[chance33_98]

One reason for the drop in orders after October 1st is a new EPA regulation on emission standards that will tack $9,000 to $10,000 onto the price of each truck and cause them to use more gas. To avoid the expense, many companies ordered early.

So it will cost more to buy and more to operate, guess they will be using Mexican drivers and trucks to avoid these problems....

[wita]

and many will ask, what specifically is this epa reg that will lower efficiency and raise cost?

[Tom Pain]

A request. Whenever an article is posted from local media, PLEASE include the state in your reference.

You (and I) know that WRKN is Nashville, TN. But, others would not know.

[2Trievers]

FYI &;-)

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

a new EPA regulation on emission standards that will tack $9,000 to $10,000 onto the price of each truck and cause them to use more gas.

Hopefully they won't use more gas since they run on diesel fuel.

[Leisler]

"Union leaders say they were surprised by the size of the cuts.

When are the industrial union workers going to learn that they are just doormats for the democratic party which is controled by environmentalist and anti-Americans? The pary leadership hates our great industries, its products and its people. They hate, and lookdown upon them, and the military.

Oh, well.

[MinuteGal]

I also love the way that "one" (should be the "major") of the reasons for the layoff is tucked away in the very last paragraph of the article. The writer is undoubtedly ticked he couldn't blame "right-wing, maniacal conservative whackos" for the situation.

On the other hand, I'm also ticked at the multitudes of industry captains and employees alike in this country who still haven't figured out who and what is eating away at their businesses and livelihoods. They don't organize to fight back against the leftists, globalists and environmentalists. They even contribute to their causes and vote for their stooges.

They accept Jesse Jackson's blackmail against their companies. The restaurant industry meekly accepts the anti-smoking edicts even though it may shut down countless establishments. I could go on. But they just whine and accept their fates.

I guess when the axe falls, they finally do find the energy to turn the wrestling and Ophra programs off their tubes and manage to fill out their unemployment compensation forms.

Hard to feel sorry for them.

Leni

[Ben Ficklin]

In addition to the higher cost of the new engines, I understand that the operating costs will be higher.

As for how this affects the truck builders as an industry it is important to point out that the fall-off in orders due to the new engines is temporary since there was a rush to buy before the new models came out.

Regarding the validity of the changes due to environmental concerns note that although there is neither scientific nor political consensus on CO2 and the global warming that may result from that compound, there is no disagreement at all on the need to regulate methane, CO, NOx, VOCs, CFC, SO2, mercury, etc.

Bush has recieved a great deal of criticism for being "soft" on CO2, but if he tried to go "soft" on these other compounds, there would be a firestorm.

[1Old Pro]

One reason for the drop in orders after October 1st is a new EPA regulation on emission standards that will tack $9,000 to $10,000 onto the price of each truck and cause them to use more gas

Union leaders say they were surprised by the size of the cuts.

THIS IS INCREDIBLE. Perhaps the UNION WORKERS should fire their UNION REPS who are under the thumb of the national union bosses who support Demorats who support more EPA regulation.

Are union workers that blind not to make the connection?? SHEESH!

[Redbob]

By the EPA's own estimates the new engines will cost an additional $14,400 to operate over the life of the truck.
BTW, our best estimates are a 3% reduction in fuel economy.

OTOH, the article does not mention that the Madison plant, where the layoffs are, is a UAW union plant due to have a strike vote at the end of this week!
It is also the least productive Peterbilt plant.

(signed: a Pete engineer - at the Denton Texas {non-union} Plant!)

[Redbob]

Another key point not mentioned anywhere here is that the truck owners do NOT pay the increased costs due to the use of the new engines:
The increased operating costs are passed on to the shippers, and ultimately to anyone who consumes any goods ever shipped by truck - i.e., EVERYTHING.

So all of you reading this will paid the added expense, not the truck owners.

[afz400]

Personally I don't give a rat's a** about the plight of truckers anymore. The way they drive - terrorizing everyone on the road speeding, changing lanes, and intimiating everyone else - I hate them all. We should be rebuilding the rail industry instead of encouraging the overly subsidized trucking industry.

[glock rocks]

ahem.

[RightWhale]

Peterbilt trucks are pure class. Owners keep them spotless and trick them out with strip lights and burnished aluminum panels so nothing on the road looks better. A Peterbilt in the driveway will improve the looks of the hovel it is parked next to as well.

[fella]

The fact that the Nashville (Madison) plant is union and that their contract deadline is tomorrow and for the last 20 years they have always walked out on strike before signing a new contract just might have something to do with this.

Down here in Texas at the right to work plant no lay-offs have been announced as a matter of fact the day before yesterday Peterbilt claims that they sold over 300 trucks with the engines. But who am I to point out that the media hasn't done it's homework and given the public all the facts.

[SGCOS]

Oh yeah babe...

[Joe Hadenuf]

So it will cost more to buy and more to operate, guess they will be using Mexican drivers and trucks to avoid these problems....

Well of course. They will drive for less, and not bitch, or complain. They drive with a smile....

[Lancey Howard]

How many of these 500+ people who are losing their jobs vote Democrat, thereby empowering the very EPA which has helped to kill their jobs? And how many of these voters are so pitifully stupid that they will continue to vote Democrat?

If the Republicans were smart, they would mass-mail laid-off workers every time the EPA or some other government agency caused their employers to "cut back" as an end result of regulation. The blame must be nailed down exactly where it belongs so that even the most ignorant Democrat gets a clue.

[B4Ranch]

ping

[rockfish59]

Looks like time for a change!

[Nuke'm Glowing]

And as someone that worked in the industry all I can say is:

Bingo.

Now with the Mexican drivers authorized to enter the U.S. without the safety and E.P.A. regs applying to them, there is no reason for the US government to protect the domestic truck manufacturers and trucking companies. I can see further consolidation and ultimately, higher prices on all goods shipped by truck in the future, thanks to the idiocy of the BCB (Bush-Clinton-Bush) administrations.