ATA Truck Tonnage Index rises 0.3% in October
For the second consecutive month, the American Trucking Associations' advanced seasonally adjusted for-hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 0.3%. The September increase was revised down to 0.3% from the previously reported 0.4%. ...
Wheel-end problems may have caused tanker truck fire
The National Transportation Safety Board believes a tanker truck fire last week on Interstate 95 near Washington, D.C., may have been caused by wheel-end problems and could help the agency's ongoing investigation of the September bus fire near Dallas that killed 23 hurricane evacuees....
Intermodal on the rise
From Fleet Owner
As truck capacity continues to tighten and rates rise, more shippers are switching to intermodal options to keep a lid on transportation cost increases and firms across the transportation spectrum are profiting. ...
Workhorse marks start of International era with production of W42 diesel chassis
Workhorse Custom Chassis marked another first in Union City -- the production start of its first diesel chassis with an International diesel engine....
Diesel price premium drops
From Fleet Owner
The national average price for a gallon of diesel fell another 3.4 cents to $2.479 for the week ending Nov. 27, according to the Energy Information Administration. ...
Next generation Sprinter van to be produced in Ladson, SC
The facility at Ladson, S.C., on the site of a subsidiary belonging to DaimlerChrysler’s Freightliner LLC, will assemble the next generation Dodge Sprinter van, which will replace the current Dodge Sprinter model in early 2007. ...
Stable demand for heavy Volvo trucks
Deliveries from Volvo Trucks increased by 12% from January to October 2005. In total, 85,366 trucks were delivered to customers, compared with 76,116 vehicles in the same period the previous year....
Aftermarket experts expect growth in 2006
While automotive aftermarket executives do not have high expectations for the U.S. economy in the next 12 months, they do overwhelmingly expect to see growth for their businesses, according to Grant Thornton's 2005 Automotive Aftermarket Survey, conducted in cooperation with SEMA and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA)....
Under bunk storage standard on Freightliner conventional heavy-duty models
Freightliner Trucks announced today that all 70-inch Mid and Raised Roof SleeperCabs for the Classic XL, Classic and FLD SD truck models are now available with a standard under bunk storage compartment as part of the integral lower bunk. ...
Trailer production to top 200,000
The latest edition of the European Truck-Trailer Report says that European heavy goods trailer production may top 200,000 units by 2009, according to a Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ news brief. ...
2007-compliant engines to cost thousands more
International Truck & Engine expects that customers will pay $5,000-$10,000 more for trucks that comply with 2007 diesel emissions regulations. The company released preliminary information on both pricing and fuel economy, noting it was working on minimizing the impact of both on its customers. ...
ACT Research reports tighter trailer backlogs
While order activity has been steady in recent months, trailer manufacturers have continued trim backlogs, according to ACT Research, Columbus IN....
Wabash National introduces new container
Wabash National Corporation has launched a new domestic container that uses DuraPlate panels to provide additional interior width and capacity....
Kenworth offers collision warning system
Kenworth Truck Company announced that it now offers Eaton’s VORAD Collision Warning System with SmartCruise adaptive cruise control as an option for Kenworth’s T600, T800, T2000 and W900 models. ...
Utilimaster acquires Union City Body
Utilimaster Corporation has acquired certain assets from Union City Body Company (UCBC), a manufacturer specializing in walk-in vans and other service vehicles. The acquisition includes 200,000 square feet of production and office capacity in five facilities, along with machinery, equipment and tooling. ...
Vanguard National receives trailer patent
Mark Roush, director of engineering at Vanguard National Trailer Corporation in Monon, Indiana, has been awarded a United States patent for his design of an over-the-road trailer. ...
Foster retires as HTI president; Fincher to replace him
Heil Trailer International announces that President Bob Foster is retiring at the end of 2005 after a career spanning nearly 29 years. He will be succeeded by Andy Fincher, currently serving as executive vice president. ...
Wabash introduces wide domestic container
From Fleet Owner
Wabash National Corp. has launched its new DuraPlate CargoMax domestic container designed to provide intermodal carriers with additional interior width to increase cargo capacity. ...
Diesel fell 9.6 cents to $2.602
From Fleet Owner
The national average price for a gallon of diesel took nearly a double-digit dive for the week ending Nov. 13 as prices fell 9.6 cents to $2.602, the Energy Information Administration said. This marked the third consecutive week of sharp declines, as prices fell 55.5 cents since the week ending Oct. 23. ...
International’s Diamond Logic PowerPack 3 now available
International Truck and Engine Corporation announced the availability of the International Diamond Logic PowerPack 3, a first-to-market OEM innovation exclusive to International that offers ease of truck integration and “pure power on wheels.” The development of the product was first announced at the National Truck Equipment Association’s Work Truck Show in March. ...
Peterbilt debuts dump body and trailer program
From Fleet Owner
Peterbilt Motors Co. has announced a new integrated chassis-body program for premium dump bodies and trailers from J&J Truck Bodies & Trailers. ...
Colin Powell to be keynote speaker at The Work Truck Show
General Colin L. Powell (Ret.) will present the keynote address at the 42nd Annual National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Convention held in conjunction with The Work Truck Show 2006....
Former Swift CEO moves on Central
With the ink not even dry on his retirement papers as chairman & CEO of Phoenix-based truckload carrier Swift Transportation - a company he founded in 1966 - Jerry Moyes has made an unsolicited buyout offer for Waco, TX-based LTL Central Freight Lines for $2.25 per share. ...
Driver labor availability declines
Driver labor availability fell in October for the first time since June of this year -- with the largest decline since January 2005 -- according to FTR Associates....
Medium and heavy truck sales up 5% in October
Trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings in excess of 10,000 pounds were up 5% in October, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications....
