April 2021 Truck Industry News

3 Reasons Contributing to Truck Repair Delays

Companies work to maximize driver up-time and vehicle utilization for their operation. When a group of panelists at the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council meeting, were asked about common reasons that delay getting repairs made to their vehicles, they had the top three reasons.

1. Miscommunication – Drivers may not share mechanical concerns in a timely manner or the way concerns are reported may be open to misinterpretation. Every person who takes part in getting a vehicle repaired needs to have clear and timely information regarding the repair needs.
2. Improper Diagnosis – Service providers in and out of a company’s network of repair facilities should have access to the vehicle’s maintenance records to help improve accuracy of fixing the issue. Companies should also make sure technicians are trained to handle error codes and repair needs of specialized equipment.
3. Parts Availability – While this factor may be uncontrollable due to factors like the pandemic. Company owners and operators need to be aware of this factor and plan accordingly. If a repair was to take 3 days and now it takes closer to 10 days, it is still best to take vehicles in for repair as soon as a problem is known to mitigate the risk of additional damage, downtime and cost.

Learn more online at www.truckinginfo.com

The Enterprise Difference

Vehicle maintenance and repair needs are always going to happen,  sometimes planned, but often unplanned. Many companies are finding that with COVID-19 Guidelines, they are needing to socially distance drivers and maximize fleet utilization. So when trucks need maintenance and repairs, it impacts their delivery schedule. Enterprise can help maximize up-time. When your truck or van is in the shop for repair, contact your local Enterprise Truck Rental branch to fill the short or long-term need to keep your company focused on delivering your service. 

Global Microchip Shortage Impacts Vehicle Production

Production of a wide-variety of vehicles for nearly all major manufacturers may be impacted by the global microchip shortage.

Nearly all of the major automotive manufacturers are facing unprecedented stops in production due to a shortage of microchips. Each vehicle contains 50-150 various microchips that monitor and control systems like tire pressure monitoring to engine timing. Microchips are unique for each application in each vehicle, and not interchangeable. This shortage is coming to life as manufacturers work to recover from 2020.

Sources indicate that it may take until 2022 to reach pre-pandemic production levels.

The Enterprise Difference

If your company is waiting for new vehicles to arrive to add to your fleet, or your company is experiencing high demand and has a need to add commercial trucks or vans to your fleet today, contact Enterprise Truck Rental to fill those needs. Whether you need a truck for a week, a month, or longer, our local Enterprise Truck Rental experts can customize a solution for your business.

Continue Reading at kbb.com

Search Our Nationwide Stock of Well-Maintained Commercial Vehicles for Sale

As a mobility and transportation expert, we understand that your business needs may require you to buy a truck. Enterprise has nationwide inventory of late-model well-maintained, commercial vehicles to fit your needs. 
Search our inventory by the truck classes we offer: 

•  Vans and Box Trucks
•  Stakebed Trucks
•  Cargo and Parcel Vans
•  Pickup Trucks and Heavy-duty Pickups
•  Service & Utility Trucks

Enterprise Solution:

Enterprise has inventory across the country of our used, well-maintained commercially equipped vehicles. If you're in the market for a used commercial vehicle and want to speak to our Sales Staff about finding the right one to fit your needs, call us at 1 877 4-trk-sales (1-877-487-5725) or Contact Us.

U.S. Sees Average Fuel Price Per Gallon Hit $2.77

In March, AAA reported that the average fuel price jumped $0.31 within 30 days. The majority of states have reported double-digit increases in average fuel prices since February. The current mark of $2.77 has not been seen since April of 2019.

Price increases are a result of refinery utilization at an all-time low, and OPEC’s decision to minimally increase production going through April.

The Enterprise Difference

Fleet fuel costs are one of the top expenses a company faces and increases to the price per gallon can have a big impact on the operational budget when companies least expect it. Enterprise Truck Rental offers companies access to WEX Fuel Management program to support their business operation. This fuel card program helps companies manage, track and report fuel-related expenses, in addition, to protect against fraud at the pump and save $0.05 per gallon on qualified fill-ups. Terms apply.

Article Source: www.worktruckonline.com 

Driver Considerations for Navigating Steep Grade Routes

Companies who expand their drivers’ territory and route coverage area may fail to recognize the value and importance of effective driver training for steep grade driving. CDL guides may have a small section dedicated to steep grade training and maneuvering, but in practice it may be rarely used.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is in progress in establishing training to prepare new drivers for the variety of roads in the U.S.

• Get practice with 5% grades – while it’s difficult to replicate Rocky Mountain highways in the Midwest, there are opportunities for companies to find steep grades in their area and ensure student drivers get the practice they need with in-the-moment instruction.
• Simulators to overcome geography – companies may find classroom instruction and simulation experiences can still provide value to drivers. Companies should keep in mind that some entry-level drivers may not fully grasp the importance of the course and its lessons.
• Lower Gear or Slow Down – Across the country there are signs that may specify whether drivers should use a lower gear or slow down. But the question remains how to teach drivers which lower gear and how slow?

Continue reading at www.truckinginfo.com to learn more about safe mountain descent techniques and how to leverage an RPM range to ensure appropriate speed.