Detroit Three Truck Updates

The “Detroit Three,” comprised of Ford Motor Co., General Motors, and Ram Trucks, are showing off some of their latest light truck offerings, featuring everything from a twin-turbo engine option from Ford for its 2017 model F-150 to a brand new air intake design for the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado HD pickup. Though Ram is keeping its 2017 models under wraps for now, the OEM recently stepped up to help support a new all-female off-road that will take place this October in the U.S. southwest.

The hunt for workers goes on

It's certainly no secret that finding and keeping workers is getting to be pretty tough task for many businesses today, especially in trucking.

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U.S. fuel prices continue to decline

National average retail prices for both diesel and gasoline continued to decline this week, according to data tracked by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), with the agency also projecting that U.S. demand for petroleum will “remain flat” for the next quarter century in part due to rising fuel economy standards for motor vehicles.

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2017 F-150’s Turbo V-6 Adds Power

The new turbo V-6 Ford is adding to the 2017 F-150 will provide even more power than initially expected, Ford has announced.

The 3.5L EcoBoost V-6 that powers the truck produces 375 hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque for a gain of 10 hp and 50 lb.-ft. over the outgoing 3.5L EcoBoost. In May, Ford said the engine would produce 450 lb.-ft. The engine will provide more power than many V-8 truck engines on the market.

For the first time, Ford is pairing an F-150 engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission so the truck provides improved acceleration and performance.

The 2017 F-150 goes on sale in the fall.

Related: Ford Updates F-150's 3.5L Turbo, Adds 10-Speed

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Diesel Prices Fall Slightly for the Third Week in a Row

Source: EIA

The average price of diesel fuel dropped by nearly 1 cent last week, the fourth straight week of small price decreases, according to the latest numbers from the Energy Department.

The price of on-highway diesel fuel in the U.S. dropped by 0.9 cents for the week, settling at $2.414 per gallon. The price is 40 cents cheaper than it was for the same week a year ago.

The largest average price decrease by region was in the Gulf Coast region, which saw prices drop by 2.1 cents per gallon last week. In the Rocky Mountain region, the average price actually increased slightly, moving up 0.9 cents.

The price of regular gasoline dropped again last week, falling 3.8 cents to $2.253 per gallon. The price is 58.1 cents cheaper than it was for the same week of 2015. The largest decrease in prices was in the Midwest region, where gas prices fell by 5.3 cents. The smallest decrease in prices was in the Rocky Mountain region at 1.7 cents.

Crude oil prices were down to start the week on July 11, on the back of recent reports that large oil producing countries had actually increased production last month, according to a Market Watch report.

OPEC's crude oil production increased by 300,000 barrels per day in June and more oil is also expected to be produced in Canada, which saw a disruption in its output due to wildfires.

While production is likely to increase, demand may go down as global economic markets still try to ascertain the impact of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union.

Related: 9 Ways You Can Use Technology to Cut Fuel Use

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Gain Clean Fuel to Open CNG Station in South Texas

Photo: C.A.T. International

Gain Clean Fuel has partnered with FastFlow CNG to build and manage a co-branded compressed natural gas fueling station in South Texas.

The station is located in Laredo to meet the CNG fueling needs of C.A.T. International, a North American carrier, and other trucking fleets with an alternative fuel station to support CNG trucks in the area. The station is scheduled to open in Sept. 2016.

“This site will complete the network of CNG stations we need to fuel CNG trucks on our routes,” said Daniel Goyette, C.A.T. president. “We have successfully added CNG to our fleet over the past year and have seen substantial savings in emissions.”

Nearly a third of C.A.T.'s fleet of 350 tractors have been converted to CNG. This station, along with four additional Gain Clean Fuel stations that opened last year in Toronto, Ontario; Coteau-du-Lac, Montreal; Charlotte, N.C., and Scranton, Penn., as part of the partnership, will be combined with the existing Gain Clean Fuel North American network to provide C.A.T. access to a reliable and quality source of CNG.

FastFlow CNG is partnering with Gain on the new location, using the company's experience in the Texas market to provide fleets with a CNG fueling option along U.S. Highway 83, a well-travelled lane connecting the U.S. to Mexico.

“We're excited about the opportunity to partner with Gain Clean Fuel to provide C.A.T. a site that will close the loop on their CNG fueling needs,” said Matt Russell, IFS marketing director. “FastFlow CNG has served this region to help build America's energy independence by providing high quality CNG stations and we look forward to the additional opportunities that come with partnering with Gain Clean Fuel to be part of a recognized nation-wide CNG network.”

U.S. Gain, a division of U.S. Venture, is a CNG provider offering fleet operators access to Gain Clean Fuel. Its fuel stations are strategically located for carriers along major shipping corridors and provide access to fast-fill CNG stations. C.A.T. is a truckload carrier offering service between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

Related: Natural Gas Stations to Cross 39K by 2026

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TP-8617 Designed to Pinpoint All Leaks

The Tracerline EZ-Ject A/C and Fluid Kit TP-8617 is a leak detection kit designed to pinpoint all leaks including refrigerant, oil and other fluids.

The main component of the kit is the Opti-Pro cordless, true UV LED leak detection flashlight with a 100,00-hour LED service life. The flashlight features 100-watt lamps to provide optimal fluorescent dye contrast and responsiveness from up to 15 feet away.

The kit contains an EZ-Ject universal, co-solvent free, multi-dose A/C dye cartridge that services up to 14 vehicles. It also includes a 1-ounce bottle of Dye Lite All-In-One oil dye, a 1-ounce bottle of Dye-Lite water-based dye for coolant leaks, an EZ-Ject A/C dye injector with hose and coupler, and fluorescence-enhancing glasses.

All of these tools come in a carrying case for easier storage and retrieval. The dyes do not need to be flushed out and can safely stay in the system.

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