Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, May 19, 2020:
Be wary of increased cargo theft activity around Memorial Day
Cargo theft recording firm SensiGuard is warning trucking companies and drivers of “extremely active” cargo theft rings in the coming days due to shipments typically being left unattended for longer periods of time over the long Memorial Day weekend.
The firm says it has recorded theft rates up to 71% higher and average values up to 292% higher during Memorial Day weekends than on non-holiday weekends. Since 2014, Memorial Day weekends have seen an average theft value of $324,403 totaling more than $12 million.
SensiGuard recommends trucking companies make sure security protocols are up-to-date, while also confirming receivers’ hours for the holiday weekend to mitigate the time a truck is parked unattended. Covert GPS tracking and active monitoring of high-value shipments is also recommended, the firm says.
The firm also notes that truck stops, rest areas and distribution centers are frequent targets for cargo thieves and recommends drivers looking for parking areas with controlled access, adequate lighting, surveillance and more.
Notable Memorial Day weekend cargo thefts in recent years include:
- Pilferage of medical supplies worth $624,000 in California in 2019
- Theft of full truckload of electronics worth $1 million in Kentucky in 2018
- Theft of full truckload of apparel worth $5.7 million in Kentucky in 2018
SelecTrucks enhances Daimler walk-away lease program
Used truck retailer SelecTrucks announced new enhancements to its SelectLease fair market value leasing program offered by Daimler Truck Financial.
The updated program now offers eligibility for a single vehicle, allowing owner-operators to participate. It also now includes a Select Limited warranty for the life of the lease, lower down payment options and lower monthly payments.
The 24-month lease term comes standard with 24-month, 200,000 mile Select Limited Base, Extra and After-Treatment System warranty coverages. The 36-month term comes standard with 36-month, 300,000 mile Select Limited Base, and 24-month, 200,000 mile Select Extra and After-treatment System coverages.
Daimler launches new online parts shop
Daimler Trucks North America announced it has launched Excelerator, a new online platform to streamline the parts ordering process. Excelerator succeeds Pinnacle Truck Parts as Daimler’s one-stop parts ordering platform.
The shop offers digital images and search functionality, including Vehicle Maintenance Report Standards, VIN, product name or part number.
Excelerator is currently in a phased rollout to DTNA’s 579 dealerships and will fully replace Pinnacle Truck Parts before the end of the year.
