January 2009 Volume 29, Issue 1 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com
Green rebate applications now accepted TORONTO, Ont. – The Ontario government is now accepting applications for rebates towards environmentally-friendly commercial vehicles and anti-idling technologies. Applicants can receive up to one-third of the incremental capital cost of a Class 3-7 alternative fuel-powered truck, including hybrids, or one-third the cost of an anti-idling device for Class 8 tractors including auxiliary power units. To download application forms, visit www.mto.gov.on.ca. The funding is part of the province’s Green Commercial Vehicle Program, which will allocate $15 million towards green commercial vehicle technologies.The program is retroactive to August, 2007 Continued on page 16
Fergus Truck Show needs a new home By Jan Westell FERGUS, Ont. – The Fergus Truck Show may be a victim of its own success, and is seeking a new location now that two owners of land that’s located adjacent to the main show site have decided to withdraw from participating in the event. The crux of the problem is over land use on the two 22- and 40-acre Continued on page 11
The short-term looks bleak. The long-term looks bright – if you can just hang on long enough. By Lou Smyrlis TORONTO, Ont. – You know times are hard when you’re attending the track on economic issues at the Ontario Trucking Association’s annual conference and the president of a well-respected and award-winning motor carrier confides in you that it’s a good thing these seminars were not being held
Traction in a winter wonderland See pg. 30
on the third floor or there might be people jumping out the window. Although this particular carrier is well enough positioned to survive the economic onslaught, the reality is many will not. Already about 2,700 trucking companies have closed their doors in the US. In Canada trucking bankruptcies in the first half of 2008 had already
surpassed the total for all of 2007. And the message delivered from the experts speaking at OTA’s economic sessions was that it’s only going to get worse. “Antacids would be helpful,” was John Larkin’s advice before the managing director, transportation at Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, proContinued on page 32
Inside This Issue... • Convention coverage: Full coverage of the Ontario Trucking Association’s annual convention.
Pages 12-21
• Testing, 1, 2, 3…: Testing fuel-saving devices may seem easy. But there’s quite the science to it. We take a look at what’s involved in getting the real answers. Page 24
• Plan your year:
Our annual calendar of events outlines where, when and what is going on in the year ahead. Cut it out and hang it on the wall so you don’t miss out. Page 47
• Special delivery: Mark Dalton finds himself having to make a rather extraordinary delivery.
Our mufflers are stronger, last longer and save you $$$! See our ad page 50
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