Canadian and US Peterbilt customers take part in first Pride and Class Parade

2016 BC Driver of the Year is… Randy Kuryk

‘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

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

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

Class 8 orders follow trend: ACT Research

Trucking insurance: It’s a new ballgame

With trucking insurance firms hiking premiums 10% to 30% in the wake of big claims, and with major companies such as Zurich Insurance Group AG and American International Group Inc. exiting the for-hire insurance market, it's suddenly much tougher – and much more expensive – for truckers to obtain adequate coverage.

read more