Diesel prices stabilize
From Fleet Owner
The national average price for a gallon of diesel rose just one-tenth of a cent for the week ending May 7, according to the Energy Information Administration. Prices on a region-by-region basis indicate that instabilities remain, however, as West Coast prices spiked, while other areas fell modestly. ...
Trailer shipments continue to climb
Truck trailer shipments continued to grow in the first quarter, according to figures compiled by Economic Planning Associates in Smithtown, New York. The EPA Inc survey of trailer manufacturers indicated that shipments edged up 6% from the previous quarter and were 5% higher than the first three months of 2005. ...
EPA’s Johnson backs ‘07 engines
by Larry Kahaner, Fleet Owner Washington editor
WASHINGTON, DC -- Saying that “these are definitely not your grandfather’s diesel engines,” Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson watched Monday as officials of six leading diesel engine and truck makers held white handkerchiefs over truck exhaust pipes, revved the engines, then displayed the soot-free cloths to a crowd outside EPA headquarters in Washington, DC. ...
Preliminary Class 5-7 orders for April strong, but lower than expected
Preliminary April Class 5-7 orders released by ACT Research LLC were up year-over-year but were modestly lower than forecasted numbers by Bear Stearns....
NTEA’s 2005 Annual Report highlights new products, programs
The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) has made major strides in implementing successful initiatives and new products in the past year, including the recently published NTEA 2005 Annual Report: State of the Association, which delineates how the association helped position its members for continued success and prosperity in the future. ...
Kenworth’s Chillicothe, Ohio, plant named Quality Magazine’s Plant of the Year
Kenworth Truck Company’s plant in Chillicothe, Ohio, has been named Quality Magazine’s “Plant of the Year” in the large plant category of over 250 employees....
ODFL profits from LTL demand
From Fleet Owner
A bigger network and strong demand helped fuel profits for Thomasville, NC-based LTL carrier Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) in the first quarter, with net income increasing 39.4% to $13 million on 23.2% higher revenues $291.6 million compared to the same period last year. ...
Utilimaster Corp announces Greubel to join board
Utilimaster Corporation has announced that Bill Greubel has joined its board of directors. Greubel is a director and Chief Executive Officer of Wabash National Corporation....
High-output alternator for dual-temp reefers
From Fleet Owner
A high-output alternator for trucks equipped with dual-temp refrigeration units is now available from Robert Bosch Corp. Model AL9120N, which produces 120 amps, "will easily accommodate the demands of 24/7 operations, plus provide additional power to handle automatic lift gates and other accessories," says Fred Padgett, senior product technical support manager, starters and alternators. ...
Diesel prices indicate plateau
From Fleet Owner
After five consecutive weeks of price hikes, the national average price for a gallon of diesel rose at a more modest level for the week ending April 30, up two cents to $2.896, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). A total of 33.1 cents has been added since a $2.565 average was posted for the week ending March 26. ...
Workhorse enters new category with 16,000-pound GVWR chassis
Workhorse Custom Chassis has entered a new market with the introduction of a 16,000-pound GVWR version of its new W42 chassis. The platform is now available with either a diesel or gas engine for companies using walk-in trucks in the package delivery, laundry, utility, mobile tool sales and newspaper industries. ...
Unicell awarded customer assurance status for Sprinter
Daimler Chrysler Corporation has advised Unicell that it meets all the requirements for the Customer Assurance Program for box bodies. Unicell van body plants in Buffalo, N.Y., and Toronto, Ontario, are now authorized upfitters for the Sprinter van. Unicell’s one piece molded fiberglass van body will be built in 11’, 12’, and 13’ lengths for Sprinter’s 140” and 158” wheelbase cab chassis....
Hybrid reefer stays plugged in
From Fleet Owner
Carrier Transicold, a United Technologies Company, is touting the fuel savings benefits of the electric standby feature of its Vector 1800MT reefer unit....
Trailer shipments remain strong in first quarter
Truck trailer shipments are off to a fast start in 2006, based on figures compiled by ACT Research, Columbus IN. ...
Western Star to offer EPA 2007 seminars
Western Star Trucks has launched its EPA 2007 Seminar Series, held in conjunction with Freightliner LLC and Detroit Diesel. Developed to educate attendees about the government's new emissions standards, each seminar will cover 2007 engine and chassis features as they relate to heavy-duty on-highway and vocational trucks. ...
Truck markets should stay strong, says Paccar
From Fleet Owner
On the heels of record first quarter profits and revenues, Seattle-based truck and component manufacturer Paccar has stated worldwide growth in commercial truck sales should stay strong for the rest of 2006. ...
Wabash's net sales up, net income down
Wabash National Corporation today announced first-quarter results, with net sales at $262.1 million, compared to $256.1 million for the same period last year, and net income at $4.3 million or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to $18.5 million or $0.52 per diluted share. ...
Higher costs nip truck carriers’ profits
From Fleet Owner
The latest round of trucking quarterly financials shows mixed results, with many carriers reporting difficulty passing on rising costs to their customers. Even some of the companies that posted fatter earnings in the first quarter said they did so in spite of difficulties in raising rates. ...
Dana unveils emergency vehicle steer axles
From Fleet Owner
Dana Corp.’s Commercial Vehicle Systems group has introduced a new steer axle family designed for fire and rescue vehicle manufacturers. The Dana Spicer D-2000F fully-dressed steer axle family is now available with both a 3.5- and 5-in. drop beam, providing chassis and suspension profile height options required by fire and rescue applications. ...
Truck revenue up modestly
Truck revenue of $3.639 billion in the first quarter upsided the consensus of $3.433 billion, but came in a little shy of Bear Stearns’ $3.722 forecast....
March trailer orders top projection
Total trailer orders were 37,066 in March – better than ACT’s projection of 29,000-31,000 and the February total of 29,720....
Calutech Mobile Solutions Inc. expands facility
alutech Mobile Solutions, Inc. announced that due to continued growth in the medical and communication markets, the company will expand its Hammond, Indiana, manufacturing facility by 50%. Certification by GE Healthcare for Calutech's MRI and PET/CT mobile trailers is anticipated this summer, and is also a contributing factor for the expansion. ...
SMMT unveils body-builder best practice
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders just launched the first phase of its commercial vehicle body-builder best practice recommendations, according to Transport News Brief. Based on self-certification, these practical guidelines aim to help the industry raise its standards and prepare for future whole-vehicle type-approval law....
J.B. Hunt sets record 1Q profit
From Fleet Owner
Truckload carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. today announced record first quarter earnings of $49 million today, driven mainly by a strong freight environment. This reflects a modest 3.1% premium over the $47.5 million profit posted the same quarter last year. ...
Diesel does double-digit price rise
From Fleet Owne
The national average price for a gallon of diesel soared 11.1 cents to $2.765 for the week ending April 16, according to the Energy Information Administration. This marks a staggering 50.6-cent premium over the same week last year....
