30 Jan Dana Debuts Site With Simplified Replacement Part Search Vehicle component manufacturer Dana Inc. introduced a website that simplifies finding commercial vehicle and automotive replacement parts and can connect technicians with aftermarket parts distributors. Read more...
30 Jan Pending-Home Sales Rebound Despite Rise in Mortgage Rates Contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes rebounded last month as buyers adjusted to the recent jump in mortgage rates, according to figures released Jan. 30 from the National Association of Realtors in Washington. Read more...
30 Jan Consumer Spending Rose in December by Most in Three Months U.S. consumer purchases climbed in December by the most in three months as incomes picked up, signaling a strong hand-off into 2017. Read more...
27 Jan Maxion, Denso, Webb Wheel, Eaton, Meritor Unveil New Products at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Show Maxion, Denso, Webb Wheel, Eaton and Meritor were among the companies that introduced new products or expanded product lines during the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week trade show that wrapped up Jan. 26 in Las Vegas. Read more...
27 Jan Detecting a Problem Fleets that have adopted the latest in active safety technologies, such as adaptive cruise and electronic stability control and, most recently, collision mitigation, report that there is little additional maintenance associated with these complex electronic systems on trucks. Read more...
27 Jan Materials and Design Changes Shed Weight From Class 8 Tractors Equipment and component manufacturers are using new designs and materials such as aluminum to remove weight from Class 8 tractors, which helps fleets increase payload and maximize fuel efficiency. Read more...
27 Jan Truck Dealers Talk Challenges in Service, Uptime While it's no secret trucking fleets have been frustrated in recent years when it comes to getting problems with their rigs diagnosed and repaired in a timely manner, truck dealers say they are working harder than ever to improve service and uptime for their customers. But, they say, fleets need to step up to the plate as well. Read more...
27 Jan New Era in Aftermarket Under Way Outside of brakes and oil changes, service in the aftermarket has largely operated as "fix as fail," but that era is fading. Instead, more trucks have connected components and telematics, which means preventive maintenance is becoming the new norm. That is pushing the aftermarket to know when a truck is coming in, what part it needs and to get it to the service provider at the right time and right price, industry experts said. Read more...
27 Jan Trailer Makers' Brave New World In less than 12 months, motor carriers are scheduled to encounter their first experiences with trailers designed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and increase fuel efficiency. The latest federal government mandate to clean the air imposes standards for the first time on semi-trailers, creating what many consider to be a brave new world for trailer makers and suppliers of aerodynamic devices. Read more...
27 Jan Solar Power's Future Looks Bright Many fleets are interested in harnessing free power from the sun to support ever-increasing electrical needs. However, successfully implementing solar power technology on today's commercial vehicles requires careful planning and having the right application in mind. Read more...