Peterbilt reports growth in Platinum Service Center Program
Earlier this year, Peterbilt launched the Platinum Service Center Program, which now includes 132 dealerships that have passed the certification process. In order to attain Platinum Service Center status, the company says, dealers must achieve high utilization of PACCAR Solutions Service Management, reduce overall dwell time for customer repairs, prioritize Peterbilt’s RapidCheck triage service, and
FTR’s May Shippers Conditions Index falls sharply in May but remains high
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for May fell sharply to 24.8 from the extraordinarily high pandemic-impacted 41.3 April reading. While not nearly as positive as April, FTR says, May’s SCI was still the second-highest on record. All inputs to the measure were weaker in May than in April, but all remained positive, especially capacity utilization
Dana introduces Spicer Trac-Lok for medium-duty trucks
Dana Inc. has introduced the new Spicer Trac-Lok limited-slip differentials (LSD) for medium-duty truck applications, which the company says autonomously delivers improved vehicle handling. “Spicer Trac-Lok provides improved traction capability without the driver engaging any switches or mechanisms, thus reducing frequent incidents of poor traction and lessening instability during turns. It also places less stress
Orbcomm introduces new analytics, reporting platform
Orbcomm Inc. has released its new analytics and reporting platform, which the company says offers advanced data insights and a user interface to provide customers with a unified view of all their transportation asset types using a single sign-on. The new, cloud-based “Orbcomm Platform,” which the company says has the capacity to support millions of
Heartland Express Inc. receives awards from FedEx Express
Heartland Express, Inc. has received two service awards from FedEx Express for fiscal year 2020 (June 1, 2019 through May 31, 2020). Heartland Express has been awarded both the FedEx Express “Platinum Award for 99.96% On-Time Service” and “Core Carrier of the Year” award. Heartland Express says it has received the “Carrier of the Year”
What the Super Ball can teach us about truck tires
Remember the Super Ball? Invented by chemist Norman Stingley in the ’60s, these toys are known for their extreme bounciness, taking the classic rubber bouncy ball to much higher heights (literally). But there’s no secret spring inside. It’s made of just rubber like its classic cousin. So, what makes it bouncier? The answer, according to
New COVID cases threaten commercial vehicle recovery, ACT Research says
According to ACT Research’s recently-released Transportation Digest, the tug of war between positive and negative influences on the business environment and trucking reached a pivotal juncture at the end of June, but an escalation in new COVID-19 cases since mid-June threatens to abort this nascent recovery. “The sudden shock of the COVID-19 recession pushed the
June trailer orders rise after several weak months
Final U.S. trailer orders rebounded in June after two sluggish months, according to FTR. Trailer orders for June rose significantly to 14,400 units, 10,000 above May. The June increase was boosted by a recovery in the dry van market supplemented by decent refrigerated van orders, FTR says, adding that flatbed orders remain lethargic. Even though
Nikola Corp. breaks ground on Coolidge multi-product facility
Nikola Corp. recently held an official groundbreaking ceremony for its 1 million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Coolidge, Arizona. The company says the facility will incorporate the latest technology to increase connectivity 24/7 throughout the building and equipment to optimize overall energy, productivity and quality. The first phase of construction is scheduled for completion in late 2021,
Road Ready announces trailer telematics program with Penske
Road Ready from Clarience Technologies, LLC is participating in a program with Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Logistics to evaluate the Road Ready trailer telematics system. Launched in 2017, the company says Road Ready offers fleets a complete overview of a trailer’s environment, both inside and out, using a variety of customizable wireless sensors. Road
Wabash National partners with eNow, Carrier Transicold to deliver zero-emission reefer trailers
The Wabash National MSC refrigerated trailer with solar-electric TRU is now commercially available as a road-ready solution, the company announced. Wabash partnered with eNow and Carrier Transicold to offer this eco-friendly refrigerated haul, which was first shown as a zero-emission trailer at the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) meeting in February.
PACCAR Parts opens parts distribution center in Brazil
PACCAR Parts has opened a new 163,000-sq. ft. Parts Distribution Center (PDC) in Ponta Grossa, Brazil. The facility became operational in May and serves all dealerships across Brazil. The new distribution center has six times the capacity of the facility it replaces and is the latest addition to the PACCAR Parts global distribution network, which
