Used Truck Sales Fall but Are Trending Upward Overall

Used Class 8 truck same-dealer sales volumes were down in July but still on an upward trend overall this year, according to an ACT Research report.

Sales volumes in July saw an 8% drop from June's numbers, with year-over-year and year-to-date comparisons also seeing similar drops. However, last month saw a 15% increase in sales volumes, so July's drop may not be as bad as it seems.

Dealers have been reporting an increase in customer traffic, but much like last month, this has failed to translate to a surge in actual sales.

“Despite the volatility month to month, the overall trend is on an upward trek, with year-to-date volumes only 7% off last year's numbers,” said Steve Tam, ACT's vice president-commercial vehicle sector. “Year-to-date declines over the last several months have been fairly consistent, possibly signaling a stabilization in volumes.”

ACT provides data on used truck sales based on a sample of industry data for each major truck OEM, including Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt, International, Mack and Volvo. For more information, click here.

Related: More Options For Buying Used

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Mack Trucks appoints manager for Lehigh Valley plant

California Toughens Greenhouse Gas Emission Rules

California is set to approve even tougher air-quality controls that would further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, after the state Legislature passed Senate Bill 32 on Aug. 24.

Gov. Jerry Brown has indicated he will sign the measure, which passed the state Senate Aug. 23, after passing the state Assembly on Aug. 22. Related legislation, Assembly Bill 197, that passed on Aug. 22 would tighten state oversight of the California Air Resources Board.

The legislation requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas levels to 40% below their 1990 levels by 2030. The state has already passed legislation that requires greenhouse gas levels to return to 1990 levels, reports the Sacramento Bee.

"I look forward to signing this bill and AB 197 when they land on my desk," Brown said in a statement. "With these bills, California's charting a clear path on climate beyond 2020 and we'll continue to work to shore up the cap-and-trade program, reduce super pollutants and direct more investment to disadvantaged communities."

Related: Calif. Exceeding Zero-Emission Vehicle Goal

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Chevron introduces Delo 400 line, ISOSYN tech

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Truckers Post Available Capacity for Shippers on HaulHound

HaulHound is a free app that allows truckers to post their available empty capacity to shippers can find and fill empty trucks and transport their products.

Using HaulHound, truckers can post and edit their truck capacity from anywhere in real time. The app streamlines the information and updates posts automatically when they expire. In turn, HaulHound's online aggregation system allows shippers to search various logistics sources at once and refines their search results to compare availability and other information needed to fill empty trucks.

HaulHound was designed in collaboration between industry veterans and technology specialists, aimed at leveraging technology to eliminate the time and miles wasted by not being able to efficiently connect shippers and empty trucks.

“When we started the company, our goal was simple. We wanted to make the process of booking trucks as fast and easy as possible,” said Andrew Kim, president of HaulHound. “Our people have extensive experience in the industry and a wide range of backgrounds, so it was really important for us to meet the needs of both truckers and shippers.”

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Chevron Unveils New Delo 400 CK-4 and FA-4 Engine Oils

Photo: Chevron

Chevron unveiled its new line of Delo 400 engine oils meeting the American Petroleum Institute's new CK-4 and FA-4 heavy-duty diesel oil specifications, offering improvements in fuel economy and engine protection.

These new API specifications, which go into effect Dec. 1, were requested by engine makers to help them protect modern engines while improving fuel economy. FA-4 engine oils are designed to provide optimized fuel economy and protection for the newest engines. CK-4 engine oils are backward-compatible but provide better protection for current engines than the previous CJ-4 category.

Shawn Whitacre, Chevron senior staff engineer and chairman of the ASTM Heavy-Duty Engine Oil Classification Panel, called the rollout “one of the most significant new product introductions in our history, and the most extensive laboratory development program we've ever developed.

“On top of the very significant laboratory test program, we've added to what I would say is the most rigorous, varied and exhaustive field testing program we've ever undertaken.” The new oils have been testing in close to 500 Class 8 trucks, as well as a broad variety of off-highway equipment such as cement mixers, construction equipment, mining and agricultural equipment.

The oils feature what Chevron is calling Isosyn Advanced Technology, a combination of Chevron't premium base oils, formulation expertise and additive chemistry. Officials note that Chevron is unusual in that it has its own company making the chemical additives necessary for engine oils today. (In fact, Chevron says, it was the first company to start adding chemicals to base oils back during WWII, allowing submarines to run longer between maintenance.)

Chevron says the Isosyn Advanced Technology enables increased durability, through better oxidation control, anti-wear protection and piston control, while extending drain intervals compared to API CJ-4 oils.

“We are seeing some of the longest drain intervals and best engine protection in our company history,” said ...Read the rest of this story

Spot Truckload Rates Fail to Gain Except in Louisiana Flood Zone

A 0.9% decline in the number of available loads on the spot truckload freight market outweighed a 0.2% drop in truck postings for the week ending August 20, resulting in freight rates showing no improvements, except for areas in Louisiana affected by flooding, while fuel prices ticked higher.

New figures released by DAT Solutions based on its network of load boards show the overall load-to-truck ratio held at 4.2 loads per truck, with the company saying there are indications at least spot van rates may soon be on the rise.

The national average van rate slipped 1 cent from the week before to $1.60 per mile, although rates were stable on the country's top 100 van lanes. (All reported rates include fuel surcharges.)

The number of van load posts increased 1% and truck posts stayed the same, which yielded an increase in the load-to-truck ratio from 2.5 to 2.6 loads per truck, sometimes an indicator of higher freight rates to come.

Flooding in Louisiana led to higher rates on lanes heading into the New Orleans market, which includes Baton Rouge, according to DAT. Van loads from Dallas to New Orleans paid 18 cents better last week at an average of $1.79 per mile while Houston to New Orleans also added 16 cents to $2.10 per mile.

Increases were even more dramatic on lanes into the Shreveport market, which includes Alexandria. Ensler Field outside Alexandria is one of the staging areas for FEMA.

One consideration that needs to be taken into account, according to DAT Analyst Mark Montague, is that if you decided to haul FEMA loads, “You're almost certain to leave empty.” You can read more about inbound rates for loads related to Louisiana's flood relief on the DAT blog.

The number of reefer load posts increased 2% last week while capacity declined 2%. That ...Read the rest of this story