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Heavy Duty Trucking / February 3, 2017 Kenworth has updated its Predictive Cruise Control functionality for T680 and T880 trucks equipped with the 2017 Paccar [DAF] MX-11, MX-13, and Cummins X15 engines to improve fuel economy. The update was made with the launch of 2017 emission engines and provides up to a 1% improvement in fuel economy over the current versions with Predictive Cruise Control, according to Patrick Dean, Kenworth chief engineer. Kenworth’s Predictive Cruise Control combines GPS with cruise control to deliver the best fuel economy for the situation. The system optimizes cruising speed based on topographical GPS data inputs. As the truck encounters certain types of terrain, such as rolling hills, the system modulated cruising speed to improve performance. If, for example, a truck ascends and crests a hill, Predictive Cruise Control will allow the vehicle speed to drop slightly below the set cruise speed. This can improve fuel economy since the truck is using momentum instead of fuel to maintain the set cruise speed. “While the driver interface remains unchanged, drivers who have driven Kenworth trucks with Predictive Cruise Control will notice an improvement in drivability, as well as fuel economy,” said Dean. “Improved drivability and fuel economy were made possible by fine-tuning how the engine modulates speed and torque over a wide variety of actual driving conditions.” .

The Morning Call / February 1, 2017 In the cyclical heavy-duty truck market, what goes up must eventually come down, and that's exactly what happened to Mack Trucks in 2016. Mack delivered 18,846 trucks last year, its weakest year since completing 13,465 vehicles in 2010 as it just started to climb out of the 2009 production bottom, according to a full-year report released Wednesday by Mack's parent company, the Sweden-based Volvo Group. Mack's delivery total in 2016 was a 31 percent decline from the 27,411 trucks the manufacturer delivered in 2015, which was its strongest output since 2006. Mack's results in 2016 were not surprising, given that heavy-duty truck makers slashed production throughout the year to help normalize inventory levels at dealers following a year in which the market experienced peak demand as customers renewed and expanded their fleets. For example, Mack laid off about 400 workers at its Lehigh Valley Operations in January 2016 to meet the reduced demand in the market. In addition, Mack scheduled several down weeks in 2016 at its 1-million-square-foot LowerMacungieTownship facility, where all Mack trucks built for the North American market and export are assembled. The most recent temporary layoff week for workers at the plant came during the week of Jan. 2, which was added after Mack reported a 40 percent decline in third-quarter deliveries. In an email, Mack spokesman Christopher Heffner confirmed employment at the company's Lehigh Valley Operations remains at about 1,480 employees. When asked whether Mack was planning any further layoffs or shutdowns, Heffner said the company's production and employment will continue to be driven by market demand to ensure competitiveness. "Despite lower industry volumes, Mack was one of the few heavy-duty truck manufacturers to grow market share last year, achieving an increase of nearly a full percentage point compared to 2015," Heffner said. "And we're excited about our prospects in 2017 as well, with the construction segment of the market expected to remain active and customers continuing to respond very positively to our industry-leading products and support solutions." In its report Wednesday, Volvo did not mention further production cuts in 2017. Instead, Volvo said, production cuts in the fourth quarter of 2016 helped reduce the inventory of new trucks at dealers. As a result of normalizing inventory, the company said it would not implement — "for the time being" — a previously planned production cut in the first quarter of this year at a Volvo Trucks assembly plant in Virginia, where 500 workers were scheduled to be laid off. But despite the inventory reduction at dealers, the 2017 truck market isn't expected to be robust. "At the end of 2016, new truck inventories had come down to much healthier levels," Volvo wrote in its report. "However, there is still a used truck overhang which is expected to continue to dampen demand for new heavy-duty trucks." As a result, Volvo expects the total North American heavy-duty truck industry to amount to 215,000 units in 2017. By comparison, Volvo said that figure finished at 243,229 in 2016 and 301,700 in 2015. But according to a Jan. 25 report on the truck equipment industry from Stifel analysts, Volvo's projection for 2017 might be generous. Stifel expects 200,000 heavy-duty trucks to be produced this year. But Stifel raised its production estimates for 2018 and 2019, primarily because of an outlook for an improved freight economy — resulting from expected lower tax rates, less regulations, improved domestic manufacturing and pro-energy policy — that its analysts believe will translate into orders in late 2017. If those orders come in, the analysts wrote, that should lead to increased production beginning in 2018. In addition, Stifel expects production in 2018 to be boosted by the enforcement of the electronic logging device mandate, which is slated to take effect in December and requires the device be installed on trucks to monitor how long drivers stay behind the wheel. For those reasons, among others, Stifel is expecting production of 230,000 heavy-duty trucks in 2018 and another 265,000 units in 2019. .

