Commercial Fleets Will Power Natural Gas Vehicle Market through 2016

September 14, 2011

There are currently about 12.6 million natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in use worldwide, and sales of NGVs vary widely from region to region and country to country. The majority of NGVs are located in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, particularly in countries like Pakistan and Iran that lack extensive gasoline refining capacity. In North America, due largely to a lack of convenient refueling stations, demand for NGVs is largely relegated to the fleet market. Worldwide sales of natural gas vehicles are expected to grow rapidly over the next five years, to 3.2 million units annually by 2016 from 1.9 million in 2010, according to a recent report from Pike Research. The consumer market will continue to lag growth in commercial fleets, however: three-quarters of the new growth between 2010 and 2016 will come in corporate and government sales.

As a portion of the worldwide total, the percentage of commercial NGVs will rise from 59% to 65% in that period, according to senior analyst Dave Hurst.

“Many manufacturers and industry observers are looking forward to the time when consumer NGVs become the next big thing,” says Hurst. “But the number of refueling stations remains too low for the consumer market to really take off in many parts of the developed world.”

One solution to the current inadequacies in NGV infrastructure is the spread of bi-fuel vehicles. Popular in Latin America, where almost 90% of NGVs have bi-fuel engines, these vehicles can run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG).

India, which has one of the largest fleets of CNG buses in the world, is expected to overtake Iran for the lead in NGV sales by 2014. By 2016 there will be 612,000 NGVs in India, according to Pike Research’s analysis. The strongest growth, however, will occur in the United States, where a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.4% will result in nearly 33,000 vehicles sold in 2016.

Pike Research’s report, “Natural Gas Vehicles”, provides a comprehensive examination of natural gas vehicle technologies, compressed and liquefied natural gas shipping and storage, governmental incentives and regulations, and key drivers of market growth.  The report includes forecasts of NGV sales, refueling infrastructure, and natural gas usage through 2016 for light-duty vehicles and medium/heavy duty trucks and buses.  Key market players are also profiled.  An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.

Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets.  The company’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Grid, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and Smart Buildings sectors.  For more information, visit www.pikeresearch.com or call +1.303.997.7609.

Caseco Utility Body Causes A Time Of Admiration At 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show

There is much, much more to talk about when it comes to the high quality and workmanship of the Caseco Utility Body, but I'm going to focus on this one area for the moment because it is so rare and so, so tasty. Notice the interior paint is Spackle paint. It's always nice to have the inside painted to match, but to go one further and give the compartment its own scheme is downright beautiful. Only a truck guy would talk about truck bodies being beautiful, but this is a beauty--or at least I'm thinking that, so I'm sharing that idea with you.

Next time I'll talk about something more substantial I'm sure, but I've enjoyed this post! Hi-5 to Caseco! See more of their quality story at http://www.caseco.us/.

CTech Drawer Units At The 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show

I've had a love of drawers in trucks, and in my shop and well. . . just about anywhere things need to be stored for quick use, a drawer is perfect. In truck bodies, it is even more perfect. These can be mounted in service bodies, van bodies, flatbeds, plumber bodies, whatever bodies. And, when it comes to drawers in this field, it doesn't get any better than CTech. Of course, there is the garage that needs some organizing, and the shop, and. . .

See more about CTech at http://www.ctechdirect.com/

Maranda Service Capsules On Display At 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show

We took a lot of photos at the Maranda Service Capsules booth at the 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show because they had a lot to show off and such a great display. This is a great looking product and so useful and even more functional than a shell or truck cap. We especially loved the split sliders which make a great deal of sense. This is the kind of unit that can be removed any time it is needed and is very easily reinstalled.

We loved the beautiful look of all the models on display and the huge LED lights to see the area when the doors are opened, the creative use of the side space, and more. Great display.

See more about Maranda at http://www.vankiller.com/.

Maranda Capsules

Maranda Work Capsules for pickups to use with greater efficiency and comfort.

See more about this company and product at http://www.vankiller.com/.

Jim Thomas Talks About The Maranda "Van Killer" Service Capsules

Jim Thomas of Maranda gives Ryan Stone of Commercial Truck Success an impromptu tour of one of the Maranda Service Capsules that Maranda had on display at the 2011 NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Maranda builds a variety of solutions that allow for more access without crawling into a van, and since it is separate from the pickup it rides on, you are not hearing everything inside the van! In addition, it is designed to last longer than the useful life of the pickup to be able to transfer from one to the next.

