GLG News by Construction Equipment Experts (US)

European nations have used taxes and tolls to 'optimize' truck freight tonnage and reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.  With an aggressive environmental agenda the new US government may seek to harmonize domestic standards with the Europeans. 

ABF Freight said in a recent press conference that they will only buy Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) technology for 2010. All US manufacturers will be going with SCR with the exception of Navistar. They are utilizing advanced Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) along with emissions trading. In the world...

The problem with Detroit is arrogance and know it all..for years now the leadership at Detroit three auto makers insisted on not briniging new and fresh blood from the outside..you do not the autombile industry , you are no good. Yet there are  tremendous talents out there that can can help...

Overall truck production is down due to significant slowing in the economy and an uncertain future. The lack of available credit is also multiplying the effect of the economy. Until the economy improves I do not expect truck production to improve.

Truck registrations are important to contrast against freight predictions for planning purposes by shippers, transport companies, industry suppliers, investors and other interested parties. These numbers tell how the trucking companies are planning for the near future. Last month, we authored an article...

Capacity shutdowns by Dow and BASF will pressure smaller players to rationalize their own operations.  If liquidity is insufficient to weather an extended downturn consolidation of global capacity is likely; voluntary or not. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 are down about 40% from a year ago. The Dow Transports are down 25%. In spite of this, there are some transport companies doing OK as noted in the source article - and deserve some comments as to why - and cautions….

The Mexican cross-border pilot program is slipping into nowhere land - and it will continue to cost us money. Nobody says much about the program with our number one trading partner - Canada. They certainly do about our number two partner - Mexico. But it is not about business - it’s politics!

Falling oil prices have not led to price relief from major chemical and plastics producers.  Consumers will continue to see higher prices on everyday goods from diapers to toothpaste and toilet paper.

Heavy Duty diesel truck engines must meet stringent EPA NOx emissions standards in 2010.  Solutions include SCR catalysts and/or high EGR rates.  The tradeoffs in performance and fuel economy may define market share among the major engine makers.