Heavy Duty Trucking / February 2, 2017 The parent company to names such as Freightliner, Western Star, and Mercedes posted strong profits and revenue in the fourth quarter of last year. Daimler AG reported the best year in the company’s history, with strong automotive sales more than compensating for a weaker commercial truck market, and it's expanding investment in research and development. The Germany-based company said net profit in the three months ended Dec. 31 rose 19% from the same time a year ago to 2.15 billion euros, or $2.32 billon, according to MarketWatch, while revenues increased 1% to 41 billion euros. Despite the increase in profit, it was a little short of a consensus forecast of Wall Street analysts. For all of 2016, net profit increased 1% from 2015 to best-ever figures of 8.8 billion euros, as revenue moved up 3% to 153.26 billion euros. “With our very attractive products and the measures taken to enhance efficiency, we have made considerable progress and stabilized our business despite volatile market developments," said Bodo Uebber, member of the board of management of Daimler AG responsible for finance and controlling and Daimler Financial Services. Daimler increased its total unit sales in 2016 by 5% to around 3 million vehicles, due in large part to unit sales increasing 10% at Mercedes-Benz Cars and 12% at Mercedes-Benz Vans. In contrast, Daimler Trucks’ unit sales of 415,100 vehicles were substantially lower than the high prior-year figure of 502,500. Revenue decreased to 33.2 billion euros from 37.6 billion euros. The division’s earnings before interest and taxes of 1.95 billion euros was significantly below the high level of 2.58 billion euros achieved in the previous year. The 17% decline in truck unit sales for 2016 was due sharply lower sales in North America, Turkey, the Middle East, Latin America and Indonesia. Daimler Trucks earnings were also reduced by intense competition in Europe, according to the company. Unit sales at Daimler Buses were significantly lower than in the previous year, falling 7%. Daimler officials also said the copmany has dramatically increased spending on research and development for 2017, up 15% from 2016 to more than 7.5 billion euros. That R&D will focus on new vehicle models, fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly drive systems, new safety technologies, autonomous driving and digital connectivity of its products. "In the coming years, we want to actively shape mobility with groundbreaking innovations, and in parallel we will push forward with digitization,” said Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of management and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. Daimler believes demand for medium- and heavy-duty trucks in the regions it serves is likely to remain at the rather weak prior-year level. In the North American region, the cyclical market correction can be expected to continue, according to the company. “In weight classes 6-8, it must be assumed that demand will decrease by approximately 5% after the significant drop in 2016. In the heavy-duty segment, the weakening of demand is likely to be rather more pronounced,” Daimler said.

Freightliner Puts New Cascadia into Production Heavy Duty Trucking / February 1, 2017 Freightliner Trucks has begun production of its new Cascadia tractor, starting with 126-inch BBC Day Cab and 72-inch Raised Roof Sleeper Cab models. The new Cascadia debuted in Sept. 2016 and boasts up to an 8% fuel economy increase in certain configurations over a similarly spec’d 2016 Cascadia Evolution, according to teh OEM. Freightliner said the truck was designed and engineered with an emphasis on improving six real cost of ownership elements: fuel efficiency, safety, connectivity, quality, uptime, and driver experience. The truck will be available in a wide variety of cab configurations with driver living space options that can be customized to the needs of the application. “It’s exciting to see trucks rolling off the assembly line and being delivered to customers. The new Cascadia delivers fuel efficiency, connectivity, safety, quality and a premium driver experience for our customers,” said Kary Schaefer, general manager, marketing & strategy for Daimler Trucks North America. .