See more about Maranda products at www.vankiller.com

Knapheide 9' Dual Rear Service Body Features and Benefits

I thought that Clay did an excellent job of presenting the Knapheide body, so I include it here.

Clay gives us a features and benefits tour of the Knapheide 9' Dual Rear Wheel Service/Utility Body, including the Master Locking System, rear window protector, HD rack and more. California Work Trucks is an authorized distributor for Knapheide Manufacturing.

California Work Trucks is located at 930 Whipple Road in Union City, CA. Call them at 510-477-8425. See more soon at www.calworktrucks.com

1.9 Million lb generator move by Mammoet through Johnston, SC

Found this on YouTube. What a trip!

This is a 1.9 million pound generator ebing move by the Mammoet company. It started at the South Carolina coast, and is going to North Carolina. This thing has about 576 wheeles under it. It was massive. Something I have never seen before

Knapheide Website Enhancements

ENHANCED FEATURES & BENEFITS PAGE

September 08, 2011

Knapheide launches updated Features & Benefits page that can be utilized as a product feature outline or sales tool.

Knapheide recently developed an enhanced "Features & Benefits" page and implemented it into the website.  This new page features a more in depth look at the standard features available on individual products.  The new format allows Knapheide to show web users up close the quality of their products.

The old "Features & Benefits" page displayed a list of bullet points that outline the standard features found on the specific Knapheide product.  The new "Features & Benefits" page enables Knapheide to show web users why their products are superior to any competitor products. 

The new format displays several different views of the Knapheide product and allows users to open and close compartment doors or raise and lower the hoist.  Each view contains different clickable "hotspots" (gray circles outlined in white).  As a user clicks on one of the "hotspots" an expanded photo and text description appears below the product view.  Users can click on the expanded feature thumbnail to get an even larger view for an up close and personal look.

Currently, the Standard Service Body, KUV, and Rigid Side Dump Body product pages have the updated "Features & Benefits" layout.  Over the course of the next few months, Knapheide will be converting all "Features & Benefits" pages to the new layout.  Take some time and check out the new "Features & Benefits" pages and see for yourself why Knapheide products are the best in the industry!

Click HERE for the new Standard Service Body "Features & Benefits".  Click HERE for the new KUV "Features & Benefits".  Click HERE for the new Rigid Side Dump Body "Features & Benefits".

Notes from Commercial Truck Success: We build websites and we didn't build this one, and we think it is the best of the best in commercial truck websites. Check out Knapheide's new website. See it all at http://www.knapheide.com/.

Poly Power-V XT REV3

Hybrid Medium and Heavy-Duty Truck Sales to Surpass 100,000 Vehicles Annually by 2017

September 6, 2011

As the global economy begins tentative steps toward recovery, truck manufacturers are looking to technologies that can help mitigate the rising cost of diesel fuel while meeting increasingly strict emissions requirements.  Trucks that utilize electricity to meet these goals come in four variations: hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and plug-in electric power take-off (EPTO) to operate equipment onboard without using fuel.  As the technology costs fall and diesel prices increase, the value proposition for hybrid trucks is strong, and a new report from Pike Research forecasts that sales will surpass 100,000 vehicles annually by 2017.

“The truck market has experienced seismic changes in the last few years,” says senior analyst Dave Hurst.  “The global recession has taken a huge toll on medium duty and heavy duty truck sales in many regions.  As fuel prices have increased, truck manufacturers have responded by expanding their offerings of alternative drivetrains to help reduce emissions and fuel usage by trucks.”

However, Hurst adds that the primary challenge facing the hybrid truck market remains the cost of the system.  Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) all continue to have higher upfront costs that are significant enough to result in higher total cost of ownership for the vehicles.  While the typical operating cost of a diesel vehicle is significantly higher than that of other drivetrains ($0.72/mile for diesel versus $0.60/mile for hybrid and $0.22/mile for BEV trucks), Pike Research’s analysis indicates that the higher purchase cost and low cost of diesel in some markets means that the trucks are not able to recover the incremental costs for the electric drive system in their lifetime.  As a result, government incentives and emissions or fuel economy regulations will continue to play a very important role in promoting hybrids and plug-in trucks.

Pike Research’s analysis further indicates that most HEV, PHEV, and BEV trucks will utilize different chemistries of lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries.  The cleantech market intelligence firm expects that the use of nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries will peak in 2016, as vehicle manufacturers move their remaining systems toward Li-ion.  The Li-ion market is expected to reach 3.6 million kilowatt hours (kWh) globally in the medium and heavy duty truck market by 2017.

