Trucks World News: March 2005

HAZMAT - USA - U.S. House bill would route worst hazmat away from cities

USA – eTrucker,by Jill Dunn –March,2005: -- ... a bill that would strengthen security requirements for shipments of the most hazardous materials... would require greater security, such as extra security guards and surveillance technologies. It also would: * -Require emergency workers to be notified before toxic chemicals are transported through... * -Require employee training for those who work with the shipments and whistleblower protections for those who report problems. * - Make those who fail to comply subject to injunctions or civil penalties of up to $100,000... http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=46816

FORTUNE's - USA's most admired companies include fleets & engine maker

USA -Fortune,by Jill Dunn -March,2005: -- Several transportation companies made Fortune magazine’s annual list of the World's Most Admired Companies... FedEx and UPS placed 8th and 13th, respectively, while Caterpillar ranked 37th... J.B. Hunt Transport Services and Pacer International also made the list... Companies are placed on the list by other companies... http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=46819

ACTIVISTS - USA - Target unsafe trucks in new campaign

USA -eTrucker,by Jill Dunn -March,2005: -- Alabama motorists can anonymously report unsafe trucks to a new hot line, promoted by an activist group that endorses a state senator's plans to toughen enforcement... The hot line is part of the Roll on Safely Alabama campaign,... http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=46772

UNSAFETRUCKS ORG - USA

Alabama,USA - Press release - March,2005: -- Alabama has seen several serious events in recent months involving 18 wheelers and large trucks:... * A tanker-truck explosion that destroyed the I-20 bridge in Birmingham... * An 18-wheeler that lost its cargo, a 45,000-pound industrial drive shaft , and tore two holes in the I-65 bridge in Hoover... * The 18-wheel cattle truck that overturned along I-10 in Mobile, killing the driver of another vehicle... * Over the years, too many people have been seriously injured or killed in crashes involving 18 wheelers and large trucks. Why does this continue to happen? OUR MISSION: We must do everything that we can to prevent other tragedies such as these... http://www.unsafetrucks.org/

PRODUCTION - Global Carmakers Are Stuck in Park

USA -BusinessWeek - 30March 2005: -- Even in China, where 2005 auto sales could see a 15% increase, S&P's global survey finds little worth celebrating... How has the global automobile industry held up in recent months -- and what may the future hold? Here is a region-by-region review from Standard & Poor's Ratings Services... http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/mar2005/pi20050330_1634_pi036.htm?chan=db

DEFECTS - JAPAN - Mitsubishi Fuso apologises for late defect disclosure

New Zealand -Stuff.co.nz -30 March 2005: -- TOKYO: DaimlerChrysler AG's scandal-hit Japanese truck unit apologised yesterday for late defect reports including for vehicles that had been repaired once, showing the firm has yet to put quality issues behind it... The apology came after Japanese media reported at the weekend that the Transport Ministry would question Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corp over several new defect cases involving fires in its vehicles, none of which involved fatalities... http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3231570a6026,00.html

AWARD - USA - ChevronTexaco Named Volvo and Mack Aftermarket Supplier of the Year

SAN RAMON,Cal,USA -BUSINESS WIRE -March 28 2005: --
ChevronTexaco Products Company, a leading provider of heavy-duty engine oils, lubricants and coolants, today announced that it has been named an Aftermarket Supplier of the Year by Volvo Trucks North America, Inc., and Mack Trucks, Inc. during their fourth annual Partnership Plus Awards... http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050328005237&newsLang=en

CONTAMINATION - USA - Residents fuming as town idles on truck issue

Middletown,NY,USA -Times Herald-Record,by Michael Randall -March 28, 2005: -- Newburgh – Last fall, the handful of residents on Putnam Road decided they'd had enough... of the tractor-trailers parking overnight in the lot outside the closed Ames store next-door... of being awakened at 1 or 2 a.m. by the "beep-beep-beep" of a backing-up truck... of smelling the air clogged with diesel fumes from trucks revving their engines constantly... So they asked for help... http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2005/03/28/mrtrucks.htm

ECOLOGY - USA - Pollution Rules Face Trouble From Outset

New York,USA -New York Times,by ANTHONY DePALMA -March 28 2005: -- Once praised as a national model, a new law to reduce air pollution at New York City construction sites may end up being weakened before it can ever be enforced ... proposed regulations are vague about the types of filters that can be used. Contractors may choose superefficient ones that can cost $12,000 or more per engine and cut emissions by 95 percent, or less effective models for as little as $2,000 that remove only 25 percent of pollutants... http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/28/nyregion/28regs.html

PRODUCTION - CHINA - Dongfeng reports fast rise in production & sales

China -China Daily/Xinhua -2005-03-27: -- Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DFM), one of China's three leading automobile makers, headquartered in central China's Hubei Province... increased production 32.6% and sales 24% from the comparable figures of last year,... DFM produces a wide range of automobiles, heavy-duty and light-duty trucks... http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-03/27/content_428487.htm

ALERTS - USA - Taxpayer beware of scammers and schemers

USA - The Trucker,by Jerry Breeden -March, 2005: -- The Internal Revenue Service has a special word of caution for truckers and other taxpayers this year: don’t fall prey to tax scam artists... These dredges of an otherwise honorable profession can assume many disguises, shapes and forms. To lure in unsuspecting and all-too-trusting clients, they spew forward with outrageous claims and promises that they have no intention of keeping... For more tricks of the tax trade used by schemers and scammer read the March 1 print edition of The Trucker... http://www.thetrucker.com/Features/business.html

CARGO THEFT - USA - From commercial trucks may be $45 billion annually

LAS VEGAS,Nev,USA - The Trucker,by Lyndon Finney - 25 March 2005: -- Cargo theft from commercial trucks in the United States may be approaching $45 billion annually... "The National Cargo Security Council (NCSC) and the FBI conservatively estimate annual cargo theft loss in the United States to be tens of billion of dollars,"... http://www.thetrucker.com/stories/03_05/0324_theft.html