Ford Relaunches Commercial Truck Dealer Program Heavy Duty Trucking / February 1, 2017 Ford is launching the Commercial Vehicle Center dealer program that will replace the Business Preferred Network (BPN) and offer improved service, better parts availability and a new loyalty program, Ford announced. The program is rolling out at 650 of Ford's more than 3,000 dealers in the U.S. and replaces a program that was heavily used by smaller fleets to set up work trucks and vans. Much like a BPN dealer, a Commercial Vehicle Center will offer sales, service, and financing support for commercial buyers. "Nearly 30 years ago, Ford established its first program to improve the purchase experience for our commercial vehicle customers," said John Ruppert, Ford general manager, commercial vehicle sales and marketing. "Now we are introducing the next chapter in our commercial vehicle story, not only by rebranding the program, but by further expanding a number of program elements to improve the overall customer experience." A Commercial Vehicle Center will offer a service counter that's open at least 55 hours per week and new stocking programs that will improve parts availability, according to Ford. Ford is also offering a new Commercial Advantage Rewards loyalty program that allows customers to earn various factory benefits that can be redeemed at a Commercial Vehicle Center location. Dealers can offer their own rewards through the program. The centers will support Ford's commercial vehicles, including Transit Connect compact vans, full-size Transit cargo vans, F-150 pickups, Super Duty chassis cabs, as well as F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks. CommercialVehicleCenter dealers will also offer the best selection of in-stock Ford commercial vehicles, and a range of financing options and incentives, according to Ford.

Freightliner begins production on new Cascadia Fleet Owner / February 2, 2017 Freightliner Trucks announced it has begun production on its new Cascadia. The new Cascadia (equipped with AeroX and Integrated Detroit Powertrain (IDP) including a GHG17 DD15 engine, DT12 with Intelligent Powertrain Management (IPM4) and 2.16 direct drive axle ratio) boasts up to an 8-percent fuel economy increase over a similarly spec’d 2016 Cascadia Evolution, the company noted. Freightliner debuted the new Cascadia in September 2016 and production of the 126" BBC Day Cab and 72" Raised Roof Sleeper Cab models has begun. “It’s exciting to see trucks rolling off the assembly line and being delivered to customers. The new Cascadia delivers fuel efficiency, connectivity, safety, quality and a premium driver experience for our customers,” said Kary Schaefer, general manager, Marketing & Strategy for Daimler Trucks North America. The new Cascadia is available with the IDP, which combines the fuel-efficient downsped 400 hp,1,750 lb/ft. of torque, the Detroit DD15 or Detroit DD13 engines with the Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission, IPM4 and corresponding Detroit steer and rear tandem axles. The new Detroit rear axles have features such as lower sump volume, gear-set coating, friction reducing gear cutting and optional Axle Lubrication Management that reduces parasitic loss and improves fuel economy. Standard enhancements such as an upper door seal, elliptical-shaped mirrors, sloped hood, bumper with integrated air deflector and integrated antennas all minimize drag. The optional Aero and AeroX packages provide additional aerodynamic benefits to manage airflow, including a low ground clearance bumper with flexible air dam, longer side extenders, lower chassis fairings, drive wheel covers and proprietary-designed drive wheel fairings. “Available in a variety of cab configurations, the new Cascadia is all about customizable living-space options that address the realities of professional drivers while they’re on the road,” the company said. “The sleeper area has been redesigned to include more cabinets, as well as larger spaces that can accommodate standard appliances. For entertainment, a sturdy television swivel bracket holds up to a 26” flat panel TV for movie-theater-like viewing. Double-bunk and a new Driver Loft option is also available that incorporates a unique folding workspace/dinette with a full-size Murphy style bed. A new cargo shelf option allows drivers to store containers or duffle bags easily. If an upper bunk is spec’d, it will come standard with an easily released telescoping ladder, making getting into the upper bunk a breeze.” New splayed frame rails create more room in the engine compartment to allow technicians easy access for maintenance tasks, and most electronic control units are now stored securely in the cab in the new eVault. In front of the eVault is the fuse and relay box which is easily accessible with no hand tools needed. To increase dash component accessibility, the dash panel was designed to be easily removed. Additionally, the standard two-piece front bumper of the Cascadia can be quickly removed within minutes. The optional Detroit Assurance 4.0 suite of safety systems includes Active Brake Assist that now provides full braking on stationary objects, moving pedestrian warning & partial braking, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning with optional video capture. This proprietary safety suite includes driver-friendly controls and is integrated into the truck’s dashboard, engine and transmission electronics and can enhance driver safety by mitigating potential collisions.

