pg 01, 05,06 tw dec v2 11/13/08 9:37 AM Page 1 December 2008 Volume 19, Issue 12 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com Sterling brand What gets axed next? Daimler to focus on As diesel prices two-brand strategy return to normal, a By James Menzies shortage plagues ST. THOMAS, Ont. – Daimler Western Canada Trucks North America (DTNA) shocked the industry Oct. 14, by an- By Jan Westell nouncing it is discontinuing the CALGARY, Alta. – A calamity of Sterling Trucks brand. planned and unplanned shutdowns The surprising announcement among at least three oil refineries came just two months after Sterling in Alberta has created a shortfall of introduced a new sleeper cab and diesel, affecting the trucking indus- Class 8 natural gas vehicle, round- try in that province, as well as Man- ing out the most complete line of itoba, Saskatchewan, and northern Class 3-8 trucks in the industry. B.C. It’s a situation that has been “Plans based on an expectation underway for a couple months, but of brief, sharp market events driven has intensified recently. by regulatory change, followed by Brett Gundersen, an owner/op- periods of reasonable growth, are erator based out of Prince George, out of step with the emerging reali- B.C. who hauls propane to the Al- ties of the latter part of this berta oilpatch, has had his own decade,” Chris Patterson, president frustrations finding fuel. And de- and CEO of DTNA said in a re- spite reports of resumption of serv- lease. “We’ve examined every part ices with refineries that experi- of our organization in light of the enced shutdowns, Gunderson was changed economic environment.” still seeking fuel on Oct. 29. Here in Canada, the demise of “Yesterday I couldn’t get fuel Sterling delivers a triple whammy: in any Petro-Cans all way from Ed- brand-loyal customers (and there monton down to Calgary. I stopped were some) must find a new truck; at UFA (in Aidrie) and found some Sterling dealers must find a up there,” said Gunderson. new revenue stream; and the He felt that as a long-haul driver, 1,300 employees at the Sterling he had more choice on the road truck plant in St. Thomas, Ont. than a local hauler who might be must find new jobs. GOOD IF YOU CAN GET IT: Fuel prices are dropping like a stone in parts of the stymied by lack of supply. The St.Thomas plant will be shut- country, but in Western Canada a shortage has left some truckers facing rations “There are quite a few guys tered in March, 2009 concurrent and others having to pay late delivery fees to shippers. Continued on page 6 I Continued on page 5 I Spec’ing shunt trucks InsideInside This Issue... Mark Dalton O/O See pg. 18 • Convoy for a cure: The first all-female truck convoy was held in Ontario to raise money for breast cancer research. Will it become a national event? Page 8 • Private matters: How much personal information are shippers entitled to demand of drivers? Page 16 • Cash or credit?: Eric Berard examines the global credit crunch and its potential impact on OEMs and truck buyers. Look to pay more for credit – if you can get it. Page 20 • Watch your fuel: A new program from Volvo helps fleets set benchmarks and maximize their fuel mileage. Page 27 Page 26 To view list of advertisers Reach us at our Western Canada news bureau visit us online at Call Jan Westell at 604-943-1170 or e-mail [email protected] www.trucknews.com PM40069240 pg 02 tW dec 11/12/08 10:05 AM Page 1 How do you thrive despite hostile driving environments and brutal economic conditions? Get a smarter tire program. With premium, best-in-class retreads. Backed by legendary service. Bandag. The company that has been leading the precured retreading industry for 50 years. ROLL SMART. ESTABLISHED 1957 X FIND OUT HOW BANDAG COULD SAVE YOU 10% OR MORE ON TIRE COSTS. SEE BANDAG.COM/SAVE. © 2008 BANDAG — ALL RIGHTS RESERVED pg 03 tw dec v2 11/12/08 11:32 AM Page 3 December 2008 TRUCK WEST Page 3 gram from August, 2003 to March, Giving credit where it’s due 2006 which refunded 20% of the purchase price. December 2008, Volume 19, Issue 12 A couple of months ago in this It was a great program – but Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40069240 space, I took aim at the federal Editorial it may well have been “Return Postage Guaranteed” Liberals over their misguided car- Comment underutilized. One retailer of cab 12 Concorde Pl., Suite 800, Toronto, Ont., M3C 4J2 Sales: 416-510-6892 / Editorial: 416-510-6896 bon tax policy which would’ve cost comfort systems told me that Fax: 416-510-5143 truck fleets and owner/operators James based on the number of claims ver- Truck West, USPS 017-178 is published monthly by thousands of dollars per year. Menzies sus the number of units sold by