EnRoute- August 27, 2020

• By: Shannon Davison
• On: 08/27/2020 16:29:55
• In: EnRoute

TOP STORIES

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) acting Administrator Jim Mullen will leave his position at the end of August. FULL STORY
 
The Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission recently updated its transportation program, which outlines plans to direct billions of dollars to future infrastructure projects. FULL STORY
 
COVID-19 scam text messages are targeting cross-border truck drivers. FULL STORY
 
Hurricane Laura has strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane, raising fears of a 20-foot storm surge that forecasters said would be “unsurvivable.". FULL STORY

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, many trucking manufacturers are still building vehicles at the same rate it was before the pandemic hit. FULL STORY
 
General Motors has developed new technology to aid workplace safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the company is sharing its innovations with the world for potential use in job sites as diverse as manufacturing plants, offices, or even schools. FULL STORY
 
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ford has created the Driveway Dealership, an augmented reality experience that allows you to get up close and personal with the all-new 2021 Ford F-150. FULL STORY
 
J.B. Hunt Transport Services recently completed its first delivery using a Freightliner eCascadia all-electric Class 8 truck. FULL STORY
 
Mack Trucks announced that the all-new Mack® MD Series of medium-duty trucks will be supported by Mack's extensive body builder resources, ensuring the same unmatched level of support provided for its Class 8 vehicles. FULL STORY

BRIEFLY

KENWORTH produced its last severe-service K500 cabover in mid-August at its assembly plant in Renton, Washington. The K500 was primarily popular with the OEM's oil and gas exploration customers. . . NAVISTAR recently announced a new facility in Rochester Hills, Michigan, will house its NEXT eMobility Solutions business unit. The building, which is about 30 miles north of Detroit, will serve as the technical lead location for NEXT and will include design, engineering, and analysis of all its electric vehicles and batteries. . . HENDRICKSON announced it has acquired the Motor Wheel Brake Drum & Crewson slack adjuster business segments, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Berea, Kentucky, from STEMCO. . . CUMMINS and NAVISTAR have extended their long-term agreement through the next two emission cycles, with Cummins being selected as Navistar's preferred supplier of medium-duty and heavy-duty big bore engines for International Trucks and IC Buses in the U.S. and Canada. . . PETERBILT MOTORS CO. received two leadership awards from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in recognition of Peterbilt's leadership in manufacturing as well as its efforts in diversity. One award was for Peterbilt's Night Shift Production Initiative and the other was for talent management through the Peterbilt Women's Initiative, also known as PBWin. . . RIHM KENWORTH announced Thursday it is building a new facility in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to meet the growing demand for trucks, parts, and services. . . MERITOR has announced additional enhancements to MeritorPartsXpress.com it says streamlines the ordering process and provides self-service tools. . . PENSKE TRUCK LEASING officially opened its sixth heavy-duty charging station in Southern California, mostly for its all-electric medium-duty Freightliner eM2 and heavy-duty Freightliner eCascadia trucks. . . ALLISON TRANSMISSIONS has opened a new Vehicle Environmental Test center which recently started operations on Allison's Indianapolis, Indiana, campus, and can simulate real-world conditions testing in the lab.

NUMBERS

According to ACT Research, the industry continues to improve from the COVID-generated historic low net U.S. trailer orders volume posted in April. FULL STORY
 
After a record low of -28.66 this past April, FTR's Trucking Conditions Index jumped to a historic high to 11.35 for June, the highest in a decade. FULL STORY
 
The last decade of trailer production shows that the industry opened the year at an average production pace until the shelter-in-place lockdowns began in late Q1/20, according to ACT Research. FULL STORY
 
FTR reported final net trailer orders continued to climb in July, reaching 19,300 units, their highest level for the year. FULL STORY

TRALA ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONTRIBUTE TO TRALA'S 2020 LEGAL ACTION FUND TODAY!
 
Please support TRALA's Legal Action Fund by making a corporate contribution today. TRALA is engaged in significant legislative, regulatory, and legal battles that directly impact your company's bottom line. A Legal Action Fund contribution is an investment in your company's future, as it ensures that TRALA has the financial resources necessary to protect the truck renting and leasing industry as well as your company's best interests.
 
Click here to make your company's donation! Thank you for your support of TRALA's advocacy efforts.
 
Please contact TRALA's Andrew Stasiowski at astasiowski@trala.org or Elizabeth Hyers at ehyers@trala.org with any questions or if you need more information.