VW CEO: Tesla Among Our Top Competitors

In an interview with VW's Inside magazine, CEO Herbert Diess said Tesla is the company's main competitor today. Photo: Volkswagen

In a sign of changing times, Volkswagen's CEO has identified his company's chief competitor today – and it's not who you think.

VW chief executive Herbert Diess, in an interview published on the automaker's homepage, said that in the “old world,” the competition was Toyota, Hyundai and French OEMs. In today's new world, however, he has his eyes firmly fixed on Tesla.

And while he was talking about cars, his points about staying on top of "disruptive" technologies and emerging competitors are revelant to trucks as well. Of course, VW also makes commercial trucks – and has a stake in Navistar International in the U.S.

At first glance, Diess' concerns seem unfounded: Volkswagen sold over 5 million vehicles last year, while Tesla only sold 83,922. But, Diess said, "Tesla belongs among the competitors which has abilities that we currently do not have. Around half of Tesla's engineers are software experts, while at VW's core brand it is a much lower proportion," Diess said. "Tesla has good electric motors, a fast charging network, autonomous driving technology, internet connectivity, and a new approach toward vehicle distribution.”

The lesson, Diess said, is that VW needs to improve its operations by measuring up against Tesla with the goal of catching up to, and overtaking, the electric vehicle manufacturer.

Diess also noted the emerging importance of connected vehicles in the interview, noting that VW's new Modular Electrification Toolkit is currently undergoing development across the company's entire brand offerings. “Our electric vehicles of the future will, just like smartphones, always be online and updatable,” Diess said. “Making a success of this new vehicle architecture is a huge endeavor, one that can secure our future in the new automotive world.”

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Food Transporters Group Launches Food Safety Compliance Tool

Photo via ATA

Carriers can now use an online self-assessment tool designed to help evaluate their processes and procedures for complying with the Food Safety Modernization Act. It was developed by American Trucking Associations' Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference, along with the American Frozen Food Institute.

The tool generates a detailed readiness report and indicates where action may be needed by food shippers, carriers, receivers, and loaders in order to stay compliant with FSMA.

"The changing regulatory environment can be a challenge for motor carriers," said Jon Samson, AFTC executive director. "This tool can help fleets ensure they are complying with these rules related to the transportation of food."

Once the self-assessment is completed, a listing of food safety, transportation, and logistics related service providers is generated, offering various entities in the food supply chain with solutions in each of these operational areas.

The tool is available for purchase for $199 for ATA members and $495 for non-members.

Related: Is Your Fleet Ready for the New Food Transport Rules?

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FMCSA Moving toward Dropping Diabetic Exemption Requirement

Image: FMCSA

The Federal Motor Carrier Administration is seeking public comment on whether it should eliminate the requirement that drivers with insulin-treated diabetes seek a formal exemption from the agency to be allowed to operate a commercial vehicle.

Specifically, FMCSA stated in the Federal Register for July 27 that it invites comment on a revision to its medical qualification requirements, covered by OMB Control Number 2126-0006), which is due to expire on August 31, 2018.

The revision reflects the agency's “anticipation of a final rule to revise its regulations to eliminate the blanket prohibition against insulin-dependent diabetic individuals' operation of commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce.

That rule would be based on a 2015 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and subsequent recommendations provided by FMCSA's Medical Review Board after an analysis of the comments received in response to the NPRM.

“Based on the MRB's analysis of the comments and their recommendations,” the agency said it is “considering replacing the previously proposed written notification from the treating clinician (TC) with a form titled Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form to be completed by the TC and provided to the certified medical examiner (certified ME). This form could be required for CMV drivers treated with insulin for diabetes who wish to drive in interstate commerce.”

FMCSA is open to comment on both the proposed IC revision and the new assessment form that it is being considered.

Click here to read the Federal Register notice and to learn how to provide comments to the agency on the proposed revision and form.

Related: FMCSA Seeks Comment on Report Filed for Proposed Diabetes Rule

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US STOCKS-Dow on track for 10th straight day of gains

The Dow was little changed in late morning trading on Monday after eking out another record high at open, while the Nasdaq was boosted by gains in tech stocks. The rise in Dow put the index on track to close higher for the 10th straight day. Analysts on average expect S&P 500 earnings to have expanded 12 percent in the second quarter and project earnings up 9.3 percent for the September quarter, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.