Trucking news and briefs for Friday, April 3, 2020:
Volvo offering special finance program
Volvo Financial Services is offering U.S. customers a new finance program on the purchase or lease of a model year 2019 or 2020 Volvo VNL, VNR, VNX or VHD model.
The “Hammer Down 2.0” program extends the first payment for 60 days for qualified buyers of VNL, VNR and VNX models and for 90 days for VHD models.
Additionally, for model year 2019 trucks, customers can receive up to $5,000 payment credit on initial monthly installment or lease payments, and up to $3,000 for 2020 models.
Daycab models will also receive an engine plan and purchased Engine Aftermarket (EATS) coverage for three years or 300,000 miles. VNL, VNR and VNX sleeper models will receive an engine plan and purchased EATS coverage for 4 years or 500,000 miles.
FMCSA offers guidance for truckers amid state, local shelter-in-place restrictions
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued new guidance Wednesday directed at states and other governing bodies issuing shelter-in-place orders and other restrictions in regard to truck drivers who are delivering in areas hit hardest by the COVID-19 coronavirus.
FMCSA is suggesting that governments consider the fact that the Department of Homeland Security has identified truck and bus drivers, dispatchers, maintenance and repair technicians, warehouse workers, truck stop workers and more as essential workers when determining whether to allow them to remain exempt from shelter-in-place orders.
Additionally, the agency outlines the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control regarding truckers that said drivers “should stay in their vehicles as much as possible as supplies are loaded and unloaded, avoid being within six feet of others as much as possible when they exit their vehicles, and move to electronic receipts if possible.” CDC’s guidance for truckers adds that drivers should wash their hands and practice social distancing as much as possible when they have to stay in restricted areas to get rest.
“FMCSA realizes that long-haul drivers may be on the road for days or weeks at a time,” the agency’s latest guidance says.
“The CDC has issued guidance that, when drivers return to their domicile location, they should follow the recommendations of the state or local officials in the areas in which they live. The CDC recommends that all people take precautions to stay safe and keep others safe, including washing their hands regularly, staying home when sick, covering their coughs and sneezes, and maintaining distance from others.”
Tyson Foods serves up bonuses for truckers during pandemic
Tyson Foods announced it will pay a total of approximately $60 million in bonuses to 116,000 frontline workers and truck drivers who are working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible Tyson employees will receive a $500 bonus.
“Our team members are leading the charge to continue providing food to the nation,” said Tyson Foods CEO Noel White. “The bonuses are another way we can say ‘thank you’ for their efforts.”
