Tuesday December 30 2008

Resources

JAMA Updates Japanese CV Market Forecasts

The Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) issued updated forecasts today, 22 December, amongst which it expects that sales of commercial vehicles in Japan in calendar 2008 should total 860,000 units, a decline of 4.5 percent from 2007.

'Standard' truck demand in 2008 was projected by JAMA at 147,000 units, down 14.5 percent from 2007 owing to a combination of factors, including declines in capital investment, reduced payloads and other trends linked to the surge in fuel prices and the economic downturn. Demand for heavy-duty and medium-sized trucks is expected to finish at 74,500 units, a 16.5 percent plunge from the 2007 level.

HDAW Product Package Deadline

For 2009, Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) and Truck Parts & Service magazine are pleased to introduce an exciting new marketing package for the HDAW conference.

The package includes a Product Spotlight item as well as an Exhibitor Listing including contact information, HDAW booth number and color logo in the February 2009 issue of Truck Parts & Service magazine, and a Product Display in the Product Showcase at the show in Orlando. The February issue will have bonus distribution at HDAW.

Spartan Chassis Fined $6 Mil on Problems with Military Contracts

Spartan Chassis has said that it will plead guilty to a charge of making a false statement in regards to the terms of a military contract. The supplier will also pay a total of US$6m in related fines.

The announcement follows an investigation by the US Attorney's Office in the state of South Carolina into the company's military business involving a former independent contractor. The plea will be finalized at a court hearing on 22 December 2008.

Navistar to Restate Reported Earnings

Navistar International Corp. will restate its previously reported net income for the first nine months of the 2008 fiscal year, in the latest accounting problem for the maker of trucks, buses and diesel engines.

The Warrenville, Ill., company said Wednesday it will raise its net income by a range of $50 million to $70 million, or 68 cents a share to 95 cents a share, for the nine months ended July 31. Navistar said it overstated costs and undercounted inventories and accounts payable.

HDMA’s HD Dialogue ’09; Conference Program Details Finalized

HD Dialogue ’09 - The Commercial Vehicle Industry in Transition

Over 20 of the industry’s most influential senior executives in one place, on one stage, discussing the transition of the commercial vehicle industry and the challenges it faces. Over 350 senior executives attended HDMA’s Heavy Duty Dialogue in 2008. 2009 is another year, and now it is even more important to attend Heavy Duty Dialogue ’09 to network, discuss and strategize how to navigate your business during this period of great transition and change.

Paccar Vice Chairman Tom Plimpton to Address Heavy Duty Dialogue ’09

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Heavy Duty Dialogue ’09, with the theme of The Commercial Vehicle Industry in Transition, announces Paccar Inc vice chairman Thomas Plimpton as a featured speaker. A 30 year veteran of the industry, Plimpton brings an extensive background to the Heavy Duty Dialogue audience, including assignments in three Paccar divisions in the U. K. and the US.

Tom’s address will feature Paccar’s view of the future of the commercial vehicle industry from a global manufacturer’s perspective. As leader of a highly respected and innovative truck OEM, Mr. Plimpton has a unique perspective on the industry and will provide an interesting insight for the annual conference.

CARB Adopts Emission Rules; Truckers Decry Added Costs

The California Air Resources Board has adopted two new rules requiring carriers to add expensive emission-control devices to their trucks and to use fuel-saving equipment endorsed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program.

The rules, which are to take effect in 2011, will apply to all trucks doing business in California, whether or not they are registered there. CARB said they would cover about 1 million trucks, fewer than half of which are registered in California.

Save the Date: MEMA 2009 Legislative Summit

All HDMA members are encouraged to attend the 2009 Legislative Summit on Wednesday and Thursday, April 29-30, in Washington, D.C.

With a new administration and new Congress, HDMA members need to take advantage of this opportunity to meet with their elected officials, offer input on important issues impacting HD suppliers and reiterate the important role that they play in the local and national economy.

Chinese Heavy Truck Maker Shaanxi to Build Algerian Assembly Facility

The Chinese heavy truck maker Shaanxi hopes to build a four-line assembly facility in Algeria to build trucks which it currently supplies to the country only as fully built-up vehicles. Shaanxi is reported to have shipped 3,000 trucks to Algeria in the first 10 months of 2008, and expects to achieve 6,000 sales there in 2009, according to a brief news item on the Chinese components market portal gasgoo.com on 23 December.

Federal-Mogul to Reduce its Workforce by 4,600 Positions

Federal-Mogul Corporation (Nasdaq: FDML) announced it has expanded its existing restructuring plan announced September 17, 2008, in response to the continued challenging conditions in the global automotive market.

Federal-Mogul plans to implement several initiatives designed to further consolidate, downsize or close additional locations. These actions are expected to reduce the company's global workforce by approximately 4,600 additional positions or about 10 percent.

FTR Forecast Reflects Downward Revision

FTR Associates' latest truck market forecast registers yet another downward revision to the near term freight and truck production forecast.

Four full quarters of economic shrinkage brand this downturn as a full-blown recession, highlighted by a 4 percent (annualized) fall in GDP during the current quarter, according to FTR.

Truck Sales Gain 2.8 Percent in November

Year’s Total Falls Below 2007

Strong volume increases at Freightliner and Navistar drove the expansion of U.S. heavy-duty truck sales into a sixth month during November, although for the full year, purchase levels are all but guaranteed to fall below those of 2007, according to the latest survey from WardsAuto.com.

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