The first alternative
Ninety years old in 2013, Kenworth Truck Co. is celebrating that milestone in part by looking back to when it was just 10 years old—yet ahead of its time when it came to an alternative fuel: diesel. Over its first decade, per marketing director Kurt Swihart, KW had produced gasoline-powered trucks that handled the “punishing environment” of the Pacific Northwest.
Then the Great Depression hit the region’s economy, including new-truck sales, hard, to say the least. “Kenworth engineers needed to come up with something innovative that would encourage sales, yet also save customers money during the tough times,” said Swihart. Their answer was to roll out diesel engines.
In 1933, the first KW with a diesel as original equipment (pictured) was manufactured. What’s more, beyond aiding existing Northwestern customers, Swihart advised, that rollout led to Kenworth becoming a “national name.”
That first diesel production model was built for California-based Valley Motor Express, which requested the truck be shipped down the West Coast from Seattle most of the way by water “so it would arrive truly new,” Swihart added.
Building tomorrow’s techs
America’s “top young automotive minds” from all 50 states racing in teams of two against the clock—and each other— were the draw at the 64th annual Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Finals. The event, sponsored by Ford’s Motorcraft unit, was held in June.
When the tools were at last set down, the duo of Logan Boyle and Cody Collins from Vale (OR) High School with the guidance of instructor Drew Barnes (pictured) finished as national champs, having registered the day’s top score.
“Motorcraft is proud to be the official sponsor of a competition that engages young people who are interested in becoming the technicians of tomorrow,” said Lori Dunn, national marketing manager. “As automotive technology becomes more and more advanced, it is critical that we excite and inspire these kids to get the training they need to compete for jobs in the future.”
With nearly $12 million in scholarship prizes in the balance, state winners gathered in Dearborn to solve “real-world” automotive problems in a timed competition that organizers said “required a quick mind and steady hands as students worked with wrenches and computers alike.”
Not just the tires
A new sweepstakes by a tire brand won’t net the lucky winner merely a set of truck tires—but an entire truck. A semi, that is. The grand prize in Bridgestone Commercial Solutions’ “Drive a Firestone” contest is a special Firestone Edition Class 8 tractor. A Bridgestone executive told Fleet Owner the prize rig is a Pete that’s been heavily customized by the tire maker to make it a one-of-a-kind ride.
“Firestone has a long, rich history in trucking, so it makes sense to reward someone in the profession with a one-of-a-kind Class 8 truck,” said Matthew Stevenson, vice president of marketing, Bridgestone Commercial Solutions.
Next March, five “sweeps” finalists selected at random will be sent to the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville. There, they’ll each be presented with a key—only one of which will start the Firestone Edition truck. The lucky finalists will also score an all-expense paid trip for two to the Indy 500.
The contest is a part of the “Firestone Drives America” national promotional tour.
Ordinary heroes
Insurance provider Progressive said it is “honoring road warriors everywhere” by giving truckers nationwide the opportunity to be recognized for their everyday contributions in the firm’s second annual “Real Life Trucking Hero” contest.
Per Progressive, nominating and voting is easy. Just submit a photo and a short essay (up to 500 words). Progressive will then award cash prizes and a Freight Wing AeroFlex trailer skirt to the top three as well as a grand prize of $5,000 to the trucker who wins the contest. To make a nomination or vote for a Real Life Trucking Hero, go to progressivecommercial.com/truckinghero or facebook.com/progressivecommercial.
