Kenworth Truck Company to Offer Front Drive Axles for the Kenworth T270 Class 6 and T370 Class 7 Models

Kenworth Truck Company has announced that it will offer factory-installed, front drive axles for the Kenworth T270 Class 6 and T370 Class 7 models. The new Kenworth front drive axle was introduced this week at the 57th annual Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (EUFMC) in Williamsburg, Va.

Photo Credit: Kenworth

“This is Kenworth’s first factory-installed, front drive axle on our medium duty product line,” said Judy McTigue, Kenworth director of marketing planning and research. “We’re targeting utility service, construction vehicles, oilfield service and boom trucks, in addition to municipal applications, such as fire and emergency vehicles.”

Photo Credit: Kenworth

The new front drive axle, is available for order today in ratings ranging from 10,000 lbs. to 14,000 lbs. on Kenworth T270s and T370s equipped with a PACCAR PX-6 engine. This fall, Kenworth will expand front drive axle ratings to 16,000 lbs. equipped with PACCAR PX-8 engines.

Source: Kenworth

New York City Parks Department Uses Kenworth Diesel-Electric Hybrid Trucks To Reduce Emissions

The Kenworth Trucks homepage reports on the addition of 17 Kenworth T370 diesel-electric hybrid trucks to the truck fleet of the New York City Parks Department.

According to Kenworth, New York City has set a goal to curb carbon dioxide by 30 percent by the year 2017, with all areas of city government striving to reduce its carbon footprint.

Photo Credit: Kenworth

“Sixty-four percent of our fleet of vehicles is already running on some sort of alternative fuel,” said Keith Kerman, assistant commissioner for the parks department. “Some are even all electric, a few vehicles are solar powered, and many are CNG and hybrid powered. By the end of 2010, we’re projected to be up to 72 percent.”

The 2010 goal is being reached, in part, by the recent addition of Kenworth T370 diesel-electric hybrids. The City has been placing 17 Kenworth hybrids into service – eight with rack bodies and lift gates and the rest with 5-yard dump bodies. The trucks were purchased through Gabrielli Kenworth.

Source: Kenworth

Kenworth Trucks For Sale On Commercial Truck Trader

Now Hiring: The Trucking Industry Needs 400,000 Drivers

CNN Money reports that the U.S. trucking industry is looking for a few good drivers, around 400,000 good drivers that is.

According to CNN Money, a report from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals states the industry will need 200,000 by the end of this year, then another 200,000 by the close of 2011.

Why are so many drivers needed? Reasons vary from replacing older drivers retiring to new safety regulations demanding better driving skills.

Source: CNN Money

Sharp Increase In Demand For Trucks and Trailer Space Push Up Rates

The Journal of Commerce reports that freight brokers are seeing truckload rates rising 10 percent or more due to higher demand.

According to the story, a sharp increase in the demand for trucks and trailer space have pushed up truckload rates, sometimes as high as 20 or even 30 percent in some markets.

Due to a sour economy, capacity was cut. Now that demand is up, there are fewer trucks to go around.

Source: The Journal of Commerce