Equipment

Why fuel economy tests should be left to professionals

Despite all the effort put into a fuel economy test, the results can easily be buried in the noise. Even if the technology in question promises to boost fuel economy…

Trucking employment dives in latest signs of Covid-19’s impact on industry

Skyrocketing unemployment. Cratering freight volumes. Plummeting spot market freight rates. Record-low Class 8 truck orders. These are just a few of the new realities the North American trucking industry is…

ECONOMIC WATCH: April Class 8 orders plummet 46% from March

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Class 8 net orders plummeted to 4,100 units in April, according to preliminary data from ACT Research, down 46% from March and 72% year-over-year. “April represents the…

DTNA partners with, invests in Platform Science

PORTLAND, Ore. – Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has partnered with Platform Science to advance its on-vehicle software capabilities, and has invested into the company via its Series B funding…

Volvo, Mack offer new finance programs

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Volvo and Mack are offering special finance deals to customers in the U.S. and Canada. Volvo Financial Services is offering the Spring into Action program in Canada,…

Canadian technician among Penske’s best

Mark Parisotto has gone from tearing down lawnmower engines in his father’s garage, to being recognized as one of the best Penske technicians in North America

Tesla shifts Semi deliveries to 2021

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Fleets who made a deposit for one of the first Tesla Semis will have to wait until 2021 before taking delivery. The company announced the shift,…

ACT Research slashes forecast for nat-gas truck sales

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Class 8 natural gas truck sales are expected to nosedive, after a strong start to 2020, according to ACT Research’s Alternative Fuels Quarterly report. Retail sales were…

Daimler, Volvo shed light on new fuel cell joint venture

NABERN, Germany – Longtime truck-making rivals Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group announced the formation of a joint venture this morning, which will see them jointly develop hydrogen fuel cells…

Spectra appoints Martin Brazeau aftermarkets chief

BOUCHERVILLE, Que. – Spectra Premium Industries has appointed Martin Brazeau vice-president of operations for the aftermarket sector. Brazeau, a chartered accountant with an extensive experience in the manufacturing and…

Mack donates cash, PPE to local organizations

ALLENTOWN, Penn. – Mack Trucks has supported its Lehigh Valley neighbors with a $10,000 donation to an area food bank, and the giving of personal protective equipment (PPE). The $10,000…

Goodyear to phase-in restart of production

AKRON, Ohio – Goodyear plans to phase in a restart of production in the second quarter, beginning in April with some of its commercial truck tire facilities in the U.S.

ECONOMIC WATCH: Trailer orders fall precipitously

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – U.S. trailer orders in March fell 54% from depressed February levels, to 6,500 units, according to preliminary data from FTR. Orders were down 55% from March 2019,…

Modern engines mix brains with the brawn

Smart powertrains are nothing more than modern extensions of what the best drivers did back in the day when everything was mechanical, and electronics were limited to CB radios. I…

Protect your trailers from corrosion

It’s too bad that corrosion isn’t a line item on a budget. Maybe it’s best that it isn’t. The figure would shock you. It’s one thing to track replacement costs…