Shell petitions pickup to be official U.S. vehicle

WASHINGTON, DC -- The maker of Shell Rotella engine oil is leading the effort to have the U.S. White House formally recognize the pickup truck as the "Official Vehicle of the United States." To pay homage to the substantial role pickup trucks play in shaping our nation and working their way into all parts of our society, Shell is honoring the vehicle by leading a national Shell Rotella campaign, entitled "Pickup Pride" which may forever change the way Americans view the pickup truck.

Hino prepares for Class 7-8 line

CHARLESTON, WVA - Hino will increase the size of its manufacturing operation in West Virginia as it prepares to produce a new line of Class 7-8 trucks for the North American market.

Teamsters back Canadian NAFTA labor proposal

OTTAWA, ON - Teamsters Canada president Francois Laporte and Teamsters general president Jim Hoffa are calling for several trucking-related issues to be addressed in ongoing North American Free Trade Agreement talks.

Schneider president at Firestone Industrial

NASHVILLE, TN - Craig Schneider has been named president of Firestone Industrial Products, succeeding Scott Damon who was recently named president - commercial group, U.S. and Canada for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.

Financial Planning: Structure a lease that’s right for you

TORONTO, ON -- What is it that you do best: fix trucks, manage toll payments and fuel taxes, change tires, sell used trucks, or move freight? If you're even a modestly successful fleet in today's market, you're probably pretty good at most of the above, but you probably wish you could devote more time and resources to your core competency - moving freight. About 10 years ago, André Boisvert, vice president and co-owner of Lachine, Quebec-based Trans-West Group, concluded that he was better at transportation and logistics than he was at maintenance and fleet management.

Canada truck market ‘particularly robust’: FTR

BLOOMINGTON, IN - Class 8 truck sales continued to recover in September, reaching 22,100 units overall. That's up 7% compared to the previous month, and 62% above a year ago. Those order volumes meet expectations, and Canadian orders were "particularly robust" as fleets benefit from a strong economy, say the analysts at FTR. North American Class 8 orders reached 239,000 units in the past 12 months. "The recovery in the Class 8 market is building, and we saw that with the orders through the summer. Order totals never got that low and followed cyclical trends," said Don Ake, vice president - commercial vehicles at FTR.

Demo shows 10 mpg is possible

ATLANTA, GA - Seven trucks have proven that 10 miles per US gallon (23.5 liters per 100 kilometers) is possible using technologies on the road today. Trucks participating in the North American Council of Freight Efficiency's Run on Less demonstration rolled into the Georgia World Congress Center just in time for the opening of the first annual North American Commercial Vehicle Show Sunday, having logged about 80,600 kilometers since starting their journey September 6, and achieving an average of 10.1 miles per gallon (23.5 liters per 100 kilometers) during the cumulative 99 days of driving.

Buffett buys stake in Pilot Flying J

OMAHA, Nebr. — Warren Buffett has purchased a stake in Pilot Flying J through his multinational conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway. According to several news outlets, Berkshire bought a 38.6% stake in…

Inaugural NACV Show declared a success

ATLANTA, Ga.  — The first North American Commercial Vehicle Show (NACV Show) was declared a success by exhibitors and organizers. The new concept commercial vehicle industry trade show focused on…

Is this Tesla’s new tractor?

PALO ALTO, CA -- A post on the Tesla "subreddit" of Reddit.com shows a concept vehicle that appears to be Tesla's unannounced electric road tractor.

Buffett bets on Flying J, gets majority in 2023

OMAHA, NE - Famed investor Warren Buffett is taking a minority stake in Pilot Flying J truck stops through Berkshire Hathaway, although the Haslam family will still hold a majority stake in the chain until 2023.

North East opens Truro location

TRURO, NS - North East Truck and Trailer Sales has officially opened a new facility in Truro, Nova Scotia.

Electric Avenues: Cummins sees future in diversity

COLUMBUS, IN -- If you're one of those who's been thinking that Cummins is a dead duck, and that's been the tone of more than a few conversations I've joined over recent years, think again. Nothing could be further from the truth. First off, the company presently maintains an 80% market share in the North American medium-duty market, more than 90% of the school and transit bus markets, and still a decent lead on the class-8 side of things with something like a 40% share through June of this year. Dead in the water? Not exactly. Globally, the company is very strong. In 2015 it manufactured more than a million engines in the heavy-duty, mid-range, and light-duty markets -- from 50 to 650 hp -- and nearly half of them were from its joint-venture partner plants around the world.

Keep your cool. Spec’ the right reefer.

Nothing spoils a day quicker than rotting cargo, but that's exactly what happens if reefer temperatures stray beyond an acceptable range. Arguments at a receiver's dock, insurance claims, and soured business relationships are bound to follow. The challenges can also take root long before temperatures are set or wheels begin to roll.

Wabco closes joint venture with Meritor

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Wabco has finalized the deal to purchase the Meritor Wabco joint venture that introduced its products to North America -- although Meritor will continue to distribute Wabco aftermarket offerings.