P.M. Executive Briefing - Jan. 12
This Afternoon's Headlines:
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Nissan Expects to Unveil Restructuring for Heavy-Truck Unit by End of Month
Nissan Motor CEO Carlos Ghosn told a North American International Auto Show press conference that the company expects to announce a restructuring plan for Nissan Diesel Motor by the end of the month. He said Nissan Diesel's high debt "is seen as a repellent" but anticipated being able to solve the unit's problems for good within weeks.He had no comment on Japanese reports on a venture with Isuzu Motors and Hino Motors to make buses, saying the company is not eyeing a combination and that "there have been no official contacts" on an acquisition. A sale of Nissan Diesel is among the options Nissan will look at once it has solved the truck unit's problems. Wall Street Journal (01/12/00) P. A4; Simison, Robert L.
Truckers in Mexico Call for Retaliation
Responding to the Clinton administration's decision to defy a Nafta provision by excluding Mexican trucks, the Mexican trucking industry on Tuesday urged a Mexican ban on U.S. trucks.Mexico has appealed to the dispute-resolution provision in the trade agreement, and an arbitration panel was created last week with a four-month deadline for a study of and report on the issue. Mexico expects that the panel will rule in its favor, and Mexican Commerce Secretary Herminio Blanco said Monday the U.S. could be hit with sanctions if it does not go along with that expected ruling. Officials in Mexico have charged that the administration is trying to win Teamsters backing for Vice President Gore's Oval Office bid.
Regarding U.S. concerns about Mexican trucks' safety, the president of the country's truckers association pointed to Nafta safeguards allowing the U.S. to keep out trucks that fail border inspections. But Mexico's economy could be hurt if it keeps out U.S. trucks, many of which are taking raw materials to maquiladoras, whose products are then exported. The export industry is important in the Mexican economy. Los Angeles Times (01/12/00) P. 3C; Smith, James F.
USF Glen Moore Acquires Tri-Star Transportation
USF Glen Moore has made its second acquisition in the past half year with its purchase of Tennessee-based Tri-Star Transportation, which will become USF Glen Moore's Dedicated Division. Dedicated Fleet Operations accounted for 66% of Tri-Star's 1999 revenue. USF Glen Moore is USFreightways' truckload subsidiary. TruckingInfo.com (01/12/00)Rig Drivers Face Fines
The New Jersey Senate on Monday passed a bill to create a system of fines for truckers who disobey the state's truck ban. The bill would establish a maximum $400 fine for the first offense, while the fines would be $700 for the second offense and $1,000 per offense after that. The state Assembly passed a comparable bill last month. Gov. Christie Whitman must sign the bill within 18 days for it to take effect.All 102-inch-wide interstate trucks must use the National Truck Network roadways. The final legislation was accepted by state industry representatives, who met during legislative hearings with the legislators who sponsored the bills in each house.
New Jersey Motor Truck Association executive director Sam Cunninghame said the "up to $400" fine for the first offense will allow leeway on the part of a judge, who could decide whether the driver intentionally violated the ban.
Officials in the Trenton area still want the governor to add 96-inch-wide trucks to the ban. West Amwell Mayor Les Hamilton charged that the American Trucking Associations is advocating profits over public safety with its planned lawsuit challenge to the ban. Trenton Times Online (01/12/00) ; Alexander, Andrea
AAA Michigan Network to Help Update Drivers
AAA Michigan this week has established the AAA Traffic Network, which will provide real-time information on traffic, road, and weather conditions across the state on the state auto club's Web site or though Palm VII wireless units. Information is also available by telephone at (800) AAA-MICH, and the traffic network also wants drivers to call in their own reports at (877) TIP-ROAD. Detroit News (01/12/00) P. C8; Greenwood, TomDetroit Diesel Has Record Production Year
Detroit Diesel said during this week's North American International Auto Show that it set an engine production record in calendar 1999, with more than 165,000 units in all. In addition, it said it received the Powerplant and Off Highway Company of the Year award from the Society of Automotive Engineers. TruckingInfo.com (01/12/00)Turnpike Widening Continues in Winter
November completion dates have required crews to work during the winter on parts of the Ohio Turnpike widening, which will give the highway three lanes each way. While winter work on the widening project has happened before, there is a great deal of work to be done in Erie County between mile markers 127 and 132, where drains are being put in the median.Elsewhere, winter widening work consists largely of building bridge abutments. An 89-mile stretch of the turnpike has been widened to six since construction began in 1996, and widening the remaining portion from U.S. 20 to the Youngstown area is expected to be completed by 2004.
A series of toll hikes, which brought the toll up 82% by the beginning of last year, is paying for the road construction. Preliminary data shows that the turnpike handled a record volume of cars and trucks in 1999. The turnpike service plazas are also being renovated into "travel centers" featuring trucker facilities and other amenities. Toledo Blade (01/11/00) P. 13; Patch, David
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