Archive for January, 2008

It’s the trucking world’s version of Ali vs. Frazier. Freightliner and International are in an all-out flame-war over the aerodynamic superlatives attached to their new Cascadia and ProStar models. Freightliner struck first when it introduced its new Cascadia model at the end of August as the most aerodynamic Class 8 truck available. Putting the new truck up against the International ProStar, Kenworth T660, Peterbilt 386 and Volvo 780 in a wind tunnel test, Freightliner anno…

A record amount of floor space means more exhibitors, more fun and what may be a banner year for attendance at the highly anticipated 2008 Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), March 27-29 in Louisville, Ky. Renovations to the North Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center are complete and will house new exhibitors such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay initiative, devoted to fuel efficiency and other energy-saving measures. Now in its 38th year, MATS is the trucking indus…

There are competitive venues for nearly every human endeavor: spelling bees, the Olympics, NASCAR, the World Cup, Miss Teen USA, the Soap Box Derby and, of course, the Guinness Book of World Records. Since 2005, the nation’s truck mechanics (or technicians, in the vernacular of the trade) have also had a contest to find their “best of the best”: SuperTech, an annual event that coincides with the fall meeting of the Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC). SuperTech, organiz…

Got an iPod or iPhone? When you travel for a living, it’s great to have your whole music collection in one small package. But the road can be tough on those little machines. XtremeMac’s new line of silicone cases offers sleek design and tough protection to keep your portable music player or phone going for miles. TuffWrap Plus cases, ranging from $19.95 to $29.95, wrap your Apple music player or phone in a translucent silicone sheath with side ridges for a sure grip. Models…

Have you seen that bumper sticker, “I’d Rather Be Flying”? Well, soon a car and a plane may be one and the same. Terrafugia, a Massachusetts company, is developing a car/light plane hybrid called the Transition that should be available to consumers by 2009 for an estimated $148,000. Owners can drive it to the nearest small airport and, with the push of a button, extend its wings and fly it up to 500 miles away. When they land, they’ll simply fold up the wings and com…