Fleet Equipment News
Commercial freight transportation is a machine-based business. Highly technical equipment and advanced engineering are at the center of supply chain and require constant innovation. Transport Topics equipment coverage focuses on the machines and other physical assets that make delivery possible. It looks closely at available truck, trailer, and chassis models, developments in the engineering space, and maintenance innovations and best practices.
Trailer Manufacturers Can Proceed With Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas Suit
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has lifted a stay of a Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association lawsuit seeking to block a Phase 2 greenhouse gas-emissions rule provision that would for the first time regulate trailers.
NACFE: Fuel Efficiency Up 15% From 2009 to 2018
The average fleetwide fuel economy of trucks that participated in the North American Council for Freight Efficiency’s annual study increased 15% from 6.27 miles per gallon in 2009 to 7.27 mpg in 2018.
Meritor Sees Equipment Downturn Coming After Prosperous 2019
Commercial vehicle equipment supplier Meritor Inc. forecast North American Class 8 production is primed for a steep decline in 2020 on the heels of last year’s exceptional market, the strongest in 13 years.
Takata Recall of 10 Million Inflators Could Be Last of Air Bag Saga
DETROIT — Takata is recalling 10 million more front air bag inflators sold to 14 different automakers because they can explode with too much force and hurl shrapnel.
Florida Is Top U-Haul Destination in Sign of Surging Migration
Florida topped the nation in net arrivals of U-Haul trucks in 2019, providing more evidence of the rapid migration that’s fueling economic gains there.
Class 8 Orders Reach 20,000, Hit Reset Button
North American Class 8 orders rallied in December to reach about 20,000, FTR reported, citing preliminary data.
Manufacturing Activity Falls to Lowest Level in Decade
WASHINGTON — U.S. manufacturing activity fell to the lowest level in more than a decade, as the sector was hurt by weakening demand and last year’s global economic slowdown.
Illinois’ Vehicle Manufacturing Future to be Shaped in Three Cities
From electric trucks and startups to international megamergers, the state of the fast-evolving auto industry in Illinois comes down to a tale of three cities: Normal, Belvidere and Chicago.
Natural Gas Engines’ Future Could Brighten Even as CWI Joint Venture Approaches End
The long-standing joint venture between Cummins Inc. and Westport Fuel Systems Inc. for the manufacture of natural gas engines is nearing a turning point, with the companies and industry observers discussing what lies ahead both for the partners and for natural gas technology.
Rust Belt Region Banks on Becoming Hub for Electric Vehicles
The day Youngstown’s steel mills began shutting down 40 years ago remains fresh in the minds of those who live in the blue-collar corner of Ohio. Community leaders don’t want the recent closing of General Motors’ massive assembly plant to leave that same lingering gloom.