• Event being held today in San Francisco to celebrate environmental achievements will include California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee
• San Francisco taxis have reduced gas use by 2.9 million gallons per year and lowered greenhouse gas emissions by 35,000 tons annually since 2008; Ford vehicles powered by alternative energy account for 67 percent of the city’s taxi fleet
• Ford’s transformed lineup includes Transit Connect Taxi – which can be powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied propane gas (LPG) – and the all-new Fusion Hybrid
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 8, 2012 – Ford’s role in helping San Francisco become what some call the “Greenest Taxi City in America” is being celebrated today as part of an event highlighting the city’s success in reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee are among those celebrating San Francisco’s success in meeting the guidelines since the Green Taxi Law went into effect three years ago.
Among other things, the law calls for gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced 20 percent by 2012 with 1990 as the baseline year. Today, Ford vehicles account for 67 percent of San Francisco’s green fleet.
“When I announced this goal, many people didn’t think it could be done,” said Newsom. “The clean taxi program has shown that aggressive action is possible at the local level to make major reductions in carbon emissions, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate a new green economy. Now we are here today recognizing San Francisco as the ‘Greenest Taxi City in America.’”
Since 2008, San Francisco taxis have reduced gas consumption by 2.9 million gallons per year and lowered greenhouse gas emissions by 35,000 tons annually.
“Ford is proud to be part of such a marked increase in fuel efficiency,” said Gerald Koss, Ford’s fleet marketing manager. “We expect to see more improvements as we continue to introduce more alternative-fuel vehicles and expand the power of choice to the taxi industry.”
CNG-powered Transit Connect Taxis, for example, are available and soon will hit the streets of San Francisco. CNG-powered Transit Connect Taxis are being used in other parts of the country as well, servicing places such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas and St. Louis.
The standard Ford Transit Connect – 2010 North American Truck of the Year – features a 2.0-liter I-4 engine that gets 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, an estimated 30 percent improvement in fuel economy compared with traditional taxis.
The estimated fuel economy of a CNG-powered Transit Connect Taxi is the same as the standard gasoline version. However, operating costs are lower because the cost of a gasoline gallon equivalent of CNG is roughly half the cost of a gallon of regular gasoline. In addition to CNG, Transit Connect Taxi is available with an engine preparation package for conversion to liquefied propane gas (LPG).
CNG-powered Transit Connect Taxis aren’t the only options available to replace the outgoing Escape Hybrid. The all-new Fusion Hybrid, for example, provides an anticipated 6 more miles per gallon than the existing Fusion Hybrid.
If past performance is any indication of future results, Paul Gillespie, taxi driver and former Taxi Commission president, said he is excited.
“Cutting global carbon dioxide emissions is one of the most crucial issues of our time, and the San Francisco taxi experience has shown that taking aggressive, collaborative action at the local level can be both profitable and effective,” said Gillespie.
Lee said that the city’s fleet, led by vehicles like the Fusion Hybrid and outgoing Escape Hybrid, has set a powerful example for others to follow.
“San Francisco’s clean taxi program has exceeded all expectations,” said Lee. “San Francisco taxicabs are the cleanest in the U.S. and a model to other taxi fleets around the world.”
2/12/12
Hackney - Shelves & Bins
We are going to talk about the super truck shelving and bin system. The topics we'll discuss will be a walk-thru description of the super truck inventory concept, how to remove and adjust the shelves, and how to correctly assemble the plastic trays. All of these topics are aimed at helping you get the maximum benefit from the shelving and bin system in your trucks.
www.hackneyservice.com
2/11/12
Knapheide KDB Dump Body at Casper's Truck Equipment
Three Knapheide KDB dump bodies at Casper's Truck Equipment. These dump bodies feature a quick-release tailgate, removeable front bulkhead/cabguard, a cross-memberless western understructure, an underbody scissor hoist, slammable fold down sides and a Daigle Hot Patch with shovel platform. These will be used by a local municipality. Feel free to contact us for more information.
