Matching Trucks to Application Gets Easier

Truck fleets over the last several decades were forced between using smaller class 3 trucks and overloading them or upsizing to class 6 trucks. Both cost more compared to using the proper size class 4 or 5 trucks which are now available. Some fleets need to upsize and others need to downsize to these new models to minimize fleet costs.

Study: Wholesale Values Softening Rest of Year

A recent study from FirstLook indicates a mid-September peak of wholesale values and a softening of the market for the remainder of 2009. Analysis includes pre-owned aging inventory and late model vehicles.

Fleet Managers Online Tools for Fuel Savings, Emissions Control

Environmental Defense Fund is working with PHH Arval to help corporate fleet managers improve fuel economy, reduce fuel costs, and reduce vehicle emissions. Fleets have seen fuel efficiency rise up to 4% after adopting fuel-smart driving practices, EDF says. Materials include a handbook on incentivizing changes in driving behavior and an online driver-training module.

 

Ford Improves Safety Using Distraction Studies

As the final phase of its research into the cause and effects of distracted driving, Ford is utilizing high-tech goggles that measure the amount of time drivers take their eyes off the road to help validate in-vehicle technologies such as GPS navigation systems. The special "occlusion" goggles are used in testing at Ford's Human Machine Interface Verification Laboratory or "Distraction Lab." Ford engineers and technologists use the data to accelerate the safer design of telematics systems that keep drivers connected and informed.

 

5.5% Annual Growth in Natural Gas Vehicles on Roads

Natural gas vehicles will be growing from 9.7 million units on the road last year to 17 million units globally by 2015, according to a Pike Research report. This translates into a 5.5% compound annual growth rate, which includes conversion vehicles. In the U.S., the market is expected to continue to be dominated by fleet sales to government and commercial customers.