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Diesel Prices Up Slightly, Crude Oil Hits 3-Month High

Source: EIA

The price of diesel fuel gained less than a cent last week continuing the trend of nearly flat fuel prices that has lasted for the past month and a half, according to the latest numbers from the Energy Department.

The average national price of on-highway diesel fuel increased by 0.7 cents last week, ticking up to $2.389 per gallon at the pump. The price is currently 10.3 cents cheaper than it was in the same week last year.

Prices were up by small amounts in most regions of the U.S. with the largest gain hitting the West Coast at 1.8 cents per gallon. The Central Atlantic and Midwest regions both saw slight decreases at 0.3 cents down for the week.

The average price of regular gasoline was also up last week, increasing 2.1 cents per gallon and hitting $2.245 at the pump. Despite the slight increase, gas prices are still 7.3 cents cheaper than they were at the same point last year.

The largest increase in gas prices was in the Gulf Coast region which saw a 4.3-cent increase for the week. The largest decrease in prices was in the Rocky Mountain region at 0.4 cents per gallon.

Crude oil prices have been indicating a possible rebound for the past few months and this week U.S. oil prices hit a 3 month high, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The rise was attributed to a preliminary meeting between oil producing countries that could lead to a significant reduction in oil production output.

Despite the informal meeting finally taking place, the market may not be ready for a full rally as some analysts remain skeptical that the deal will actually accomplish what it proposed.

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Truck Sales Headwinds Don’t Daunt Daimler Trucks North America

DTNA CEO Martin Daum talks to trucking journalists. Photo: Deborah Lockridge

LAS VEGAS — Despite a challenging truck sales environment and not hitting a few goals laid out last year, Daimler Trucks North America is still confident it can remain the industry leader in this “new normal” environment, President and CEO Martin Daum told reporters at the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition Monday.

In DTNA's annual roundtable, Daum said the company's projections a year ago for growth in 2016 “were much more optimistic” than reality, but the company, which sells Freightliner and Western Star trucks, is looking for a turnaround in truck sales in mid-2017.

“We are facing some headwind,” Daum said in a bit of understatement, noting that the company is now projecting that 2016 Class 8 sales in the U.S. will be around 184,000, down 26% from 2015's 249,000. Looking at Class 6-8, that number is projected to be down 16% to 304,000, reflecting a stronger Class 6 and 7 market.

“The big question is, how will it go into next year,” Daum noted. “We think by mid year (next year) the speed will pick up again but not enough to compensate what we lose in the first half. We see next year at the same level or a little lower but with a positive outlook into 2018.”

Nevertheless, Daum said, DTNA continues to hold the lion's share of the market, with 42% of the U.S. Class 8 sales as of August, up 1.7% from last year.

One of the reasons for Daum's optimism is the next-generation Freightliner Cascadia unveiled last month.

“A lot of times you announce something as a new truck and it's just a facelift. But here we really, from the ride to the electronics to the cab, we really really changed a lot. The truck ...Read the rest of this story

DTNA chief sees slow U.S. truck sales through mid 2017

LAS VEGAS. Calling the current downturn in U.S. Class 8 truck sales “a bit unexpected,” Martin Daum, president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America, now expects those slow sales to continue through the first half of 2017. And while he believes sales will pick up in the second half, “they won't be enough to offset the first half, so we're seeing 2017 as off slightly from this year,” he said at a press conference during the American Trucking Assns.' annual management conference.

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Yokohama Announces New Ultra Wide Base Drive Tire

Yokohama Tire Corporation has introduced the BluEarth 709L ultra wide base drive tire – a SmartWay verified tire designed for fuel efficiency.

It is the first in Yokohama's new BluEarth designated tires and reflects the company's most advanced environmental technologies.

“It's been engineered to be our most fuel-efficient drive tire yet with exceptional performance,” said Andrew Briggs, Yokohama Tire senior director of tire business planning product planning and sales operations. “Along with superior tread life and a highly durable casing, the BluEarth 709L UWB will provide extraordinary service for our fleet customers and operators throughout the country.”

The BluEarth 709L UWB is designed for better fuel economy featuring an advanced compound that is resistant to heat buildup and a tread depth of 24/32-inches for improved low-rolling resistance.

The tire is made for good traction in wet or snowing conditions derived from a specialized directional tread pattern. A Z-block design creates multiple biting edges for outstanding grip during acceleration. Distinctive tie-bar connectors increase block rigidity to reduce heel-toe wear, while seven circumferential grooves efficiently evacuate water from beneath the tread to maximize contact with the road.

A zero-degree belt creates a consistently stable footprint for long, even wear. This is a key component for the tire's durable and retreadable casing. Also, funnel-shaped grooves prevent stones and other debris from reaching the bottom of the groove where casing damage can occur.

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