Trailer aerodynamics maker ATDynamics recently partnered with Andromeda Business Solutions S.A. de C.V. to distribute its TrailerTail system in Mexico.
Andrew Smith, CEO of ATDynamics, said in a statement that Mexico’s trucking industry operates an estimated 200,000 trailers and that the TrailerTail can be legally used on that country’s roads on 48 ft. long trailers.
“Mexican trucking companies understand that better fuel economy is critical to business competitiveness,” noted Captain Fausto Velazquez, president of Andromeda. “The Mexican government has been extremely supportive of fuel efficiency technologies that reduce the carbon emissions, fuel consumption and operating costs of our freight transportation industry.”
Both firms noted that, in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Mexican government launched the “Transporte Limpio” or “Clean Transportation” program in 2011, modeled after the EPA’s SmartWay program. Mexico’s Transporte Limpio program currently has over 70 partners and works to educate the industry on SmartWay technologies and operational best practices.
“Mr. Velazquez has worked closely with Transporte Limpio, the Mexican government and the Mexican transportation industry to bring TrailerTail technology to Mexico,” added Devin Koch, VP-international sales for ATDynamics. “TrailerTail technology will improve the profitability and competitiveness of the Mexican trucking industry while also improving vehicle and public safety.”
ATDynamics also recently partnered with the Team Run Smart program sponsored by Freightliner Trucks that offers tips and best practices to fleet managers, owner-operators and company drivers to help improve truck fuel economy and business profitability.
Team Run Smart professional drivers Henry Albert – owner of Albert Transport – along with Bob and Linda Caffee – independent contractors leased to FedEx Custom Critical – installed TrailerTail deviceson their commercial vehicle to test its fuel efficiency performance in real-world operations for the Team Run Smart community of over 6,500 drivers and fleet owners.
Albert drives a 2013 Freightliner Cascadia Evolution truck and pulls a 2008 model Utility dry van trailer with a reported baseline truck average fuel efficiency of 9.54 miles per gallon, while the Caffees drive a 2012 Freightliner Cascadia straight truck and reported in July their fuel efficiency average hit 11.59 miles per gallon.
Based on early results, Albert and the Caffees said they expect that the addition of TrailerTail technology will help them improve their fuel efficiency by 5% to 6%.
