June 6, 2011

Resources

Preliminary Net Fall from 38,000 in April to 24,000 in May Net Class 8 Orders

CCJ Magazine
FTR Associates on Friday, June 3, released preliminary data showing May Class 8 truck total net orders for all major North American OEMs at 24,063, a 37 percent decrease from the historically high 37,922 units reported in April. But despite this drop, FTR reported orders were still 85 percent higher than prior-year levels, and orders received in the past six months annualize to 337,600, significantly above the same period a year ago.

Navistar’s Hebe Headlines Day Two of Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference

Truck Parts and Service Magazine
Industry veteran James Hebe will share his insights on the challenges facing OEMs, suppliers, dealers and fleets during the second-annual Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference, Aug. 24-25, 2011, at the Dallas Convention Center. Hebe’s remarks will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25.

A distinguished trucking industry leader who began his career with Navistar, Hebe rejoined the truck group of Navistar International Corporation as executive vice president, North American sales operations in 2008. Hebe first joined Navistar in 1971 in Boston as a management trainee, and later became a heavy-duty truck salesman for International trucks. He rejoined Navistar after serving as president and dealer principal of Co-Van/Cascadia International, LLC. In his current role, Hebe has responsibility for North American sales and marketing, dealer operations and central sales administration.

Williams Controls Announces Increased International Demand

Marketwire
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Williams Controls announced today significant increases in business activity in Russia and Turkey. While the company has a manufacturing and marketing presence in the major international markets, the developments in the Russia and Turkey markets have unfolded over the course of the current year driven by improving demand for commercial trucks and the need for more environmentally friendly electronic engines which use the company's throttle controls.

The company this week received its largest single order from a leading Russian commercial vehicle manufacturer which totaled over $700,000 in new sales. Shipments to Russian customers this year will be the highest in the company's history.

Meritor Pledges $100,000 to The Henry Ford Education Pilot Program

Meritor Inc. is contributing $100,000 to The Henry Ford's Innovation Education Incubator, according to Chip McClure, chairman, CEO and president.

The funding will help the Dearborn, Mich., museum launch a pilot program that brings digital education resources into classrooms and helps teachers meet state and national education standards. The IEI is a virtual education R&D program that generates innovative teaching and learning practices and products.

Bendix Assumes All Sales, Service and Support for its Brake Product Lines

FleetOwner.com
Sales, service, and technical support for Bendix-brand foundation brakes and wheel-end solutions from Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake (BSBF) is now available exclusively through Bendix account managers and Bendix SWAT team members. It is also available at www.foundationbrakes.com or through the Bendix Tech Team at 1-800-air-brake.

Support had previously been offered through a partnership with the Eaton-Dana Roadranger marketing venture. That agreement, reached in 2004, expired on May 31. Bendix has since assumed full support for its brake sales and service program, the company said.

Outlook Remains Choppy-- for Economy and Truck Freight

FleetOwner.com
Experts are saying motor carriers should expect uneven conditions where truck freight is concerned for the foreseeable future. That is the case even as the fundamentals supporting strong freight demand remain intact.

“Though industry pricing continues to trend positively, slowing demand trends have limited the upside opportunity in our 3 percent to 5 percent rate growth expectation in contractual truckload rates for 2011,” Benjamin Hartford, analyst with Wall Street investment firm Robert W. Baird & Co., noted in the firm’s most recent Freight Flows brief.

Exports Boosting Truck Sales for North American Commercial Vehicle Makers

Transport Topics Magazine
Fed by the international economic recovery and a weak U.S. dollar, North American truck makers are enjoying a sharp upturn in sales of heavy-duty trucks to the rest of the world, particularly Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East and Australia.

Original equipment manufacturers said the export business helps compensate for the weakness lingering in their home market.

New Trailer Orders Surge 71 Percent in April - Current Backlog Exceeds 100,000 Units

Transport Topics Magazine
Commercial trailer producers received 19,579 new orders in April, a 71 percent jump from the same month last year, and the manufacturers’ backlog rose above 100,000 for the first time in the current recovery, ACT Research Co. said. At least two manufacturers complained that a tire shortage and other supplier problems were hindering efforts to meet the backlog.

MACK mDRIVE Transmission to be Assembled in U.S. Hagerstown Plant

Fleet Maintenance Magazine
Mack Trucks, Inc. announced that assembly of the MACK mDRIVE automated manual transmission will begin at the company’s Hagerstown, MD, powertrain plant in the third quarter of 2012.

Mack introduced the mDRIVE in the first quarter of 2010, and quickly sold out of the 500 units available last year. The mDRIVE is designed and engineered to work exclusively with MACK MP series engines, and is available on MACK Pinnacle model highway tractors.

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