FREIGHT GROW - AUSTRALIA - Faster than the economy

Freight needs to get on track
Australia -Australian,by Robin Bromby -March 26 2005: -- FREIGHT movements in Australia will grow faster than the economy through to 2020... That will bring three serious consequences... First, it will increase by 65 per cent the number of trucks... Road spending will need to skyrocket, yet even fixing an existing problem can mean years of stalling... Second, there is likely to be a 90 per cent increase in articulated truck movements in our main cities. This means congestion plus another 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and an estimated $70 million a year or more in additional accident costs... The other problem has been too few crossing loops, leaving freight trains in sidings for more than an hour waiting for another train to pass it in the opposite direction... http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,12657116%5E28737,00.html

ECOLOGY - USA - Diesel fumes descend upon Fairfield neighborhoods

Fairfield,CT,USA -Fairfield Minuteman,by Bill Bittar -03/25/2005: -- ... A state bill being proposed would allow state police officers to slap drivers with a $90 fine for allowing their trucks to idle longer than three minutes at a time... the state will work to provide more electric hook-ups at rest stops that allow truckers to keep their engines warm without running them... http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14221007&BRD=1653&PAG=461&dept_id=12717&rfi=6

PRODUCCION - NA - Weekly Ward's Reports Estimated

SOUTHFIELD,Mich.,USA -PRNewswire -March 24 2005: -- Vehicle production this week in the U.S., Canada and Mexico is expected to hit an estimated 267,476 units, down 20.2 percent from the 335,070 cars and trucks built last week, according to WardsAuto... http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050324/deth021_2.html

HARMONY? - USA - Trucks and Cars Can Live In

Columbus,OH,USA -Ohio News Network -24 March 2005: -- Thousands of semi-trucks drive through Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky on I-75 everyday and, often, drivers feel intimidated by the big rigs... So how the roads be safely shared?... Truck drivers say drivers in cars should be more careful, but drivers insist it's the truckers who need to slow down... In the end, they both may be right... http://www.onnnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=3120321&nav=LQlCXrd3

DEFECTS - USA - NHTSA to investigate Ford trucks, SUVs

WASHINGTON DC, USA -AP, by KEN THOMAS -March 24, 2005: -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Wednesday it would investigate more than 3.7 million Ford Motor Co. pickups and SUVs for a defect in a cruise-control switch that led to a January recall... The agency said it would examine Ford F-150 pickups from the 1995 to 1999 and 2001 to 2002 model years, and Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators from the 1997 to 1999 and 2001 to 2002 model years... http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/ford24e_20050324.htm

COURT ACTION - USA - Engine Manufacturers Seek to Preserve Emissions Reduction

CHICAGO,Ill,USA -BUSINESS WIRE -March 24 2005: -- ... the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) today sought court action to invalidate a recently adopted ARB regulation. The regulation imposes additional and unauthorized requirements on manufacturers and vehicle owners and conflicts with these earlier agreements... http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050324005522&newsLang=en

POLITICS - USA - GM exec lays out strategy for fixing ailing North American unit

NEW YORK,USA -Detroit Free Press/AP -March 23 2005: -- General Motors Corp. plans to focus on new products and educating potential buyers about the unique aspects of its car and trucks as part of a multifaceted strategy for fixing its ailing North American business, the head of GM North America said Wednesday... http://www.freep.com/news/statewire/sw113385_20050323.htm

RECALLS - JAPAN - Mitsubishi Fuso to recall 9,800 trucks, buses

Tokyo,Japan —Japan Today -March 24, 2005: -- Scandal-tainted Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corp. said Wednesday it will recall about 9,800 trucks and buses in total in connection with seven types of defects, including one associated with its steering system... http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=3&id=331742

RECALLS - USA - GM Recalls 25,000 Commercial Trucks, 916 SUVs

DETROIT,MI,USA -Reuters -Mar 22 2005: -- General Motors Corp. will recall more than 25,000 commercial trucks due to electrical wiring which could wear thin and accidentally set off the airbags... GM manufactured some of its Chevrolet and GMC medium-duty commercial trucks from the 2003 to 2005 model years without protective covering for electrical wiring, located under the driver's feet... http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=7976840

SECURITY - USA - FBI to check pasts of hazardous-cargo truck drivers

Hackensack,NJ,USA -NorthJersey.com/AP,by ROSA CIRIANNI -March 23 2005: -- The truck drivers who haul cargo labeled as flammable, combustible, radioactive or poisonous are now going to be scrutinized as closely as the hazardous materials that fill their tankers and trailers... In the coming months, roughly 3 million drivers across the nation will begin to be fingerprinted and put through FBI criminal background checks... http://www.bergen.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyNCZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5NjY2OTYwMSZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTI=

OVERWEIGHT - USA - Implant Road Sensors To Catch Cargo

Washington,DC,US-AWJLA/AP- March 23, 2005: -- In an effort to keep overweight trucks from entering the District, the city is expanding its electronic surveillance by planting sensors in the Anacostia Freeway... police will issue on-the-spot fines to violators... http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0305/215451.html

SAFETY - USA - Anti-Whiplash System is contained within head restraint

New York,NY,USA -Industrial News Room -March 2005: -- Designed to reduce impact of whiplash injury in rear-end collisions, anti-whiplash system addresses IIHS concerns by aligning head with cervical spine. It uses electromagnetic actuator to release pre-stressed springs that simultaneously pivot headrest while pushing it forward. Independent of seatback frame, headrest houses 2 coil springs, plastic headrest housing, electromagnetically-activated plate, and wiring... http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/458753/3287

PRODUCTS - USA - Vehicle Navigation Systems include traffic message channel

New York,NY,USA -Industrial News Room -Jan 21 2005: -- VDO Dayton Navigation System, with Traffic Message Channel technology, can route drivers around traffic delays before traffic incident has been reached. Receiving real-time traffic information through FM band via RDS technology, system alerts driver of situation with verbal and visual input and gives driver option to go around delay while calculating best alternate route. TMC broadcast information is provided on subscription basis... http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/459388/3287

