Private Truck Fleets Look to Leasing
November 29, 2010
According toBloomberg/BusinessWeek, America’s truck fleet is the oldest it has been in more than 30 years. The good news is demand for new trucks is on the rise. The bad news is the cost to buy a new commercial truck has jumped more than 30 percent for heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks over the last few years due to new emission system technologies.
<p>Little wonder that the National Private Truck Council’s <a href="http://www.nptc.org/">(NPTC)</a> 2010 “Annual Benchmarking Survey” found the number one concern of their members were costs followed closely by customer service. The NPTC is a trade association representing private motor carrier fleets. (Note: Penske is an allied member.)</p><p>According to their most-recent survey, private fleets seem to be moving more toward <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/">leasing trucks</a>. The survey found “a total of 50 percent of the member companies responding to the survey reported leasing the majority of their equipment (up from the 37 percent that reported doing so over the last two years).”</p><p>Considering alternatives to ownership to control costs? <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/request_info/index.html">Contact us</a> to explore the options available to you and your business. We can help.</p><p><em>By Randy Ryerson</em></p></div>
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Penske Launches New “Move Ahead” Blog
November 29, 2010
Welcome to “Move Ahead” – the official blog for Penske Truck Leasing, Penske Truck Rental, Penske Logistics, and Penske Used Trucks. Here we’ll share news, information, tips, special promotions, business insights, in-depth profiles, and more. Whether you’re a homeowner looking for moving tips, a truck fleet -operator, supply chain executive, or journalist looking for a good story – “Move Ahead” has something for you.
<p>“Move Ahead” is where we have the opportunity to connect with those of you who want to learn more about Penske businesses. This is your blog, too. We encourage participation and want to hear from you. Learn more about “Move Ahead” and our <a href="/commenting-policy/">commenting guidelines.</a></p><p>Let’s get started. It’s easy, take a look around the site and simply leave a comment when a topic moves you. You can tell us what you want to read about or share your moving or transportation experience, especially when it helps other readers.</p></div>
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Used Commercial Truck Sales Can Be Robust Through 2012
November 24, 2010
Jack Mitchell notes that the market for used commercial truck sales in the U.S. is strong right now and expects it to continue through 2012.
<p>“Inventory is tight in the marketplace,” said Mitchell, the vice president of remarketing at Penske Truck Leasing. “There is an aging fleet out there. With a slight pickup in the economy trucking companies are starting to do better, so utilization is picking up, and there is a demand for used equipment.</p><p>“The age of the fleets running in the United States is actually the oldest since 1979.”</p><p>Looking ahead, Mitchell sees the basics of supply and demand at play.</p><p>“Prices will be increasing – there is not a lot of quantity out there for used trucks,” he said. “New pricing right now has gone through the roof with the 2010 emission trucks – new trucks are averaging over $10,000 more than last year. And that’s making used a lot more attractive.”</p><p>Mitchell attended an industry conference recently in Jacksonville, Fla. that confirmed his bullish outlook. As the former Penske district manager explains it, anything with low mileage and late model year is selling quickly. For tractors, that would be a unit with less than 500,000 miles, and for medium-duty trucks, it would be vehicles with odometers below 175,000 miles.</p><p>Penske sells over 20,000 <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/">used trucks</a> annually. As an industry leader, Mitchell explained what makes Penske equipment attractive: “There is only one owner – we buy our equipment new. There are rigorous maintenance and PM (preventive maintenance) standards that we have in place. We’re selling trucks that are only three to seven years old with low mileage, which is fairly new compared to our competitors.</p><p>“Penske supplies <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/buying-from-penske/maintenance-and-inspection.html">maintenance records</a> with vehicle sales. We can offer a <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/warranty-programs.html">warranty</a> through National Truck Protection (NTP) and financing from <a href="https://www.netloanfunding.com/Penske/LandingPage.aspx">netLoan</a>,” Mitchell pointed out.</p><p>To view a complete inventory of used Penske equipment, please visit <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/">https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/</a>.</p><p><em>By Alen Beljin</em></p> </div>
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Low Consumer Confidence May Dampen Holidays for Retailers
November 24, 2010
A leading transportation economist predicts a U.S. holiday season that is “a little bit better off this year than last year” but remains concerned as to how the recovery is taking shape.
