Blog
EnRoute - July 15, 2015
- By: Shannon Davison
- On: 07/15/2015 16:41:45
- In: EnRoute
Top Stories
Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) has introduced S. 1669, a bill to reform the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). FULL STORY
FMCSA has unveiled proposed changes to its Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program which the agency said the enhancements will improve its ability to prioritize and intervene with motor carriers that pose the greatest safety risk. FULL STORY
A final rule was published on June 23 in the Federal Register that a new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Standard will mandate electronic stability control (ESC) on tractors and buses with gross vehicle weight ratings greater than 26,000 pounds after August 1, 2017. FULL STORY
The U.S. Department of Commerce has planned an online education seminar to help truckers and motor carriers navigate the eManifest program that requires companies to submit cargo information to Canadian border authorities before a truck's arrival. FULL STORY
Technology Trends
Eaton is offering three new enhancements for its FLEX Reman remanufactured transmission product line which became available at the beginning of July. FULL STORY
Michelin has expanded its X One Multi Energy offering by adding in new sizes to the wide-base single trailer tire and retread lines. FULL STORY
GE Capital Fleet Market Economic Outlook survey reported that fleet executives have seen a surge in maintenance costs which is primarily the result of upkeep to older vehicles, unscheduled repairs and preventative services. Fleets continue to look for more ways to keep their bottom line in check. FULL STORY
Briefly
International is offering a telematics credit on new trucks purchased through the International dealer network. It is a way for International to get more customers using its OnCommand Connection remote diagnostics platform. . .GE Capital Fleet Services has contracted with Verizon Wireless to offer its customers an electronic truck compliance system to satisfy upcoming electronic hours of service (eHOS) regulation requirements. . .Daimler Trucks has invested in Zonar Systems Inc. by acquiring a minority stake in the company. Since Daimler did not buy the company outright, Zonar will maintain operations independently. . .SkyBitz has entered into a definite agreement to acquire Reltima and GPS North America, two commercial telematics companies. . .STEMCO has acquired manufacturer of Goodyear air springs, as well as Super Cushion and Spring Ride air springs, from ContiTech, a division of Continental Corporation. This business unit was a part of the business called Veyance that was recently acquired by Continental. . .Volvo Group has inaugurated its new $70 million central distribution center in Byhalis, MS. The one million square foot facility will support the Mack and Volvo truck brands, as well as marine and construction equipment. . .MGM Brakes has unveiled a new e-Commerce website that covers the company's full product line of spring brake actuators, service parts and its exclusive electronic brake monitoring systems. . .Enterprise Holdings has hired more than 6,000 military veterans and reservists since joining the ranks of the 100,000 Jobs Mission Coalition in 2012. . .GE Capital and Gaz Metro Transport Solutions (GMTS) has signed a new agreement that will facilitate the trucking industry's adoption of natural gas fuel in Eastern Canada. Under the agreement, fleet operators will work with GMTS for natural gas supply and purchase and, separately, with GE Capital to secure loans or leases for natural gas vehicles. . .Beaver Truck Centre has opened a new location in Brandon, Manitoba. . .Custom Truck Sales (CTS) recently celebrated its 50th anniversary as a Kenworth dealership. . .Shealy Truck Center of Columbia, SC celebrated the company's 75th anniversary as a Mack dealer. . .Enterprise Rent-A-Car has joined the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP), a group of corporations that provide the highest level of support to Red Cross preparedness and relief efforts. The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation will donate $1 million annually through ADGP.
People
James K. Kamsickas has been named as the new president and CEO of Dana Holding Corp and will be succeeding Roger J. Wood.
Taking $tock
A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:
| Company | Symbol (Click for Chart) | 6/24 Close | Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allison Transmission Holdings | ALSN | $30.06 | $0.23 | -0.76% |
| Avis Budget Group Inc. | CAR | $48.24 | $0.91 | -1.83% |
| Cummins Inc. | CMI | $135.18 | $0.48 | -0.35% |
| Dana Holding Corp. | DAN | $21.74 | $0.14 | -0.64% |
| Eaton Corp. | ETN | $69.59 | $0.71 | -1.01% |
| General Electric | GE | $27.26 | $0.29 | -1.05% |
| Goodyear Tire & Rubber | GT | $31.22 | $0.08 | -0.27% |
| Navistar International Corp. | NAV | $23.39 | $0.31 | -1.31% |
| PACCAR Inc. | PCAR | $64.91 | $0.15 | -0.23% |
| Ryder | R | $91.62 | $1.70 | -1.82% |
SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance
Money Matters
Element Financial Corp. has entered into an agreement with General Electric to acquire GE Capital's fleet business in the U.S., Mexico, Australia and New Zealand for $6.9 billion. FULL STORY
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved grants to bolster alternative-fuel vehicles, which includes heavy-duty vehicle and freight-equipment projects receiving $167.5 million, including $12 million for Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) to encourage commercial deployment of hybrid and zero-emissions trucks and buses. FULL STORY
TRALA in the News
On Tuesday, June 23, 2015, TRALA's Equipment and Technology Advisory Council hosted a webinar on Telematics. TRALA was joined by Kelly Frey, Vice President Product Marketing of Telogis, Henry Popplewell, Senior Vice President & General Manager of SkyBitz, Inc., and Jim Angel, Vice President, Sales-Video Intelligence PeopleNet; who provided insight on software, technology, regulatory compliance, and the future of telematics for the industry.
TRALA is hosting Telematics Part II on Thursday, September 17th, 2015 at 2:00 pm EDT. The speakers include: Elise Chianelli, Product Manager of Regulatory Compliance, PeopleNet and Tom Bray, Senior Editor, J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
Please visit TRALA's website for more information on how to dial-in and participate in this valuable informational webinar. If you have any questions, please contact TRALA's LaTisha Thomas at lthomas@trala.org or by phone at (703) 299-9120.