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Industry News: September 2018

GASBOY INTRODUCES NEXT GENERATION FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR COMMERCIAL FUELING

Gasboy, an industry leader in commercial and industrial fuel and fleet technologies, announces the launch of Islander PRIME, a fuel management system for commercial fueling. Islander PRIME is a home-based fuel management controller that is an all-in-one standalone pedestal with flexible fueling authorization capabilities. It features an advanced interface with a full alphanumeric keypad and a high-brightness color LCD payment terminal.

The Islander PRIME has various factory-installed and field-upgradable options including printer, card reader, HID reader, and support for Gasboy’s Fuel Point PLUS vehicle identification system. It is capable of withstanding harsh environments and extreme temperatures found on many commercial fuel sites. For more, visit www.gasboy.com.

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LIQUI MOLY AND PREFIX CORPORATION WORK TOGETHER

LIQUI MOLY, oil and additive specialist, and Prefix Corporation, US racing engine manufacturer and tuning specialist, agreed to a technical partnership that allows LIQUI MOLY to test its lubricants, greases, and additives under extreme conditions of Prefix’s engine and performance division.

The European vehicles segment receives most of LIQUI MOLY’s business in the United States. But domestic-built vehicles could also benefit from LIQUI MOLY products, and LIQUI MOLY “is able to prove this at a very high level with Prefix,” says Sebastian Zelger, responsible for US business at LIQUI MOLY. For more, visit www.liqui-moly.us.

MOTIV POWER SYSTEMS, WINNEBAGO, AND AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION COLLABORATE ON MOBILE CANCER SCREENINGS

An all-electric Mobile Lung Unit (eMLU) delivers lung cancer screenings to cities across America. Motiv Power Systems, a US market leader in chassis for medium-duty electric vehicles, partnered with Winnebago and American Lung Association to develop the eMLU, which is expected to save more than $150,000-200,000 in combined diesel fuel and maintenance savings. The eMLU features a Ford F-53 based EPIC 6 all-electric chassis.

The goal of the eMLU is to increase patient access to health care through a mobile unit with the initiative to promote the early detection of lung cancer through screening. To increase awareness and availability of screening for those considered high-risk, the eMLU can travel city-to-city to provide easy access to lung diagnostic services. For more, visit www.motivps.com.

BRIDGESTONE VOLUNTARILY RECALLS SELECT COMMERCIAL TIRES

Bridgestone Americas and Bridgestone Canada issue a recall of approximately 2,700 all position, wide base radial commercial truck tires size 425/65R22.5. The recall includes the following:

  • Firestone FS818 with DOT date codes 2318 and 2418
  • Bridgestone M854 with DOT date codes 2418 and 2518
  • Bridgestone M860A with DOT date code 2518
  • Bridgestone M864 with DOT date codes 2318 and 2418

Bridgestone recalled the tires due to the fact that they may not comply with a specific endurance test requirement under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and similar laws and regulations in Canada. Affected tires carry a risk of exposure to steel body cords in the sidewall that could lead to deterioration of the cords. If rapid air loss occurs due to exposed cords while the vehicle is in operation, there may be an increased risk of a crash. This is a voluntary noncompliance recall; there are no known accidents or injuries. For more, visit www.commercial.bridgestone.com.

SUNTECH INTERNATIONAL RELEASES NEW SERIES OF TELEMATICS OPTIONS FOR US CUSTOMERS

Suntech has worked to certify and test several products for US customers since establishing its US office in Vista, California, two years ago. Among these are products for vehicle efficiency tracking and Electronic Logging Device data that were well-received among the global marketplace. Suntech announces three new lines of 4G/LTE M1 hardware products, the ST4300, ST4500, and ST4900 series with excellent capabilities for use in the asset tracking, vehicle tracking, and safety and security telematics markets in the US and Canada.

Suntech exhibited and showcased these products in the Korean Pavilion at Mobile World Congress Americas 2018 at Los Angeles Convention Center on September 12-14. For more, visit www.suntechus.com.

SURVEY FINDS FLEETS AREN’T USING TELEMATICS TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL

Teletrac Navman, a global software-as-a-service provider, announced findings from its Telematics Benchmark Report: US Edition. More than 2,400 fleet professionals responded to the survey that found that while operators are adopting technology at a high rate (77% using telematics for vehicle tracking), most fleets aren’t using telematics to its full potential.

The survey found that 31% of respondents are still using paper logs even after the ELD mandate went into effect. Some telematics benefits showed a decrease in usage since 2017, such as speed monitoring (down 18%) and harsh braking (down 12%). Respondents (36%) said fuel costs are their second largest expense, but only 29% reported using their telematics solution to monitor fuel use.

“We’re seeing more companies invest in telematics, but unfortunately many are only doing so to check the compliance box, not making the most of the technology to better their businesses,” says Sid Nair, senior director of transport and compliance, Teletrac Navman. “That’s likely due to tech fatigue especially in the wake of regulations that demanded new technology, like ELDs. But in the long-term it will be a crippling hindrance, as we’re already seeing a widening gap between companies leveraging technology to drive fleet profitability and those who are merely reaping the benefits of the current high demand. Training everyone from drivers to fleet executives on how telematics data can boost operations is key, as the data alone won’t drive change.” For more, visit www.teletracnavman.com/benchmark/transportation.

CONTINENTAL PRESENTS SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE AT
IAA COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

The technology company Continental showcases products and solutions designed to address the challenges of future transportation at the 67th International Motor Show for Commercial Vehicles (IAA Commercial Vehicles) in Hanover, Germany.

These challenges include improving operating efficiency, saving fuel, improving road safety, and reducing CO2 emissions. Continental presents its trade fair highlights as part of its IAA press conference. Continental demonstrates how the transport industry is making the leap to digitization and can unlock efficiency potential of a new kind. The focus is on the different challenges in the worlds of urban traffic and the fleet office, as well as Continental’s solutions designed to suit both. For more, visit www.continental-truck.com.

NAFA FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES WEBINAR AND WHITE PAPER AS GUIDE TO FAST-MOVING INDUSTRY CHANGES

Not-for-profit charitable organization NAFA Foundation will present a webinar on September 27, with international mobility expert Lukas Neckermann—managing director at Neckermann Strategic Advisors, a consultancy based in London with a focus on emerging new mobility trends and their strategic impact—who will outline how fleet professionals should effectively prepare for the mobility revolution.

NAFA will provide a new white paper on this topic, “The Mobility Revolution: A Primer for Fleet Managers” that focuses on the four key mobility trends in the automotive industry, recent developments in associated areas including electrification, and how these developments impact fleets as they incorporate a great mobility focus. Connectivity, automation, sharing, and electrification are the four key mobility trends of the white paper’s focus. The webinar and white paper are free to all with no membership requirements. Register for the webinar at www.nafa.org/mobilityrevolution.

PETERBILT ADDS ENHANCEMENTS TO SMARTNAV

Peterbilt adds enhancements to its SmartNav display, fully integrating the PeopleNet app, eliminating the need for PeopleNet users to wire and install a secondary device. An Ethernet connection for data security is also included, allowing the ability to use the app for ELDs and integration of fleet management systems. The Peterbilt TruckCare Roadside Assistance app is also available with the updated display. Enhancements will be available for order in November. For more, visit www.peterbilt.com.

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INDUSTRY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018