PRODUCTS - USA - New Hub and Rotor for Medium Duty Hydraulic Disc Brake

Cullman,AL,USA -Industrial News Room/New York,NY,USA -March 7, 2005: -- Webb Wheel Products, a complete wheel end supplier, has introduced hub and rotor assemblies to be used in conjunction with the industry’s opposed 4-piston hydraulic disc brake designed for medium duty trucks and busses. The hub and rotor assemblies are available for 9,000# front and #15,000 rear axles... http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/461426

TECHNOLOGY - HYUNDAI makes XM satellite radio standard on all models

FOUNTAIN VALLEY,Calif,USA -/AUSA TODAY/AP —3/23/2005: -- Hyundai Motor will become the first automaker to equip all of its U.S. models with XM Satellite Radio, the companies said Wednesday... http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2005-03-23-hyundai-xm_x.htm?POE=MONISVA

TRANSPORTING BY CONTAINER (graphic)

And details about container activity:
http://www.chron.com/content/news/photos/05/03/22/bz-trucks.html

TECHNOLOGY - USA - CHEVROLET Cars get into music downloading craze

LOS ANGELES,CA,USA -USA TODAY,by Chris Woodyard -3/18/2005: -- Searching for an answer to the music download revolution, automakers and audio suppliers are preparing a new wave of car stereos with enough built-in memory for hours of recorded music... Chevrolet will introduce an entertainment-system option on its Uplander minivan this spring that has hard-drive memory capable of storing 40 movies, 10,000 song tracks or basic video games. It will be offered in General Motors' other minivans by the year's end...
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2005-03-17-car-stereos-usat_x.htm

ECOLOGY REBATE - CANADA - Webasto Heavy-Duty Heater Purchase Eligible Until 2006

FENTON,Mich,USA -Canada NewsWire/Canada -March 17 2005: -- Heavy-duty truck cab and coolant heaters produced by Webasto Product North America continue to be eligible for up to CAD$350 rebates from the Government of Canada's successful Commercial Transportation Energy Efficiency Rebate program... This program is aimed at commercial trucks and fleets with the goal of making vehicles more energy-efficient and cleaner while altering business practices to reduce a fleet's operating costs... http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2005/17/c5956.html

ACQUISITION - USA - Remy International Completes Acquisition of Unit Parts Company

ANDERSON, Ind.,USA -mysan.de/Pressemitteilung) - Heidelberg,Germany -PRNewswire -March 22 2005: -- Remy International, Inc., today announced that it has completed its acquisition of the assets of Unit Parts Company (UPC), based in Oklahoma City. Unit Parts is a major supplier to the automotive aftermarket for new and remanufactured starters and alternators, offering custom branding, packaging and logistics solutions as well as complete engineering and support services... http://www.mysan.de/article61461.html

OPINION - USA - Lots of truckers like the U.S. HOS rules just as they are

WASHINGTON,DC,USA -Today's Trucking News -Mar. 21, 2005: -- The controversial U.S. hours-of-service rules -- yes, the ones that were tossed out because they didn't take drivers' health into account -- have more than a few truckers on side... Last summer, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia bought the line cast by a professional lobbying group and threw out the long-awaited rules that took effect last January '04. The court decided that the regs were problematic because -- among other issues -- they didn't take into consideration "drivers' health."... http://www.todaystrucking.com/displayarticle.cfm?ID=3872

INCENTIVES - USA - State offers incentives for Volvo Trucks expansion

Greensboro,NC,USA -Triad Business Journal - 22,mARCH,2005: -- Gov. Mike Easley is offering Volvo Trucks North America Inc. $400,000 in state incentives to expand its headquarters operations in Greensboro and add 150 jobs... Volvo already has about 1,500 workers at its headquarters... The company is planning to invest about $10 million at its Greensboro campus. Guilford County is also pledging $400,000 in incentives for Volvo's expansion in western Greensboro...
http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2005/03/21/daily10.html

HEAVIER LOADS - USA - Plan to allow trucks to haul heavier loads on freeways

Houston Chronicle By BILL HENSEL JR. -March 22, 2005: -- A proposal in the Legislature would allow trucks to haul heavier container loads over some Texas highways... it could lead to fewer truck trips per year, which could reduce air pollution...
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3096553#

TECHNOLOGY – USA - Powering up: the latest in generators and APUs

USA –The Trucker,by Seth Skydel –March 2005: -- Ask most truckers about idling and they’ll tell you it’s a costly but necessary evil. To stay warm or cool during rest periods, and to power the amenities that are meant to make the sleeper as much of a home away from home as possible, there’s often little choice but to keep the engine running… http://www.thetrucker.com/Features/equipment.html

TALLEST ORDER – USA - Minty’s Moving tackles tall order: moving 160-foot-tall elevator

ONANOLE,Manitoba,USA –The Trucker –March 2005: -- No big deal. All Minty’s Moving had to do was move a 160-foot-tall, 280-ton grain elevator 20 miles over a few steep hills with ice on the road. This tall order was taken in stride by Minty’s Moving, an Onanole, Manitoba-based mover, who can now call this completed move a “trophy” move…

SALES – USA - February's new truck sales stall, but better overall

USA – The Trucker – March/2005: -- Class 8 truck sales in February fell slightly behind the pace set in January, but remained well ahead of the total sold at the same time a year ago… Statistics by Ward's Automotive showed that sales dropped 5.9 percent, from 18,257 to 17,184, from January to February. However, the same data reflect a 52 percent increase, from 23,310 during the first two months of 2004 to 35,441 for the same period a year ago… http://www.thetrucker.com/stories/03_05/0311_truck_sales.html

STORY – USA - “You can’t slam the curtains in a truck.”

Cedar Rapids,Iowa,USA –Truck Net -March 17 2005: – Team driving creates a relationship like no other. It’s a way of togetherness that most couples know nothing about. But for Betty and Edward Ewing, it’s perfect. “We just enjoy being together,” Betty says. “For 15 years I sat at home and waited on him, and now I can be with him. Not just be with him, but feel like I am bringing something into it.” … http://www.truck.net/

PRODUCTS – USA - Vehicles are never out of sight of dispatchers.