<p>“Consumer spending is 70 percent of our economy, all of our previous recoveries have been consumer led; this one is not consumer led,” explained Rosalyn Wilson, a senior business analyst with <a href="http://www.delcan.com/">Delcan Corporation</a>. “There is still very high unemployment, tight credit and lower household net worth. Caution is the watch word – caution with inventories, consumers are being more cautious.</p><p>“Consumers are taking a save-and-wait approach,” she said. “It still feels like a recession, and currently the consumer confidence index is 50.2 percent. When it falls to 50 percent and below, that means confidence in the economy is flagging.”</p><p>Based on reports that Wilson has culled from the Department of Commerce, retail trade groups, consumer index polls, manufacturing shipment data, truck tonnage data, and through an extensive list of contacts, she is predicting a very small recovery this holiday season. “I did not see the traditional holiday rush of shipping activity in October,” generally regarded as a strong telltale sign. Wilson noted that <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/industries/retail/">ordering patterns for companies</a> have been very lean as of late.</p><p>According to Wilson, retailers ring up the bulk of their annual sales during the last few weeks of the year. “Normally shoppers purchase their gifts a month out, but this year, consumers are waiting and shopping more online.”</p><p>She cautioned that consumers will find “good bargains” this shopping season, but in this case, the early bird does not necessarily get the worm. “Retailers want to protect their 2010 profit margins as much as they can, so don’t expect dramatic price drops until after the holiday season,” she said.</p><p>She predicted that delivery services are bracing for a big surge of shipping activity during the last week of the shopping season. “The transportation industry believes it’s on the cusp of recovery.”</p><p>What has Wilson’s research uncovered about the psyche of the American consumer? “People feel good about the long term,” she said. “They don’t feel good about the short term.”</p><p>Wilson is author of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals <a href="http://cscmp.org/Default.asp">(CSCMP)</a> <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/newsroom/2010_6_9_logistics_report.html">State of Logistics report,</a> sponsored by <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/company/leadership.html">Penske Logistics</a>. The 2011 SOL report will be unveiled next spring at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.</p><p><em></em><em>By Alen Beljin</em></p></div>
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Rental Express Saves You and Your Business Time
November 23, 2010
Running your business is tough enough. I bet you can think of all the to-do’s you’ve spent time on today, but can you think of a task that actually took less time than expected? If not, read on.
<p>We understand your customers depend on you. When they need a shipment -- it just can’t wait. That’s why we’ve made the process of <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/commercial-truck-rental/">renting a truck</a> faster and easier.</p><p>You can save a few minutes and get a <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/discounts/">discounted truck rental</a> from Penske when you sign up for <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/discounts/">Rental Express</a>. It takes one minute to complete our <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/discounts/">online truck rental form</a> (yes, we’ve timed it). Once you're approved, just call ahead, sign, pick up your keys, and you or your driver is on the road.</p><p>What will you do with the extra time? Maybe grab a cup of coffee, check e-mails or comment on this blog post? Just to give you some additional incentive, new commercial <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/commercial-truck-rental/">Penske Truck Rental</a> customers who enroll in <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/discounts/">Rental Express</a> will enjoy 20 percent off their truck rentals now through <strong>Feb. 28, 2011.</strong> Tick-tock!</p><p><em>By Stacy Lord</em></p></div>
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Penske Discovery Forums Continue Into December
November 23, 2010
There is still time to register for Discovery Forum 2010, a series of educational open houses for commercial fleet owners and fleet managers thatPenske Truck Leasing is hosting. Here are the remaining dates:
<ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Dec. 2 – La Mirada, Calif.</li> <li>Dec. 7 – Phoenix</li> <li>Dec. 14 – Mississauga, Ontario</li></ul><p>Penske’s Certified Transportation Professionals and other fleet experts and key vendors and suppliers will be on hand to discuss a wide range of topics ranging from:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>The latest engine technologies</li> <li><a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/">Preventive maintenance</a> programs</li> <li><a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/teamlease/">Finance </a>options</li> <li>EPA’s <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/penske/sustainability/">SmartWay</a> Transport Partnership</li> <li><a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/tracking-performance/">Onboard</a> fleet technologies</li> <li>Fuel management</li> <li>Safety insights on the new <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/safety/comprehensive-safety-analysis.html">CSA 2010</a> program</li> <li>Other topics of interest to today’s fleet owners and managers</li></ul><p>To attend these free educational events, please call 888-216-9365. Advanced registration is required due to limited seating.<em> </em></p><p>We will be in La Mirada on Dec. 2 and will blog about the experience.</p><p><em>By Alen Beljin</em></p> </div>
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Winter Truck Driving Tips
November 22, 2010
Old Man Winter is soon coming back, so it’s important to prepare for the season’s hazardous conditions and review some basic commercial truck driving winter safety tips.
