Blog

EnRoute - January 9, 2013

 

Top Stories

Fitch Ratings is showing a shift from short-term commercial truck rentals to longer term leasing solutions as companies begin to weigh the benefits of lower operating costs and better fuel efficiency with newer trucks.  FULL STORY

European countries such as Germany, the UK and even France, are beginning to show resistance to the lease accounting changes that were first announced back in 2010.  FULL STORY

The U.S. House of Representatives is considering legislation that would create a pilot program to research vehicle miles traveled as a new funding source for the Highway Trust Fund.    FULL STORY

The ACI eManifest program compliance period began on November 1, 2012 and the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) has informed Canada Customs and Border Agency (CBSA) that member carriers are still experiencing difficulties and delays.  FULL STORY

 


Technology Trends

During the recession, many fleets froze spending on new technology.  As companies begin to recover, they are seeking ways to add value for customers and operate more efficiently.    FULL STORY

Dana Holding Corporation has developed its first iPad application, Spicer for iPad, to provide its aftermarket customers with convenient access to key product and service information.    FULL STORY

Bridgestone Commercial Solutions has reintroduced its Dayton medium truck-tire line.  This truck tire line was retired in 2011, however with a renewed interest from drivers, small fleets and managers, the line was revived.  These truck tires are made in the United States. FULL STORY

Flex Power is the new dual-voltage options from Carrier Transicold that further improves refrigerated operations by enabling its Vector trailer refrigeration units to now use either low- or high-voltage power sources when parked for loading, unloading or staging. FULL STORY  

 

Briefly

Morgan Corporation has opened a new manufacturing facility in Portland, Oregon, expanding the company's number of manufacturing, parts and service centers to 12 nationwide. . .The American Institute of Diversity and Commerce inducted Avis Budget Group into the Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) Hall of Fame for its ongoing support of women-owned businesses. . .During the holiday season, Kenworth employees at the company's headquarters in Kirkland, WA, conducted a food drive that resulted in a donation of nearly 7,500 lbs. of food to Northwest Harvest.  The food was delivered to the non-profit food bank in a T270 medium duty Kenworth Truck. . .Hino Motors  donated a 2012 195 truck to Mohawk College in Stoney Creek, Ontario.  The truck will be used for educational purposes by automotive students at the college. . .JX Truck Center has opened a new state-of-the-art facility in Kronenwetter, WI.  The new dealership represents the Peterbilt, Volvo, PacLease brands and is part of JX Enterprises' (JXE) network of 15 dealerships. . .Enterprise Holdings was named a 2013 Military Friendly Employer by publisher G.I. Jobs magazine. . .Comdata Corp.  has new features for Comdata users in Canada that are similar to those widely used in the United States.  All the different types of expenses now can be charged to one single card instead of multiple cards; bills and settlements are also in Canadian dollars; and Comdata can also manage the date for Canada tax reporting. . .Avis Budget Group has agreed to acquire Zipcar for $12.25 per share in cash. The total transaction value is approximately $500 million. . .Auto Truck Group celebrated the recent holiday season by donating more than $60,000 to the United Way and serving as a donation site for the DuPage County chapter of Toys for Tots and donated more than 1,000 toy trucks to the organization on behalf of their customers and employees. . .Mack Trucks donated $25,000 to New York City to support relief efforts following Hurricane Sandy.  The donation will go to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City. . .The Volvo Group contributed $100,000 in support of Hurricane Sandy disaster relief efforts by the American Red Cross, the City of New York and the City of Allentown, PA.

 

People

Navistar has appointed Dennis “Denny” Mooney as group vice president, global product development.  He succeeds Ramin Younessi. . .Pete Salvan has joined Double Coin Tire as their new southwest regional sales manager. . .Eaton Corporation has named Dave Karnes as director – Roadranger Field Sales and Truck Operations and John Beering as senior vice president and general manager – Commercial Vehicle Transmissions Business. . .Michael Klingensmith has been named vice president, sales and new business development for PHH Arval. . .Allyson E. Feary, John-Thomas (JT) Young and Ryan W. Wright have begun their practices as associates in the Chicago and Indianapolis offices of Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary, PC. . .Randall-Reilly has announced that Jeffrey Mason, senior vice president of Randall-Reilly Trucking Media is retiring after 26 years with the company. . .EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson is stepping down from her position in the president's cabinet. . .Hal Booth, former senior vice president of Fleet Advantage, died on Saturday, December 22.

 

Taking $tock

A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:
Company Symbol (Click for Chart) 01/09 Close Performance
Allison Transmission Holdings ALSN $20.64 $0.12 +0.58%
Avis Budget Group Inc. CAR $21.37 $0.27 -1.25%
Cummins Inc. CMI $113.12 $1.96 +1.76%
Dana DAN $15.74 $0.07 +0.45%
Eaton ETN $55.77 $0.75 +1.36%
General Electric GE $20.95 $0.05 +0.24%
Goodyear Tire & Rubber GT $14.36 $0.30 +2.13%
Navistar International Corp. NAV $23.10 $0.23 +1.01%
PACCAR Inc. PCAR $45.63 $0.26 -0.57%
Ryder R $52.02 $0.63 +1.23%

SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance and bigcharts.com

 

 

News From TRALA

Register to Attend TRALA's 2013 Annual Meeting

You don't want to miss out on attending one of the largest gathering of rental and leasing executives in North America. The 2013 Annual Meeting is scheduled for March 11-14 at the Waldorf Astoria Naples in Naples, Florida. Click here to register to attend this important meeting.

Mack Leasing/Volvo Truck Leasing, NationaLease, and PacLease are scheduled to hold meetings in conjunction with the TRALA meeting, which will create more efficiencies for attendees wanting to connect with the entire industry. To view the meetings and events scheduled for March 11 through March 14, please click here.

Hotel reservations for the Annual Meeting will only be accepted through the Annual Meeting registration form or by contacting TRALA's Shannon Davison. The information provided in the registration form will be submitted to the hotel on your behalf. No credit cards are required to guarantee your reservation at this time. Hotel confirmation numbers will be forwarded to all guests by a member of the TRALA staff by March 1.

Any questions should be directed to TRALA's Shannon Davison at (703) 299-9120 or by email at sdavison@trala.org