Ford Unveils CommercialTruckCenter Program Trailer/Body Builders / February 2, 2017 Ford has introduced its Commercial Vehicle Center program to provide fleet and commercial customers nationwide with outstanding sales, service and financing at the dealership level. The network includes more than 650 Ford dealers committed to offering commercial customers the vehicles, financing options and service support their businesses need. The Commercial Vehicle Center program replaces the Ford Business Preferred Network of commercial dealers. “Nearly 30 years ago, Ford established its first program to improve the purchase experience for our commercial vehicle customers,” said John Ruppert, Ford general manager, commercial vehicle sales and marketing. “Now we are introducing the next chapter in our commercial vehicle story, not only by rebranding the program, but by further expanding a number of program elements to improve the overall customer experience.” To maximize customer vehicle uptime, Commercial Vehicle Center dealer service departments are open at least 55 hours per week, and new stocking programs improve parts availability. Ford’s new Commercial Advantage Rewards loyalty program lets customers earn a range of factory benefits that can be redeemed at any Commercial Vehicle Center location. Dealers can offer their own rewards through the program as well. All CommercialVehicleCenter dealer employees are cross-trained by the factory to provide customers with knowledgeable, trustworthy support – from sales to finance to service. Ford has the broadest line of commercial vehicles available – from Transit Connect compact vans to full-size Transit cargo vans, from F-150 pickups through Super Duty chassis cabs, all the way up to F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks. CommercialVehicleCenter dealers offer the best selection of in-stock Ford commercial vehicles, and a range of financing options and incentives. “Our goal is to make Ford Commercial Vehicle Center dealers the trusted choice for commercial customers by providing an easy, effortless customer experience through a comprehensive, industry-leading commercial dealer network program,” said Ruppert. For more information, or to locate a local Ford Commercial Vehicle Center, visit fordcommercialvehiclecenter.com

Volvo working with investment bank to sell defense division Bloomberg / February 3, 2017 Volvo Group is working with investment bank Rothschild & Co. to sell its defense unit. The sale could attract interest from companies including BAE Systems, General Dynamics Corp. and CMI Group. Tank maker KNDS also plans to bid, Co-CEO Frank Haun said. Volvo said in November it wants to divest the division, which generates about 1.5% of group revenue and has about 1,300 employees, mostly in France. The unit sells defense, security and emergency-service vehicles under the Volvo, Renault and Mack brands as well as the Panhard and ACMAT businesses. Cevian Capital, one of Volvo’s largest shareholders, has been pushing the Gothenburg, Sweden-based manufacturer to focus on making trucks and to simplify its “extreme conglomerate” structure by divesting some businesses.