http://www.casperstruck.com
Casper's Truck Equipment
700 Randolph Drive
Appleton, WI 54913
877-422-7737
920-687-1111
2/10/12
ELOQUIP ALUMINUM TRUCK BODIES
ELOQUIP has been one of Canada's premier manufacturers of custom aluminum truck bodies for over 25 years. www.eloquip.com
2/09/12
Advice for New Snow Contractors - Look at Used Snowplows First, Then Buy New! – by Steve Taylor
I have previously written about how to choose from the multitude of Snow Plow brands. See my CTS Blog at http://www.ctsblog.net/2011/10/how-to-choose-snow-plow-for-your-light.html
When a snow removal contractor is starting out in business, they want to choose the best equipment for their needs. They want products that are durable and reliable and will hold up to the rigors of heavy snow and ice, storm after storm and year after year.
I have recommended researching a variety of plows as well as a number of dealers and distributors. But there are other important steps and methods for making a good choice. Remember that when you make a product choice, you are deciding on a brand that should grow with you as your company grows. That would mean that you want a product that will become part of your identity that looks the same on all your future trucks. Let’s say you choose red trucks and yellow plows; that is the color scheme that will come to identify your company. While color should not influence your decisions about durability/ reliability, it just points out the importance of choosing the right brand for you.
But further than color and style, choose a manufacturer that offers a wide range of different models, straight, V-Plows, extensions and possibly extendable blade plows, etc.
Talk with other contractors. The may be may be in your present circle of contacts or maybe you will have to reach out to a geographical area where contractors will not feel uncomfortable about giving up information to the competition. After all, if you ask someone who is, or will be your competition, are they always going to give up information that will help you make a good decision?
Also read comments about specific brands on the Plowsite.com. If you see more than one complaint on the same issue, go out and talk with users of the same product model and get their feedback.
Sure, go ahead and collect product brochures, but take extra steps to investigate products and their history. The brochures are designed to sell the product and are not going to point out any possible product weaknesses or problems.
I know there are some new brands and new models out there, but if you are just starting out in business, my advice is don’t add choosing one of these new products to the list of obstacles that you may have to overcome. Choose products that have been around a while. New model products often have early failures not anticipated in the testing lab, problems that show up when they are put to use in the field.
But take it a step further; take a close look at all the used equipment. Ask other contractors their product experience; why they prefer their equipment, ask them what they have had to repair. Also ask how they were handled by the local plow distributor. Ask if it was covered under warranty. Ask to take a close look at their equipment. And understand that often there is evidence of weak product, especially when it is worked hard. Often there are cracks and or rust in the paint where the structural components have been overstressed. Consider these weak points, even though it has not broken it may fail in the future. If you see this same condition in more than one unit, consider this a chronic problem with this brand or model.
Take a close at lots of plows; look at damage or evidence of bending.
(This photo is an extreme condition and may not reflect any normal condition in the field)
So before you buy, read the social media comments, meet face to face with other contractors and talk with your local plow distributors and truck dealers. Be an informed buyer.
Guest post by Steve Taylor. Steve is a consultant in the Truck Equipment business with over 30 years in the snowplow and truck body manufacturing business. He specializes in the design and quality/reliability field and may be reached by email at steve@truckarchitect.com. You may visit his website at http://www.truckarchitect.com/.
When a snow removal contractor is starting out in business, they want to choose the best equipment for their needs. They want products that are durable and reliable and will hold up to the rigors of heavy snow and ice, storm after storm and year after year.
I have recommended researching a variety of plows as well as a number of dealers and distributors. But there are other important steps and methods for making a good choice. Remember that when you make a product choice, you are deciding on a brand that should grow with you as your company grows. That would mean that you want a product that will become part of your identity that looks the same on all your future trucks. Let’s say you choose red trucks and yellow plows; that is the color scheme that will come to identify your company. While color should not influence your decisions about durability/ reliability, it just points out the importance of choosing the right brand for you.
But further than color and style, choose a manufacturer that offers a wide range of different models, straight, V-Plows, extensions and possibly extendable blade plows, etc.
