News
NAFTA transformed truck making
LAS VEGAS, NV – U.S. President Donald Trump continues his threats to pull Canada’s largest trading partner out of NAFTA. But when it comes to heavy truck manufacturing, Canada may have experienced some of the biggest losses. “If I were Canada, I’d be upset because all the business is gone,” observed Stu MacKay of MacKay and Company, sharing statistics during the annual Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue in Las Vegas.
Aftermarket increasingly global, online
LAS VEGAS, NV – The business of selling truck parts has become increasingly global, introducing a series of new brands along the way. But the source of the parts is only one thing to change, as the industry is further transformed by the tools of e-commerce. “It’s amazing to see what’s happened in the last 10 to 15 years,” said Heavy Duty Manufacturing Association president Tim Kraus, referring to the global alliances of Volvo and Mack, Paccar and DAF, Navistar and Volkswagen, and equipment made under the Daimler umbrella.
Canadians comfortable with private fleets transporting cannabis: Ipsos
MONTREAL, QC – A majority of Canadians surveyed say they would be comfortable with private or for-hire fleets being responsible for transporting cannabis once it becomes legal in Canada later this year. There are still looming questions about enforcement, growing, storage, and transportation of the drug that will need to be cleared up in time for the summer deadline set by the federal government for legalization.
Dip in Nov. conditions doesn’t mean a negative outlook: FTR
BLOOMINGTON, IN – Conditions remained strong in November despite a decline from the month before say analysts at FTR Intelligence. The group’s monthly index measured a month-over-month decline to a level it calls more sustainable after extreme weather and tight labor conditions caused a short-term spike in October.
Mack partners with Lego to bring Anthem to fans brick by brick
GREENSBORO, NC – The Mack Anthem has struck a cord with truck fans of a different variety. A Lego version of the truck released Jan. 1 has been hard to keep on shelves for the brick-building company. The tiny Technic version of the new Mack truck, complete with iconic bulldog hood ornament, was designed in close consultation with the Mack Anthem team to create an accurate and detailed two-in-one truck that can be rebuilt as the Mack LR front loader refuse model.
On-road safety featured at PMTC annual conference
MILTON, ON – Young leaders and driver safety will be the over-arching themes at this year’s Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC) conference. A full schedule for the 2018 conference is now available, detailing the activities happening at the educational and networking event being held in Niagara Falls, Ontario June 13-15.
U.S. rentals get 90-day ELD waiver
WASHINGTON, DC – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued short-term rental trucks a 90-day waiver from mandated Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), lasting until April 19. Trucks rented for 30 days or less will be able to use paper logbooks to record Hours of Service until the waiver expires. Carriers cannot simply replace one rental vehicle with another one within the 30 days, and must also have a satisfactory safety rating. They also need to report any collisions involving these vehicles within five business days. The Truck Renting and Leasing Association had known since December that a waiver was forthcoming, and is telling affected truck operators to print out the notice and carry it in the cab during the waiver period. Once this waiver expires, those who rent trucks for eight days or less will continue to be exempted from the ELD mandate.
Do you know Canada’s top driver or O/O?
TORONTO, ON – The search is on for Today’s Trucking’s 2018 Highway Star of the Year – the honor reserved for Canada’s top driver or owner-operator. Nominations are now open for the award, which will be presented during the Truck World trade show that runs April 19-21 in Toronto. And there’s more than bragging rights at stake. The winner will receive:
