Monday May 24 2010

Resources

Heavy-Duty Truck Sales Improve 29.5 Percent Over 2009

Sales of Class 8 trucks gained 29.5 percent in April from the year-ago month, according to data by WardsAuto.com. However, April levels dipped slightly from March sales.

April sales totaled 8,627 units, down from March's 9,025 units. In April 2009, sales were at 6,664 units. For the first four months of the year, heavy-duty truck sales totaled 32,466 units, up from 28,496 units during the same period of 2009.

HDMA’s Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference 2010: A Premier Industry Event

The Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference 2010 will provide critical market information for all segments of the commercial vehicle fleet business, tackling current industry topics such as the freight outlook, the changing roles of suppliers, dealers and fleets, the impact of safety and environmental legislation on the industry, and the current landscape of the US capital markets. The conference will also provide excellent opportunities for industry networking across all representative business segments!

Obama Signs Order to Boost Trucks’ Fuel Economy

New Standards Would Take Effect in Model Year 2014

Flanked by truck manufacturers and trucking industry executives, President Obama signed a first-of-its-kind order Friday clearing the way for medium- and heavy-duty trucks to meet more stringent fuel-economy targets.

Under the order, the Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency are charged with collaborating on a rule setting limits on the fuel consumed and emissions produced by large commercial vehicles beginning with the 2014 model year.

Federal Regulations Shape Technology Choices for Fleets and Design Decisions by Vendors

At a time when trucking has its pick of more communications options than ever, an increasing number of federal regulations has influenced not only when carriers adopt technology but also what technology they invest in.

New — and pending — regulations are driving carriers to adopt new technologies and also are influencing technology vendors’ design choices, including the type of hardware these companies will support and the medium they choose for delivering messages to and from drivers.

U.S. Carbon Emissions Declined by Record 7 Percent in 2009

Newly released analysis from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) shows that carbon dioxide emissions declined a record-breaking 7 percent in 2009. While much of the decline was due to reductions in heavy industry and consumption due to the economy, the study cited preliminary data the fuel economy of the U.S. light vehicle fleet improved to 27 mpg in 2008 and 28.5 mpg in 2009.

Remy International Announces First Quarter 2010 Results

PENDLETON, Ind. -- Remy International has reported its operating results for the first quarter ended March 31.Sales for the first quarter were $260.4 million compared to $212.4 million for the first quarter of 2009.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and restructuring charges (EBITDAR) for the first quarter 2010 were $33.4 million compared to $15.9 million in the first quarter of 2009.

Financial Reform’s Vitter Amendment Protects Manufacturers from Risk Evaluation

The Senate approved Wednesday night an amendment to the financial regulatory bill that would prohibit a proposed new council of risk regulators from examining companies that focus mainly on manufacturing rather than financial services.

The measure, submitted by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), passed by unanimous consent after Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) introduced changes aimed at addressing worries that a financial company could evade regulation by adding enough non-banking activities to appear like an industrial firm. Pryor added language giving regulators the authority to go after such companies.

Class 8 Orders Gain 91 Percent in April

The Class 8 market saw quite a boost last month, with net orders up 91 percent from April 2009, according to ACT Research.

In the latest release of the “State of the Industry: Classes 5-8 Vehicles”, ACT said net orders for heavy-duty vehicles have been strengthening every month. New orders were spread over the next three quarters, suggesting that companies are beginning to place orders for new EPA 2010 emissions-compliant equipment.

Navistar, Daimler, Volvo, Autocar Take in New Orders for 6,901 Class 8 Trucks

Navistar International Corp., a major maker of commercial trucks in North America, obtained a five-year accord to supply J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., a major U.S. trucking fleet, with 5,000 units of heavy-duty vehicles through 2014. The Navistar trucks, a mix of sleeper and Daycab configurations, will be powered by Navistar-made, 2010-compliant MaxxForce 13 big-bore diesel engines.

The 5,000 unit J.B. Hunt truck order represents more than one half of all its vehicles in total.

Medium-Duty Hybrids Projected to be Strongest Sellers

A recent study projects that medium-duty hybrids will garner the most attention from North American fleets in the near term, as they should provide the best fit for meeting the energy, environmental, and freight trends predicted for the next five years.

In its newly released “Strategic Analysis of the North American and European Hybrid Truck, Bus and Van Markets”, research firm Frost & Sullivan said several key trends will intersect in the near future: the growth of “mega-cities,” resulting in more congested urban roadways; energy security; and the need to reduce emissions in the most cost-effective manner.

M&A Activity Increasing; Visteon Units are Unexpected Targets for JCI

Johnson Controls (JCI-NYSE) has announced that it has expressed an interest in acquiring Visteon's interiors and electronic businesses for $1.25 billion in cash. In 2008, Visteon had sales of $3.3 billion in electronics and $2.7 billion in interiors.

Wal-Mart to Control More of its Freight with Supplier Pick-Up

Where it can do it more cheaply; retail giant Wal-Mart is taking over delivery of supplies from manufacturers to its distribution centers and stores to cut costs.

Wal-Mart spokesman Lorenzo Lopez would only say the conversion program began last year and will continue for up to a year.

American Highway Users’ Group Urges Senate Not to Divert 77 Percent of Motor Fuel Fees from the Highway Trust Fund

Kerry-Lieberman “American Power Act” Diverts 77 to 91 percent of New Highway Fuel Fees for Non-Transportation Uses.

WASHINGTON, DC (May 19, 2010) – The American Highway Users Alliance (Highway Users) today called for U.S. Senators Kerry and Lieberman to reconsider how revenue from transportation-based motor fuel fees are directed in the recently introduced “American Power Act.”

US to Lose $1.8bn on Chrysler Loan

THE US Treasury Department said yesterday it will lose $1.8 billion on a loan to Chrysler in 2009.

Taxpayer losses from bailing out Chrysler and General Motors are expected to rise as high as $38.7 billion, congressional auditors have said.

Treasury said Chrysler repaid $2.1 billion of a $4.5 billion loan, which was extended before the company filed for Chapter 11.

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