Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Jan. 10, 2025:
Tennessee waives HOS for certain haulers due to winter weather
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency on Thursday declared a state of emergency due to winter weather impacting the state, waiving hours of service regulations for truck drivers hauling certain commodities. Tennessee joins a bevy of other states that have declared weather emergencies and similar waivers throughout the week.
The declaration and waiver in this case apply narrowly to operators transporting fuels, including fuel oil, diesel oil, gasoline, kerosene, propane, liquid petroleum, and other refined petroleum products and heating fuels, or those transporting feed for the livestock or poultry industries or animals in those industries.
The declaration is effective for 14 days through Jan. 23.
[Related: Hours regs waived in four more states for winter weather]
Online bankruptcy equipment auction set for Jan. 16
A live webcast bankruptcy heavy-duty equipment auction will be held Thursday, Jan. 16, hosted by financial services firm Tiger Group.
The auction will feature more than 50 trucks and trailers from most of the major OEMs.
The bankruptcy auction comes as part of the complete liquidation of what’s described as a leading North American tractor truck and trailer dealer and leasing company, with assets located in California, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Texas, South Carolina and several other states, Tiger Group said.
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The assets are predominantly late-model, ranging in age from 2021 to 2024, noted Chad Farrell, Managing Director, Tiger Commercial & Industrial.
“This court-approved sale is a rare occasion to acquire well-maintained tractor trucks and trailers at liquidation values,” Farrell said. “This is also a great opportunity for truckers, trucking companies, dealers, and leasing companies across North America to add to their fleets in early 2025.”
The live webcast auction will begin at 1 p.m. Central time on Thursday, Jan. 16 at SoldTiger.com. Veteran auctioneer Wayne Hecht, Senior Director of Operations for Tiger Commercial & Industrial, will take online bids in a live simulcast from Tiger Group’s studio. It is the first in a series of sales. “All told, we have approximately 110 tractor trucks and trailers to offer at auction, so interested bidders should stay tuned for the next event,” Farrell added.
Highlights of the upcoming sale include:
- (6) 2019-2024 Freightliner Cascadias
- (8) 2015-2023 Freightliner Cascadias
- (3) 2022 & 2024 International LT625 and LT62F trucks
- (5) 2017 & 2023 Kenworth T680 trucks
- (6) 2018-2024 Kenworth T680 and Peterbilt 579 trucks
- (2) 2024 Peterbilt 579 trucks
- (4) 2023 CIMC reefer trailers
- (4) 2008-2022 Great Dane trailers
- (1) 2021 Hyundai dry van trailer
- (9) 2002-2024 Utility trailers
- (1) 2008 Wabash dry van Trailer
Inspections are available by appointment on Wednesday, Jan. 15, in Toledo, Ohio; Fresno, California; and Mooresville, Indiana. To arrange an inspection or obtain other information, email: [email protected] or call (805) 497-4999.
[Related: Used-truck pricing, value: A role for aftertreatment maintenance]
Nikola BEV 2.0s driven 1 million in-service miles
Nikola Corporation, via its HYLA brand, announced last week that its updated battery-electric trucks have surpassed 1 million in-service miles from fleets and dealers.
Nikola BEVs are Class 8 trucks meant for metro-regional applications. Nikola previously announced in September that all previous Nikola BEVs had reached 1.5 million in-service miles driven. These BEV trucks have been recently updated with software and HMI updates, new batteries, charging and vehicle enhancements to include scheduled departure charging, and Nikola app updates.
“Nikola is thrilled to see our end fleets and dealers making deliveries in our battery-electric trucks,” said Mary Chan, Chief Operating Officer for Nikola.
Nikola has released a total of 94 updated BEVs back to end fleets and dealers to-date through 19 different fleet customers, who have driven these units 1,016,929 in-service miles, the company said.
[Related: Nikola’s troubles deepen with more layoffs, potential bankruptcy]
Utility Trailer acquires Oregon trailer dealer
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company announced this week that Utility Trailer of California has acquired TNT Trailer Sales in Troutdale, Oregon.
The newly acquired dealer will now operate under the name Pacific Coast Utility Trailer. Allan Brown will remain with the company as Vice President of Operations and General Manager, while his business partner Chris McMullin will serve as Director of Business Development.
Cory Pasek, President of Utility Trailer of California, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Allan Brown and his skilled team to our family. Their expertise in trailer and TRU (Trailer Refrigeration Unit) parts, service, and sales is invaluable.”
Pacific Coast Utility Trailer boasts a team of 12 certified technicians who are proficient in servicing all Utility Trailer models. Additionally, they are in the process of obtaining certification for TRU mechanics for various brands, including Cargobull. The company is also expanding its mobile repair fleet to offer comprehensive trailer and TRU services at customer locations.
Pacific Coast Utility Trailer is located outside of Portland at 1826 NW Commerce Court, Troutdale, Oregon 97060.