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24 • February 15-28, 2019 Equipment thetrucker.com Truck dealers form new coalition to repeal hefty excise tax on commercial truck sales Charles Cyrill ATD/NADA Director of Public Relations SAN FRANCISCO — The American Truck Dealers (ATD) has formed a new coalition of industry stakeholders whose goal will be to repeal the federal excise tax (FET) on commercial truck sales. ATD Chairwoman Jodie Teuton revealed the formation of the coalition during her keynote remarks at the recent ATD Show. “Repealing this 102-year-old tax remains our No. 1 priority. This tax discourages the deployment of today’s cleaner, safer and more fuel-efficient heavy-duty trucks,” said Teuton, vice president of Kenworth of Louisiana and Hino of Baton Rouge. “And this year, we won’t be alone in the fight. We now have some strong industry allies.” The coalition, called Modernize the Truck Fleet, includes ATD; Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA), whose members are Daimler Trucks North America, Navistar, Paccar, Volvo Group North America and Cummins; the NTEA, (the Association for the Work Truck Industry); and the Truck Renting & Leasing Association (TRALA). “The truck industry is united, and we have two goals: Repeal the FET and find an acceptable replacement for the lost revenue from the FET that provides a long-term solution to help fund our highways and modernize America’s fleets,” Teuton said. “We’re joining our efforts this year to include the FET repeal in a comprehensive infrastructure bill.” Teuton said the FET adds significant cost [$12,000 to $22,000] to a new truck and hurts dealership customers by preventing them from investing more in their businesses. Enacted in 1917, the FET was meant to be a temporary measure to help pay for World War I. Today, it is the highest percentage tax that Congress levies on a product. “This Congress, we have a unique opportunity to make FET repeal a reality,” Teuton said. “Both Congress and the administration Courtesy: AMERICAN TRUCK DEALERS American Truck Dealer Chairwoman Jodie Teuton said a newly formed coalition has two goals: Repeal the federal excise tax on commercial trucks and find an acceptable replacement for the lost revenue from the federal excise tax that provides a long-term solution to help fund the highways and modernize America’s fleets. are discussing a comprehensive infrastructure bill that would address funding. This is our best shot in decades to eliminate this tax.” Teuton urged ATD member dealers to ramp up their grassroots efforts and get involved by contacting their representatives in Congress. “We need each one of you in this fight,” she said. “Your senator or representative may be the one to make the difference.” Teuton also discussed the critical shortage of service technicians at truck dealerships, adding that a major disconnect exists between supply and demand, which is affecting the ability of dealerships to provide service to their customers. “Every year our industry needs thousands of technicians — and the numbers are rising. In truck dealerships, we are seeing a shortage of 9,000 technicians per year,” she said. “Across the entire industry, including auto dealerships, there’s a shortage of almost 50,000 technicians per year.” Teuton called on dealers to promote career opportunities at their dealerships in communities across the country. “I’d like every truck dealer to help ATD get the word out now: Dealership jobs are rewarding, challenging and pay well,” she said. “Technician jobs at dealerships average $61,000 per year with benefits. Some of the best paid people in my dealerships are technicians.” From industry disruptions to economic headwinds, Teuton added that commercial truck dealerships have remained resilient and are adapting to market challenges. “U.S. retail sales of Class 8 trucks were at historic levels, and order boards are filled well into this year. Freight growth was robust and consistent. And dealers nationwide are selling some of the cleanest and most advanced trucks we’ve seen,” she said. “These numbers are proof of our industry’s hard work, and our ability to adapt to the technological changes all around us.” ATD, a division of NADA, represents more than 1,800 heavy- and medium-duty truck dealerships. 8 DiamonD has historically kept our Drivers loaDeD, we have the freight to continue. FUN FACT: DiamonD founDer L.r. Jenkins was born into trucking in 1906. His fatHer anD granDfatHer useD Horse anD wagon to move LoaDs to anD from raiL points in tHe Dakotas prior to moving to wisconsin. Call 262-554-4025 or visit www.diamondrecruit.com
THETRUCKER.COM b Bendix from page 23 b Copper-Free Brake Initiative requirements, according to BSFB. “Since we first introduced air disc brakes in 2005 to the North American commercial vehicle market with the Bendix ADB22X, the popularity of air disc brakes has grown annually, particularly over the last five years,” Mc- Comsey said. “At this point, there are a lot of air disc-braked trucks in the hands of second or even third owners, who may have completely different needs than the original buyer. And with more ADB-equipped vehicles hitting the road every day, we want to make sure we’re supporting all the needs of the air disc brake aftermarket.” McComsey said when Bendix says its aftermarket pad friction meets FMVSS-121 requirements, the company means it. “We don’t cut corners to take cost out, specifically when it comes to safety. In today’s marketplace, we know vehicle operators have options when it comes to replacement pad choices for our ADB22X brake, but we urge owners to be wary of the reduced performance on a number of these aftermarket choices,” McComsey said. “Our testing shows that stopping distance performance can be severely impacted — adding up to 75 feet, or roughly the equivalent of five car lengths — when non-Bendix pads are used. While also increasing the potential for rear-end collisions due to extended stopping distance, inferior aftermarket pads may also increase the risk of vehicle roll-aways, since many of them do not meet the FMVSS-121 park-hold requirements. Some of these pads have significantly reduced capability, rating at only 40 percent of the requirement.” McComsey said Bendix ADB pads are designed to provide long pad and rotor life. The BA235 pad has good wear properties and provides consistent rotor wear while meeting Bendix’s rotor stress cracking requirements. He noted that ongoing testing proved other Equipment February 15-28, 2019 • 25 aftermarket pads may claim long friction life, but this is often at the expense of the rotor, which may lead to stress cracking that requires costly rotor replacement, may place a vehicle out-of-service for CSA violations, or both. “When choosing ADB replacement pad kits, customers must also consider the hardware kit components (pad retention springs, retainer bars, etc.), which play an important role in the function and longevity of the overall ADB system,” McComsey said. “Some low-cost, all-fit aftermarket replacement kits include inferior hardware that poses a risk of failure, or these kits do not include all the necessary components for a complete pad replacement. In this instance, end users are expected to reuse key components that are often corroded or stressed from prior service. All Bendix replacement pad kits include a complete hardware set utilizing all OEM components for a complete replacement to protect your ADB system. “The more fleets and owner-operators discover the proven reliability and return-oninvestment of air disc brake technology, the more important it becomes to help ensure these advantages are realized over the life of the brake through multiple friction changes,” McComsey said. “No matter how long they’ve been on the road, safer trucks mean safer highways for everyone. Bendix shares a commitment to safety with our aftermarket partners, and it’s helping us to shape tomorrow’s transportation together.” A joint venture between Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, BSFB contributes to the full lineup of Bendix wheel-end safety solutions — including air disc and foundation drum brakes — from its manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky. BSFB solutions are backed by post-sales support and are aimed at improving vehicle and highway safety across North America. For more information about Bendix air disc brake pads, call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE or visit foundationbrakes.com. 8 MAKE A LIVING AND ENJOY THE LIVING PART Penske is hiring safe, professional truck drivers to haul freight for some of the world’s leading brands. • Return home daily • Choose from a variety of shifts and customers • Receive outstanding benefits • Join an internationally renowned team 855-235-7367 gopenske.com/drivers Apply using job number 1003259 Penske is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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