Birmingham,AL,USA -Birmingham News –17/March/2005: -- ... available through vehicle tracking, sensors can be installed on cargo trailers that ... 1988, 14 heavy steel coils have fallen from flatbed trucks onto Birmingham… http://www.al.com/business/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/business/1111054563212440.xml

FREIGHT - NEPAL - LOWER PRICES, rail-linked dry port underused

Kathmandu,Nepal - Gorkhapatra – 17/March/2005: -- Businessmen are not exporting goods through train from the dry port in Birgunj despite the tariff rate, which is 30 to 40 per cent lower than exporting by trucks… “Cost decreases by 30-40 per cent when transported by train instead by the trucks,” … http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/pageloader.php?file=2005/03/17/topstories/main6

PRODUCTS – USA – “FREIGHTLINER” adds options to business class trucks

USA – eTrucker, by Lance Orr – 16/March/2005: -- Freightliner Trucks’ Business Class M2 V model line will now have the option of a one-piece, heavier-duty bumper… The fourth-of-an-inch thick, solid steel bumper is available in chrome or can be painted and is but one of the line’s new options… http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=46729

PRODUCTS - USA - CARTERPILLAR preparing automatics for vocational trucks

LAS VEGAS,Nev,USA -Fleet Owner (subscription),by Sean Kilcarr - 17,March,2005: -- Caterpillar is developing a complete line of fully automatic, planetary truck transmissions in an effort to create a more integrated powertrain package for the vocational market… The company said it plans to begin production of these transmissions later this year, with availability in 2006, but stressed that they are aimed only at the vocational segment of the truck market, not the Class 8 on-highway arena…. http://fleetowner.com/news/topstory/cat_automatic_vocational_truck_031705/

ECOLOGY - USA - Groups Call for End to Emissions Suit

USA -Forbes/Associated Press -03.21.2005: -- A group of national environmental organizations, nine German environmental groups, on Monday urged German automakers: BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Porsche and Volkswagen, to pull out of a California lawsuit against the U.S. state's proposed stricter clean air regulations, accusing them of double standards... urged the companies to make more environmentally friendly cars, instead of fighting laws that would force them to do so... "It is hypocrisy that the German automobile industry portrays itself as environmentally friendly on the one hand and on the other hand, legally challenges a decisive environmental regulation,"... http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/ap/2005/03/21/ap1895084.html

ENVIROMENTAL ACTIVISM - USA - Union of Concerned Scientists

Fiction vs. Fact: The Auto Alliance's ad is deceptive
USA -UCS/National Journal Congress Daily - March 2005: --
- Q: What is it exactly that makes the Auto Alliance’s Ad “deceptive?” - A: The claim that “Autos manufactured today are virtually emission-free” is simply untrue... They pretend that harmful heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions from new autos do not exist. It is a fact that there are more CO2 emissions coming from today’s autos than there were 20 years ago...
- Q: But what about that “99 percent cleaner than you think” line? - A: If you think cars and light trucks are still a significant part of the pollution problem, then you are right and the automakers’ ad is misleading...
- Q: What other emissions are coming from today’s autos? - A: There are a wide variety of toxics linked to cancer such as formaldehyde, 1-3 butadiene and benzene. If you look at these emissions from a cancer-risk standpoint, there will still be some 350,000 tons of benzene-equivalent emissions from autos as far away as 2020 when the new, Tier 2-compliant cars account for the majority of the vehicle fleet...
- Q: Okay, their ad had some serious misrepresentations, but why did you choose a child holding a cigarette? - A: The Auto Alliance deceptive ad implies their products are clean and healthy for our children. Automakers have not lived up to their responsibility to clean up their products and reduce risks for our children’s health and environment... ** For a full analysis of the advertisement, including sourced footnotes detailing the the analytical process behind each of the above statistics, please go to our fact sheet. http://www.ucsusa.org/general/special_features/page.cfm?pageID=1667

ENVIROMENTAL ACTIVISM - USA - distorted message from Union of Concerned Scientists?

Clearing the Air about Cars and Trucks
Richfield,OH,USA -Tech Central Station,by Robert Balling -21 March 2005: -- The environmental activist group Union of Concerned Scientists has launched an attack on the auto industry blaming it for contributing to smog and "global warming pollution"... IT'S CORRECT: * in noting that a major portion of smog-forming chemicals comes from burning gasoline in our fleet of vehicles...
* that burning fossil fuels in vehicles produces carbon dioxide and indeed, carbon dioxide traps heat and contributes to the greenhouse effect and global warming...
* that carbon dioxide emitted from American vehicles is contributing to global warming...
Scientists throughout the world concede that even if the Kyoto Protocol magically stabilized global emissions to 1990 levels, we would never be able to detect its climate impact. Similarly, the American fleet could totally vanish, and its climate impact would never be detectable... These facts fly in the face of the latest distorted message coming from the Union of Concerned Scientists... http://www.techcentralstation.com/032105F.html

ECOLOGY - USA - Testing Program

Work trucks, other heavies join emissions testing program
WVLT - Knoxville,TN,USA - 21 March 2005: -- Owners of large pickups, some vans and the larger sport utility vehicles will have to have their vehicle exhaust emissions tested, beginning in April in the Nashville area... The state Air Pollution Control Division is requiring the testing in... http://www.volunteertv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3105506

TOLLS - AUSTRALIA - Should target trucks

New South Wales,Australia -Sydney Morning Herald(subscription)-March 21, 2005: -- Federal Transport Minister John Anderson has also said today he would support a toll on trucks using the highway to fund any upgrade for the road... said he was in favour of investigating ways of speeding up the road's upgrade, but not at the expense of local users... http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Pacific-Highway-toll-should-target-trucks-Carr/2005/03/21/1111253927636.html?oneclick=true