Talk with other contractors. The may be may be in your present circle of contacts or maybe you will have to reach out to a geographical area where contractors will not feel uncomfortable about giving up information to the competition. After all, if you ask someone who is, or will be your competition, are they always going to give up information that will help you make a good decision?
Also read comments about specific brands on the Plowsite.com. If you see more than one complaint on the same issue, go out and talk with users of the same product model and get their feedback.
Sure, go ahead and collect product brochures, but take extra steps to investigate products and their history. The brochures are designed to sell the product and are not going to point out any possible product weaknesses or problems.
I know there are some new brands and new models out there, but if you are just starting out in business, my advice is don’t add choosing one of these new products to the list of obstacles that you may have to overcome. Choose products that have been around a while. New model products often have early failures not anticipated in the testing lab, problems that show up when they are put to use in the field.
But take it a step further; take a close look at all the used equipment. Ask other contractors their product experience; why they prefer their equipment, ask them what they have had to repair. Also ask how they were handled by the local plow distributor. Ask if it was covered under warranty. Ask to take a close look at their equipment. And understand that often there is evidence of weak product, especially when it is worked hard. Often there are cracks and or rust in the paint where the structural components have been overstressed. Consider these weak points, even though it has not broken it may fail in the future. If you see this same condition in more than one unit, consider this a chronic problem with this brand or model.
Take a close at lots of plows; look at damage or evidence of bending.
(This photo is an extreme condition and may not reflect any normal condition in the field)
So before you buy, read the social media comments, meet face to face with other contractors and talk with your local plow distributors and truck dealers. Be an informed buyer.
Guest post by Steve Taylor. Steve is a consultant in the Truck Equipment business with over 30 years in the snowplow and truck body manufacturing business. He specializes in the design and quality/reliability field and may be reached by email at steve@truckarchitect.com. You may visit his website at http://www.truckarchitect.com/.
2/08/12
The Trucks of V8 Supercars
An inside look at the prime movers and trailers that transport the V8 Supercar Series around Australia, including the UD Trucks that haul the Toll Holden Racing Team and Bundaberg Racing.
2/07/12
Sweet Combo Body By Harbor Is Looker And Worker
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Kimberly at Harbor Truck Bodies sent us some photos of a recent job building a very sweet 14' ComboMaster/Welder Body on a GM chassis. The ComboMaster is a service body where the last compartment on the rear is removed and a 36" platform extension is installed instead, creating a great work platform at part of the body and the platform is a great work height as well. This work platform section also sports optional small storage cabinets. It is also a Welder Body in that this one has a raised front streetside compartment with bottle brackets and rings.
In addition, this body has a substantial amount of HD drawers in two compartments, work lights attached on the HD forklift loadable rack with multiple cross members. Other unique features are the combination of closed top compartments and open top compartments with the standard Stainless Steel lids. This allows for compressors, or other machines and items to be mounted on top of the compartments toward the rear to further work on the job site. This job also includes a full spray on coating in the bed area. Also notice the unique design of the HD rack at the rear so that there are no posts coming down to interrupt the work area, yet allows for a full length rack for material. Not only is it functional, it is great looking too. Last, we have short contractor style fold-down gates around the work platform and a class IV receiver and trailer plug.
See more from Harbor Truck Bodies at www.htbi.net, or call Kimberly at 800-433-9452
2/06/12
F3 Farrier Trailer - Purdybilt's Farrier Options
Join Dr. Esco Buff, member of the Horseshoeing Hall of fame, inside PurdyBilt's F3 Farrier trailer as he discusses many of the options available for farriers who choose a PurdyBilt unit!
See more about PurdyBilt at http://purdybilt.com/home.php
2/05/12
The MTE Vegetation Body by Monroe Truck Equipment Inc
This unit is used on right-of-way areas to help reduce or eliminate invasive weed areas, brushy under growth and minimize mowing duties. The unit features a 25 foot multi-zone spray swath with ability to spray multiple chemicals in one pass. An optional ground speed programmable control with GPS record keeping features is available.
