FMCSA Warns Drivers About Defective Samsung Galaxy Note 7

Image via FMCSA

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a safety advisory to drivers and passengers of commercial vehicles, warning them of the risks and regulations associated with transporting damaged or defective lithium batteries and the recently recalled Samsung Galaxy Note 7 device.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has been the subject of two major recalls as a result of reports of the smartphone exploding and lighting on fire leading to injuries and damages. After an initial recall failed to solve the problem, Samsung has told retailers globally to stop selling and issuing replacement Galaxy Note 7 phones.

As a result of the danger posed by a potentially dangerous device, the Galaxy Note 7 was also banned from all commercial flights by the FAA.

Like most portable electronic devices, the Galaxy Note 7 contains a lithium-ion battery, which can overheat and catch fire, posing a serious burn and fire hazard if the device is defective.

FMCSA's safety advisory extends to any damaged, defective or recalled lithium cells or batteries and electronic devices.

While carrying the Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone aboard a CMV by drivers and passengers has not been banned, FMCSA is recommending that all persons who wish to carry these devices on a CMV, including motorcoaches, take the following precautions:

Federal Hazardous Material Regulations forbid the transportation of electrical devices like batteries and battery-powered devices – which can create sparks or generate a dangerous heat buildup – unless the object is packaged in a manner that prevents or protect from such an occurrence.

The recalled ...Read the rest of this story

Peterbilt Pride & Class Parade

Nearly 50 Peterbilt customers recently showcased their trucks in Denton, TX – the home of Peterbilt Motors Co. – as part of the very first “Peterbilt Pride & Class Parade.” The event also raised nearly $1,000 in donations for the United Way of Denton County. (Photos by Thomas Judd Photography and Peterbilt Motors Co.)

Lukewarm Class 8 Orders See Trivial Increase

Net Class 8 truck orders in September increased modestly from the previous month, possibly signaling that a historically weak season for orders was ending, according to ACT Research.

Final order numbers topped out at 16,100 units, beating the 14,200 units ordered in August. August represented a 3-month high in orders and another increase in Sept. indicates that the usually strong fall order season will return as usual. The summer months are usually the worst time of year for order numbers.

“October kicks off the traditional high-volume fourth quarter, when fleets and OEMs nail down commitments for the upcoming model year,” said Jim Meil, ACT Research principal and industry analyst.

Mexico was a standout heavy-duty segment, boosted by a weak peso, according to ACT.

“A proposed emissions mandate at the start of 2018 contributes to market strength; we believe truckers are taking the long view and positioning strategically,” said Meil. “For other segments the status is the same-- U.S. tractors, Canada ,and export markets across-the-board are lackluster.”

Related: Medium-Duty Orders Rise 19% in September

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter

‘Get the hell out of my weigh station!’

(Editor's note: All interviews with deaf drivers or those with hearing loss were conducted by email.)

Truck driver William Newman was dead set against deaf drivers being on the road. Based on his 30 years of experience, he didn't see how they could do the job safely.

read more

Revised CARB Plan Includes $150 Million For Heavy Duty Vehicles

The California Air Resources Board recently approved a revised $363 million funding plan that includes $150 million for heavy-duty vehicles and off-road equipment, aimed at putting more clean vehicles in disadvantaged communities.

The revised plan for fiscal year 2016-2017 keeps much of the original funding intact while addressing the smaller budget appropriation of $363 million under AB 1613 and additional direction from the California legislature.

“The investment of $360 million from our cap-and-trade program for these low-carbon transportation projects will continue to drive the market for new technologies, and put more ultra-clean and zero-emission trucks, buses and cars into the communities throughout California that need them the most,” said Mary D. Nichols, CARB chair.

The $150 million for a range of heavy-duty vehicle and off-road equipment includes funding for advanced technology demonstration projects and zero-emission buses for transit agencies and rural school districts.

Also included is a voucher incentive project to encourage commercial deployment of hybrid, low-NOx and zero-emission trucks, buses and engines, and large-scale pilot projects to commercialize zero-emission trucks and buses.

CARB also voted to increase the maximum incentive amount for the Low NOx Engine Incentives with renewable fuel to $25,000 per truck. In total, these heavy-duty investments are aimed at bringing the cleanest trucks and buses to California's most impacted communities, transportation corridors, and freight hubs.

Low-income residents often live in areas of California that are most affected by air pollution, which is why the investments are aimed at disadvantaged communities. The revised version of the plan doubles the funding for scrap-and-replace pilot projects that could allow residents of low-income communities to afford cleaner vehicles. The increase will ensure that existing programs in the San Joaquin Valley and South Coast air districts will have funding beyond the fiscal year and provides for the expansion of similar programs to other interested air districts.

Related: ...Read the rest of this story

Terex HyPower IM Reduces Fuel Usage and Emissions

The Terex HyPower IM is an idle mitigation and cab comfort solution that can help fleets meet green initiatives by reducing emissions and fuel usage.

The system automatically switches from plug-in battery-stored power when the truck is idling to engine-supplied power when the hydraulic controls are engaged.

HyPower IM also allows the truck cab to heated or cooled without the engine running, using the truck's heating and cooling vents.

The HyPower IM system provides similar benefits to the HyPower Hybrid System, including reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emissions but is available at a lower price point. It also differs from the HyPower Hybrid system by using a 48-volt lithium ion system that charges from a standard 120-volt plug-in or the 12-volt chassis engine alternator during road travel.

The system can be ordered with new Terex aerial devices or retrofitted on an existing fleet.

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter

Earnings Watch: Volvo Profit Falls While Daimler Gains

Earnings for two of the world's biggest truck makers varied greatly in the third quarter, according to figures released on Friday, and both had a dim view of upcoming sales in the North American market.

Mack and Volvo parent company Volvo AB of Sweden (OTC: VLVLY) reported net profit for the quarter ending August 31 fell by 15% from a year ago to 2.59 billion kronor or $290 million, according to MarketWatch.

Net sales fell 6% to 68.76 billion kronor, or $8.07 billion, compared to $8.64 billion compared to the third quarter a year earlier. Both revenue and profit fell short of analysts' expectations.

The Volvo Group's adjusted operating income declined to 4.8 billion kronor from 5.1 billion kronor a year earlier, or $568.8 million versus $599.9 million. However the company's adjusted operating margin improved slightly, hitting 7% compared to 6.9% in the third quarter of last year.

Deliveries in Volvo's truck business, which makes up about two-thirds of its total sales, were down 13% in all markets except Europe, where activity remained high, according to Martin Lundstedt, president and CEO.

“The downward correction in the North American market continued and there is still a need to take down dealer inventories," he said. "Production volumes have gradually been adjusted downwards to meet the lower demand and further steps will be taken. Expectations of unit growth in other truck markets are limited and therefore focus will be on the service business and continuous improvements."

Despite this he noted Volvo's truck business continued to improve its profitability, and the adjusted operating margin increased to 8.2% despite total net orders falling 7%.

Truck orders in Europe increased by 6%, but in North America order intake declined by 37% compared to the same quarter last year, and deliveries came down by 46% in total.

The decline in both orders and deliveries compared ...Read the rest of this story