SALES – SWEDEN - VOLVO delivers more trucks

Sweden - The Local - 17 March 2005: -- With the demand for automobiles stalling across Europe, the Volvo Group's three truck companies delivered 29% more trucks in January and February this year, compared to the same period last year… Deliveries from Mack rose 70%, while deliveries of Renault Trucks were up 14%: Volvo Trucks deliveries increased 31% during the same period… Deliveries to North America increased substantially… http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=1129&date=20050317

TROUBLES – USA - Driver shortage problems diminishing

USA - Fleet Owner (subscription) - Mar 11 2005: Slowing growth in freight tonnage has given trucking companies a chance to “work off” some of the record driver shortages seen in 2004, according to transportation research firm FTR Associates… predicts that driver shortages will diminish, ending 2005 with a shortfall of 33,000 drivers, just over a tenth of the estimated cumulative shortage of 300,000 during 2003/2004. However, an upturn in freight demand would reverse this trend, FTR noted… http://fleetowner.com/news/driver_shortage_truck_031105/

PRODUCTS – USA - Versatile Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)

LAS VEGAS,Nev,USA -Fleet Owner (subscription),by Sean Kilcarr - 15,March,2005: -- With Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) gaining momentum in a wide range of businesses, including trucking, one provider is touting the technology’s “flexibility” as a key advantage. “The ability to better manage phone calls is really getting the attention of businesses,” Jerry Cady, president & COO of McLean, VA-based VOIP provider iCore, told… VOIP basically allows companies to get phone service via the Internet rather than via traditional phone lines-- and typically at a lower cost. A company with a T-1 dedicated Internet line can easily switch to a VOIP network… http://fleetowner.com/news/voip_icore_031505/

PRODUCTS – USA – KENWORTH showcases the T300 medium-duty work truck

LAS VEGAS,Nev,USA -Fleet Owner (subscription),by Sean Kilcarr - 16,March,2005: -- Kenworth Truck Company displayed three T300s at the recent Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, including a stake bed, van body and tanker truck. According to the OEM, the medium-duty conventional model has become a popular choice with customers because of its quality, durability and reliability, and low operating costs… The truck is available in Class 6 or 7 configurations, either as a straight truck or tractor with a variety of wheelbases and air or hydraulic brakes… http://fleetowner.com/news/kenworth_t300_medium_duty_truck_031605/

PRODUCTS – USA – “INTERNATIONAL” adds options, upgrades

LAS VEGAS,Nev,USA -Fleet Owner (subscription),by Sean Kilcarr - 16,March,2005: -- International Truck and Engine Corp. announced a range of new options and upgrades to its vocational product line to better meet the needs of the construction market, said… First, International is adding a sleeper cab option to its 5900i so drivers can have extra cab room for rest periods during those long days at the job site. The sleeper cab option offers 58 inches of floor-to-ceiling height, 70 inches of shoulder room and 18 inches of belly room, along with a large wraparound windshield and an optional larger rear window for increased job site visibility… Caterpillar Acert engines are also now… http://fleetowner.com/news/international_sleeper_dump_option_031605/

PRODUCTS - USA - Not only prices, yes right specifications

LAS VEGAS,Nev,USA -Fleet Owner (subscription),by Sean Kilcarr - 17,March,2005: -- While fleets in other trucking segments focus on fuel economy or price as their top concern when buying equipment, the typical construction truck buyer focuses more on vehicle specs, according to industry suppliers… “The number one goal of the construction truck buyer is that they want a truck specified right for the job,” said director of vocational product marketing for Kenworth Trucks… “They want to make sure they have the right axle capacity, frame rail strength, suspension package, transmission, rear axle ratio, etc., so that truck can handle the job it’s expected to without problems.” … http://fleetowner.com/news/spec_vocational_truck_031705/

PRODUCTS – USA – PETERBILT unveils new model options

LAS VEGAS,Nev,USA -Fleet Owner (subscription),by Sean Kilcarr - 17,March,2005: -- Peterbilt Motors Co. unveiled two new options for its Model 357 chassis – a 115-in. BBC set-back front axle configuration designed for concrete mixers and a heavy-haul configuration equipped with a high-capacity cooling system and 625-hp C-15 Caterpillar engine option… http://fleetowner.com/news/peterbilt_model_357_chassis_031705/

SALES – USA - OEMs bullish on construction boom

LAS VEGAS,Nev,USA -Fleet Owner (subscription),by Sean Kilcarr - 16,March,2005: -- Truck and equipment suppliers believe the strong growth witnessed in the construction market over the past year is going to continue well into 2005 and even into 2006... “We’re very bullish on construction truck sales for the next two years,” Paul Vikner, president and CEO of Mack Trucks, told… “Whether you’re looking at fleets or the small guys, we’re very optimistic about continued strong truck sales in this market.” ... http://fleetowner.com/news/topstory/construction_oulook_031605/

EARNINGS - USA - GM Revises Earnings Outlook

DETROIT,MICH,USA -I-Newswire.com(press release) –20 March 2005: -- General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) said today that it is revising its first-quarter and calendar-year earnings guidance to reflect lower North American sales and production volumes, a tougher pricing environment, and a more car-based sales mix. At the same time, GM's other automotive regions and GMAC are all on track to meet or beat their 2005 net income targets... Fiat Settlement Charge Included in 2004 Results... GM will book an after-tax charge of $886 million, or $1.56 per fully diluted share, for the settlement agreement with Fiat S.p.A... http://i-newswire.com/pr11239.html

FIGHT AGAINST BUREAUCRATS - NEW ZEALAND

Truckers vow to fight fees
USA - I-Newswire.com,by TIM HUNTER -20 March 2005: -- A showdown is brewing between truckers and bureaucrats over road user licence fees... Trucking firms say a Land Transport NZ crackdown on overweight logging trucks is a cynical revenue grab, and several plan to fight the government department in the courts... http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3222919a13,00.html

SALES - USA - FORD names Grande the top dealer for medium-duty trucks

San Antonio,TX,USA -San Antonio Business Journal -March 18 2005: --
Grande Truck Center sold more Ford F650 and F750 commercial, medium-duty trucks than any other dealership in the United States last year, according to Ford Motor Co... Grande officials in San Antonio declined to reveal the number of trucks actually sold in Texas or year-end sales figures... http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2005/03/14/daily39.html