A valid strategy (if the list included Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt and UAE) executed so poorly is now descending into chaos. Many a good idea didn't get airborne because it was poorly introduced. Execution is everything. If you introduced it in the right way, everybody would accept it without event. Many here think a lot of Trump. The question is, how could an allegedly sharp individual with an equally sharp team introduce a reasonable concept in such a flawed way that it would backfire so badly? You would assume the opposite scenario, in which they would be the architects of the skillfully planned execution. Thus, it is challenging to believe that this is all accidental. Why would he repeatedly shoot himself in the foot in his tweets? And why "tweet" when he can send out a more saleable professional presidential announcement at will? As usual, we only know a fraction of the story..............even though these are our alleged employees who, inherently, should keep no secrets from the American people. On Monday, President Trump in a tweet described his executive order as a "ban". On Tuesday, Sean Spicer said it wasn't a "ban", as did Homeland Security Director John Kelly. But if the boss uses the word "ban".............. When a conservative republican state like Virginia turns against the president, things are getting bad. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated Press / January 31, 2017 Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring and Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced Tuesday that the state is bringing legal action against President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration. "This is not the United States of America we know," McAuliffe said. Herring said the order is "unlawful, unconstitutional and un-American and action is required." The Commonwealth is joining a pending case, Aziz v. Trump et al., in the U.S. District Court of Eastern District of Virginia. Virginia's motion to intervene can be read here. The Commonwealth's legal brief can be read here. The New York Times reports Tareq Aqel Mohammed Aziz, 21, and his brother Ammar, 19, landed at Dulles International Airport Saturday morning and were connecting to Flint, Michigan, to join their father, a U.S. citizen. The Yemeni brothers were taken off the plane, put into handcuffs and told their visas had been canceled. They were sent on a plane back to Ethiopia, the Times reports. The two had immigrant visas, meaning they were approved for legal permanent residency, because their father is a U.S. citizen, according to the Times. Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, legal director of the Immigrant Advocacy Program at the Legal Aid Justice Center filed a petition on behalf of them and the other 60 or so people detained at the airport. Trump's order banning entry to the United States for individuals from certain countries, even those who are lawful permanent residents or entering the United States on valid work or student visas, is degrading and unlawful treatment, Herring said. "The Commonwealth has substantial interests justifying its intervention, and make no mistake, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and our people, are already being harmed by this Executive Order," Herring said. Herring said students and faculty of Virginia colleges are unable to leave and some are unable to return to the States. The order will hamper schools' ability to retract and retain foreign students in the future, prevent students and faculty members from traveling abroad, may affect research and grant projects and hurt tuition revenue, Herring said. "This is not theoretical," Herring said. "It's happening as we speak. "We've got 100 students at Virginia Commonwealth University unable to leave to see families or come back – and there's identical stories across all campuses." The Commonwealth's intervention and participation in the suit is being handled by Virginia Solicitor General Stuart Raphael and his team. McAuliffe and Herring were at Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia this weekend to join protests over the immigration ban.

Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ) / January 31, 2017 Paccar announced Friday fourth quarter 2016 net sales of $4.07 billion, down slightly from the $4.36 billion for the same time last year. For 2016, the company achieved revenues of $17.03 billion in compared to revenues of $19.12 billion in 2015, and posted its 78th consecutive year of positive net income. “Paccar is well-positioned for long-term growth with investments in new state-of-the-art DAF, Kenworth and Peterbilt vehicles, durable Paccar [DAF] engines, innovative aftermarket parts and service capabilities, factory enhancements, and truck technologies that increase vehicle fuel-efficiency and reliability,” says Ron Armstrong, Paccar chief executive officer. Last year, Paccar delivered 140,900 vehicles worldwide and Kenworth and Peterbilt achieved Class 8 retail market share of 28.5 percent in the U.S. and Canada, up from 27.4 percent in 2015. Paccar’s Q4 Class 8 retail market share was 30.4 percent in the U.S. and Canada. Paccar executive vice president Gary Moore notes Class 8 truck industry retail sales in the U.S. and Canada were 216,000 units in 2016, compared to 278,000 vehicles in 2015. Estimates for U.S. and Canada Class 8 truck industry retail sales in 2017 are in the range of 190,000-220,000 trucks. Paccar says it has installed more than 130,000 MX-13 and MX-11 engines in Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks in North America since the Mississippi engine factory began production in mid-2010. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the MX-13 and MX-11 engines were installed in 47 percent of Kenworth and Peterbilt heavy-duty trucks in the U.S. and Canada.

