Biden Administration to Award Nearly $1.1 Billion to Stellantis, GM for EV Production
The Biden administration plans to award GM and Chrysler-parent Stellantis nearly $1.1 billion in grants to convert existing plants to build EVs and components. The Department of Energy announced $1.7 billion in planned grants to help fund the conversion of 11 "at risk" plants in eight states to enable the production of 1 million EVs annually, help retain 15,000 existing jobs, and create 3,000 new positions.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told reporters it had become clear more than a decade ago that automakers, to embrace the future, "needed a federal partner especially to compete with other countries who were subsidizing their auto industries and that's what this massive investment is all about." The awards are for plants in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and Virginia.
Consumer Alert: NHTSA Alerts Used Car Owners, Buyers of Dangerous, Substandard Replacement Air Bags
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urges used car buyers and owners to be aware of cheap, substandard replacement air bag inflators that can cause death or serious injury in a crash. Three people have been killed and two people have suffered life-altering, disfiguring injuries in the past nine months due to these faulty aftermarket replacement air bag inflators.
NHTSA advises consumers to obtain a vehicle history report before purchasing a used vehicle or if they have already purchased a used vehicle and do not know its history. If the vehicle has been in a reported crash where the air bag deployed, they should visit a reputable independent mechanic or dealership for an air bag inspection to ensure the parts are genuine.
How Transportation Fleets Have Evolved To Embrace Digital Contracts
By Matt de Aguiar, Chief Operating Officer, Fleet Advantage
Contracts are the lifeblood of relationships between lenders, partners, and customers such as organizations with heavy-duty transportation fleets. Technology has enabled the modernization of company processes, and this has resulted in reducing their reliance on paper contracts.
Today’s transportation fleets and their finance partners recognize the importance of digitization, and they have seen significant enhancements including faster processing, streamlined workflows and a more reliable, trusted document handling system.
To be clear, paper is still used throughout the industry, but through digital transformation, companies are realizing a more effective alternative in solving several key pain points for the industry.
Michigan Selects Geotab and Wheels for Zero-Emission Fleet Initiative
Geotab Inc., a global leader in connected transportation solutions and Wheels, a leading fleet management company in North America, are partnering to provide telematics solutions to the State of Michigan.
This move advances the state's executive directive to decarbonize its fleet by starting the conversion of state owned vehicles to zero-emission vehicles by 2040, as directed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Telematics and data insights will allow Michigan to achieve its goal of efficient and cost-effective conversion to zero-emission vehicles.
The adoption of telematics is for more than just environmental gains. It can provide significant operational advantages, such as fuel management, and engine diagnostics.
Werner Marks 25 Years of Excellence in Mexico
Werner Enterprises, Inc., a premier transportation and logistics provider, celebrates a significant milestone as it commemorates 25 years of Mexico-based operations. Since its inception in 1999, Werner has been at the forefront of facilitating seamless trade between Mexico and the United States, solidifying its position as a trusted partner for businesses across North America.
"Our journey in Mexico has been one of growth, innovation and unwavering commitment to our customers," said Werner’s Senior Vice President of Mexico/Canada/TCU Divisions, Lance Dixon. "We take pride in our ability to adapt and evolve with the changing needs of the industry while maintaining the highest standards of safety and service excellence."