This unit lends itself to D.O.T. departments, municipalities and private weed control companies, to name a few.
For more information, contact Monroe Truck Equipment, 800-356-8134 or visit them online at www.monroetruck.com.
Monroe Truck Equipment
1051 W. 7th Street
Monroe, WI 53566
2/04/12
Mercedes Tasty Delivery Van: Citan
■ New van series to boost sales
■ Citan – a new name that combines the words “city” and “titan”
■ Vehicle developed strictly in line with customer requirements
■ Mercedes-Benz quality standards were fulfilled in all areas
■ Public debut planned for the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show next September
Stuttgart/Sindelfingen – Mercedes-Benz’ new urban delivery van is called Citan. The name was revealed today during a symposium on brand competence and city logistics, which was held at the Mercedes-Benz Design Center in Sindelfingen. The name Citan combines the words “city” and “titan,” thus making it clear that the vehicle is a first-rate specialist for city logistics — one that was specifically developed to meet the tough challenges faced in day-to-day operations.
New van series to boost sales
With the introduction of the new urban delivery vehicle, Mercedes-Benz is adding another production series to its family of vans. The Citan is supplementing the Vario (6.0 to 8.2 tons), Sprinter (3.0 to 5.0 tons), and Vito (2.77 to 3.2 tons) to broaden the range of products in the lower weight classes of the van market, where it will significantly boost sales.
Whereas the small vans segment was still a niche market in the mid-1990s, it has now grown to around 700,000 units in Europe. Mercedes-Benz Vans plans to gain a market share of four to five percent in this segment. Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, is convinced that the Citan will be a big success. “We will take advantage of the trend toward city vans, which our brand will be able to exploit thanks to its attractively priced vehicles and the high quality of our products and services,” says Mornhinweg. “Our typical Mercedes-Benz reliability, 24/7 service, and, last but not least, our great brand image are key selling points as far as our commercial customers are concerned.”
Due to its large number of variants, the new urban delivery van with the star is suited for a broad range of commercial applications. Not only will the Citan be offered as a panel van, a crewbus, and a mixed-use vehicle; it will also be available in a variety of lengths and weights.
The Citan will be launched on the market in fall 2012. The vehicle will be unveiled to the general public for the first time at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover in September.
The Citan — the ideal partner in city traffic
The Citan was developed and tested in line with Mercedes-Benz’ demanding quality standards. The vehicle is correspondingly durable and robust. At the same time, it meets the requirements of customers from the service, sales, and trade sectors, offering them a large cargo space despite the vehicle’s compact dimensions. In addition, the van boasts attributes typical of the brand, such as great quality, economy, safety, excellent handling, as well as high fuel efficiency and correspondingly low CO2 emissions. The drive concept encompasses a broad range of low-emission, fuel-efficient diesel and gasoline engines and includes a BlueEFFICIENCY package. An electric drive version is also being planned.
The Citan’s operation, interior, materials, and workmanship are of the same high quality as in other Mercedes-Benz vans. The new urban delivery van can therefore be justly called the “little brother” of the Sprinter and Vito, to which it is in no way inferior. As is the case with every Mercedes-Benz vehicle, safety plays a big role in the new van, all variants of which come with ESP as standard.
New markets for Mercedes-Benz vans
Mercedes-Benz has greatly expanded its vans business in recent years. In line with the slogan of “Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global,” the brand is not only manufacturing vans in Düsseldorf (Sprinters), Ludwigsfelde (Sprinters and Varios), and Vitoria, Spain (Vitos), but also in the U.S., Argentina, and China.
It is also planning to strengthen its presence in the Russian market through a partnership with GAZ, the leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles in Russia. Over the medium-term, the GAZ factory near Nizhny Novgorod will produce 25,000 Sprinters each year, and do so strictly according to Mercedes-Benz’ quality standards.
Mercedes-Benz already is the undisputed market leader for mid-size and large vans in Western Europe.