Some of the MC3s (RM6866RS) had a raised roof which enclosed a Crisp-Air roof-mount air conditioning unit. This was an upgrade to the original build, as was the Mack SA441W drive axle air suspension retrofit in 1993-1994. http://afmsafety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/D320-Mack-Wrecker-Data-Summary.pdf Note the tanker............http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/15604-mack-military-truck/?page=2#comment-127904 Page 13.............http://afmsafety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/G709_Mack_all_types_Servicing_Instruction.pdf FYI - http://afmsafety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/G702_Mack_all_types_Tech_Description.pdf http://afmsafety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/G700_Mack_all_types_Data_Summary.pdf http://afmsafety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/G710_Mack_Cargo_Crane_Data_Summary.pdf http://afmsafety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/G700-1_Mack_Cargo_Winch_Data_Summary.pdf http://afmsafety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/G730-1_Mack_Dump_with_winch_Data_Summary.pdf http://afmsafety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/G730-1_Mack_Dump_with_winch_Data_Summary.pdf

The irony of it all................. Acting Attorney General Sally Yates was fired for refusing to support an order from the president that she felt was improper. Yates is "acting" Attorney General because Trump's pick, Jeff Sessions, has not yet been confirmed. Now, let's revisit year 2015. Jeff Sessions is questioning Yates at her confirmation hearing for Deputy Attorney General, and telling her it is her duty to refuse an order from the president that she feels is improper. What was the right thing to do in 2015 is the wrong thing in 2017. "I hope that you'd be willing to say no" ........Jeff Sessions .

Los Angeles Times / January 30, 2017 The Pentagon is compiling a list of Iraqi citizens who have worked with the U.S. military and is recommending that they be exempt from President Trump’s temporary ban on entry to the U.S. by people from Iraq and six other predominantly Muslim countries, according to the U.S. military. The move could potentially shield tens of thousands of Iraqi interpreters, advisors, and others who have assisted the American military from the president’s controversial executive action that blocked visitors from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen. Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters Monday that the list will include names of individuals who have “demonstrated their commitment” to helping the United States. “Even people that are doing seemingly benign things in support of us — whether as a linguist, a driver, anything else — they often do that at great personal risk,” he said. “So people who take these risks are really making a tangible signal of support to the United States, and that’s something that will, and should be, recognized." Trump, who signed the order at the Pentagon on Friday, did not consult Defense Secretary James N. Mattis or Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the temporary suspensions of entry to visitors from the seven nations, according to U.S. officials.

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Why not call the good folks at Watt's Mack (provider of the BMT website) at 1-888-304-6225 and buy a quality OEM replacement filter at a reasonable price?

Starbucks to hire 10,000 refugees over next 5 years Associated Press / January 30, 2017 Starbucks says it will hire 10,000 refugees over the next five years, a response to President Donald Trump's suspension of Syrian refugees and temporary travel bans that apply to six other Muslim-majority nations. Howard Schultz, the coffee retailer's chairman and CEO, said in a letter to employees Sunday that the hiring would apply to stores worldwide and the effort would start in the United States where the focus would be on hiring immigrants "who have served with U.S. troops as interpreters and support personnel." "We are living in an unprecedented time, one in which we are witness to the conscience of our country, and the promise of the American Dream, being called into question," CEO Howard Schultz wrote in his letter to Starbucks employees. Schultz, a supporter of Hillary Clinton during the presidential run, took aim at other parts of a Trump agenda focused on immigration, repealing former President Barack Obama's health care law and restructuring trade with Mexico. The letter said that Starbucks would help support coffee growers in Mexico, provide health insurance to eligible workers if the health care law is repealed and back an Obama-era immigration program that allows young [illegal] immigrants who were brought to the country as children to apply for a two-year reprieve from deportation and a work permit. Schultz added that Starbucks would aim to communicate with workers more frequently, saying Sunday, "I am hearing the alarm you all are sounding that the civility and human rights we have all taken for granted for so long are under attack." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amazon pledges legal support to action against Trump travel ban The Guardian / January 31, 2017 CEO Jeff Bezos says company’s legal and lobbying teams will help fight the ban, echoing moves by Expedia and Microsoft Amazon chief executive, Jeff Bezos, has pledged the full legal resources of his company to fight the travel ban instituted by Donald Trump against seven Islamic nations. In an email to employees sent on Monday afternoon, Bezos said that Amazon would be putting its legal and lobbying efforts behind the fight against the ban. A key avenue of opposition involves supporting the attorney general for Washington state, where Amazon is headquartered, in his lawsuit against Trump – the first confirmed legal action from a state against one of the new administration’s policies. In an excerpt from Bezos’s email published by Recode, the Amazon head details some of the company’s intended actions: “We reached out to congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle to explore legislative options. Our legal team has prepared a declaration of support for the Washington state attorney general who will be filing suit against the order. We are working other legal options as well.” Bezos’s statement to Amazon employees is the second from Amazon since Trump’s ban was announced. On Saturday, the company released a less forceful statement declaring that “from the very beginning, Amazon has been committed to equal rights, tolerance and diversity – and we always will be.” Since Amazon announced its action, other Washington-based companies have also announced their support for the state’s action. Travel service Expedia, whose chief executive, Dara Khosrowshahi, is an Iranian immigrant, has signed on backing the action, according to attorney general Bob Ferguson. On Sunday, Khosrowshahi told employees “The president’s order represents the worst of his proclivity toward rash action versus thoughtfulness. Ours is a nation of immigrants. These are our roots, this is our soul. All erased with the stroke of a pen.” Reuters reports that Microsoft is also working with the state, providing information about the order’s impact “in order to be supportive,” according to a spokesperson, who added “we’d be happy to testify further if needed.” Previously, Microsoft’s statements had been limited to expressing “concerns about the impact of the executive order on our employees”.

