Blog

EnRoute - April 1, 2015



Top Stories

TRALA is supporting a concurrent resolution drafted in the U.S. House of Representatives that the Federal Excise Tax (FET) not be increased on the purchase of truck tractors, trailers and most straight trucks. FULL STORY

 

The Obama administration has delivered its half-billion dollar, six-year transportation plan to Congress, however both  Republicans and Democrats are struggling to find ways to pay for even another highway bill extension that would maintain federal spending until a multi-year program can be worked out. Congress has passed 32 short-term measures to fund transportation over the past six years. FULL STORY
 

A proposed rule known as Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles and Work Trucks, would ramp up fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for medium- and heavy-duty trucks beyond model year 2018, has advanced to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). FULL STORY

The Alternative Fuel Tax Parity Act has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives which would ensure that excise taxes on LNG and propane for highway use would be levied at a rate consistent with energy output relative to diesel and gasoline. FULL STORY

 

 

Technology Trends

Comdata has unveiled its new FleetAdvance Mobile app. The app connects to a driver's Comdata card and allows a driver to search by current location or city and state to find the lowest fuel prices in the area. FULL STORY

Kenworth Truck Company is starting production in the fall on a new 76-inch mid-roof sleeper for its T680 and 880.  The Kenworth 76-inch mid-roof sleeper is optimized for liquid bulk tankers, flatbed haulers and other operators looking for a lighter wieght, more aerodynamic truck with all the driver comforts of a full-height sleeper.  FULL STORY

Dana has unveiled the AdvanTek Dual Range Disconnect, a new dual range disconnect concept tandem axle that disconnects the inter-axle shaft at highway speeds to provide greater efficiency.  The product was designed for Class 8 linehaul applications utilizing downspeeding. FULL STORY

Volvo Trucks has introduced the Adaptive Loading 6x2 liftable forward axle. The axle automatically adjusts to load weight changes and offers 4x2 operation in certain conditions. The adaptive loading is designed for bulk haul or general freight operations where a truck goes out loaded and returns empty or for diminishing load applications. FULL STORY

Double Coin and CMA is introducing a new mixed service tire, the RR706, which is an all-position tire specifically designed for the construction, waste and refuse industry. The tire is designed to provide casing durability and withstand high-scrub environments. FULL STORY

 

 
  


Briefly

Eaton has further strengthened its Roadranger service network with enhancements that include upgrading the features in the company's ServiceRanger 4 online diagnostics and service software; extending the availability of the Roadranger Call Center to now include 24/7/365 customer support; and introducing a new fuel-efficient synthetic transmission lubricant. . .PeopleNet and Omnitracs recently announced exclusive deals with original equipment manufacturers Peterbilt, Kenworth and Cummins to provide telematics and diagnostic tools for the companies. . .In March Goodyear launched its Smart Fleet Program in Canada. The main benefit of this program is the published pricing. When they sign up, they become a national account of Goodyear, dealing directly with Goodyear. They get published pricing on tires, tire-related services and retreads. . .Big-rig truck racing is returning to the U.S. for the first time since 1993 with the Meritor ChampTruck World Series for the 2015 season. Meritor is the executive title sponsor of the series. The Meritor ChampTruck World Series debuts April 24 at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, N.J., with professional and amateur teams competing in two-axle Class 8 trucks that reach speeds of up to 100 mph. . .Navistar announced a new website for its all-makes product line, Fleetrite. Through the site, truck and bus fleets and owner-operators are able to search thousands of parts for all truck and bus manufacturers, and find detailed information on the company's full line of all-makes aftermarket parts on the site, located at www.fleetrite.com. . .Wabco has signed a long-term supply agreement with Hendrickson Trailer Commercial Vehicle Systems to provide advanced air disc brakes for an integrated trailer-axle product with weight-saving potential. . .Thermo King has set up a network of drop yards where truckers can temporarily park trailers during rest breaks and other times where drivers need only their tractors. The service is available for a “nominal” fee to all truckers, whether not they are Thermo King customers.

 



 

People 

Marcio Pedroso has been appointed president of Volvo Financial Services (VFS), Region the Americas. He takes over for Leo Hawkes, who has retired after 13 years with VFS. . .Continental has announced Jerry Gabbard, vice-president and general manager of the Commercial Vehicles and Aftermarket (CVAM) business, has retired. He will be succeeded by James Bayle. . .Cummins has appointed Amy Boerger vice president of its North American engine business unit effective April 1. . .John N. Hove has joined Scopelitis, Garvin, Light,Hanson & Feary in its Dallas/Fort Worth office, effective April 1, 2015. Prior to joining Scopelitis, Hove was the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Cardinal Logistics Holdings and Greatwide Logistics Services. . .Great Dane Trailers has promoted Chris Hammond to the position of executive vice president of sales. . .Secretary Foxx has delegated Scott Darling, the Chief Counsel of FMCSA, the responsibility for performing the duties of the FMCSA Administrator.  Thus, consistent with the Vacancies Act, he will continue to perform the duties of the Administrator but will no longer be referred to as the Acting Administrator.

 

 

 

 

 

  

Taking $tock

A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:

Company Symbol (Click for Chart) 04/01 Close Performance
Allison Transmission Holdings ALSN $31.38 $0.56 -1.75%
Avis Budget Group Inc. CAR $58.76 $0.26 -0.43%
Cummins Inc. CMI $137.02 $1.62 -1.17%
Dana Holding Corp. DAN $21.04 $0.12 -0.57%
Eaton Corp. ETN $67.58 $0.36 -0.53%
General Electric GE $24.84 $0.03 +0.12%
Goodyear Tire & Rubber GT $26.75 $0.33  -1.22%
Navistar International Corp. NAV $28.81 $0.69 -2.34%
PACCAR Inc. PCAR $61.90 $1.24 -1.96%
Ryder R $94.82 $0.07 -0.07%

SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance

 

 

News From TRALA 

 

TRALA Welcomes New Members

Please take a moment to welcome some of TRALA's newest Members. Contact information for any of the companies listed can be found in the online directories at TRALA's website, http://www.trala.org/AF_MemberDirectory.asp.  If you have any questions, please contact TRALA's LaTisha Thomas at lthomas@trala.org.  

 

Albany Mack Leasing, LLC

Allen Insurance Group – Fort Valley, GA

Allstate Leasing, LLC – South Saint Paul, MN

American Traffic Solutions – Scottsdale, AZ

Babaco Alarm Systems, Inc. – Moonachie, NJ

Compass Truck Rental & Leasing, LLC – Burr Ridge, IL

Corporate Services, LLC – Baton Rouge, LA

Cottingham & Butler – Dubuque, IA

Daimler Truck Financial – Fort Mill, SC

EkoStringer– Palmyra, NY

Fort Wayne Auto Truck Auction – Fort Wayne, IN

Isuzu Finance of America, Inc. – Purchase, NY

Marion Body Works, Inc. – Marion, WI

National Truck Rents – Orlando, FL

Paige-Ruane, Inc. – Scottsville, VA

PDP Group, Inc. – Hunt Valley, Maryland

RentalYard/AuctionTime.com – Lincoln, Nebraska

RentBigRigs.com – Incline Village, Nevada

RentBigRigs.com – Incline Village, NV

Shepherd Insurance – Carmel, Indiana

Telogis - Aliso Viejo, California

Zurich – Omaha, NE

 
 
 
 

 

 

Archive

Archive