Sterling Trucks brand to vanish
Journal 16 Commercial Carrier Journal November 2008 (Continued from page 15) Daimler Trucks North America announced last month that it will discontinue the Sterling Trucks brand in March 2009 as part of a response to continued low truck sales and structural changes in the market. Other elements of the plan include clos-ing the St. Thomas, Ontario, manufacturing plant where Sterling trucks are built in March when the existing agreement with the Canadian Auto Workers expires. And the 39-year-old Portland, Ore., plant will close in June 2010, sending Western Star production to Santiago, Mexico, and Freightliner military truck production to a plant in the Carolinas. A migrating supplier base and high logistics costs had resulted in higher production costs in Portland. Plans based on an expectation of brief, sharp market events driven by regulatory change, followed by periods of reasonable growth, are out of step with the emerging realities of the latter part of this decade, said Chris Patterson, president and chief executive officer of Daimler Trucks North America. We've examined every part of our organization in light of the changed economic environment. In announcing Sterling's demise, Daimler noted that the brand's models have substantial overlap with offerings in the Freightliner Trucks product line and have achieved only one-fourth the Freightliner market share. Daimler launched Sterling in 1998 as a replacement brand for the newly acquired Ford heavy-duty truck busi-n authorization bill (S. 3001) includes a provision ordering the Department of Defense to ensure to the maximum extent practicable that any fuel surcharge in a carriage contract is passed through to the party that pays for the fuel. n expects to offer $12 million in grants for innovative pricing strategies that relieve congestion under the Value Pricing Pilot Program in fiscal year 2009. For more information, go to www.fightgridlocknow.gov. n Americans drove 9.6 billion fewer miles or 3.6 percent less in July 2008 than in July 2007, the U.S. Department of Transportation said. n 2009 campaign, presented by Volvo Trucks North America, will award a trucker who has lost his truck through unfortunate circumstances a 2006 Volvo VNL 670, a one-year work agree-ment with Heartland Express, and other products and services. Nominations are being accepted through Jan. 16, 2009; go to www.backontheroad2009.com. n Association said it joined the Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay program and will share information about various techniques and applications through its weekly and monthly publications, as well as at its meetings. n said it plans to enter into an agree-ment to be acquired by an inves-tor group comprised of its first lien secured lenders, including affiliates of Centerbridge Capital Partners and the D.E. Shaw group. Greatwide, in brief (Continued on page 18) and driving. The remaining policies address vehicles and motor carriers and include support for: Targetedelectronicspeedgoverningofcertainnoncommercialvehicles; Electronicspeedgoverningofalllargetrucksbuiltsince1992; Newlargetruckcrashworthinessstandards; Anationalemployernotificationsystem; AnationalclearinghouseforpositivedrugandalcoholtestresultsofCDLholders; Anationalregistryofcertifiedmedicalexaminers; AccesstothenationalDriverInformationResource;and Requiredsafetytrainingbynewentrantmotorcarriers. Some items in the package reiterate polices ATA previously has adopted, includ-ing a national 65 mph speed limit, greater seatbelt use by commercial drivers and a national clearinghouse for drug and alcohol tests. Most other recommendations either are new or expand on prior ATA policies. In the latter category is support for speedgoverningofalllargetrucksbuiltsince1992;ATApreviouslysupportedman-datory governing only of new trucks a policy that would have phased in governing over a number of years. Several of the Safety Task Force's original recommendations were not adopted by the board and instead were sent back to the task force for further research and con-sideration as to the safety impact or financial consequences. According to sources, those recommendations include policies regarding electronic onboard recorders, various awareness and control technologies to assist drivers, and an adjustment for inflation of the minimum financial responsibility standards adopted in 1981. Move is part of Daimler's response to market conditions Sterling dealers will continue to accept orders until Jan. 15, 2009, and new truck sales will con-tinue until present dealer stocks are depleted. Sterling Trucks brand to vanish carrier news