Gasoline prices fluctuate. So far, fluctuation leads to inflation. In addition, the turnover record for drivers is a mounting dilemma. To remedy this, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set forth new emission rules that are scheduled to take effect on January 1 - to the detriment of the trucking industry.



The new rules cover significant changes for the industry. They require that engines built after the first of the year have to meet tougher standards for the emission of soot and nitrous oxide. However, it can be recalled that the last time the rules mandated change in engines truck prices increased and fuel efficiency plummeted.

Trucking companies venture on a purchase binge for about two years now. They filed their fleets with trucks powered by engines built before 2007. This time around they wanted to observe how the new engines perform before they invest. "We're heading down the path to have a record sales year for heavy-duty diesel vehicles in 2006," said Glen Kedzie, assistant general and environmental counsel for the American Trucking Associations. "There's going to be a significant drop in demand."

Trucking companies like Rush Enterprises, the largest dealer of Peterbilt trucks in the United States, are getting ready for the forthcoming drop in sales after the announcement of sales figures for this year. "As in any new technology introduction, as customers gain more knowledge and experience, confidence in the new technology will strengthen," said W.M. (Rusty) Rush, president and chief executive of Rush Enterprises. "We expect that interest in vehicles with new engine technology will increase by the end of (2007) and fully expect 2008 and 2009 to be robust sales years for our dealerships." The company's truck sales was up by over 28 percent in the first three quarters of this year.

Truck manufacturing business was booming. As a fact, truck auto parts Volvo, Ford F-Series parts and Chevrolet truck parts are now being assembled to cope with the increasing orders. "The trucking industry is very conservative," said Jim McNamara, Volvo spokesman. "The companies, the customers want to see how a technology works in the field. They need to see the new engines and if the emissions technology is going to be reliable and give them the performance and reliability they need."