Transport Topics Magazine
U.S. Class 8 truck sales grew sharply in January, jumping 52.9 percent compared with the first month of 2011, as all manufacturers posted gains of more than 40 percent, with the exception of Volvo Trucks, which dropped 5.2 percent.
Volvo was hit particularly hard by problems with Bendix brake valves, recalling more trucks than any of its competitors.
Transport Topics Magazine
Congress last week dropped a proposed extension of a tax break, credited with dramatically boosting truck sales in 2011, from a bill that extends the federal payroll-tax holiday, but a Democratic lawmaker said the tax incentive could be passed later in the year.
President Obama included the tax break, known as bonus depreciation, in his 2013 budget proposal unveiled last week. Although a House and Senate conference committee dropped the item from the payroll tax measure, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, said there would be other chances.
Washington Post
This stretch of the Rust Belt might seem like an easy place to find factory workers.
Unemployment hovers above 9 percent. Foreign competition has thrown many out of work. It is a platitude that this industrial hub, like the country itself, needs more manufacturing work.
Heavy Duty Trucking Magazine
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency has released the results of its first fleet fuel efficiency study, representing 75,000 OTR tractors and 130,000 53-ft trailers from eight fleets. The study highlights successful applications of products and practices that provide fuel savings during real-world usage. It analyzed the adoption of 60 known technologies and practices available to fleets over the past eight years.
Fleets participating in the study were C.R. England, Challenger Motor Freight, Con-way Truckload, Frito Lay, Gordon Trucking, Ryder, Schneider National and Werner Enterprises. To illustrate the scope of the study, in 2010, participating fleets ran a combined 3.1 billion miles and consumed 496 million gallons of fuel.
Washington, D.C. - February 14, 2012 - Over 100 senior representatives from the motor vehicle parts manufacturing industry will gather in Washington, D.C., on February 29 – March 1 for the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association’s annual Legislative Summit. The group will be taking its message of what is needed to help the nation’s parts suppliers to Capitol Hill.
“We need Washington to understand what it is doing well and what it is doing that is harmful to the ability of our industry to sustain and create jobs,” said Bob McKenna, MEMA’s president and CEO. “The Legislative Summit brings the industry together to have a constructive dialogue with elected officials on advanced vehicle technology, research and development, burdensome regulations, and other critical issues.”
Chicago Tribune
After months of speculation, Caterpillar has chosen to build a new manufacturing facility in Athens, Georgia, bringing about 1,400 jobs to the state.
Georgia officials have scheduled a press conference for Friday morning where they are expected to formally announce the move, which bested a number of other states, including Illinois.
Oklahoma Senator Rob Johnson announced his withdrawal of S.B.1458, the Use of Aftermarket Emissions and Safety Parts Notice and Consent Act.
MEMA opposed this legislation because it believed this legislation was a disservice to AASA and HDMA member companies by wrongly implying to consumers that aftermarket parts are inferior and of lesser quality. MEMA has shown strong opposition to this bill and has been in contact with Sen. Johnson as well as each of the 11 senators on Oklahoma’s Business & Commerce Committee regarding this proposed legislation.
Fleet Equipment Magazine
For a good part of the past decade, the evolution of alternative fuel-powered light- and medium-duty trucks has steadily brought an increasing number of new vehicles to market. Today, with a host of technologies available, commercial vehicle manufacturers appear to be on the brink of a revolution.
A global effort is leading toward the introduction of Class 3-5 hybrid trucks by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America (MFTA). For a good part of the past decade, the evolution of alternative fuel-powered light- and medium-duty trucks has steadily brought an increasing number of new vehicles to market. Today, with a host of technologies available, commercial vehicle manufacturers appear to be on the brink of a revolution.