KENWORTH T880S PROVIDES DONATION TO RMC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Thanks to Kenworth, McNeilus, NorCal Kenworth, and other Kenworth supplier partners, a Kenworth T880S bridge formula mixer chassis, recently sold in online bidding, provides a substantial contribution to the RMC Research and Education Foundation. The T880S was displayed in the Kenworth booth at the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) ConcreteWorks.
“This is a very generous donation that will support our efforts to increase quality, sustainability, and professionalism in the ready mixed concrete industry through research and education. We thank Kenworth, McNeilus, and NorCal Kenworth, and all the other trucking industry participants that helped make this donation possible,” says Julie Garbini, executive director of the RMC Research and Education Foundation. For more, visit www.kenworth.com.
ELECTRICAL UPDATES FROM PETERBILT
Peterbilt announces the Vehicle Electrical Control Unit (VECU) to simplify body upfitting and increase functionality. Peterbilt worked with truck equipment manufacturers and customers to improve the electrical integration process of its chassis with a vocational body. Peterbilt offers a variety of convenient body connectors to simplify the integration process. Updates include multiplex switches to improve diagnostic capabilities, customized settings for PTO operations, and additional safety interlocks. Customers are also able to use a standard RP1226 connector located inside the cab to easily connect aftermarket devices such as telematics systems, electric body controls, and ELDs.
VECU will be implemented on Model 567 trucks produced early this month. For more, visit www.peterbilt.com.
XL CELEBRATES COMPANY MILESTONES
Just this year, XL celebrates a record number of fleet electrification deployments, which includes 234 hybrid electric vans to Verizon. XL announces their customers surpassed 75 million electrified miles driven. XL customers saved 1.5 million, reduced CO2 emissions by 13,000 tons, and added 11,700 hours of driver productivity.
XL experienced rapid employee growth as the company’s size doubled over the past 12 months with plans to continue expanding. The brand introduced significant new products, including the hybrid electric Ford F-250 and plug-in hybrid electric F-150. XL also introduced a hybrid electric system for the new 4.3-L GM Express and Savana vans.
Founded in 2009, XL has electrified thousands of Class 2 to 6 fleet vehicles across multiple applications. XL’s products have the potential to increase a fleet vehicle’s mpg by an average of 25 to 50 percent, while also decreasing CO2 emissions by 20 to 33 percent. For more, visit www.xlfleet.com.
CONTINENTAL ADDS 16-INCH ALL-STEEL RADIAL TO ITS COMMERCIAL LIGHT TRUCK TIRE PROFILE
Tire manufacturer Continental expands its portfolio with the addition of the 16-inch Conti LAR 3. The all-position tire provides up to 32 percent mileage improvement over competitor products. The Conti LAR 3’s all-steel radial casing is optimized for retreadability, lowering a fleet’s overall driving cost.
The Conti LAR 3 includes cut-and-chip resistant tread compounds, optimal handling with a pattern that minimizes stone retention and maximizes wet traction, and fuel efficiency coupled with mileage. Ten-ply radial provides increased load carrying capacity and puncture resistance, and all-steel construction delivers increased retreadability. For more, visit www.continental-truck.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA SERVICE BOOSTS COMMERCIAL DEALERSHIP TRAFFIC
Work Truck Solutions announces a new social media ad management service for dealerships called BusinessBuilder—the first social media ad campaign management service built specifically for commercial vehicle dealerships.
The service is designed to showcase a dealership’s commercial vehicles on Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, as well as identify and target the best audience for the ads. The goal of the service is to increase relevant web traffic to a dealer’s inventory. Results from Work Truck Solutions’ pilot program show more than 20 percent of tested dealerships’ monthly site traffic was attributed to BusinessBuilder. Dealerships included in the pilot program were from markets in several regions of the US.
BusinessBuilder is available for all dealerships in the
Work Truck Solutions network. For more, visitwww.worktrucksolutions.com.
US, CANADA, MEXICO ALL AGREE TO REVAMPED NAFTA
Future fleet vehicle buyers breathe a sigh of relief as the three countries involved in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) agree to a new version. The new NAFTA allows the auto industry, from manufacturers to dealers, to plan for the future. Members of the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) look forward to learning additional details about the agreement and its impact on the auto sector.
“We remain deeply concerned over the Department of Commerce’s ongoing 232 investigation and the threat of massive new tariffs on imported autos and parts,” says AIADA president and CEO, Cody Lusk. “Dealers will continue to urge the Trump Administration and Congress to pursue positive trade policies that keep the American auto industry open, dynamic, and competitive.” For more, visit www.aiada.org/our-impact.
NAFA ANNOUNCES HOLMAN PARTS DISTRIBUTION AS NEW SUSTAINABILITY-ACCREDITED FLEET
NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA), the vehicle fleet industry’s largest membership association, announced Holman Parts Distribution as its next accredited fleet via NAFA’s Sustainable Fleet Accreditation Program.
Holman Parts Distribution successfully demonstrated that a credible sustainability plan is in place and that reducing its total emissions and negative environmental impact through carbon fuel usage is in progress.
NAFA’s Sustainable Fleet Accreditation Program includes tools and metrics to concretely measure and score fleet progress in emissions reduction, fuel consumption, and increases in fuel efficiency. For more, visit www.nafasustainable.org.
STERTIL-KONI SPONSORS NATIONAL LIFT WEEK
October 8 – 13 was Stertil-Koni’s fifth time sponsoring National Lift Week. The six-day event showcased best practices in lift safety, service, and performance. Stertil-Koni distributors across North America hosted a range of activities including live product demonstrations, discounts, and educational briefings.
On each of the six days, the Stertil-Koni team shared the attributes of some of the most popular vehicle lifting systems in use today: Mobile Column Monday, Two-Post Tuesday, Wireless Wednesday, Earthy Thursday, Free-Wheel Friday, and Safety Saturday. For more, visit www.stertil-koni.com.
LIGHTNING SYSTEMS DEBUTS ALL-ELECTRIC, ZERO-EMISSIONS FORD E-450 CUTAWAY
Global developer of zero-emission drivetrains for commercial fleets, Lightning Systems, announces new battery-electric powertrain options for the Ford E-450 Cutaway. The Lightning Electric model will be available in 14,500-lb GVWR with an all-electric range of 110 miles. The model offers peak power of 220 kW, the equivalent of 295 hp, with a torque rating of 700 Nm, the equivalent of 516 lb-ft. The powertrain has a five-year, 60,000-mile warranty. Lightning Systems is currently taking orders, and delivery begins at the end of the year. For more, visit www.lightningsystems.com.
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MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS: OCTOBER 2018 ISSUE
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