Fleet Owner / January 30, 2017 The Bendix ESP electronic stability program has been made standard on new Kenworth T680 and T880 tractors, the OEM announced. The Bendix ESP full stability system meets the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new electronic stability control technology mandate, which is scheduled to go into effect in August for Class 8 trucks with tandem-drive axles. “The T680 on-highway flagship and T880 vocational leader are Kenworth’s most technologically advanced vehicles,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “Kenworth’s move to standardize on the Bendix ESP system continues our offering of technology systems to help our customers achieve success in their specific operations.” Kenworth T680 and T880 will come standard with the Bendix 4S/4M configuration, which has four sensors and four modulators and includes Bendix Smart ATC automatic traction control and Bendix ESP. The Bendix ESP full stability technology is designed to help stabilize the vehicle during loss of control situations on dry, wet, snow and ice-covered roadways. In addition to using sensors that monitor lateral acceleration the Bendix ESP system also uses sensors to monitor steering angle and vehicle direction. This allows for detection of a vehicle's impending loss of stability and automatic intervention through dethrottling of the engine and selective application of tractor steer and drive axle brakes, along with trailer brakes, helping the driver to maintain control of the vehicle in a variety of situations.

Trailer/Body Builders / January 30, 2017 Bruckner Truck Sales, Inc. (www.brucknertruck.com), a long-time Mack dealer who today is also a distributor for Volvo, Autocar, Hino, Isuzu and Mitsubishi Fuso,, recently opened a new dealership facility in Oklahoma City, offering improved truck access and enhanced service and support. The 58,000 square-foot facility, located on 15 acres at 10120 W. Reno Ave., Oklahoma City, offers new and used truck and trailer sales, truck rental and leasing, and service and parts. The entrance to the new location off Reno Avenue, west of Interstate 40 and the Morgan Road interchange, offers improved truck access for customers. The new site features 24 service bays – amounting to 80 percent more service space – staffed by 20 technicians, 70 percent of whom are master technicians. The new location also houses $1.4 million in parts inventory. “The investment by Bruckner Truck Sales in a new state-of-the-art facility is a testament to the engagement and strength of the Mack dealer network,” said Jonathan Randall, senior vice president of sales for Mack Trucks North America. “A strong dealer network is essential to supporting Mack customers through sales, service and parts, while also maximizing uptime.” In addition to servicing the full product lineup of diesel-equipped vehicles, the new facility also will be certified to work on vehicles equipped with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engines. “We service a pretty diverse market in Oklahoma City,” said Chris Bruckner, executive vice president of Bruckner Truck Sales. “We were fortunate to build on Interstate-40 and invest in the most up-to-date technology to better serve our customers.” Bruckner’s operates 26 locations in six states, including Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas and Louisiana. The new dealership will be open from 7:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, with 24/7/365 emergency call-out service.