<p>Remember, the three P’s of safe winter driving are <strong>prepare</strong> for the trip, <strong>protect</strong> yourself and <strong>prevent</strong> crashes on the road.</p><p>Each year, <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/">Penske Truck Leasing</a> offers winter driving tips to help you prepare for the wintry weather.</p><ol class="ee-ol"> <li><a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/maintenance.html">Maintain</a> your vehicle. Do a proper pre-trip inspection to make sure all systems are working properly.</li> <li>Clear snow and ice from all windows, lights, hood and roof. Don’t forget the trailer, too.</li> <li>Make sure all lights on the vehicle - inside and out - are working properly.</li> <li>Road salt and winter sludge tends to cover lights, reducing visibility. Make sure headlights and tail lights are cleaned frequently.</li> <li>Use extra caution when traveling across bridges and overpasses. They freeze before the road.</li> <li>Listen to weather reports and allow extra time to reach your destination.</li> <li>Stock your vehicle with basic supplies like warm clothing, blankets, flashlights, extra food, bottled water, road flares and a first aid kit.</li> <li>Increase distance between other vehicles on the road and leave plenty of room for stopping.</li> <li>Slow down and reduce speed by 50 percent on slick surfaces.</li> <li>Be aware of wind conditions and load weight.</li> <li>Keep your tank full. A half-full tank can lead to water condensation in the fuel line.</li> <li>Avoid fatigue and get plenty of rest before a trip.</li></ol><p>Penske has <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/dot-regulations/">safety specialists</a> throughout North America with additional safety information specific to your region. Contact your Penske <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/request_info/">sales representative</a> to request a Penske driver safety meeting for your fleet.</p><p>Have a winter driving tip not mentioned here? Post it in the comments.</p><p><em>By Kathleen Walter</em></p></div>
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Donated Penske Trucks at Work in Haiti
November 19, 2010
As residents of Haiti continue rebuilding their lives almost 11 months after a massive earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince,Penske’s $1 million worth of donated trucks continue to help those hit hardest by the devastating quake.
<p>Earlier this year, Penske Truck Leasing, Penske Corporation and its family of companies donated 40 trucks through the <a href="http://www.clintonbushhaitifund.org/">Clinton-Bush Haiti Foundation</a> to assist with relief efforts surrounding the earthquake. Upon arrival these trucks were immediately put to work by the <a href="http://www.wfp.org/">U.N.’s World Food Program</a> (WFP).</p><p>The Government of Haiti’s National Equipment Centre is using 20 trucks. Based in Port-au-Prince, the WFP/Logistics Cluster is utilizing the other 20 as part of the interagency humanitarian response fleet responsible for transporting relief items around the country.</p><p>"These trucks have been instrumental in ensuring a consistent response capacity, in particular for the movement of non-food items, including housing and transitional shelter materials for displaced persons, as well as tools and machinery for economic recovery projects, among others,” said Francis Nixon, logistics cluster officer with the WFP in Haiti. Nixon recently provided an update via e-mail to <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/">Penske</a> on how the vehicles are being used in their current mission.</p><p>The 7.0 magnitude quake struck Jan. 12, 2010 and its epicenter hit just 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince. The U.S. Geological Survey Office called it the strongest earthquake since 1770 in what is now Haiti.</p><p>Following the quake, the Red Cross dispatched relief teams from Geneva and the WFP. Since that time, millions of Haitians have been helped. However, the Clinton-Bush Haiti Foundation, WFP and Red Cross continue to provide relief and rebuilding efforts and will likely provide assistance for many years due to the devastation, including the recent outbreak of cholera.</p><p><em>By Kandace Wertz</em></p> </div>
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Tools to Manage Your Fleet Easier
November 19, 2010
Did you know that Penske Truck Leasing offers a customer website designed to help commercial truck fleet managers run their businesses more efficiently and effectively?
