DAT: Spot rates rise for dry van, flatbed

Morrice Transportation hikes pay rates

Winners' circle: Techs join Rush Truck Centers' elite family

As bitcoin skyrockets, a top Facebook exec is joining the board of Coinbase, the cryptocurrency exchange (FB)

Facebook Messenger boss David Marcus is joining the board of bitcoin startup Coinbase. The move is a big win for Coinbase, which has the most popular app in the Apple's US App Store, thanks to the bitcoin craze. As interest in bitcoin soars, a senior Facebook executive is joining the board of Coinbase, a startup that helps consumers trade and store the cryptocurrency.

Cautiously Optimistic, Rusty Rush Looks Ahead

Rusty Rush predicts “headwinds” with electric trucks, but thinks they will start to become commonplace in a couple years' time. Photo: Jack Roberts

Looking back on 2017, Rusty Rush sees a year of broad-based, consistent growth. And the chairman and CEO of Rush Truck Sales, says he's mildly surprised by that result.

Speaking to a group of journalists ahead of the 2017 Rush Technician Rodeo in San Antonio, on Dec. 12, Rush noted that overall Class 8 sales are projected to wrap up at around 197,000 units for the year, which he says is an uptick of 25-30% from initial projections. “We've seen excellent numbers from our perspective,” Rush said. “That includes International, Peterbilt, Isuzu, and Hino. So I feel good about where we've been, and as good as it's possible for me to feel in December. All in all, I'm cautiously optimistic looking ahead into next year.”

Looking at overall industry trends today, Rush said he firmly believes electric trucks are coming, and that electronic logging devices will be a technology enabler for the industry as well.

“I think we will see electric trucks, but they're going to be more on the medium-duty and P&D side of the business,” Rush said. “I think we're still 2 or 3 years away from seeing them in substantial numbers. And we're probably 10 to 15 years away from seeing any significant presence in the long-haul, Class 8 markets. There will be some headwinds with electric trucks. But I think they will eventually just be a part of an OEM's product offerings alongside diesel and natural gas units. But I think we'll learn how to sell and service them as dealers.”

Rush is also pragmatic about ELDs noting that they will be technology and maintenance enablers when tied in with telematics and diagnostic systems. “They're going to work ...Read the rest of this story

Proposed Bill Would Require Front and Side Impact Guards

Photo: IIHS

Several Members of Congress have proposed a bill to require impact guards on the sides and front of trucks to product passenger vehicles from being crushed underneath a a in a collision, according to an NBC News report.

The Stop Underrides Act of 2017 has been introduced by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and is co-sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), with Sen. Rubio saying that the bipartisan legislation would save lives.

In addition to requiring side and front guards, the Stop Underrides Act would also update and improve rear-guard requirements.

Testing earlier this year by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed that side impact guards on truck trailers demonstrated potentially lifesaving benefits in side impact collisions. The tests were accompanied by video showing the roof of a car being sheared off in a collision at 35 miles per hour, decapitating the test dummy.

Another car at the same speed is shown hitting a trailer with the underride guard and it bounces off of it with only damage to the front of the vehicle.

The Natonal Transportation Safety Board recommended underride guard for trailer protection in 2014.

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Omnitracs Honors Veterans with Wreaths

In addition to its annual donation of $25,000, which purchases 2,500 wreaths for the graves of the nation's veterans, Omnitracs will have representatives taking part in ceremonies in Dallas; Arlington, Va.; Minneapolis; and San Diego. (Photo courtesy of Omnitracs)

Omnitracs, LLC, will continue to participate in the national Wreaths Across America program. For the eighth consecutive year, Omnitracs has pledged $25,000 towards the purchase of 2,500 wreaths to be laid on the graves of our nation's veterans.

On Saturday, December 16, thousands of volunteers will participate in wreath-laying ceremonies all over the nation, as well as abroad, to remember the lives of fallen veterans and give thanks for their service to our country. In addition to funding the purchase of the wreaths, Omnitracs employees will take part in ceremonies in the following locations:

• Dallas
• Arlington, Va.
• Minneapolis
• San Diego

“Omnitracs is honored to support Wreaths Across America as we join them in honoring the lives of our fallen U.S. veterans,” said John Graham, CEO at Omnitracs. “The program's mission to remember, honor and teach is one we are committed to furthering through monetary and volunteer support for many years to come.”

<img src="http://www.automotive-fleet.com/fc_images/news/m-wreaths1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="

On Saturday, each truck will carry approximately 4,700 wreaths. It takes 52 trucks to deliver 246,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery alone! (Photo courtesy of Omnitracs)

The trucking and transportation industry plays a significant role in supporting Wreaths Across America. Trucking companies, including almost 100 of Omnitracs customers, donate their time and services to fill more than 300 trucks with wreaths that are then delivered to more than 1,200 participating cemeteries.

“Wreaths Across America serves a cause that is close to our hearts – more than 10 percent of our drivers are veterans and several of my family members have served overseas,” said Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, president and CEO of <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" ...Read the rest of this story