Automotive Fleet News

WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recognized Wyoming yesterday for becoming the 20th state to enact a statewide ban prohibiting drivers from texting while behind-the-wheel.

Tags: NHTSA, texting

DES PLAINES, IL - Wheels, Inc., a leader in the multi-billion-dollar fleet-leasing industry, announced new technology enhancements to its personal use/taxable benefit service, Driver Tax Compliance.

Tags: Driver Tax Compliance, Wheels Inc.

SAN JOSE, CA - The cost of a ticket for texting or using a hand-held phone in California would be among the toughest in the nation if a bill introduced in the state senate becomes law.

Tags: texting ban

MT. LAUREL, NJ - Automotive Resources International (ARI) has announced its Gold Level membership with the Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities Coalition.

Tags: ARI, Clean Cities

WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood unveiled sample legislation Feb. 22 to be used as a starting point for states crafting new laws to prohibit texting while behind-the-wheel, the latest step in the campaign against distracted driving.

Tags: DOT, NHTSA, texting

NEW YORK - Although prices are expected to rise this summer, experts said they won't reach the $4 price spikes of 2008.

Tags: fuel

TORRANCE, CA - Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. today announced that, working in cooperation with Attorneys General across the country, Toyota will be extending on a nationwide basis the additional services being provided to Toyota and Lexus customers in New York affected by the company's recent recalls.

Tags: Lexus, Recall, Toyota

MONTVALE, NJ - Mercedes-Benz' E300 BlueTec hybrid, the carmaker's first ever diesel-electric hybrid car, will soon be launched. Mercedes-Benz confirmed that the hybrid will arrive at European showrooms early in 2011.

Tags: diesel-electric, hybrid, Mercedes-Benz

WASHINGTON - The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has launched a Web site where trucking companies can register for access to a safety database they will be able to use for screening applicants for driving jobs.

Tags: FMCSA

KANSAS CITY, MO - Scott Beeson, the former Ferrellgas fleet manager who pled guilty last April to embezzling $3.5 million from the company, was recently sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison.

Tags: embezzlement, Ferrellgas, fraud

WASHINGTON - General Motors Co. is recalling 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac cars sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico to fix power steering motors.

Tags: General Motors recall

SACRAMENTO - The cost of a ticket for texting or using a hand-held phone in California would be among the toughest in the nation if a bill introduced in the state senate becomes law.

Tags: California, texting

GOTEBORG, SWEDEN - The all-new Volvo S60 is packed with high-tech solutions that actively help the driver avoid accidents. The Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake is a world first.

Tags: Driver Alert Control, Lane Departure Warning, Pedestrian Detection, S60, Volvo

TORRANCE, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A. Inc. announced that it will install a brake override system on an expanded range of customers' vehicles. This braking system enhancement will automatically reduce engine power when the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are applied simultaneously under certain driving conditions.

Tags: sudden acceleration, Toyota recalls

VAN NUYS, CA - The U.S. Government has closed down Tierra Santa Inc., a Los Angeles-area bus company involved in a crash that killed six people in Arizona on Friday, March 5, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Tags: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Tierra Santa

MIAMI BEACH, FL - Emkay, Incorporated was presented with a Stevie Award in the Customer Service Department of the Year transportation category in the fourth annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

Tags: award, Emkay

SAN DIEGO, CA - Toyota said Monday, March 15, that its preliminary test results on a 2008 Prius, which was allegedly involved in an unintended-acceleration episode last week near San Diego, were inconsistent with the driver's account.

Tags: Prius, sudden acceleration

BURBANK, CA - General Motors Co. said it is testing a production-intent hydrogen fuel cell system that can be packaged in the space of a traditional four-cylinder engine and be ready for commercial production in 2015.

Tags: electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles, fuel cells, General Motors, hydrogen fuel cells, Project Driveway

PORTSMOUTH, NH - Already facing a lawsuit, founders of The Lollipop Tree business got themselves into even more potential legal trouble after they allegedly refused to turn over a company vehicle and attempted to hack into the business computer system.

Tags: Lawsuit, The Lollipop Tree

ADDISON, TEXAS - Due to company reorganization, veteran Fleet Manager Kim LaRue left her Mary Kay management duties.

Tags: Kim LaRue, Mary Kay

WASHINGTON - Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is recalling nearly 8,000 Discoverer H/T and Discoverer LSX tires that are size 245/70R17.

Tags: Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., NHTSA, tire recall