September trailer orders beat expectations
FTR reports that September 2015 U.S. Trailer net orders were 34,700, significantly above expectations. The order total for the month was 48% above August and improved 8% from a year ago. Trailer orders have now totaled 338,000 for the past 12 months. Dry van orders were very healthy, 11% higher year-over-year; refrigerated van orders were
Mack introduces Certified Uptime Centers aimed at maximizing uptime
Mack Trucks has introduced Mack Certified Uptime Centers, a new dealer service certification dedicated to maximizing customer uptime. The new Mack Certified Uptime Centers represent the latest effort on the part of Mack to keep customers’ trucks running smoothly. “This certification goes beyond just improving diagnostic times,” said Stephen Roy, president of Mack Trucks North America. “We’re
Kenworth T680 sleeper trucks to offer auto start and stop
Kenworth Truck Co. has integrated battery monitoring with engine auto start and stop capability in a new option available on the company’s T680 sleeper trucks. The new option is available with or without the Kenworth Idle Management System. Engine auto start monitors the starting batteries. It also monitors auxiliary batteries used with the battery-based Kenworth Idle
Class 8 orders flat, Classes 5-7 rise in September
Class 8 booked 19,400 net new orders in September, while Classes 5-7 posted 22,000 net orders. These results were published in the latest State of the Industry report, recently released by ACT Research Co. The report covers Classes 5 through 8 vehicles for the North American market. Kenny Vieth, ACT’s President and Senior Analyst, noted that
Kenworth introduces new T880 40-in. sleeper
Kenworth has announced the introduction of a new 40-in. sleeper for the Kenworth T880 line. The new sleeper is designed for vocational applications that use straight trucks, such as petroleum haulers or the tow industry, and for tractors hauling flatbeds, lowboys or other trailers where length and weight may come into play. The 40-in. sleeper
Yokohama announces three new sizes for the TY527 drive tire
Yokohama Tire Corp.’s TY527 drive tire is now available to fleets in three new 16-ply size offerings: 295/75R22.5, 11R22.5 and 11R24.5. The TY527 is also available in its original 14-ply, 285/75R24.5 size. “The TY527 is ideal for regional, high scrub and long-haul applications for 2- and 3-axle tractor applications,” said Dan Funkhouser, Yokohama’s director of
The perfect combination: The Zen of creating the optimum downsped engine/axle/drivetrain mix
Most truck engines, today, run at around 1,450 RPM at cruising speed to provide the 200 HP needed at the wheel-end. Engine downspeeding allows the truck to operate consistently in a more efficient range, generally between 1,100 to 1,200 RPM, while maintaining the same 200 HP at the wheel end. As a result, fuel efficiency
Fleet profile: Plastic Express drives for efficiency today and tomorrow
Plastics are everywhere. From automotive to construction to simple packaging, plastic products are possessed of a ubiquity almost like no other. Nearly all of the plastic around you has, at some time, been on the back of a truck. Based out of City of Industry, Calif., Plastic Express is an operation that is an almost
How will GHG Phase II affect truck orders?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a joint standard in June of this year for fuel economy and greenhouse gas—the Phase II Greenhouse Gas (GHG) standards. The incoming standards will cover trucks from model year 2019 to 2027 and will have far-reaching effects in all phases
Expanding application: Hino Trucks stays focused on total cost of ownership
In March, Hino Trucks added a Class 4 155 Model, sporting a GVWR of 14,500 lbs. and powered by Hino’s J05E-TP engine, rated at 210 HP. It’s the latest product that continues to expand Hino’s reach into the medium-duty market. “This model is built to be a workhorse in an environment where maneuverability and visibility are
An inside look at a Mack manufacturing plant
At the recent inauguration of Mack’s latest product, a new line of axles, Fleet Equipment was given a rare chance to tour a Mack manufacturing plant and share photos. The Hagerstown plant is one of Mack’s foremost producers of equipment; if you are a Mack owner, chances are critical equipment in your truck was made
Class 8 truck supply rising faster than demand
The supply of Class 8 trucks continues to rise faster than demand for trucks according to the most recent ACT For-Hire Trucking Index from ACT Research Co., as seen in the graphic above. “The capacity index [supply] rose faster than the freight index [demand] for the 8th time in 10 months in September,” said Kenny
