PacLease Passes Along Tax Savings from Bonus Depreciation by Lowering Rates

PacLease’s Olen Hunter says there is a misconception that truck fleets must purchase their truck trucks in order to take advantage of the tax savings available from federal legislation passed late last year that extends bonus depreciation. But that’s not the case. To find out how full-service leasing from PacLease offers companies way to take advantage of MACRS bonus depreciation without affecting their their cash flows, read more. But time is of the essence. The depreciation reverts to 50 percent at the end of the year. And OEM build schedules are filling up fast.

PACCAR Financial Reaches 50th Anniversary Milestone

PACCAR Financial (PFC) recently celebrated its 50th year of providing innovative lease and finance packages for customers through Peterbilt’s and Kenworth’s network of dealerships. PFC’s portfolio has grown from $87 million in total assets in 1970 to $3.6 billion in 2010. Read more about PFC’s 50th anniversary and how the financial services provider has served transportation companies over the years even when the trucking industry has gone through downturns. 

Kenworth T700 with PACCAR MX Engine Named Truck of the Year

Congratulations to Kenworth: The company’s Kenworth T700 equipped with the PACCAR MX engine was named the 2011 Heavy Duty Commercial Truck of the Year by the American Truck Dealers (ATD) at the annual ATD Convention and Expo in Phoenix. Judging criteria included innovation, design, driver and owner satisfaction, ease of maintenance, and safety.

Read more about the award, or see the T700 and the MX engine on the new “Speedmakers” television series on Speed(TM). The one-hour program was filmed at the Kenworth plant in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Dead Battery? Learn Why Your Choice of Alternator May Be to Blame

Truck and fleet operators tired of dead batteries draining not only their patience, but also their budgets, a solution might not be in their choice of battery. They may not be specifying the right alternator. Everett Seymoure, global manager for TRP Aftermarket Parts, offers advice on choosing the right alternators.

When Should You Take Your Retirement Pension?

Scott Taylor of TFS Group, the Canadian accounting firm that specializes in trucking, writes one of our favorites columns (it appears monthly in Truck News). His latest looks at new Canada Pension Plan rules that took effect on January 1, kicking off a series of graduated changes over the next five years that may make you think twice about drawing your government pension before you turn 65. A great read for Canadians.

It's Winter. Don't Give Your A/C the Cold Shoulder

Who runs the A/C in the middle of winter? You do—if your truck or equipment cab has a defroster.

Your air conditioner removes excess moisture from the air, so it has a big effect on how quickly and effectively the defroster can clear the windshield.

“If you want to improve the performance of your defroster and increase forward visibility from the cab, have your air conditioner inspected,” says Gary Hansen, vice president of Red Dot Corp., a leader in heavy-duty mobile HVAC. You may have a refrigerant leak or some other problem that makes it difficult for the system to do its job.

There are other steps you can take to help your HVAC system perform well in cooler temperatures, Hansen says. Most are quick, simple, and inexpensive. Learn more