6 Takeaways from 2015 in Truck Parts and Service

The truck parts and service aftermarket got a lot of attention in 2015, as the focus of many fleets shifted to total cost of operation rather than cost per mile. This shined a bright spotlight on maintenance and repair practices as ways to keep asset utilization high. Here's a look back at some of the major aftermarket issues from the past year. This year saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network and the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association along with the Equipment and Tool Institute, the Auto Care Association and Heavy Duty Aftermarket Canada. As a result of the MOU, fleets and independent repair garages will have access to service information - previously only available to dealers - for model year 2010 and later trucks and buses over 10,000 pounds sold in the United States and Canada.

2015 Ending with Lowest Diesel Costs in Years

LONDON, ON and WASHINGTON, D.C. - As 2015 draws to a close average prices for both diesel and gasoline in Canada and the U.S. are at their lowest levels in years. The Canadian national average price of diesel has fallen for the seventh straight week, down $0.009 from last week, to $0.986 per liter, according to the petroleum information services provider The Kent Group. Not only is this the lowest price since August 2010 it is $0.194 less than this time last year. For all of 2015, the fuel averaged $1.092 per liter compared to $1.339 last year.

Canadians Named TCA Driver of the Year Finalists

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Two Canadians are among five truckers named finalists for the Truckload Carriers Association's 2015 Driver of the Year competition.

Custom Truck Sales Opens New Parts, Service Facility

SWIFT CURRENT, SK -- Custom Truck Sales recently opened a new parts and service facility in Swift Current, SK, on Highway 4 and the TransCanada Highway.

Fraser Surrey Docks Access for Trucks Changing Soon

VANCOUVER, BC — As part of the Robson-Timberland Road Connector Project, access to Fraser Surrey Docks, Gunderson Road, Alaska Way and Robson Road via Elevator Road from Hwy 17 (South…

For-Hire Price Index Falls to Lowest Level Since 2011

OTTAWA, ON - A measure of freight rates has posted another decline, according to new figures released by Statistics Canada.

Element Closes on Funding for Fleet Management Business

TORONTO, ON - Element Financial Corp. has closed on US$4.8 billion in rated asset-backed security (ABS) funding that will fuel the company's aggressive move into the U.S. fleet management business. In June, Element Financial Corp. reached an agreement to acquire GE Capital's remaining North American fleet management operations in the U.S. and Mexico, along with as GE Capital's fleet management operations in Australia and New Zealand.

UPS Makes Extra Special Holiday Delivery

MISSISSAUGA, ON - Just before Christmas UPS Canada launched its first-ever Canadian Wishes Delivered video, helping a mother and her son reunite for the holidays.

BCTA’s answer to the transportation funding riddle

The George Massey Replacement Project online consultation form asks, among other questions: how do you feel about tolling as a funding source? A relevant question, given the new bridge can’t…

A GLIMPSE INTO MEXICO’S TRUCKING INDUSTRY

I recently travelled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where Daimler Trucks North America introduced truck journalists to some very interesting and sophisticated Mexican fleets. We had a lengthy chat about the…

Deadline to register for CITT winter courses quickly approaching

TORONTO, Ont. – The deadline to register for a winter logistics course is January 12, announced CITT recently. The courses are intended for those interested in adding CITT-Certified Logistics Professional…

ATA: U.S. Truck Tonnage Mixed, Previews 2016

ARLINGTON, VA - A measure of trucking freight activity fell last month in the U.S., but remains not far from a record high level hit early this year, accordign to one fleet group, who also offered a preview into conditions for the New Year. The American Trucking Associations' (ATA) advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index declined 0.9 percent in November to 134.3 from the month before, following an increase of 1.8 percent during October, which was revised downward from a first reported 1.9 percent gain. This latest index reading is just 1.1 percent below the all-time high of 135.8 reached in January 2015.

Diesel Prices Continue Heading to Lower Levels

LONDON, ON and WASHINGTON, D.C. - It looks like diesel prices will end the year on a very much lower note in both Canada and the U.S. with continuing declines, making for the least expensive prices in several years. According to the petroleum information services provider The Kent Group, the national average cost of trucking's main fuel in Canada is down $0.017 from a week ago to $0.995 per liter. This is the sixth weekly drop and its lowest level since 2010. Compared to this time last year diesel is $0.199 cheaper. Prices fell Canada's four different regions and currently range from a low of $0.97 per liter in the Western Provinces to a high of $1.093 in Quebec. In the U.S., the story is also a continued drop for six straight weeks, with the average national cost falling US$0.054 from last week to US$2.284 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Department's Energy Information Administration.

Peterbilt Truck Plant Celebrating 35 Years

DENTON, TX - Thirty five years after the first truck rolled off the assembly line at Peterbilt's Denton, TX manufacturing plant, the facility has produced nearly half a million trucks, and that's a cause for a celebration by the company.

THE THREE BIGGEST TRUCKING STORIES OF 2015…IMO

The Top 10 list of our best-read posts is fun, but it’s purely numbers-based, calculated by some algorithm, and doesn’t always tell the complete story. For instance, sometimes a particular…