New Plant for Daimler Trucks....
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA)
has observed the grand
opening of a new
$300-million
manufacturing plant in
Saltillo, Coahuila, in
northern Mexico.
According to a statement
from DTNA, “The new
facility utilizes the
most advanced lean
manufacturing processes
and techniques in the
truck building industry
today, incorporating
continuous evaluation
and improvement and best
practices from other
Daimler Trucks
facilities and lean
plants around the
world.” The facility is
expected to employ 1,414
plant workers and 186
management and support
personnel, and to
generate an additional
1,100 jobs with local
suppliers.
More Duplication.....
The Canadian
Trucking Alliance is pushing
for the federal government
to avoid “further
duplication and overlap” as
Canada considers adding
further transportation
security measures to an
already long list. The bill
has been tabled in so that
several technical amendments
can be made to the current
Act, but also to serve as a
launching point for
regulations governing the
security of dangerous goods
during transport. Of
particular interest to CTA
are provisions in the draft
bill dealing with background
security checks for drivers,
and requirements for
security plans, driver
training, and route tracking
of dangerous goods. CTA
noted that carriers and
drivers are already subject
to security requirements
under programs such as
Partners in Protection, the
Customs-Trade Partnership
Against Terrorism, and the
Free and Secure Trade
Program. Port security
requirements impacting motor
carriers are also in place
in both Canada and the US,
and both governments are
rolling out measures to deal
with the land transportation
movement of cargo destined
for a passenger aircraft.
SPECIAL REPORT:
Study shows pros and cons of
speed limiters
Transport Canada has completed its
highly anticipated study on speed limiters.
In simple terms, the study acknowledges some
of the safety and environmental benefits
promoted by large motor carrier
associations, but it also acknowledges many
of the problems that owner-operator groups
have brought to the discussion.
More
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Plan Gives
Bus Drivers Green Light
According to an NBC
report, a
new plan in Fort Worth, Texas, will save
green by allowing bus drivers to turn
traffic lights green
See
video
A
Missoula-Montana-based trucking company...
...With more
than 400 employees planned to file for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, following
similar filings by two subsidiaries.
And… the list
continues…
The situation
is all-too familiar: Truckers are feeling
the pain caused by stagnant freight rates,
increasing fuel prices and a reluctance by
customers to add fuel surcharges to the cost
of deliveries.
It’s not just
a North American problem. According to
trucking officials, the situation in
Australia has reached dire straits as well.
Kenworth
Clear Coat Finish
Kenworth says it’s making its
clear coat finish standard on all models.
The company says the DuPont Imron Elite
clear coat it uses is extremely durable and
ideal for conditions such as harsh weather
or power washing. The clear coat is applied
over top the base coat paint.“The clear-coat
finish gives each Kenworth truck even more
depth of gloss as well as protection from
ultraviolet rays. Clear coating will help
maintain the beauty and high-quality factory
finish of a Kenworth over the long haul,”
said Marilyn Santangelo, Kenworth assistant
general manager for operations.
Hybrid-power makes it's way to Daytona 500
It may not have made its way
to the winner’s circle, but a hybrid-powered
race recovery vehicle played an important
role in the recent Daytona 500. An
International DuraStar 4300 recovery truck
powered by Eaton’s diesel-electric hybrid
system was responsible for clearing the
wreckage and keeping the action going during
the prolific race. The truck was operated by
Miller Industries, which operates a 12-truck
fleet at NASCAR races. The company says it
will continue operating the hybrid
throughout the season schedule. Towing and
recovery vehicles of this type are
well-suited for Eaton’s hybrid electric
system. The duty cycle typically associated
with these vehicles takes advantage of the
fuel saving and emission reduction features
of the hybrid system. Add to that the use of
the ePTO function of our hybrid systems to
power the towing equipment, and you have
yourself a very clean and highly efficient
vehicle. Gee what about Hybird racing cars.
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