Free2Move Connect Fleet Introduced to North America at NAFA I&E
With a successful footprint already in Europe, and backing from Stellantis, Free2Move is introducing its Connect Fleet offering to the North American market at NAFA I&E in Pittsburgh.
Rivian CEO Letter Suggests Deliveries Awaiting Government Approval
It was almost three years ago that Rivian drove up silently out of nowhere to jolt the Los Angeles Auto Show with its R1T pickup. Back then, the company planned fall 2020 delivery of the pickup, and deliveries in 2021 of the R1S SUV. Coronavirus pushed the pickup to 2021, coronavirus side effects adding a couple more months to the wait, deliveries most recently promised to begin in September.
At last, if all goes to plan, a certain number of Rivian reservation holders will be able to park R1T production units in their driveways next month. Electrek got hold of a note Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe sent to reservation holders, the key line being: "We are currently working with various governing agencies on the final approvals needed for us to make the first deliveries to preorder customers in September."
A few forum posts have mentioned that Rivian guides, the reps who shepherd reservation holders through the final order process, haven't been in touch about nailing down the final specs for the Launch Edition models, so there are questions. When deliveries were scheduled for last month, Scaringe didn't tell order-holders until July 16 about the new September date.
Read more at the Autoblog.
Fleet Managers: ‘Ringmasters of a Three-Ring Circus’
There is no question that our professional resiliency has been tested over this past 18 months. Thus, we were delighted to read Lori Rasmussen’s announcement that WIFM has engaged author Todd Musig to speak at the upcoming AFLA conference. Lori says, "Todd will suggest ways to work with the other performers in your circus to accomplish your goals and explain the four keys for getting more “standing ovations.”
Don't miss Ed Pierce's engaging article summarizing the key observations of the fleet management company executives FMW has interviewed over the past few months.
Our thoughts are with our friends who have been caught in the path of Hurricane Ida and are dealing with the destructive aftermath of this storm. We know that both public and private fleets are working around the clock to restore essential services to their communities.
Janice Sutton
Editor in Chief
Leak Testing Critically Important for EV and Fuel-Cell Vehicles
The growing importance of battery and fuel-cell powered vehicles also has increased the need for leak-testing on automotive production lines to assure the quality of these alternative drive systems.
Electric and hybrid-electric vehicle batteries, for example, need to be leak-free and protected from humidity and water for 10 years or more. Fuel-cell vehicle components have unique leak-detection requirements as well.
A new e-book from INFICON, "E-Mobility: Leak Testing for Electric and Fuel Cell Vehicles," describes available leak-detection technologies and explains how manufacturers can use them through various phases of development and production.
NTEA Cancels 2021 Truck Product Conference
Following extensive and careful deliberation, NTEA and its Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel our 2021 Truck Product Conference, given the significant constraints the commercial vehicle technical community is currently facing.
“Truck Product Conference is purposefully designed to connect chassis OEMs with equipment manufacturers and distributors for important technical insights to help the upfitting process,” said NTEA Board Chair Jon Sievert, president – work truck solutions at Douglas Dynamics Inc. “We feel that at this time this goal needs to be accomplished in a way that doesn’t take us away from our businesses given the current state of the industry.”
“As the association for the work truck industry, we know your pain points, challenges and needs,” said Steve Carey, NTEA president & CEO. “We’re here and we’re listening. And we fully believe this decision, in this moment in time, upholds our unwavering dedication to doing what’s right for you and your businesses.”
