Biggest Myth in Trucking -- The General Rate Increase Means Something
September 30, 2010
FedEx Freight to Raise LTL Rates 6.9 Percent | www.joc.com
FedEx Freight and ABF Freight System are first out of the box with announcements of their general rate increases for 2001--6.9 percent for FEF and 5.9 percent for ABF. Troubled LTL giant YRC Worldwide says it is raising rates by 5.9 percent as well. But hardly any large shipper will be affected by these rate increases, which apply only to non-contract rates and often are discounted away in negotiations with truckers' large national accounts.
End of an Era for YRC Worldwide--Zollars Leaving as Chairman, CEO
September 29, 2010
Zollars to Retire from YRC Worldwide Following Completion of Comprehensive Recovery Plan -- OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- | www.prnewswire.com
Financially ailing trucking giant YRC Worldwide, which has lost more money than any trucking company in U.S. history, is getting a change at the top. Chairman and CEO William D. "Bill" Zollars says he is leaving the company after 13 tumultuous years at the helm. His contract was due to expire at the end of this year. The company says it would seek a successor from both internal and external candidates.
In Addition To Diesel Engine SCR v. EGR Debate - There Are Still DPF Issues
September 23, 2010
While engine buyers are starting to see Navistars’ Advanced Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) versus all others’ with Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) technologies, a “Hotter” issue in the field is the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) problems, life and costs. With higher EGR rates with advanced EGR, does that mean higher DPF stress and costs? Probably!
Pilot-FlyingJ Making Money - But Costing Truckers More?
September 20, 2010
Pilot, Flying J merger appears to be home run, but some are crying foul | www.thetrucker.com
The merging of Flying J into Pilot Travel Centers LLC looks like a winner for Pilot, but with some concerns yet to be addressed. The referenced article by Jack Humphreville of TheTrucker publication lays out the pros for them, but also rightly notes the issues that truckers are seeing - plus concern by competitors and others. We offer the following from our trucking side of things.
Half Of Truckers Report Problems With Newer Engines - It’s Only Part Of Story
September 13, 2010
J.D. Power and Associates Reports: More than One-Half of Heavy-Duty Truck Owners Report Engine Problems in 2010, A Considerable Increase from 2002 | businesscenter.jdpower.com
J.D. Power and Associates has done a U.S. Heavy-Duty Truck Engine / Transmission Study survey for 14 consecutive years. It looks like problems are coming in much worse (double) as compared to before the EPA2004 & EPA2007 emissions rules were implemented. They result in costs that are seen in warranty claims, operators’ costs and sentiment. While these numbers are about pre-2010 engines, we are expecting higher problem numbers yet for 2010 - but at least with better fuel economy.
Dallas Truck Show & Commercial Vehicle Outlook 2010 Summary - It’s Still Cloudy
September 6, 2010
Economy's Course Puzzling, But Changes in Equipment, Driver Pay Coming, Say Speakers at CV Outlook 2010 | www.truckinginfo.com
Transport experts gave us a good overview of HOT trucking topics a couple weeks ago at a meeting held along with the Dallas Truck Show. Issues included freight predictions, higher gross vehicle weights, smaller truck cabs, the “pending” truck driver shortage, the revised hours-of-service (HOS) rules coming, truck pricing increases and truck-maker vertical integration (meaning mostly engines). Here are some thoughts.
Record Used Commercial Truck Registrations Indicates Continued Slow New Sales
August 31, 2010
Polk: Used commercial vehicle registrations hit record levels | www.ccjdigital.com
Backing up reasons for Paccar Inc, Daimler, Cummins Inc., Navistar Corporation and others' strong parts sales numbers, the first half of 2010 registration data is confirming that truck operators are buying (and running) used versus new commercial vehicles. We expect to see that trend continue into late 2011.
Energy Security and National Security .So what is the debate on Wind Power
August 30, 2010
A train wreck is the the competing resources for two US National needs: Energy security and National Security. So where is the trade off? These two resources are intertwined and must cooperate and come out with a quick and A Politcal solution.
Vestas is a Pioneer, so why is the company falling behind
August 25, 2010
Wind turbine maker Vestas sees profits fall | www.bbc.co.uk
Vestas is a Pioneer in the Wind power and yet it experienced a loss in 2010 and a declining revenue of some 17% annually year over year , while the overall industry trends experience some 23% growth year over year. Was this truly a result of delays in projects and project financing or is Vestas losing it it leading market position and has problems in execution?
Trucking Time Bomb: What To Do About Mexican Trucks?
August 20, 2010
Teamsters Urge Federal Government To Challenge Mexico's Retaliatory Tariffs -- WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- | www.prnewswire.com
Mexico plans to impose import tariffs of as much as 25 percent on a variety of U.S. products in retaliation for the failure of the U.S. government to allow Mexican trucks to operate north of the border, as required under terms of the 16-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Mexico will administer tariffs on a rotating list of 99 U.S. products valued at about $2.5 billion.
Chesapeake Energy bites the natural gas bullet
January 25, 2012
Flurry of newbuild drilling rig deliveries in 2012 may dampen rig rates
January 20, 2012
Talisman joins the ranks of cautious E&P companies
January 12, 2012
Early signs of caution begin to cloud frontier exploration and production
January 4, 2012
It's too early in the game to write off Shtokman
December 8, 2011