EnRoute- October 8, 2020

• By: Shannon Davison
• On: 10/08/2020 16:06:57
• In: EnRoute

TOP STORIES

The US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit recently granted the request for a stay of the Jan. 1, 2021 implementation date for the trailer portion of the federal fuel efficiency regulation known as GHG2. FULL STORY
 
The FAST Act, which was set to expire on September 30, was recently extended another year after President Donald Trump's recent signing of a temporary funding measure that averts a shutdown of the federal government. FULL STORY
 
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a proposal to revise interpretation of independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act to “promote certainty for stakeholders, reduce litigation and encourage innovation in the economy.” FULL STORY
 
Trucking's insurance premiums appear to be on the rise amid the COVID-19 pandemic. FULL STORY

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Alberta's hydrogen fuel cell truck project has been pushed back due to Covid-related delays. FULL STORY
 
Hino recently unveiled its path to developing a zero-emissions truck line, highlighted by the announcement it will design a Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell truck with parent company Toyota. FULL STORY
 
As Canada's electronic logging device (ELD) mandate approaches, many fleets are preparing for the impact of the regulation, which is set to go into effect in June 2021. FULL STORY
 
Allison Transmission has launched eGen Power, its new series of fully integrated zero emission electric axles, starting with the 100D for heavy-duty trucks. FULL STORY

BRIEFLY

MACK TRUCKS' LEHIGH VALLEY OPERATIONS (LVO) in Macungie, Pennsylvania, recently completed an $84 million renovation project dubbed “Reborn,” which revitalized the facility's infrastructure, equipment, systems, and processes. . . CONTINENTAL has released a new mobile app called ContiTireDrive which serves as a one-stop-shop for commercial truck and bus tire information. The app is ideal for busy dealer salespeople and fleet managers who need to keep information at their fingertips. . . PENSKE TRUCK LEASING recently opened a new consumer and commercial truck rental, full-service truck leasing, and contract truck fleet maintenance facility in Lindon, Utah and also recently expanded to a new facility in the Burlington, Vermont, region that will offer its consumer and commercial truck rental customers full-service truck leasing and contract truck fleet maintenance services. . . . UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURING COMPANY announced that its Glade Spring, Virginia manufacturing plant has received a Plant Safety Award from Liberty Mutual Insurance. . . The VOLVO LIGHTS (Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions) project in Southern California was recently named the 2020 Innovation Award Honoree at the recent Breath of Life Awards Gala. . . BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS announced it has acquired full ownership of Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, the joint venture it formed in 2004 with DANA INCORPORATED. . . RYDER SYSTEM was recently named one of the 2020 “Top Companies for Women to Work For in Transportation" by Redefining the Road, the official magazine of the Women in Trucking Association. . . HENDRICKSON TRUCK COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS recently announced it has partnered with Western Star Trucks to offer a comprehensive premium rear suspension portfolio as a part of the chassis enhancements of the Western Star 49X, the next-generation vocational truck built from the ground up to meet the needs of the most demanding applications. . . ALLISION TRANSMISSION recently announced that it has a new lubricant spec for its automatic transmissions, and Petro-Canada Lubricants is the first oil company to meet it. The new DuraDrive HD Synthetic 668 will be the factory fill in Allison automatic transmissions starting January 1, 2021. . . PALMER LEASING GROUP was recently named the 2019 U.S. Kenworth Franchise of the Year for their efforts in providing high-quality service and promotion of the PacLease network. The Group was also awarded the Gold Award for PacLease Standards of Excellence for providing the Midwest and South with top-notch commercial truck rental, leasing, contract maintenance and fleet management services.

NUMBERS

ATA economist Bob Costello believes the pandemic recession has ended, but not before it changed the future U.S. economic landscape by reshaping consumer habits in a way that has benefited the trucking industry — unlike past recessions that hampered it. FULL STORY
 
ACT Research revealed plans for a new multi-client study focusing on electrification of the commercial vehicle industry to be released in 2021. FULL STORY
 
Net US trailer orders of 28,139 units in August represented a 49% improvement even from July's uptick—and were up 160% from August 2019, according to this month's issue of ACT Research's State of the Industry: U.S. Trailer Report. FULL STORY
 
Class 8 orders surged in September to their highest level since October 2018, as a stronger than expected economic and freight recovery is giving fleets more confidence and spurring equipment orders. 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.
 
 
APPLY FOR TRALA'S INDUSTRY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TODAY!
 
Are you or someone you know pursuing a certificate as a maintenance technician or a 4-year degree in the truck transportation industry for academic year 2020? If so, APPLY for TRALA's Industry Scholarship. Scholarship recipients may receive up to $5,000 in scholarships. Help us spread the word by sharing this FLYER with your colleagues who may be interested or have children who are eligible. The deadline to submit an application is Sunday, November 1, 2020.

ABOUT TRALA'S INDUSTRY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The TRALA Industry Scholarship Program awards scholarships to TRALA-member company employees or their children to pursue vocational training as maintenance technicians or are seeking a 4-year degree in the truck transportation industry. The program has no age limit and eligible veterans are also encouraged to apply.
 
Eligibility
Applicants to the TRALA Industry Scholarship Program must be:
•Employees or interns of TRALA member companies in North America, or dependents/children of part-time or full-time employees of TRALA member companies in North America.
•Pursuing a course of study related to the truck transportation industry at an accredited two-year vocational program or four-year college or university. Examples include, but are not limited to Heavy Duty Truck Technology, Diesel Technology, Industrial Mechanics and Medium/Heavy Vehicle Technology.
*Dependents/children are defined as natural and legally adopted children, stepchildren or legal wards.
 
For details regarding the TRALA Industry Scholarship Program visit:
https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/trala/
For more information on the Industry Scholarship Program or questions regarding eligibility, please email trala@scholarshipamerica.org or call 1-507-931-1682 and ask for the TRALA Industry Scholarship Program.
 
Please contact TRALA's Elizabeth Hyers at ehyers@trala.org with any questions or if you need additional information.