<p><a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/tracking-performance/myfleet.html">MyFleetAtPenske.com</a> is a secure, private website available to U.S. full-service <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/">lease</a> and <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/">contract maintenance</a> customers. The site provides information on the customer’s fleet profile and valuable fleet management tools like safety information, fuel locations, maintenance and 24/7 roadside assistance - all with the click of a mouse.</p><p>As a Penske customer, you can benefit from using MyFleetAtPenske.com. Features include:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>A fast and easy-to-use Web navigation</li> <li>24/7 access to fleet information</li> <li>The ability to save time through instant access to fleet information and reports</li> <li>A dedicated customer service call and support center</li> <li>The capability to identify road break downs and track them</li> <li>Discounts on safety and driver compliance services from industry-leading vendors like <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/jj_keller.html">JJ Keller</a> and <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/driver_training.html">Smith System</a></li> <li>Updates on the latest Penske and industry news</li> <li>Information on key fleet issues via webinars</li></ul><p>With MyFleetAtPenske.com, you can gain faster access to account information in a Web-based format. For more information or to register for MyFleetAtPenske.com, contact <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/request_info/">your local</a> Penske representative. <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/activate/activate.html">Click here</a> to watch a preview video.</p><p>If you’re already using MyFleetAtPenske.com, tell us about it. Comment on this blog about your MyFleet experience.</p><p><em>By Kathleen Walter</em></p><p><em> </em></p></div>
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AAA Members Can Enter Penske Truck Rental Sweepstakes
November 18, 2010
We all love to win. For AAA members, when you rent a truck now through December 31, 2010, you can enter for achance to win a free Penske truck rental up to $500. To enter, simply rent your Penske truck and then complete the registration form. Be sure to fill out all the required fields.
<p>Every two weeks, <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/discounts/aaa/">one lucky winner</a> will be chosen at random. Maureen Cram recently moved her daughter from Amherst, N.H. to Dover, Del. Her entry was randomly selected on October 22 and she had this to say, “Thanks for being a quality resource. Penske is always our first choice whenever we need a vehicle for moving.”</p><p>You could be next. <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/discounts/aaa/">Find out all the details</a>.</p><p><em>By Stacy Lord</em></p></div>
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Penske Logistics Given Green Supply Chain Award
November 18, 2010
Supply and Demand Chain Executive magazine has given Penske Logistics its 2010 Green Supply Chain award. The magazine noted they “recognized companies that are making green sustainability a core part of their supply chain strategy.”
<p>As part of Penske’s award submission, the company highlighted:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Participation in the <a href="http://www.epa.gov/smartwaylogistics/">U.S. EPA SmartWay</a> program as a Carrier Partner, and how an audience of 11,000 people have been reached through Penske customer presentations</li> <li>Implemented idle reduction programs, policies and technologies</li> <li>Strict companywide environmental compliance, environmental monitoring and recycling programs <strong></strong></li> <li>Doing preferential business with other sustainable minded SmartWay certified carriers <strong></strong></li> <li>Proprietary carbon footprint tool for its customers</li></ul><p>Earlier this year, Inbound Logistics magazine tabbed Penske Logistics as a <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/newsroom/2010_7_12_logistics_green.html">Green 50 Supply Chain Partner</a>.</p><p>Penske also unveiled a <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/newsroom/2010_4_22_logistics_sustainability.html">third party logistics sustainability report</a> to celebrate Earth Day 2010. Authored by supply chain college professor <a href="http://www.cba.neu.edu/robert-lieb/">Dr. Robert C. Lieb</a> and his daughter, Dr. Kristin J. Lieb, the report noted that despite the recent recession, many 3PL companies increased their sustainability efforts industry wide. The sustainability report utilizes information culled from <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/newsroom/2010_9_27_ceo.html">3PL provider CEO prospective surveys</a> that the Liebs create annually. The reports are sponsored by <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/">Penske Logistics.</a></p><p><em>By Alen Beljin</em></p></div>
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Commenting Policy
November 01, 2010
We encourage comments and look forward to hearing from you. Please note that your comment needs to be approved by the site owner and may be edited before it will appear, to ensure compliance with our Terms and Conditions. The site owner generally operates between 9 am and 5 pm EST Monday – Friday. Thank you for your patience.