PRODUCTION - RUSSIA - KAMAZ' second truck assembly plant in Vietnam

Bromsgrove,Worcs,UK -just-auto.com(subscription)/Prime-Tass -18 Mar 2005: -- Kamaz plans to launch its second assembly plant in Vietnam, citing Russia's largest heavy truck manufacturer’s general director Sergei Kokogin... The vehicles will be assembled in Vietnam's Chu Lai free economic zone and annual capacity is projected at 5,000 trucks... http://www.just-auto.com/news_detail.asp?art=47512

TECHNOLOGY - USA - Firefighters to get laptops in fire trucks

Framingham,MA,USA -MetroWest Daily News -19 March 2005: --... Chief Thomas Keough said the money will be used to install mobile data terminals, or wireless laptop computers, in the department's 10 fire trucks and five... http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=93475

USA - Trucks Rule! Not Anymore, DOT Says

New Rules Set To Take Effect
Miami,FL,USA -NBC6.net -March 18, 2005: -- South Florida driving is often a race for space between commuters and truckers, including 18-wheelers and gravel trucks... http://www.nbc6.net/traffic/4297014/detail.html

STORY - USA - Eighteen wheeler at 90º ??

Worth,IL,USA - VHeadline.com -March 20 2005: -- ... What struck and truly amazed me was how the driver had finessed his eighteen wheeler between the row of the gas pumps and the entrance to the store.
You see the back end of the rig was perfectly perpendicular to the front doors (with less than 6 inches between the back tires and the curb) and the cab was at a perfect right angle to the cargo hold at the front end (with about 12 inches separating the cab side from the pump islands)... http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=27860

CONGESTIONS - USA - Overpass project will ease traffic

Long Beach,CA,USA -Long Beach Press/Telegram,by Eric Johnson -17 March 2005: -- Port of Long Beach and state transportation officials broke ground Thursday on a $63.5 million project that they say will ease traffic congestion on Terminal Island and reduce pollution from cargo container-hauling trucks... also estimate the new project will cut traffic delays by 5,600 vehicle-hours, fuel consumption by 9,300 gallons and air pollution by 350 tons a day... http://www.presstelegram.com/Stories/0,1413,204~21478~2768823,00.html

SOUTH AFRICA - MURDER & Not more culpable homicide

Johanesburg,South Africa -The Mercury/Independent Online,by Carvin Goldstone -March 16 2005: -- Charges of murder could be brought against drunken drivers who kill people in accidents -instead of the lesser charge of culpable homicide- if Bheki Cele has his way... http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20050316065241630C787382

SECURITY - USA - White House Releases 2006 Border Protection Budget

Promises 4.8% Increase; But only 210 New Border Agents to Be Hired
Michigan,USA -MichNews.com,by Jim Kouri -Mar 16, 2005: -- President Bush’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 budget claims to recognize border security as a top priority. Accordingly, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will receive nearly a 4.8% budget increase -- one of the highest in government. Specifically, the FY 2006 budget for CBP totals $6.7 billion, including... http://www.michnews.com/artman/publish/article_7270.shtml

CONGESTIONS - USA - Clogged railways, roads will threaten system as volume grows

Long Beach,CA,USA -Long Beach Press-Telegram,by Eric Johnson - March 15 2005: -- ... During the peak of the ports' congestion crisis in fall 2004, with holiday cargo arriving en masse from Asia, those same shippers needed 38,000 shifts a week... Roughly 6.5million 40-foot-long containers arrived at the ports, and half those boxes were sent to destinations outside of Southern California... With projections of a 12 to 15 percent increase in cargo volume this year ... "What will be the crisis this year?"... The overwhelming response? Infrastructure, as in clogged roads, lack of rail capacity and lack of trucks... http://www.presstelegram.com/Stories/0,1413,204~21478~2763889,00.html

ECOLOGY - USA - Legislation introduce renewable fuel

ST. LOUIS,Miss,USA - PRNewswire -March 11 2005: -- The National Corn Growers Association applauded introduction of legislation that establishes a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) requiring 6 billion gallons of renewable fuels be blended into the nation's fuel supply annually by 2012. The measure would significantly increase the contribution of ethanol and biodiesel to the U.S. fuel supply... http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m-news+article+storyid-7699.html

ECOLOGY - USA - Geologists Explore Link Between Human Action and Landscape Change

Vermont,NE,USA -Patriot -March 14 2005: -- Ever since we began clearing valleys and slopes for agriculture more than 9,000 years ago, people have been altering landscapes. In the cover article of the April-May issue of GSA Today, geologists affiliated with the University of Vermont (UVM) explored the link between human actions and landscape and found some good news and some bad news... http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m-news+article+storyid-7918.html

FUEL EFFICIENCY - USA - Calculator Shows Potential Consumer Savings at Pump

DETROIT,MI,USA -Patriot -2005/3/16: -- Results For America (RFA), will launch a new calculator at http://www.40mpg.org/ showing how much Americans could save at the gas pumps -- in terms of dollars, reduced Middle Eastern oil dependency and lowered pollution -- by driving vehicles equipped with the best-available technology to achieve 40 mpg fuel efficiency... http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m-news+article+storyid-7994.html

RISING GAS PRICES - USA - Affect Vehicle Purchase Decisions

IRVINE,Cal,USA -PRNewswire -March 16 2005: -- Gas prices in the U.S. are climbing steadily again with the national average already more than $2.00 a gallon... A recent study indicated that 41 percent of in-market car buyers have either changed their minds or are thinking strongly about vehicles they normally wouldn't consider due to high gas prices. And in February 2005... http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m-news+article+storyid-8090.html

SECURITY BORDER - USA - Mexican Officials Open Remodeled Port of Entry

Updated facility will provide better border security
Taeby,NA,Sweden -All American Patriots -15 March 2005: -- An updated Tecate port of entry in eastern San Diego County was officially opened March 11 by U.S. and Mexican officials, according to the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (BCP) agency. The remodeled port of entry, features high-technology tools such as License Plate Readers, Radiation Portal Monitors and Gamma Ray inspections systems that will enhance border security ... http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m-news+article+storyid-8040-PHPSESSID-358883d53b2d71d7e1e74bc89f8ca50d.html

SALES - USA - NAVISTAR gets Army contract for trucks

USA -BusinessWeek -MAR, 8,2005: -- Navistar International Corp., a maker of heavy duty trucks, said Tuesday that it won an Army contract for more than 2,700 vehicles to be used by the Afghanistan National Army...
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D88MT84O0.htm?campaign_id=apn_home_down

LAWS - USA - Will Heavier Trucks Be Allowed On Kentucky Roads?