I have no problem with the gist of Trump’s executive order, PROTECTING THE NATION FROM FOREIGN TERRORIST ENTRY INTO THE UNITED STATES (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/trump_executive_order_refugee_curbs.pdf) It states: “Numerous foreign-born individuals have been convicted or implicated in terrorism-related crimes since September 11, 2001, including foreign nationals who entered the United States after receiving visitor, student, or employment visas, or who entered through the United States refugee resettlement program.” Trump's executive order bars citizens of 7 Muslim-majority countries from entering the US for a mere 90 days, and suspends the admission of all refugees for a mere 120 days. Those 7 Muslim countries are: Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Interestingly, not a single American was killed on U.S. soil by citizens from these 7 countries between 1975 and 2015. My friends, what’s wrong with this picture? Why isn’t Saudi Arabia on the list? 15 of the 19 September 11 hijackers were citizens of........Saudi Arabia. What country has allegedly been funding ISIS? How could Trump possibly omit Saudi Arabia from the list? Saudi Arabian citizens killed 2,369 Americans between 1975 and 2015. Why isn’t Afghanistan on the list, the playground for both Al Qaeda and now also ISIS? Why isn’t Pakistan on the list, the home and protector of Bin Laden? Why isn’t Egypt on the list, a now lawless Muslim country in chaos? Egyptian citizens killed 162 Americans between 1975 and 2015. Why isn't the United Arab Emirates on the list? UAE citizens killed 314 Americans between 1975 and 2015. Home to 2 of the September 11 hijackers, the U.S. State Dept. website says a widespread presence of ISIS and Al Qaeda- affiliated groups persists in the UAE poses a serious threat to American citizens. Ms. Conway, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Egypt have no history in "training, harboring and exporting terrorists" ??? When asked why these 4 countries are not on the list, Kellyanne Conway has the audacity to blame Obama. Excuse me? President Trump is now on the bridge. This is a “Trump Administration” executive order. Note this video from 2:20: .

That's a horrible way for a Mack NO to die.

Typically, different US state markets from coast-to-coast and from north and south give me varying feedback. However, I've been hearing universally nationwide for some time now that Kenworth is coming on very strong. Mack brand salesmen nationwide are losing Class 8 deals to Freightliner, Kenworth and other brands because their pricing is $10,000 to $15,000 high.

Once more, people domestically and abroad are criticizing the US over refugees, this time now that Trump has shut off the flow of citizens from 7 seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US for a mere 90 days, and suspends the admission of all refugees for a mere 120 days. Why? When things fell apart in Syria, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) refused to take in refugees. We'll throw some money into the pot, they said, but we don't want them living with us. So much for helping out their Muslim neighbors in a time of need. Observe the "tent cities" in Saudi Arabia, perfect for providing 3 million beds for their Muslim neighbors in their time of need, rather than risk the dangers of a night boat ride across the Mediterranean to Europe. (http://www.sbs.com.au/news/gallery/which-arab-country-has-room-three-million-refugees-and-has-so-far-taken-zero-according-un) Syria was/is a Middle East matter, and not a North American or Western European matter. Rather than lead by example, the wealthy Arab League country's dumped the problem on the west......as usual. It gets old after a while. If the wealthy GCC countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia don't want their own people, why do we? Every time I see the picture of the unnecessarily drowned child face down on the beach, I am indescribably sad and angered that the Arab League/GCC didn't for once live up to its mandate. Clearly, their ethics, morals and values are not compatible with that of America. We can't afford to be the world's policeman anymore. When things are humming normally, the world slams the US for trying to impose US standards on their country......and often rightly so ("When in Rome......."). But when they need us, they "expect" us to automatically come running. Two faces, depending on which way the wind is blowing (e.g. Israel, Philippines, Malaysia, ect.). Now, we'll mind our own business, and leave them to theirs. http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41658-critics-push-us-to-help-europe-by-taking-more-refugees/?page=2#comment-345646