlines From The Vehicle Renting and Leasing Industry
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Top Stories
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a proposal to require that manufacturers of heavy-duty engines and vehicles begin reporting carbon dioxide emission from engines beginning with model year 2011. The new rule does not apply to manufacturers in the light-duty segment, or to those manufacturers that meet the EPA’s definitions of “small business” or “small volume manufacturer” under its existing mobile source emissions regulations. FULL STORY
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended its deadline for states requesting delays implementing the REAL ID Program through December 1, 2009. The REAL ID Program bars federal buildings, airports, and nuclear plants from accepting driver’s licenses, including Commercial Driver’s Licenses, from states unless they meet certain security and issuance standards. FULL STORY
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The EPA’s Office of Underground Storage Tanks (UST) has issued a memo to regional and state program managers to let them know that diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) stored in underground storage tanks is not covered by the Underground Storage Tanks regulations. DEF does not meet the definition of a hazardous substance as it contains less than 2 percent ammonia and falls under the UST program’s de minimus exemption. FULL STORY
Technology Trends
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PeopleNet is enhancing its new version of its in-cab communications system with a new customized software function called Blu Workflow for creating unique applications to meet specific fleet workload needs. FULL STORY
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Maxx Force TV is a new online channel from Navistar that is devoted entirely to trucks and engines. The inaugural series, Maxx IQ, is a game show hosted by Joe Elmore that tests the engine smarts of drivers at truck stops and other locations across the U.S. for a chance to win cash and prizes. FULL STORY
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Thermo King has launched the TracKing cellular web-enabled temperature management system to complement the existing TracKing satellite system. Both are wireless asset-management systems that provide real-time monitoring and tracking of untethered trailers. FULL STORY
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KellerOnline, J.J. Keller & Associates online safety management tool, has been enhanced with the integration of the company’s complete library of interactive training courses. FULL STORY
Briefly
Silver Eagle Manufacturing and Airodyne Industries have announced an alliance in which Airodyne has agreed to offer Silver Eagle mid-length and mini-skirt trailer fairings to the North American fleets it services, and will continue to offer its roof fairings and shields. . .Peterbilt Motors Company delivered a Peterbilt Model 330 hybrid electric truck to the U.S. House of Representatives which is the House’s first hybrid electric vehicle. The truck is slated to replace the aging vehicle fleet with low-emissions trucks. . .Terra Environmental Technologies new website, www.tet-terra.com, offers a full array of information on Terra’s products and services. . .Daimler Trucks North America and SPATCO DEF have announced a strategic partnership to manufacture and distribute patent-pending Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Dispensing Systems to over 800 DTNA dealers throughout the United States and Canada. . .Karmak Inc. and Multi Service Corp. have collaborated to integrate OEM national account programs with Karmak business systems via Service Gate. Multi Service facilitates private-label aftermarket parts programs for original equipment manufacturers in the trucking industry. . .Ryder System has enhanced its website, www.usedtrucks.ryder.com/ to better serve existing and prospective customers looking for affordable, quality used vehicles. . .XATA Corp. has signed a partner services agreement with Digi International. Under this pact, Digi will supply select on-truck hardware to support Xata’s next-generation onboard communications technology. . .Starting next year, Volvo Trucks will be the first truck manufacturer to conduct comprehensive field test of Bio-DME, a next generation biofuel said to produce close to no carbon dioxide emissions. . .Hino Trucks and Fontaine Modification Co. announced that Fontaine will open a dedicated modification center in Williamstown, W.VA, to support Hino’s West Virginia-based truck assembly plant. . .Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake have warned its employees, customers and their consumers about a business financing scam that has appropriated the companies’ identities. According to the companies, the parties responsible for this scam have distributed letters and fake checks to consumers through the U.S. mail. Please visit Bendix’s website for more information. . .PHH Arval has been awarded the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence for the 10th year. . .Kenworth Truck Company was honored with the 2009 Green Washington manufacturing award from Seattle Business magazine.
People
Andrew J. Cederoth has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer of Navistar International Corp. . .The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has appointed John “Jack” D. Fish as senior vice president of global operations. Fish replaces Christopher W. Clark who announced in June his intention to retire after 36 years with Goodyear.
Taking $tock
A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:
| Company | Symbol (Click for Chart) |
9/30 Close | Two Week Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avis Budget Group Inc. | CAR | $13.36 | $0.08 | 0.60% |
| Cummins Inc. | CMI | $44.81 | $0.33 | 0.74% |
| Dana | DAN | $6.79 | $0.28 | 4.30% |
| Eaton | ETN | $56.59 | $0.91 | 1.58% |
| General Electric | GE | $16.42 | $0.29 | 1.74% |
| Goodyear Tire & Rubber | GT | $17.00 | $0.09 | 0.53% |
| Navistar International Corp. | NAV | $37.46 | $0.17 | 0.45% |
| PACCAR Inc. | PCAR | $37.71 | $0.26 | 0.68% |
| Ryder | R | $39.06 |
$0.77 | 1.93% |
SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance and bigcharts.com
Money Matters
ACT Research Co. reported that net orders for commercial trailers in August increased 14 percent from July and 69 percent from a depressed August 2008. This is the second straight month of the year-over-year gain for the trailer industry. FULL STORY
The U.S. Army has awarded Navistar International Corp. a $9.8 million contract for various trucks and spare parts which is estimated to be completed by April 2011. FULL STORY
The Houston Advanced Research Center has awarded Donaldson Company a $750,000 grant for non-road retrofit DPF/selective catalyst reduction (SCR) system development and verification. FULL STORY
News From TRALA
As your high school seniors are getting ready to head back to school, it’s not too early to be thinking about paying for college this time next year. One strategy is for your son or daughter to apply for a TRALA Scholarship that could amount to $20,000 over four years. Applicants must be dependent children (high school seniors only) of full-time employees of TRALA member companies. Employees must have been working full-time for the company a minimum of one year as of the application deadline. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and plan to enroll in a full-time course of study at an accredited four year college or university. Just click here to apply. The application deadline is January 15, 2010.
Questions? Contact TRALA’s Tonya Gibbs at (703) 299-9120 or tgibbs@trala.org.