Pike Research’s report, “Hybrid Medium and Heavy Duty Trucks”, examines the opportunities and challenges in the market for hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric medium and heavy-duty trucks.  The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the different drivetrains, battery technologies, and key drivers of market growth.  The report explores global government regulations regarding diesel emissions and vehicle purchase incentives and includes detailed forecasts through 2017.  Key market players are also profiled.  An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.

Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets.  The company’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Grid, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and Smart Buildings sectors.  For more information, visit http://www.pikeresearch.com/ or call +1.303.997.7609.

The Two Most Important Words In Sales

This is the Geweke Commercial Trucks website. Come on in and look around. We intend to show off our products and provide valuable information. Call us if you see something you like or if you have specific questions. The Sales Team tab has additional contact information.

Geweke is proud to be an active part of the Ford Business Preferred Network (BPN) which, is focused on serving business vehicle needs.

Check out our new blog (tab on menu). It has excellent information and is updated almost daily!

We look forward to being your commercial truck source!

Remembering Dale Ellis, Truck Guy Extraordinaire!

Here's some sentiments that we share from the Nor Cal Ford Truck Club and the Fresno Bee:



Oct, 2007 NCFTC event

Oct, 2007 NCFTC event

April 24th, 2008 NCFTC event

April 14th, 2011 NCFTC event

April 14th, 2011 NCFTC event

April 14th, 2011 NCFTC event

We want to acknowledge and remember fondly Dale Ellis, who to many of us was a commercial truck icon. We knew him from Grumman-Olson and it seemed that he was there for so long until the company closed and he went to Supreme. Working full time into his eighties was inspiring. He just seemed to love what he did and he seemed to love everyone he came in contact with. He attended every event and was a great supporter of the Nor Cal Ford Truck Club and each one of us at our dealerships.

Dale showed us the value of being a nice guy, the value of persistence, and the personal example of loving life and being an active participant. There is so much we probably didn't know about Dale and the bio below from the Fresno Bee may help, but what we did know of Dale was more than enough.

Thank you Dale for being YOU!


Here's a short bio from the Fresno Bee:

"Dale passed away peacefully under hospice care on Friday, August 26, 2011, in Fresno, Ca. Dale Eugene Ellis was born at home in Meadow Grove, Ne. to Ernest F. and Thelma (Carroll) Ellis, on February 17, 1932.

He received his Elementary and High School education at the Meadow Grove Public Schools for 11 years, completing his 12th year in Haviland, Kansas and started college in Sterling, Kansas. Enlisting in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War,taking his training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, and he finished his training as a hospital corpsman with top honors. He was honorably discharged from Paris Island SC in 1953.

Dale attended Junior College in Nebraska, a short time before enrolling at the University of Minnesota College of Mortuary Science, in which he graduated again with top honors as a Mortician and Funeral Director. Dale held a certification with the Minnesota Board of Health for Over 50 years. Dale was a former president of the Minnesota State Jaycees.

He relocated to Fresno, California in 1975 and became a sales representative for Steiger Tractor company, for the West Coast, where he was top sales representative for several years. He married Jamie "Pips" Pipes on March 15, 1980, and they made their home in Fresno, California. They enjoyed travel and cruises around the world. Dale loved his dogs and currently best friend, Maile.

Dale was an avid golfer, wherever he traveled he had his clubs with him, "oh my, what a problem." He enjoyed his hunting and fishing trips throughout the Midwest and West Coast. He was the master chef for the family get-togethers. Just mention Fresno City College Rams football program, San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants, or Fresno State Bulldogs and you could see how much he loved sports.

He worked as a Territory Sales Manager for Grumman/Olson Truck Bodies and Supreme Truck bodies until his health failed. He loved sales and was most content when running wide open and never looking back. Dale was preceded in death by his parents; and grandparents. He will be greatly missed by friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Jamie "Pips" of Fresno, California; siblings, Howard Ellis and his wife Sue of Bakersfield, Ca., Charlette Wyatt and her husband Dick of Erie, Co., Phyllis Johansen and her husband Darrell of Overland Park, Ks., Doug Ellis and his wife Beth of Meadow Grove, Ne.; and numerous nieces and nephews that he enjoyed.

Visitation will be at New Hope Community Church, 4620 East Nees Ave., Clovis, Ca. on Wednesday, September 7, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with funeral service to follow. Interment will be a private family service at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Nancy Hinds Hospice, 1616 W. Shaw, Fresno, Ca. 93711; Veterans Medical Center, 2615 E. Clinton, Fresno, Ca. 93703; SPCA, 103 S. Hughes, Fresno, Ca, 93706; or charity of choice.