Lexington,KY,USA -WKYT -March 3, 2005: -- Kentucky lawmakers continue to talk about changing laws for trucks, allowing more semis to carry loads up to 60 tons... Currently only coal trucks are allowed to carry that much weight... http://www.wkyt.com/Global/story.asp?S=3020093

SALES - USA - Ford's Feb. US Sales Fall; Chrysler, Toyota Rise

USA -Bloomberg -March,1,2005: -- Ford's sales declined 2.9 percent, including an increase of 7.5 percent for cars and a drop of 8 percent for trucks... DaimlerChrysler's sales, including Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz vehicles, rose 5.5 percent. Toyota's sales rose 12 percent, and Nissan's increased 10 percent... http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000006&sid=aU25ZvZDt66s&refer=home

BLOCKEDS - POLISH - Computer glitch blocks hundreds of trucks at Polish-Ukrainian border

Dawsonville,GA,USA -Designerz.com/AFP -1st,March,2005: --Warsaw, Polish: ... A computer glitch at Ukraine's customs systems has blocked hundreds of trucks at the Polish-Ukrainian border with some drivers facing a 34-hour wait, Polish ... http://weird-news.news.designerz.com/computer-glitch-blocks-hundreds-of-trucks-at-polish-ukrainian-border.html?d20050301

TROUBLES - JAPAN - ISUZU tested new trucks illegally

Tokyo,Japan -Daily Yomiuri -March,1,2005 -As part of the process of developing new trucks, the company, based in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, manufactured trucks with prototype engines that may not have met ... http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20050302wo23.htm

TRUCK SHORTAGE in USA ?

Oregon growers lack transport because of truck shortage
SALEM,Ore,USA -ASSOCIATED PRESS -Feb,28,2005: -- The Oregon nursery industry's season is about to move into full swing, but uncertainty is looming in the face of a nationwide truck shortage. The tight supply of trucks and drivers has led to shipping delays, which in turn makes for unhappy customers... http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/213823_truck28.html

PRODUCTION - IRAN - Aras Khodro Diesel to manufacture five types of trucks

Tehran,Iran -MehrNews.com -27/Feb/2005: ... Meanwhile, it will help the government save some $300 million that is now being spent on importing trucks and parts. To begin the ...
http://www.mehrnews.ir/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=161237

CZECH - EUROPE - Roads heave under the weight of trucks

Praga,Czech -EUbusiness/UK -26/02/2005: -- Situated at Europe's crossroads between east and west and north and south, the Czech Republic has been weighed down with an unprecedented rise in truck traffic since it joined the European Union last May... "Some 13,500 were registered in April 2004 (just before the country's EU accession) on the Czech-German route border point at Rozvadov/Waidhaus, compared to around 70,000 trucks on the same road per month during the last months of the year,"... http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/050227033330.r5sj5nzr

NAFTA TROUBLES - USA - Mexican trucks: 'Sovereignty' vs. safety

Pittsburgh,PA,USA -Pittsburgh Tribune/Review -Feb, 26, 2005: -- Before 9/11, Mexican long-haul truckers were banned in the United States. After 9/11 and amid renewed questions about truck inspections and safety, it's argued that Mexico's 18-wheelers should be free to travel anywhere north of the border... http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/opinion/archive/s_307156.html

ECOLOGY - USA - Enviro groups take aim at big trucks

Albany,GA,USA -WALB-TV -March 14,2005 -- Environmental groups are pressuring Washington to make truckers retrofit their older engines so they run cleaner... says more than 20,000 Americans die prematurely every year because of emissions from old diesel engines. But the cost to you could be staggering, and truckers have mixed feelings because of the costs... http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=2994914&nav=5kZQWnun

INVESTMENTS - USA - State should develop ports and railroads

Goldsboro,NC,USA -Goldsboro News Argus -March,4,2005: -- North Carolina is missing out on billions of dollars by failing to develop its ports and railroad system, a logistics expert told Wayne County transportation officials Thurs-day... "We need to create a new container port or just put out a 'Do Not Ship' sign in North Carolina,"... http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2005/03/04/state_should_develop_ports_and_railroads_says_logistics_expert/index.shtml

TECHNOLOGY - USA - Transportation projects planneds

CA,USA -CalTrade Report -March,4,2005: ...The terminal will allow trucks loaded with cargo containers from ships to travel just a short distance... to destinations in the US Midwest and Southeast... and "will eliminate millions of truck miles annually from the 710 (Long Beach) Freeway while allowing truck drivers to make shorter and more frequent trips; create approximately 800 to 1,000 new jobs..."
http://www.caltradereport.com/eWebPages/front-page-1109916988.html

REGULATIONS - USA - State doesn't require covers on all trucks

Cargo must be secure, and fines can be steep if something falls off.
Allentown,PA,USA -Allentown Morning Call -March,4,2005: -- ... Many of the truck drivers do not have their loads covered, which causes a very hazardous situation. Many times stones or other debris will fall out, causing broken windshields or limited visibility...
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b5_5warriormar04,0,7818438.story?coll=all-newslocal-hed

