All I Want For Christmas…

I was talking with my 15-month-old granddaughter trying to figure out what she wanted Santa to bring her for Christmas, but I soon realized it’d be next year before she could really talk enough to inform me or Santa! That got me thinking about what I wanted for NACFE this Christmas.

And before you even ask, yes I think we are on the nice list. Here’s why: during the past year we have published five Confidence Reports on automated transmissions, lightweighting, downspeeding, low rolling resistance tires and preventive maintenance. In addition, we are working on four more (testing, trailer aerodynamics, tractor aerodynamics and low viscosity lubricants) that will be out early next year. We also completed our annual Fleet Fuel Study and conducted four workshops at some pretty cool places: The Clinton Library, Mack Truck Museum, Hendricks Motor Sports and ARC Indy. On top of that we participated on panel discussions and attended over 35 industry meetings and events so we could continue to preach the gospel of trucking efficiency.

I think all of that surely qualifies us to find a present or two under our tree come Christmas morning. So if I were sitting on Santa’s lap, here’s what I would ask for on behalf of NACFE:

• More OEMs, suppliers and fleets sharing their test results and experiences with fuel saving technologies with us so we can aggregate data and give a clearer picture of which technologies make sense in which types of applications
• Manufacturers, suppliers and fleets working more closely together to reduce redundant testing of fuel saving technologies which should reduce both the time to market and the cost
• Fleets that are on the fence about making investments in fuel saving technology jumping off the fence and making a commitment to operating as efficiently as they can
• The public recognizing the true value of the trucking industry and realizing that we have made and continue to make enormous strides at lowering fuel consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• Fleets realizing that regardless of the current price of fuel reducing their fuel consumption just makes smart economic sense in the long run because if history is any indication fuel prices will go back up at some point

I hope when I wake up on Christmas morning, one or maybe all of these things are wrapped in boxes with a bow on them and a tag that reads: To NACFE From: Santa! I’ll even leave out some milk and cookies for him to prove I believe.