International DuraStar guarantees fuel economy improvement of new trucks

International DuraStar is doing more than advertising the fuel economy of their new trucks, they are offering a guarantee. The International DuraStar site features details on a new program where customers can expect 7 percent fuel economy improvement over their previous trucks.

According to International Durastar...

Many commercial trucks claim to have outstanding fuel economy, but only one brand is backing its claims with a guarantee. Customers who purchase a qualifying new International DuraStar powered by a MaxxForce 7 or MaxxForce DT engine will experience a guaranteed fuel economy improvement of 7 percent or greater after six months as part of International’s “Fuel Economy Challenge.” After six months, if the customer has not seen at least a 7 percent fuel economy improvement over their previous qualifying truck, the customer will receive a $1,000 fuel card.


“This program is our way of telling customers that we’re listening,” said Steve Guillaume, general manager, Medium Truck Group. “Customers said that fuel economy is important, and we’ve responded with a product that delivers superior performance and a guarantee that backs it up.”

Customers are eligible if they purchase a qualifying DuraStar between March 6, 2008, and June 30, 2008.

More information on the Fuel Economy Challenge can be found at InternationalTrucks.com/guarantee.

Source: International Truck and Engine Company

Commercial Truck Trader is attending The 37th Annual Mid-America Trucking Show on March 27-29, 2008

Commercial Truck Trader will be attending the 37th Annual Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 27-29.

Look for Commercial Truck Trader at Booth #14172.

This years Mid-America Trucking Show is going to be a big one. The official Mid-America Trucking Show website reports that over 1150 companies have signed on to take part in the show, and some are still signing up.

The show is expected to cover more than a million square feet of space with over 200,000 square feet of outdoor exhibits and events.

Source: 37th Annual Mid-America Trucking Show

Too few Mexican trucks could spell trouble for the cross border trucking program

The debate still rages over the controversial cross-border trucking plan.

The U.S. Transportation Secretary recently released a statement to Congress urging that the plan continue.

According to the Department of Transportation...

U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters today cautioned Congress that now is not the time to halt efforts to implement trucking provisions in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which is delivering economic benefits to U.S. workers, farmers, businesses and consumers.

Secretary Peters said a broad coalition of more than 69 U.S. companies and agricultural and business organizations support the project because of the benefits it provides to U.S. exporters who every year ship billions worth of products and produce into Mexico. Should Congress choose to end the project, Mexico has the right under the rules of NAFTA to impose fees and tariffs on U.S. goods that would surely result in lost business and lost jobs, she said.

“Whatever their reason, this is no time to let the politics of pessimism dim the promise of prosperity for hundreds of thousands of American drivers, growers and manufacturers. We should be looking for every chance to open new markets for our drivers, to find new buyers for our products, and encourage new consumers for our produce,” Secretary Peters said.

In other news relating to cross-border trucking program, SignonSanDiego.com reports that the problem might be too few trucks. According to the Article, The DOT Office of Inspector General reports that that only 16 Mexican trucking companies are involved with the cross-border program. 100 were expected to participate. The number of participating carriers might be too small to show valid results from the program.

According to the DOT Office of Inspector General website...

On March 10, 2008, we issued our Interim Report on NAFTA Cross-Border Trucking Demonstration Project, as required by legislation enacted in May 2007. By law, we are required to issue an interim report at the six-month point of the demonstration project, which was initiated on September 6, 2007, and a final report 60 days after the conclusion of the project.

Our audit found that at the 6-month point, fewer Mexican carriers and vehicles have participated in the project than expected. The low number of carriers currently participating is not sufficient to provide reliable statistical projections regarding safety attributes of Mexican carriers. The Department has established and is supporting an independent panel to assess any adverse safety impacts from the project; however, the panel is also concerned that it will have insufficient data when the project ends.

Source: Department of Transportation, SignonSanDiego.com, and DOT Office of Inspector General.

Hendrickson's new, lighter weight INTRAAX AANL

The Hendrickson web stie features details on the new NTRAAX AANL 23K suspension system.

According to Hendrickson...

Hendrickson's new, lighter weight INTRAAX® AANL 23K low-ride / liftable integrated trailer suspension system began rolling off assembly lines this month.

With a weight savings of 75 pounds, INTRAAX AANL 23K replaces the successful AAL 23K as Hendrickson Trailer Suspension System's lightest 23,000-pound capacity low-ride / liftable suspension system. Yet, it still gives fleets and owner operators the same outstanding ride and reliability.

INTRAAX AANL uses Hendrickson's Advanced Axle / Beam Technology (AXT(TM)), which teams tapered-beam and Hendrickson Large-Diameter Axle (LDA(TM)) technologies, to enhance component system strength, while reducing weight compared to similar-capacity suspension systems.

The AANL tapered-beam design uses high-performance TRI-FUNCTIONAL® III Bushings to deliver an outstanding ride. Road proven over millions of miles, patented TRI-FUNCTIONAL III Bushings feature a unique rubber compound for outstanding durability and ride.

LDA increases the diameter of today's traditional five-inch axle to five and three-quarters inches while slightly reducing the wall thickness. The wall thickness reduction combined with the increased diameter creates a more efficient use of material, which enhances strength while reducing weight.

LDA delivers as much as a 15-percent increase in bending and torsional stiffness compared to the five-inch (0.460-inch) walled axle, which reduces axle deflection under, load helping keep the axle straighter.

"With this suspension, there should be no perception that lighter weight somehow equates to a reduction in strength or durability. We have tested this suspension thoroughly, and it is worthy of being a Hendrickson," says Keith McComsey, vocational program manager for Hendrickson Trailer Suspension Systems.

Offered in ride heights from 6.5 to 17 inches, AANL brings road-proven Advanced Axle / Beam Technology to drop-decks, lowboys, platforms, tankers, bottom dumps and specialty trailers.

Source: Hendrickson

Peterbilt’s medium duty hybrids vehicles eligible for tax credit

According to Peterbilt's web site, medium duty hybrids are green in more ways than one. Peterbilt’s medium duty hybrids vehicles purchased in the United States are eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $12,000 from the federal government.

According to Peterbilt...

The Department of Treasury’s heavy manufacturing and transportation group certified the Peterbilt Model 335 Class 7 and Model 330 Class 6 Hybrid Electric vehicles as eligible for these credits.

The maximum $12,000 credit for Class 7 hybrids is available for the Model 335 Hybrid Electric in both utility-boom and pickup and delivery applications when equipped with a PACCAR PX-6 engine and an Eaton hybrid system.

A $6,000 credit, the maximum for Class 6 hybrids, is available for the Model 330 Class 6 Hybrid Electric in utility-boom and pickup-and-delivery applications when equipped with a PACCAR PX-6 engine and an Eaton hybrid system.

“Peterbilt’s product breadth in hybrid vehicles is pacing the industry with research and development in four applications for Class 6 through Class 8 trucking segments,” says Larry Reding, assistant general manager of sales and marketing, Peterbilt Motors Company. “The federal tax credit combined with the over 30 percent fuel efficiency gains makes these products very attractive for our environmentally conscious customers.”

Source: Peterbilt