EnRoute
Headlines From The Vehicle Renting and Leasing Industry
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Top Stories
The Single State Registration System (SSRS) may be revived through legislation that the U.S. Congress passed in July and could result in fleets having to pay two registration fees and being subject to double taxation. FULL STORY
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The Federal Motor Carrier Administration has published a proposed final rule that would restrict the placement of auxiliary lights on trucks and trailers, an enforcement guidance that NHTSA already has on the books. FULL STORY
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When California's idling limit goes into effect on January 1, 2008 some owners of new trucks that were planning on using auxiliary power units (APUs) might need to take into consideration another state regulation that requires diesel-fueled APUs operated on trucks with 2007 or newer engines to be fitted with a verified level three particulate trap. FULL STORY
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Fleet owners of 25 or more trucks that were expecting to file their Heavy Vehicle Tax Use form electronically this year will have to wait another year. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has reported that the system isn't ready. FULL STORY
Technology Trends
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EYE ON Speed & Space Management is a new program by J.J. Keller & Associates that is designed to capture drivers' attention and to enlist their active participation in building critical speed and space management skills. FULL STORY
A height control valve and automotive dump valve have been developed by Hendrickson Trailer Suspension Systems to help maintain load stability over the road and facilitate loading dock activity. FULL STORY
Western Star Trucks, Freight liner Custom Chassis and Thomas Built Buses will now have Dana's Spicer Life Series and Spicer 10 Series medium- and heavy-duty driveshafts as standard equipment. It will be a published option for Freightliner and Sterling branded medium- and heavy-duty trucks. FULL STORY
Online Media Reports is a new tool developed by R.L Polk & Co. that provides access to interactive reports for media firms to better consult with advertising buyers. FULL STORY
Briefly
Michelin is investing $350 million to improve and expand on each of its major manufacturing facilities in South Carolina over the next four years. . .Key Equipment Finance, KeyBank's Colorado District and the Key Foundation announced a joint contribution of $250,000 to the University of Colorado's Leeds School of Business. . .PHH FirstFleet and Wright Express Corp. have introduced a newly branded fleet fuel card for PHH FirstFleet customers in an effort to enhance their ability to offer a fleet card accepted nationwide. . .Pressure Systems International (PSI) has presented Great Dane Trailers with their 2006 Customer Excellence Award. . .Thermo King Corp. held a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly renovated research and development facility at its Minneapolis headquarters. The Frederick McKinley Jones Research and Development Center is named after Frederick McKinley Jones, an instrumental figure in the founding of Thermo King. . .Mack Financial Services is offering Mack customers special financing arrangements for a limited time on qualifying Mack Granite vocational trucks and tractors through its Spring into Action program. . .To read more news about TRALA members, please click here.
People on the Move
Amelia Quelas has been appointed vice president and general manager of ArvinMeritor's Commercial Vehicle Systems Trailers Group. . .M&I Equipment Finance has named Tom Buckner president to succeed retiring president, Thomas P. Podewils. . .W. Mark Schmitz has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. . .Ceva Logistics has appointed Jerry Riordan as managing director of its North American Operation. . .Tom Glasser, president & coo of Celedon Group plans to retire this year and will be succeeded by Chris Hines, past president of Tripmaster Corp.
Taking $tock
A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:
| Company | Symbol (Click for Chart) |
08/08 Close | Two Week Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArvinMeritor | ARM | $18.95 | $0.14 | 0.74% |
| Avis Budget Group Inc. | CAR | $23.01 | $0.25 | 1.07% |
| Caterpillar Inc. | CAT | $80.90 | $0.46 | 0.57% |
| Cummins Inc. | CMI | $119.23 | $5.46 | 4.38% |
| Eaton | ETN | $93.66 | $1.53 | 1.61% |
| General Electric | GE | $40.46 | $0.98 | 2.48% |
| Goodyear Tire & Rubber | GT | $26.94 | $1.65 | 6.52% |
| PACCAR Inc. | PCAR | $81.92 | $0.88 | 1.06% |
| Ryder | R | $55.92 | $0.89 | 1.57% |
SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance and bigcharts.com
Money Matters
Ryder System has reported that revenue was up three percent for the second quarter of 2007. FULL STORY
Michelin North America has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Oliver Rubber Co. from Cooper Tire and Rubber Company for $69 million. FULL STORY
Avis Budget Group reported that in the second quarter of 2007, their revenue rose 4 percent to $1.52 billion, compared to $1.45 billion last year. FULL STORY
News From TRALA
NEWS FROM TRALA
Watch your mailbox for your copy of the 2007-2008 TRALA Membership Directory and Buyer's Guide! The Membership Directory is the industry reference guide that lists TRALA members alphabetically, by geographic location and by leasing system affiliation. The Buyers Guide provides a simple way to find a wide variety of products and services offered by TRALA supplier members. For more information, contact TRALA's Maggie Brown at (703) 299-9120 or mbrown@trala.org.