As published in the Fresno Bee on September 4, 2011"

There's Nothing Quite Like Alcoa Wheels

There's nothing quite like Alcoa Wheels to dress up a truck, let alone all the other reasons they make sense. We've been fans and have bought hundreds of Alcoa Wheels at dealerships. Here's just a few more reasons from the Alcoa Wheels website at http://www.alcoa.com/:

Alcoa wheels provide a full spectrum of benefits and support to assist your business:

1.Products that increase productivity and lower lifetime costs.
2.Products that enhance image.
3.Solutions to achieve your sustainability goals.
4.Confidence in financial stability, quality, service, education and ongoing innovation.

That’s why today, more vehicles are fitted with forged aluminum wheels from Alcoa than any other brand.

ETI Showcasing New Models at ICUEE Show 2011

Oklahoma City, OK - September 2, 2011

ETI, LLC, a United States-based aerial lift, truck body and service crane manufacturer will showcase several units in Booth L-315 at the ICUEE show in Louisville, KY, two of which are new models with feature patented technology unique in the industry.

ETI will have on display ETC 371H utilizing new DC power technology, an ETC 37MH, ETC 42MH, the ETO 55MH, and the new Sprinter van mounted aerial unit.

ETI is developing a new generation of models in response to customer needs gathered from months of conversations with customers, end-users, sales personnel and engineers. The first results of that effort are realized in the ETC MH 42 and the ETO 55 MH, two insulated units designed for the utility marketplace.

The ETC 42 MH is a versatile insulated unit that is well suited to those customers in need of an aerial unit that can offer powerful capabilities. With an articulating and telescoping aerial lift that has a 47' working height and 30'3" side reach, this unit has a standard option of a 500 lb. bucket capacity.

This model also offers material handling capabilities with a hydraulic winch and a 5' jib that can lift up to 1,000 lbs. While there are other brand models that can offer this working height, the ETC 42 MH has best in its class lifting capacity with no deductions for jib length.

The ETO 55 MH is an insulated, over-center material handler that offers competitive features for a unit of its class. With a working height of 60 feet and side reach of nearly 45 feet, this unit has a stow height of 11' 10".
The ETO 55 MH is unique because it offers a new generation leveling system and bin access when inside the bucket in the non-overcenter position, a design feature that is proprietary to ETI. This model also offers powerful material handling capabilities with a hydraulic winch and a 7' jib that can lift up to 2,000 lbs.

Just like the ETC 42 MH listed above, the ETO 55 MH has best in its class lifting capacity as well.

ETI will also be introducing a brand new model to the market. A Sprinter van aerial mounted unit will be at the booth. This model is the very first of its kind in the United States and is the result of a partnership development with Cox Communications and Mercedes Benz.

In addition to these new models, ETI will also be displaying some of their other models: an ETC 37 IH and an ETC 37 MH.

The ETC 37 model has been a long time popular model for ETI. The ETC 37 IH is an insulated unit that offers an articulating and telescoping aerial with a working height of 42 feet. This unit now utilizes new DC power technology, a feature unique in its class. Material handling capacity is offered in the ETC 37 MH, also on display at the show, with a hydraulic winch and a 5' jib that can lift up to 1,000 lbs. utilizing the full 27 ft - 5 in of hydraulic reach.
ETI will also be showcasing the PALFINGER WT 1000 All Terrain Aerial Platform in its booth. Introduced to the North American market at the 2011 ConExpo show in March, the WT 1000 is the world's largest all terrain aerial platform with a working height of 337 feet (103 meters).

This machine grew out of customers' needs for the highest possible working height in order to carry out assembly and maintenance work on wind turbines, chemical plants, antennas, high rise buildings and other tall structures and objects.

Designed as a telescopic access platform with a 5-section lower boom and a 3-section upper boom, the unit is also equipped with an agile fly-boom. Telescopic stabilizers guarantee maximal stability. The 8 foot by 3 foot heavy-duty workman basket makes loads up to 1322 lbs (600 kg) possible, while the hydraulically extendable telescopic 12 foot by 3 foot basket carries loads up to 1668 lbs (530 kg).

ETI is growing into a commanding force as a member of the PALFINGER family. PALFINGER, a worldwide leading manufacturer of hydraulic lifting, loading,handling and service equipment, employs 4,500 employees worldwide and had 2010 sales of $900 million dollars.