International Truck Inks Deal with Big Ten Conference

Navistar International has announced an integrated marketing partnership that will name its International brand as the official equipment truck of the Big Ten Conference and Big Ten Network for the 2016 and 2017 football seasons.

“Just like the Big Ten Conference, the roots of International Truck are based in the Midwest,” said Mark Johnson, Navistar vice president, marketing. “Both brands share many similar values, including a strong work ethic and legendary toughness. We are honored to be supporting the Big Ten Conference.”

As part of the deal with the Big Ten Network and conference rights partner Learfield's Big Ten Sports Properties, the International DuraStar will be the featured equipment truck on the inaugural BTN Tailgate show on Big Ten Network this fall. The truck will be featured in live shows at regular season conference matchups as well as at the 2016 Big Ten Football Championship Game in Indianapolis. Additionally, International Truck will receive a media schedule throughout the season across Big Ten Sports Properties and BTN platforms.

The featured DuraStar will make its debut on September 24 at Michigan State University in the conference game against Wisconsin. Navistar said the truck will be configured to suit the typical pickup-and- delivery customer, including a Cummins ISB6.7 engine paired with an Eaton Procision transmission.

Click here for games dates and other information.

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Heil Trailer Expands Stainless Steel Product Line

Photo: Heil Trailer

Heil Trailer International has expanded its line of stainless steel products for the 2017 model year in a variety of styles, sizes and applications.

Available from 1,000 to 12,000 gallons, one to eight axles and from one to six compartments the stainless steel line of trailers is built to suit many different needs.

Heil re-entered the stainless steel market in 2013 and has focused on reducing the tare weight of its trailer to improve operational efficiency. The trailers are manufactured at Heil's facility in Juarez, Mexico.

“We listened to our customers and engineered lighter-weight trailers to increase their efficiency without changing the durability and quality they've come to expect from Heil Trailer,” said Ryan Rockafellow, Heil Trailer, vice president of sales and marketing. “With our expanded 2017 product lineup, we can deliver specific solutions to our customers now more than ever.”

For more information, click here.

Related: Idaho Milk Hauler Saves Fuel with Adaptive Gearing

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FMCSA Issues ELD Rule Guidance

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Sept. 2 issued these “two important notes” on the final rule it has issued on electronic logging devices (ELDs) that emphasize the initial compliance date is less than 16 months away:

The agency also noted that it has posted “complete information” on the ELD final rule on a dedicated web page.

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Hottest Videos of the Summer

It's been a long, hot summer, so relax this Labor Day and take a look at our hottest videos shot over the lazy-for-some season now drawing to a close

Start with the reveal of Freightliner's next-generation Cascadia. We were at the event in Colorado Springs and got a quick look at the newest truck from Daimler and the thinking behind it.

We also give you in-depth looks at the latest systems designed to coach good driving in our Focus On… series with a video on Vnomics True Fuel with Equipment Editor Jim Park. We also check out some of the latest engines from Detroit and Cummins.

And Senior Editor Tom Berg looks at Peterbilt's new 567 Heritage model, lending insight into the classic trim package, while Jim Park delves into the unique history of Cummins' one-of-a-kind diesel powered Indy Car from 1952.

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Economic Watch: Employment Gains Again, Factory Orders Jump

The U.S. economy continued adding more jobs in August but at a slightly slower pace, leading to expectations the Federal Reserve will punt on a possible interest rate hike later this month. A separate report shows factor orders rebounded in the biggest gain in nine months.

The Labor Department reported on Friday morning that 151,000 non-farm jobs were added. That's less than the 180,000 Wall Street was expecting, but it includes an additional 3,400 payroll positions in the for-hire trucking sector.

The overall figure compares to an average of 181,000 monthly jobs additions so far in 2016 and an average of 204,000 over the past 12 months. August also marks the 78th consecutive month of job growth.

The nation's unemployment rate remained at 4.9% for the third straight month.

There were 14,900 jobs gains in the transportation and warehousing sector in August, which includes the trucking figure. Other significant job additions were recorded in the food service, social assistance, professional/technical and financial industry sectors.

The department also revised job growth numbers for June and July, but that resulted in only 1,000 fewer net jobs than it reported earlier.

The slowing in August employment growth was not unexpected given the outsized gains recorded over the previous two months. The pace of job creation is still sufficient to sustain overall economic growth, according to RBC Economics Assistant Chief Economist Paul Ferley.

“Recent expenditure data, including the July trade numbers reported this morning [showing the U.S. trade deficit falling to $39.5 billion in July from $44.7 billion in June due to a 1.9% hike in exports], are pointing to third quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 3.2%,” he said – far better than the anemic 1.1% rate in the second quarter.

“Indications of sustained above-potential growth and tightening labor markets are expected to eventually return the Federal Reserve to tightening ...Read the rest of this story

Learn About Freightliner’s Next-Generation Cascadia

We've gathered all our content about the new Freightliner next-generation Cascadia for MY 2018 in one spot, and will add more as we continue our coverage:

Next-Generation Freightliner Cascadia Emphasizes Fuel Economy, Connectivity, Drivers

Detroit Adds Analytics to Suite of Connected Vehicle Services

First Look at Freightliner's Newest Cascadia

Next-Generation Freightliner Cascadia Reveal

On the Spot: Next-Generation Cascadia Designed for Drivers

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Get you in, get you out: Mack targets quicker repairs, more uptime

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