EnRoute
Headlines From The Vehicle Renting and Leasing Industry
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Top Stories
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To meet the 2007 Environmental Protection Agency's emission standards, medium-duty engine manufacturers will have to use the same emissions-reduction technologies that will be used on heavy-duty diesels. FULL STORY
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is expected to finalize its truck tractor stopping distance rule in March 2007. FULL STORY
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When the Democrats assume control of both the House and the Senate in the 110th Congress, biofuel and fuel economy policies are targets for reform. FULL STORY
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In an effort to enhance biodiesel quality, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has suggested issuing a "winter weather advisory" to fleet managers, petroleum distributors and consumers. FULL STORY
Technology Trends
International Truck and Engine has developed aerodynamic devices to reduce air drag. FULL STORY
Yokohama Tire Corp.'s new "Green Initiative" was created to reduce the company's environmental impact and to aim for zero-waste output from their manufacturing plants. FULL STORY
Great Dane Trailers is building aerodynamic trailers to help Wal-Mart determine how its private fleet might boost fuel savings. FULL STORY
Utility Trailer has added the Bendix ASA-5 automatic slack adjuster as standard equipment on all new trailer models. FULL STORY
Briefly
Caterpillar will offer a special coverage program on all 2007-model Cat engines with ACERT technology delivered to end-users in the U.S. or Canada for commercial on-highway service during the first half of 2007. . .Peterbilt ranked highest in customer satisfaction among conventional cab medium-duty trucks according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Medium-Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Survey. . .Frost & Sullivan named Bendix the recipient of its 2006 Customer Value Leadership of the Year Award in the North American Class 6-8 truck original equipment safety systems category. . . SkyBitz provided the general public with the ability to track the 2006 Capitol Christmas Tree online as it made its way from Washington state to Washington, D.C.. . .Rush Enterprises has acquired Fouts Bros. UD-GMC, a GMC, UD, Hino and Isuzu medium-duty truck dealer in Smyrna, GA. . .Enterprise Rent-A-Car ranked highest in customer satisfaction among rental car companies for a third consecutive year according to a new survey by J.D. Power and Associates. . .Volvo Powertrain North America (VPNA) was recognized for its “Outstanding Achievement for Pollution Prevention at a Large Facility” by the Businesses for the Bay. . .The Hendrickson Aero Bright bumper recently earned the People’s Choice Award and an Automotive Award during the annual Thermoforming Conference of the Society of Plastics Engineers. . .Control Instruments, parent company of Tripmaster Corp., has acquired the business of Pi Technology in the United Kingdom. . .Cummins Inc. announced that its Mineral Point, WI facility has begun manufacturing the diesel particulate filters that will help the engine maker achieve compliance with the EPA’s upcoming 2007 emission standards.
People on the Move
David P. Taylor has been promoted to senior vice president, business development for Key Equipment Finance’s Asia Pacific Region. . . FleetNet America has hired Steve McGinley as Northeast regional sales manager. . .Robert “Rob” Eldridge has assumed duties as director of marketing for Hendrickson Auxiliary Axle Systems.
Taking $tock
A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:
| Company | Symbol (Click for Chart) |
11/28 Close | Two Week Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArvinMeritor | ARM | $17.20 | $0.11 | 0.64% |
| Avis Budget Group Inc. | CAR | $20.20 | $0.13 | 0.65% |
| Caterpillar Inc. | CAT | $61.60 | $0.37 | 0.60% |
| Con-way Inc. | CNW | $48.10 | $0.40 | 0.84% |
| Cummins Inc. | CMI | $118.23 | $2.62 | 2.17% |
| Eaton | ETN | $75.22 | $0.43 | 0.57% |
| General Electric | GE | $35.20 | $0.25 | 0.71% |
| Navistar | NAV | $31.04 | $0.57 | 1.87% |
| PACCAR Inc. | PCAR | $64.55 | $0.23 | 0.36% |
| Ryder | R | $53.89 | $0.77 | 1.45% |
SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance and bigcharts.com
Money Matters
Volvo truck sales in North America grew 10 percent between January and October, which reflected greater demand ahead of 2007 emissions regulations. FULL STORY
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Heavy-duty truck manufacturers had a successful month with sales up 12.2 percent in October, with 25,069 Class 8 vehicles sold. FULL STORY
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Small Business Administration have partnered together to help small trucking companies by offering loans to help them curb emissions. FULL STORY
News From TRALA
January 15 deadline for TRALA 2007-2008 scholarships!
Now in its 11th year, the TRALA Scholarship Program offers high school seniors whose parents work for TRALA member companies, $5,000 scholarships that are renewable for up to four years during college. To read about the eligibility requirements and download an application, please visit TRALA's website. For more information, contact TRALA's Anne Riser at ariser@trala.org or (703) 299-9120.