the last word

A new super hero of sorts will lead the latest marketing campaign for Cenex-brand fuels and lubricants. The Cenex Guy symbolizes hardworking individuals everywhere who need their trucks to run efficiently, day in and day out, with minimal downtime and no extra costs, according to Leon Westbrock, executive vp & COO of CHS energy, which produces Cenex products. “The Cenex Guy helps demonstrate our brand's connection and value to customers, while reminding everyone of our broad line of quality Cenex lubricants, fuels and other energy products,” he noted.

“The future productivity and mobility needs of the nation depend on surface transportation. Without a reasonable solution, our long-term economic competitiveness in the world economy is in jeopardy.”
— Mortimer L. Downey, former Deputy Secretary of Transportation, now a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.

After a more than 10-year absence, General Motors is back in the taxi business in New York City — with a hybrid no less. GM's Saturn VUE Green Line hybrid SUV received approval late last year from the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission to don the yellow-and-black livery of a New York City hack. We don't know that it's as cavernous inside as the iconic Checker cabs that once roamed Manhattan and the outer boroughs. But it's the first GM model to serve as a yellow cab since 1996, when the General killed off its rather roomy Chevy Caprice sedan.

Mack Trucks, Inc. has awarded more than $155,000 to seven Lehigh Valley, PA-based non-profit organizations for community improvement projects under its Mack Community Grants program. The projects were chosen from some 60 proposals by a review committee of Mack employees. Recipients of the Mack Community Grants funding include Adult Literacy Center of the Lehigh Valley; American Cancer Society; Burn Prevention Foundation; Minsi Trails Council, BSA; National Canal Museum; Valley Youth House; and Wildlands Conservancy.

Chicago is home to The Bears and apparently no hard feelings. A local International truck dealer who tricked out this CXT pickup in support of the hometown favorite's Super Bowl bid was still willing to show it off at last month's Chicago Auto Show — despite the drubbing delivered to his beloved Bears by the Indianapolis Colts.