News
Kriska gives young hero a truck
TORONTO, ON - The smoke pouring into the truck was thick and there were just moments to act when Ickroop Mangat, just 23-years-old, and his trainer Dave* were involved in a multi-vehicle collision during a sudden, zero-viability snowstorm outside Montreal last Winter. The new driver for Kriska Transportation acted in a heartbeat, kicking in the driver's side window and crawling out of the cab before helping his instructor out behind him. Panicked and on fire, the instructor ran from the truck, but Mangat tackled him to the ground, practicing the 'stop, drop, and roll' method to put out the flames and save the man's life. His actions on that day earned Mangat the Bridgestone-Ontario Trucking Association Truck Hero Award at their annual conference last week, but Mangat says he's no hero.
Great Dane names Supplier of the Year
SAVANNAH, GA - Trailer and truck bodies manufacturer Great Dane is singing the praises of components supplier Accuride, making them their 2017 supplier of the year for large suppliers. The company announced the accolade last week, also awarding Accuride the 2017 Quality Excellence Award for exceeding Great Dane's quality performance expectations.
Ontario investing in autonomous vehicle research
VAUGHAN, ON - The Government of Ontario has signaled it's serious about ushering self-driving vehicles, including those in commercial fleets, into the province. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Ontario Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca were with the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) last week to announce an $80 million government investment in the development of the vehicles through the launch of the Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN).
ATA leader applauds Trump plans
ORLANDO, FL - The U.S. Trump Administration clearly has a friend in America's trucking industry. Chris Spear, president and Chief Executive Officer of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), delivered a wide-ranging state of the industry address at an annual meeting today - promoting everything from proposed tax reforms to a pending mandate for Electronic Logging Devices, and Trump's commitment to raise funds for infrastructure. In the past year, the group has met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and all 10 House and Senate Committee leaders and ranking members. But a clear highlight, demonstrated through pictures around the convention hall, was an appearance at the White House with 12 America's Road Team captains. "ATA in now fully engaged in reforming our country's decaying tax laws," he added, referring to the associations hosting a recent meeting with Trump in Pennsylvania. Citing trucks as "the barometer for the nation's economy", Trump at that meeting introduced a proposal for a 20% cut in corporate tax rates and eliminating estate taxes.