Business Information Group, a division of BIG Magazines L.P., a leading Canadian information Since that time, the Liberals manufacturers, only about 25% of company with interests in daily and community have been soundly defeated in a customers took the time to apply newspapers and B-2-B information services. US office of publication: 2424 Niagara Falls Blvd, federal election – may we never state, rebates have resulted in for the rebate. This retailer filled Niagara Falls, NY 14304-5709. Periodicals Postage hear the term ‘Green Shift’ again. some large volume orders of hy- out the rebate form for every cus- Paid at Niagara Falls, NY. US postmaster: Send address changes to Truck West, PO Box 1118, In all fairness, I should also ap- brid commercial vehicles, which tomer, but others couldn’t be both- Niagara Falls, NY 14304. plaud their Ontario counterparts will help bring down production ered to take the time to apply for SENIOR PUBLISHER – Rob Wilkins ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – Kathy Penner for a recently-announced funding costs and consequently the pur- the rebate. EXECUTIVE EDITOR – James Menzies plan that will help offset the cost of chase prices of these vehicles. Hopefully, participation in the MANAGING EDITOR – Adam Ledlow hybrid commercial vehicles and Those participating in the Ontario program will be greater WESTERN EDITOR – Jan Westell CIRCULATION MANAGER – Vesna Moore anti-idling systems. Ontario’s Ontario grant program will have to and other provinces will follow CIRCULATION ASSISTANT – Anita Singh Dalton McGuinty Liberals, cash- monitor their fuel savings and that suit. CREATIVE– Carolyn Brimer, Beverley Richards strapped as they are, announced data will be shared with the indus- The trucking industry isn’t often V.P. PUBLISHING – Alex Papanou PRESIDENT – Bruce Creighton the $15 million plan last month. try. It’s already been proven that in the recipient of government assis- Circulation inquiries: 416-442-5600 ext. 3553 Beginning Nov. 28, fleets and the right application, hybrid trucks tance. Let’s remember those Change of address: Please include subscription I number from mailing label. owner/operators will be able to ap- can deliver a payback even without famous words: Use it or lose it. Subscription rates: Canada (Includes GST) – ply for funding to help pay for government incentives. One year $40.60; U.S. – one year $66.95; ‘green’ technologies. This carrot – This program will help increase – James Menzies can be reached by foreign – one year $66.95 Send subscription orders, address changes (incl. mailing label from rather than the stick approach fed- confidence that this is the case, and phone at (416) 510-6896 or by latest issue) to above address. On occasion, our subscription list is made available to organizations whose products or services may be eral Liberal leader (what’s his should result in the more wide- e-mail at [email protected]. of interest to readers. If you prefer not to receive such information, please write to us. Please allow 8 weeks for changes or corrections. name again?) was endorsing – is spread use of hy- PAP Registration No. 11065 exactly what the industry needs. brid vehicles. We acknowledge the financial support of the Why? Anti-idling sys- Government of Canada, through the Canada Magazine Fund, towards our editorial costs. Because the Canadian trucking tems, such as aux- We acknowledge the financial support of the industry needs a nudge in adopting iliary power units Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program, towards our mailing costs. costly new technologies that will (APUs) will also significantly reduce fuel consump- be covered by the tion. It’s a show-me industry, and program. This is a Advertising inquiries most fleets are reluctant to shell great chance for out thousands of dollars up-front owner/operators Kathy Penner: 416-510-6892 for something that may save them to offset the cost Fax: (416) 510-5143 money down the road. of technology Hybrid commercial vehicles that will greatly have proven to deliver enormous reduce their cost savings in the right applica- idling time and tion. But their uptake here in improve their Canada has been slow – mostly profitability. due to the higher up-front cost. It’s not the first A medium-duty hybrid truck time a govern- Rob Wilkins Kathy Penner Publisher Associate Publisher can cost $30,000 or more than a ment funding (416) 510-5123 (416) 510-6892 comparable traditional drive vehi- program has rwilkins@ kpenner@ cle. Who’s going to make that kind been geared to- trucknews.com trucknews.com of investment without first seeing wards anti-idling proof that the technology will do systems such as what it is said to do? South of the APUs.