See more about this product here: http://citan.mercedes-benz.com/
2/03/12
The Goose That Lays the Golden Egg - An Excerpt
"I borrowed this phrase from one of my favorite mentors, Jim Rohn. He says that you just have to take care of and protect the goose that lays the golden egg. If you kill the goose that lays the golden egg, the game is over.
Throughout this book, everything I talk about when it comes to the operation of the Commercial Truck Department is intended to protect and enhance the dealer. I call the dealer the goose that lays the golden egg because it is the dealer that offers the real opportunity in the physical premises, funding, and leadership. All of my strategies and systems are meant to assist the dealer in understanding and accounting for their commercial operation, in addition to helping them be as profitable as possible.
Every decision I have made in the Commercial Truck Departments where I have been involved, whether as a manager or as a consultant, has been made with the dealer’s best interests in mind. Protecting and enhancing the dealer is of paramount importance to me. I feel you have to watch out for the goose that lays the golden egg.
Let me state that this mindset about protecting and enhancing the dealer can lead some to be conservative and focus more on the protect part and less on the enhance part. That reminds me of Parable of the Talents from the Bible, with the one who went and buried the talent so it would be there when the owner returned. My idea is to focus more on the enhanced part because the dealer is already a risk taker by virtue of being in business and it is my job to be the person who doubled the talents, or acted aggressively. If I am to err, I will always err on the aggressive side rather than avoiding opportunity. I recommend this strategy for those who want to do well."
An excerpt from Commercial Truck Success, Building or Rebuilding an Effective, Successful, and Profitable Commercial Truck Operation within a Retail Auto Dealership by Terry Minion
Available on Amazon.com.
Throughout this book, everything I talk about when it comes to the operation of the Commercial Truck Department is intended to protect and enhance the dealer. I call the dealer the goose that lays the golden egg because it is the dealer that offers the real opportunity in the physical premises, funding, and leadership. All of my strategies and systems are meant to assist the dealer in understanding and accounting for their commercial operation, in addition to helping them be as profitable as possible.
Every decision I have made in the Commercial Truck Departments where I have been involved, whether as a manager or as a consultant, has been made with the dealer’s best interests in mind. Protecting and enhancing the dealer is of paramount importance to me. I feel you have to watch out for the goose that lays the golden egg.
Let me state that this mindset about protecting and enhancing the dealer can lead some to be conservative and focus more on the protect part and less on the enhance part. That reminds me of Parable of the Talents from the Bible, with the one who went and buried the talent so it would be there when the owner returned. My idea is to focus more on the enhanced part because the dealer is already a risk taker by virtue of being in business and it is my job to be the person who doubled the talents, or acted aggressively. If I am to err, I will always err on the aggressive side rather than avoiding opportunity. I recommend this strategy for those who want to do well."
An excerpt from Commercial Truck Success, Building or Rebuilding an Effective, Successful, and Profitable Commercial Truck Operation within a Retail Auto Dealership by Terry Minion
Scaffolding Trade Relies on the Unimog
■ Versatile U 400 with additional customised implements wins over the trade
■ For over 30 years scaffolding experts Schneider Ltd. have been relying on the Unimog and the top after-sales service provided by its general distributor (GD)
Stuttgart/Sonthofen – Using the Unimog in various trades has a long history as its adaptability is a great advantage in this extremely diversified sector. Among those companies who really appreciate the Unimog is the scaffolding company Schneider Ltd. and its working relationship with this competent all-rounder goes back for about 30 years. Scaffolding erected by this Sonthofen company on churches, hospitals, schools, industrial buildings and mountain railway stations can be anything up to 50 metres high. One of the scaffolding company's key operations is renting out over 40 self-propelling aerial working platforms. This is where the Unimog U 400 comes into its own as it is able to do a really good job with its additional customised implements. The U 400 delivers all the equipment directly to the construction sites, taking even challenging mountain passes in its stride.
