Blog

EnRoute- June 4, 2020

TRALA signed onto a letter that urges Congress to quickly enact temporary and targeted liability relief legislation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. FULL STORY





TRALA IN THE NEWS

 
On June 3, 2020, the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced his legislation for a 5-year reauthorization of the surface transportation program. 
FULL STORY






 

TOP STORIES

With all 50 states relaxing COVID-19 shutdown orders to various extents, trucking shipments and rates are heading back up – but don't expect a true recovery until 2021. FULL STORY
 
As the nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, the trucking industry works to keep vital supplies moving. FULL STORY
 
As policymakers debate future economic stimulus packages as part of a COVID-19 recovery plan, suspending the federal excise tax (FET) through 2021 for new heavy-duty commercial truck purchases will deliver immediate results, restore and expand domestic manufacturing jobs, increase productivity of truckers and reduce emissions for communities everywhere. FULL STORY
 
Various reports over the last two years estimate that transportation has moved up to the top five of industries most susceptible to experience a cyber-attack. FULL STORY
 
Novel coronavirus pandemic impacting every sector of trucking industry, from suppliers to fleets and everyone in between.
FULL STORY






 

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Can Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) Help Track COVID-19 Cases? FULL STORY
 
Fleets of all sizes are using technology to help protect their drivers and office staff from contracting COVID-19 themselves while on duty. FULL STORY
 
Ryder System, Inc. recently released RyderShare, a collaborative logistics platform that enables shippers, receivers, carriers, and service providers to work together in real time to reduce delays and improve efficiency. FULL STORY
 
Hino Trucks has introduced its new L Series trucks, which are re-engineered for comfort, safety, and versatility. FULL STORY
 
Daimler Trucks North America has launched Excelerator, its next-generation e-commerce platform to streamline the parts-ordering process that included input from more than 40 dealer partners to its design. FULL STORY
 
Bridgestone Americas has released its new Firestone FD692 drive tire, touted as a fuel-efficient, SmartWay-verified, and CARB-compliant tire. FULL STORY
 
Ryder System, Inc. is supporting customers by establishing pop-up fleets and meeting the increased demand for the warehousing, distribution and final mile delivery of essential goods as well as making long-term rental contracts available and redirecting assets and personnel. FULL STORY

 





 

BRIEFLY

MACK TRUCKS donated about 500 pieces of PPE that it manufactured at its Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO) plant in Macungie, Pennsylvania. . . GENERAL MOTORS and Donlen have announced a pilot program of integrating the fleet management company's device-less Donlen DriverPoint solution with General Motors' OnStar. . . AIM TRANSPORTATION SERVICES has acquired MCCOY'S NATIONALEASE'S full-service lease and rental businesses in Indianapolis, bolstering the Youngstown-based company's presence in the Midwest. . . PETERBILT is bringing back the Model 389 Pride and Class package that was offered through limited runs in 2014 and 2018. . . CUMMINS FILTRATION rolls out mobile Fleetguard app that offers multiple ways to search for parts, create custom lists, share literature, and source parts numbers and other details about Fleetguard products. . . RYDER SYSTEM INC. has announced that the company is expanding its e-commerce fulfillment network with new FDA-certifications for food-grade capabilities, as well as adding facilities by utilizing its existing last-mile network. . . TRIMBLE MAPS recently released a free web app called COVID-19 Safe Havens that takes crowdsourced data to identify where North American truckers can park to rest and which amenities are available at truck stops. . . DAIMLER TRUCK FINANCIAL has introduced "The Keep the World Moving Program" for financing Freightliner and Western Star trucks. The program is aimed at customers who support critical infrastructure, offering the flexibility to upgrade or add to their fleets with 120-day deferred payments and down payment allowances of up to $7,000 Canadian, depending on brand, year and model. . . TRIMBLE and Kuebix recently announced new capabilities for its Community Load Match platform, which helps shippers and carriers optimize how freight moves throughout the supply chain. . . HINO TRUCKS, in conjunction with Toyota Industries Commercial Finance, is offering our customers a No Payment in 2020 option. Subject to credit approval on applications made by August 31, 2020 this financing opportunity is available on all new Hino models. . . CARRIER TRANSICOLD has launched its Vector 8611MT multi-temperature trailer refrigeration unit, which is designed for trailers split lengthwise with a center dividing wall, the unit creates two refrigerated compartments without requiring a remote evaporator. . . PENSKE TRUCK LEASING recently completed upgrades to its facility in Carson, California to provide maintenance and repair services for natural gas vehicles (NGVs). . . MERITOR recently enhanced MeritorPartsXpress.com with new features, including Xact Search, a new tool intended to help users identify and order brake shoe kits based on specific search criteria?. . . HENDRICKSON TRAILER COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS recently launched a new digital Trailer Suspension Parts Catalog.





 

PEOPLE

MARK PARISOTTO, a technician for Penske, finished fifth at the inaugural Penske Truck Leasing 2019 Tech Showdown competition. . . Wells Fargo recently appointed KEVIN REEN & BILL JULIANO as New Corporate Risk Leaders. . . Hercules Mfg. Co. is mourning the loss of retired owner/chairman emeritus GEORGE CADDICK.





 

NUMBERS

With record unemployment and a plummeting GDP, economic uncertainty is the only guarantee for the immediate future. As statewide economies reopen, however, there are some signs of life for freight. FULL STORY
 
Preliminary April net U.S. trailer orders were 250 units, an all-time monthly low for the industry, according to ACT Research. FULL STORY
 
Used Class 8 same dealer sales volumes dropped 15% month-over-month in April, with longer-term sales dropping 7% year-over-year compared to April 2019, but holding onto an 8% year-to-date gain. FULL STORY
 
Used Class 8 pricing fell for the 12th consecutive month compared with a year earlier, down 22% for the largest drop in that extended period, ACT Research reported.
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 that will be sure to pay off, as it ensures that TRALA has the financial resources necessary to protect 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.