THREATS - NIGERIA - Transporters Threaten to Withdraw Vehicles

Lagos,Nigeria -Daily Champion,by Rasheed Bisiriyu/AllAfrica.com -March,3,2005: -- TRANSPORT operators yesterday threatened to withdraw vehicles from roads nationwide in the next two weeks if government failed to approve their plan to increase freight rate on wet cargo by 100 per cent... Wet cargo refers to goods such as fuel and sundry materials...
http://allafrica.com/stories/200503030742.html

CONGESTIONS - USA - Congested ports warning for US importers

Los Angeles,Cal,USA -Financial Times/UK,by Andrew Ward -March,2,2005: ... US importers can expect another year of supply bottlenecks and rising supply-chain costs because of congestion in west coast ports, transport industry executives and analysts have warned...
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/ee966248-8b55-11d9-ae03-00000e2511c8.html

ALLIANCES - USA - Trimble and AmeriQuest to Form Distribution Alliance for Mobile Asset Tracking

SUNNYVALE,Calif,USA -PRNewswire-FirstCall -28,feb,2005: -- Trimble Mobile Solutions, Inc., has signed a memorandum of understanding to form a distribution alliance with AmeriQuest Transportation and Logistics Resources Corporation. The companies will offer low-cost asset tracking and security solutions... a palm-sized, battery-operated device that enables fleet operators to locate cargo, trailers, heavy equipment, and other high value assets via the Internet...
http://www.mysan.de/article44413.html

CONGESTIONS - USA - Port boom, population growth, and NAFTA, lead to increasing number of 18 wheelers

Escondido,CA,USA -North County Times,by:MARK WALKER - Feb,26,2005: --They're the behemoths of the highway, and more are coming. More are coming from the north as Los Angeles-area ports boom ... More are coming from the south as restrictions on trucks from Mexico are eased... more are coming to fuel, feed and generally fortify the county's continuing population growth...
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/02/27/news/top_stories/22_36_032_26_05.txt

INTERNET CARGO - USA - Whiz-kid trucker

Memphis,TN,USA -commercialappeal.com(subscription)-26,feb,2005: ... Like more and more firms, his also relies on Web sites such as InternetTruckstop.com to quickly locate cargo companies that are seeking trucks...
http://reg.commercialappeal.com/mca/web/loginForm?from=www.commercialappeal.com/mca/business/article/0,1426,MCA_440_3577334,00.html

PRODUCTS - UK - TNT Express adds Eurocargos

UK -Transport News Network - 11,March,2005: -- TNT Express, the world-wide parcel distribution company has just taken delivery of 35 low chassis Iveco Eurocargos, each of which has been engineered exclusively for multi-drop urban distribution...
http://www.tnn.co.uk/IndustryNews/plonearticle.2005-03-11.8292593694

LAWS - USA - EPA Workshops Aim to Streamline Nation's Idling Laws for Trucks

Cleveland,OH,USA -Occupational Hazards -03/11/2005: --Drivers of big rigs deal with big-time safety obstacles everyday, from loading dock hazards to heavy lifting to difficult driving conditions. Now EPA is trying to mitigate one obstacle that drivers have been dealing with for years: the inconsistent patchwork of anti-idling laws across the country...
http://www.occupationalhazards.com/articles/13091

TECHNOLOGY - USA - Detecting The Unseen With Natural Probes

WASHINGTON DC,USA -Science Daily -2005-03-10: --Earth is showered constantly by particles called muons that are created by cosmic rays, and clever scientists are finding ways to use them as probes of dense objects, including ... to detect smuggled nuclear materials in vehicles and cargo containers...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050223152638.htm

RATES - INDIA - Freight rates decline

New Delhi,INDIA - Business India -Mar,10.2005: -- Freight charges for the nine metric tonne payload dropped on the local truck transport market today following restricted cargo movements against easy availability of trucks... easy availablity of trucks mainly pulled down freight rates...
http://www.newkerala.com/news-daily/news/features.php?action=fullnews&id=83389

CONTRACTS - USA - NAVISTAR wins $467 million Army truck order

Chicago,IL,USA -Chicago Daily Herald -3/9/2005: -- Navistar International Corp., said it won an Army order valued as $467 million to supply trucks for use in rebuilding Afghanistan... The three-year contract calls for as many as 2,781 vehicles...
http://www.dailyherald.com/search/main_story.asp?intid=38420157

SAFETY - USA - Trucking means safety first

Manteca,CA,USA -Manteca Bulletin - March,8,2005: ... "People shouldn't cut trucks off," said Mahmood of the tendency of many drivers to cut quickly in front of trucks and then hitting the brakes in heavy traffic to squeeze out a second or two advantage. "It's dangerous." ...
http://www.mantecabulletin.com/articles/2005/03/08/news/news3.txt

CONGESTIONS - USA - No end in sight to cargo congestion

Long Beach,CA,USA -Long Beach Press/Telegram -March,6,2005: ...The crush of newer, larger container ships that arrived from China and other parts of Asia, left shipments stranded for as many as nine days outside the ports' breakwater... Rising costs to operate trucks have priced many of the estimated 10,000 port truckers out of the industry...
http://www.presstelegram.com/Stories/0,1413,204~21478~2748115,00.html

PRODUCTS - USA - Durakon to Provide Cargo Covers and Side Storage Boxes for Chevrolet

Renewal of Contract Reaffirms Durakon's Value to GM Trucks
LAPEER,Mich,USA -PRNewswire -March,7,2005: -- Durakon Industries, announced that General Motors awarded Durakon as the exclusive supplier of twin-sheet, thermoformed cargo cover systems and side storage boxes for ...
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/03-07-2005/0003154214&EDATE=

COMPARISONS - USA - Frugality for the long haul

Pontiac,MI,USA -Oakland Press -March 6, 2005: ... A diesel will outlast a gas engine four times over, with proper maintenance. A million miles on a diesel cargo truck is not a big deal. In this new era of trying to save a few bucks on fuel... Battery-powered vehicles that ... Gas and electric (hybrids) are getting ... to be desired if you actually enjoy the experience of driving...
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/030605/bus_20050306021.shtml

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Mar 30, 2005