Automotive Fleet News

BLOOMINGTON, IL - The insurance company accuses Denny Hecker's Advantage Rent-A-Car and Southwest-Tex Leasing subsidiary of allegedly inflating auto repair bills on hundreds of rental car claims, according to the Star Tribune.

Tags: Advantage Rent-A-Car, Denny Hecker, lawsuit, Southwest-Tex Leasing, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co.

DETROIT - Down weeks at a number of its plants to tightly control inventories and better enable GM dealers to reduce their stock of vehicles was what drove down fleet sales, according to the automaker.

FAIRFAX, VA - Sokolis Group, a nationwide outsourced fuel management and fuel consulting company, announced that Trailways will outsource fuel management to Sokolis Group in order to streamline its fleet fuel operations and fuel market intelligence.

Tags: fuel management, Sokolis Group, Trailways

CHERRY HILL, NJ - Subaru of America, Inc. announced it set a sales record for the month of June as sales were up 3 percent. Subaru sales for June 2009 also showed a 6-percent increase over May 2009 Subaru sales.

Tags: Imprezza, Legacy, Subaru

WARRENVILLE, IL - More than 1,600 International and IC Bus dealer parts employees attended the new online "Power Up" Navistar Parts Virtual Conference and Sales Expo in June, according to the manufacturer.

Tags: Navistar, Navistar Parts Virtual Conference and Sales Expo, online forum

TREVOSE, PA - Drivers of heavy-duty trucks can now receive online training in current U.S. federal hours of service regulations and correct log book procedures from DriverCare Web-Based Training.

Tags: Driver Logs, DriverCare, Hours of Service, The CEI Group

FREDERICK, MD - A new and improved conference and convention schedule is in the works for 2010. Plans have been announced to combine next spring's NAAA Business & Quad Zone Meeting and Bobit's Conference of Auto Remarketing (CAR).

Tags: Bobit Business Media, CAR, Conference of Auto Remarketing, NAAA, National Auto Auction Association

HERNDON, VA - Audi launched an aggressive public awareness campaign in the U.S. to highlight the ways in which TDI clean diesel can help America achieve energy independence

Tags: Audi, clean diesel, TDI, The Truth in Diesel

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - In 2009, the light-delivery vehicle Volvo 445, which brought about the Duett and thus started Volvo's tradition of estate cars, turns 60.

Tags: Anniversary, Light Loader, Volvo, Volvo 445

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - When Sweden and its Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt took over the presidency of the European Union July 1, Volvo became the official transport supplier to the government through its marketing company, Volvo Personbilar Sverige (VPS).

Tags: EU, European Union, Sweden, Volvo

HERNDON, VA - Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced they have been named a corporate leader in Strategic Vision Inc.'s Total Quality Index (TQI).

Tags: Strategic Vision Total Quality Index, TQI, Volkswagen

The Automotive Training Group (ATG) has released the Ford OBDII Trouble Code, Quick-Reference guide. This 450-page guide, the first in ATG's Technician Reference series, covers all Ford, Lincoln, & Mercury Cars, Trucks, SUV's, & Vans (2003-2008), including Diesel and Hybrid applications.

Tags: ATG, Automotive Training Group, Ford, Ford OBDII Trouble Code

DALLAS - BAF Technologies, a provider of natural gas vehicle upfits, will help AT&T convert 600 Ford E-Series vans to CNG technology in 2009.

Tags: alternative fuel, AT&T, BAF Technologies, CNG, Ford E-Series

Backing up is always dangerous because it's difficult to see behind the vehicle. Here are some driving tips, courtesy of the California DMV, that you may want to pass along to your drivers as a friendly reminder.

Tags: driving tips

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Kumho Tire USA is recalling 36,292 Kumho Mohave A/T light truck all-terrain tires.

Tags: Kumho Tire USA recall

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations is recalling 127,183 Firestone FR380 tires (size P235/75R15) manufactured from Sept. 9, 2007 through July 2, 2008.

Tags: Bridgestone tire recall, Firestone tire recall, NHTSA

LOS ANGELES --- Normally, DNA evidence is used to solve only violent crimes because of the expense involved. But LAPD detectives recently used DNA evidence to identify three suspects in downtown car burglaries, the L.A. Times reported.

Tags: auto burglary, DNA evidence

PROVIDENCE RI --- The Rhode Island General Assembly is considering a bill that would require an independent appraisal of any vehicle collision damage that exceeds $2,000.

Tags: appraisal inspection, collision repair regulations, Rhode Island General Assembly , vehicle collision damage

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is asking for public comment on a proposed regulation that would require vehicle rear turn signal lights to be amber-colored.

Tags: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards , National Highway Traffic Safety , turn signal lights

DENVER --- The Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority has received eight grant awards totaling nearly $2 million to target and combat auto theft statewide.

Tags: auto theft, Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) said its Roadcheck 2009's record total of overall inspections and Level I inspections showed significant declines in vehicle and driver out-of-service rates, as well as a significant drop in safety belt violations.

Tags: Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance , Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, NAS Level I Inspection, Roadcheck 2009

SACRAMENTO, CA --- The California Air Resources Board has released several tools designed to help truck fleets comply with clean-air regulations adopted by ARB in recent years.

Tags: California Air Resources Board, emissions regulations