Top marks for Unimog after-sales service
Three generations of scaffold-builders at Schneider Ltd have been impressed by the after-sales service provided by Wohlgschaft in Wangen, the Unimog general distributor for the region. In particular the scaffolding company appreciates the Unimog GD's pick-up and delivery service, as well as its servicing of both equipment and vehicles. And Schneider passes on Wohlgschafft's reliability to its own customers by being able to stick to agreed-on dates. This is vital for renting out aerial working platforms and supplying the equipment on the agreed date has to be guaranteed.
The experts at the UGD in Wangen also do the configuration for the high performance U 400 fleet. Two trailer couplings – ball type and jaw type – for various types of trailer, compressed air connections for tricky manoeuvring, winches on the flatbed and implements for winter services ensure that the Unimog is kept busy year-round doing various kinds of work.
As usual, the U 400 product range also cuts a good figure in the scaffolding business with its off-road capabilities, manoeuvrability, handling and comfort, as well as with its narrow outer width of 2.20 metres. The Sonthofen scaffold- builders emphasise that the Unimog is unrivalled in the way it deals with the mountainous terrain and inaccessible construction sites found especially in the Allgäu area. And here the U 400 ensures that scaffold-builder Schneider's principles –punctuality and quality – are here to stay.
For more information: Unimog
2/02/12
AT&T Orders 1,200 CNG-powered Chevrolet Express Vans
DETROIT – AT&T plans to take delivery of 1,200 Chevrolet Express compressed natural gas (CNG) dedicated cargo vans to be deployed to AT&T service centers nationwide. It is the largest-ever order of CNG vehicles from General Motors.
AT&T, which has announced its intention to invest up to $565 million to deploy approximately 15,000 alternative fuel vehicles over a 10-year period through 2018, will use the vans to provide and maintain communications, high-speed Internet and television services for AT&T customers. Last week, the company announced the milestone deployment of its 5,000th alternative-fuel vehicle, a Chevrolet Express van, as part of the commitment.
“CNG technology is important to AT&T because it helps us reduce our fleet-based carbon emissions,” said Jerome Webber, AT&T vice president of Fleet Operations. “It is also cost-effective and readily available in our country right now.”
According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, CNG-powered vans can produce approximately 25 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than similar gasoline and diesel-powered vans, which supports AT&T’s corporate commitment to minimize its impact on the environment.
“There are millions of fleet vehicles on the road today and we want to be a critical part of this sustainable revolution, helping make these conversions as easy as possible,” said Brian Small, general manager, GM Fleet and Commercial Operations.
Chevrolet Express CNG vans are powered by a Vortec 6.0L V8 engine equipped with hardened exhaust valves, and intake and exhaust valve seats for improved wear resistance and durability with gaseous fuel systems. The vans are factory ordered and delivered to customers with their factory-engineered and fully integrated gaseous fuel system in place, completely ready for work.
The GM Fleet and Commercial Customer Service LinkedIn group offers a discussion forum for Chevy, Buick, GMC and Cadillac fleet vehicle owners.
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com
2/01/12
Power Reversing Under Body Scraper
Dixon, Illinois, USA – No snowplow is quite complete with the assistance of Bonnell Industries’ Power Reversing Under Body Scraper. The unit is available in 10’, 11’ or 12’ lengths and is power reversible up to 45 degrees left or right. The scraper has a 1” thick.40/.50 carbon steel moldboard with a 20” tall smooth-formed inside radius, offset to accommodate the cutting edge.
The scraper is equipped with 4” twin power reverse cylinders and a ¾” thick A656 Grade 80 reversing table and side mount plates, providing a heavy duty, yet light weight design. Twin down pressure cylinders with spring cushion provide positive down pressure on the road surface. The unit is painted black with conspicuity tape provided for safety.
“Clearing both primary and secondary roads from hard-packed snow and ice is a snap with this solidly designed under body scraper,” Joe Bonnell, President of Bonnell Industries, states directly. “This unit helps ensure that each pass your snowplow makes is completely maximized for overall plowing effectiveness.”
For more information, Bonnell Industries Inc. can be reached at: 1385 Franklin Grove Road, Dixon, IL 61021 815-284-3819 (Office) 815-284-8815 (Fax) joe@bonnell.com (email) www.bonnell.com
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