October 31, 2011

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Trailer Orders Jump by 31 Percent; Backlog Stretches Into 2012

Transport Topics
September orders for new trailers jumped 31 percent from a year earlier, following a summer slowdown, and trailer manufacturers said their production backlog combined with ongoing intake strength would keep factories busy well into next year. However, ACT Research Co. and trailer makers said most of the new orders represented replacements, rather than fleet expansion.

Truck Tonnage Rises 5.9 Percent in September - September Marks 22nd Monthly Boost in ATA Index

Transport Topics
Truck tonnage climbed 5.9 percent in September, according to American Trucking Associations’ well-watched index, a result that should allay fears of another recession, the group reported Oct. 25.

The 22nd consecutive year-over-year increase continues a streak that began in December 2009. ATA also said its seasonally adjusted index stood at 115.8 in September, 1.6 percent higher than it was in August.

Working With Federal Officials Gives Carriers Best Chance to Affect Rulemaking Process

Transport Topics
GRAPEVINE, Texas — One of the most effective ways for motor carriers to have more effect on the federal rulemaking process is to collaborate with agencies on research that yields valuable data, officials said.

And the best time to share opinions on a rule that’s being made is long before the comment period that follows its initial publication in the Federal Register, said Ron Medford, deputy administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Commercial Vehicle Suppliers Show Strong Support for Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week

ORLAND PARK, IL – October 28, 2011 –Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) organizers report strong response from a record number of exhibiting suppliers, with over 325 HDAW Product Expo exhibit spaces reserved during the first weeks of registration for the 2012 conference. HDAW‘12 will be held Monday, Jan. 23 -Thursday, Jan. 26 at the Mirage in Las Vegas, Nevada. Several new suppliers have committed to participating in the annual event, resulting in a 33% increase in participation for HDAW ’12 over the previous year.

Economy, HOS cloud trucking outlook

Fleet Owner Magazine
The worry list is a long one for truck fleets, according to the most recent survey by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). The economy and potential changes to the Hours of Service (HOS) rules are in the top two spots respectively on the “top ten” list this year. The rest of the gloomy line-up, in order, includes: the driver shortage, CSA, fuel issues, congestion, transportation funding, tort reform, onboard truck technology and proposed changes to truck size and weight limits.

The state of the nation’s economy was also number one on the list of concerns in 2010 and 2009. In 2011, about 31 percent of those who responded to the survey ranked the economy as their biggest concern. As bad as that may look, 51 percent gave it the top ranking in 2009, so things are looking up, albeit gradually. ATRI lays the blame on the high degree of uncertainty that persists, especially concerning factors like the stagnant job market, the European debt crisis and freight levels.

Class 8 Sales Surge 69.5 Percent; Fleets Replace Trucks, Expand

Transport Topics Magazine
U.S. customers bought 15,937 Class 8 trucks in September, a 69.5 percent jump compared with the same month last year, WardsAuto.com reported.

Truck dealers and analysts had mixed views on whether fleets were expanding their size or simply replacing older trucks.

Heavy Duty Dialogue ’12 - The Global Commercial Vehicle Industry

Heavy Duty Dialogue '12 is an exceptional business conference strategically developed for executives in the global and domestic, on and off-highway commercial vehicle industry. This annual conference will be held January 23, 2012 at The Mirage in Las Vegas, immediately preceding Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week ’12.

This years’ conference will feature an outstanding program that will address several areas of interest within the Global Commercial Vehicle Industry. Topics to be discussed include the Global Economic Landscape, a Strategic Look at Near and Re-Shoring, the Global and North American Truck and Trailer Outlook, as well as the Global Off-Highway Vehicle Outlook.

Daimler Predicts Higher Truck Sales in 4Q

Transport Topics Magazine
Daimler AG predicted a higher fourth-quarter profit on gains at its trucks and vans divisions, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

The maker of Freightliner and Western Star trucks projected “strong” growth in truck sales, Bloomberg said. Freightliner and Western Star are brands of Daimler Trucks North America.

Smith Electric Vehicles Announces Availability of All-Electric School Bus

Newswire
Smith Electric Vehicles, a leader in all-electric commercial vehicles, and Trans Tech Bus, a leading school bus manufacturer, on Tuesday unveiled the nation's first all-electric, zero-emission Newton eTrans. The vehicle debuted at the National Association for Pupil Transportation's Annual Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Newton eTrans is available for order today and will be shipped in early 2012.

"America's 480,000 school buses burn as estimated 822 million gallons of diesel fuel every year at a cost of nearly $3.2 billion," said Bryan Hansel, president and CEO of Smith Electric Vehicles. "The Newton operates at one-third to one-half the cost of a traditional diesel, creating significant fuel cost savings for school districts in addition to the clear environmental and health benefits of all-electric, zero-emission transportation for students."

Heavier Trucks Pass Test, Vermont Says

Trucking Info.com
At first glance, the safety results of the heavy-truck pilot test in Vermont are not good news. In the year-long test, accidents were up on both Interstate and non-Interstate roads, a point that the Truck Safety Coalition, which opposes heavier trucks, has been quick to highlight. But in fact the safety data are not conclusive, and the test showed improvements in productivity, fuel efficiency and emissions, says a top Vermont transportation official.

In the 2010 pilot test, Vermont and Maine were granted an exemption from the federal 80,000-pound limit on Interstate highways, in effect allowing trucks weighing up to 100,000 pounds on those roads.

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