Obama, Trump and Clinton -- American Truck Group Asks for a Decision to be Made
American Truck Showrooms calls for President Obama, as well as presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, to stand up for America's truckers.
Aug 31, 2016, 07:53 ET
GULFPORT, Miss., Aug. 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- New EPA regulations will cut emissions on semi-trucks but at a steep cost for America's truckers, according to executives at American Truck Showrooms. While reducing emission of greenhouses gases should remain a priority for the federal government, the latest regulations shift an unfair share of the financial burden to independent operators. American Truck Showrooms calls on Candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump to rescue truckers from this discriminatory policy by the current administration.
Last week, the Obama administration finalized the second round of greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency standards for commercial trucks, known as Phase 2. Some estimates suggest that by 2021, the new regulations will cost truckers as much as $14,000 more to purchase the truck that drives their livelihood and keeps American commerce moving to keep our citizens clothed and fed.
"Believe me, truckers care about the environment, but these regulations place a huge and unfair financial burden on independent owner operators," said Louis Normand, CEO of American Truck Showrooms, a leading heavy duty truck dealer serving drivers nationwide. "Truckers have been scapegoated by this policy, and we need Candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump to realize that truckers are now shouldering more of the responsibility than the airline, train and shipping companies."
The government says the Phase 2 initiative could save vehicle owners about $170 billion in fuel costs, but the payback to truck and trailer owners for this technology will be about two years. There is also no certainty as to future fuel costs impact on the fuel efficiency purported savings. According to Normand, "the upfront costs could cripple some truckers long before they see any efficiency savings".
"My fear is that we will lose truckers who won't be able to afford the new, compliant vehicles compounding the current driver shortage," said Normand. "If we lose truckers, everybody loses."
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American Truck Showrooms recently purchased 75, Kenworth T700 semi-trucks, all equipped with the new DEF Selective Catalyst Reduction system; which reduces nitrous oxide gasses (NOx) that are harmful to the atmosphere. American Truck Showrooms is a DBA of American Truck Group, LLC. The corporate headquarters is located in Gulfport, Mississippi. Entrepreneur Louis J. Normand Jr., CEO founded American Truck Group, LLC. in 2000. The company currently has more than 75 employees and manages a fleet of hundreds of late model Class 8 semitrucks nationwide. The selection of trucks includes Peterbilt, Kenworth, Volvo, and Freightliner. The company also offers maintenance, repair and customization services.
SOURCE American Truck Group