[{"id":74,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/VTC-ExpandingVanguard-Blog-APR26 copy.jpg.webp","image_alt":"Velocity Trailer Centers Expands Vanguard Trailer Availability Across Southeast U.S.","news_title":"Velocity Trailer Centers Expands Vanguard Trailer Availability Across Southeast U.S.","news_desc":"<h2><strong>Expansion strengthens trailer sales and support across Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia with dry van and refrigerated trailer offerings.<\/strong><\/h2><p><strong>Fontana, CA (April 7, 2026)<\/strong> \u2014 Velocity Trailer Centers, a division of Velocity Vehicle Group, has expanded its Vanguard trailer distribution network across Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, effective February 16, 2026. The expansion strengthens the company\u2019s ability to support fleets and owner-operators throughout the Southeastern United States, with greater access to Vanguard dry van and refrigerated trailers, along with customizable factory-built options.<\/p><p>Velocity Trailer Centers is the dedicated trailer sales and support division of Velocity Vehicle Group, providing customers with access to new and used trailer inventory, equipment financing, and aftermarket support through the broader Velocity commercial vehicle network.<\/p><p>The Southeast is one of the fastest-growing freight markets in the U.S., driven by continued expansion in warehouse infrastructure, port activity, and distribution center development. These factors have strengthened the region\u2019s role as a key logistics gateway within the U.S. freight network while increasing demand for reliable trailer equipment across major transportation corridors.<\/p><p><em>\u201cExpanding Vanguard trailer availability into Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia allows us to better support fleets and owner-operators across one of the most dynamic freight regions in the U.S.,\u201d<\/em> said <strong>Robert Ramey<\/strong>, General Manager, <strong>Velocity Trailer Centers<\/strong><em>. \u201cBy combining Vanguard\u2019s proven trailer engineering with Velocity\u2019s growing service network, we\u2019re helping customers access reliable equipment faster while supporting the continued growth of transportation and logistics across the Southeast.\u201d<\/em><\/p><p>Customers in the region will now have access to a range of Vanguard dry van and refrigerated trailer configurations, including the latest 2026 and 2027 VXP dry van trailers and R8000B refrigerated trailers. These models are engineered for durability and operational efficiency in demanding freight environments and can be configured with a range of specifications to meet fleet requirements.<\/p><p>Available configurations include trailers equipped with Thermo King S-600 refrigeration units, stainless steel swing doors, Hendrickson suspension systems, and multiple logistics post configurations, allowing operators to align trailer specifications with their freight applications.<\/p><p><a data-flickr-embed=\"true\" href=\"http:\/\/www.velocitytrailers.com\/\" title=\"2026 LC Reefer TK-S600 Rub Rails\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55182268784_93a60556f3_b.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"2026 LC Reefer TK-S600 Rub Rails\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dii\"><\/a>Velocity Trailer Centers now offers Vanguard trailers across an expanded North American footprint, including:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Canada:<\/strong> British Columbia<\/li><li><strong>United States:<\/strong> California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee<\/li><li><strong>Mexico:<\/strong> Nationwide coverage<\/li><\/ul><p>This growing network enables Velocity Trailer Centers to support fleets operating across key freight corridors throughout North America, providing consistent trailer availability and knowledgeable sales support across multiple regions.<\/p><p>The Southeast expansion will be supported by dedicated regional representatives who will assist customers with trailer specifications, inventory availability, and factory production orders.<\/p><p>Customers interested in securing a Vanguard trailer in Tennessee, Alabama, or Georgia can contact their regional Velocity Trailer Centers representative to learn more about available inventory and promotions.<\/p><p><a data-flickr-embed=\"true\" href=\"http:\/\/www.velocitytrailers.com\/\" title=\"location-map---velocity-trailer-centers\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55182177963_07a2e3e411_b.jpg\" width=\"639\" height=\"493\" style=\"width: 639px; height: 493px; max-width: none;\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dii\"><\/a><\/p><h4><strong>Velocity Trailer Centers \u2013 Regional Contacts<\/strong><\/h4><p><strong>Tennessee &amp; Georgia<\/strong><br>Robert Ramey<br>615-584-8425<\/p><p><strong>Alabama<\/strong><br>Charles Carter<br>205-913-2585<\/p><p><strong>Alabama &amp; Georgia<\/strong><br>Billy Thomas<br>205-492-1061<\/p><div align=\"center\"><p><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p><h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>About Velocity Trailer Centers<\/strong><\/h4><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Velocity Trailer Centers, a division of Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), provides trailer sales, distribution, and support services across North America. The company offers new and used trailer inventory, factory build programs, equipment financing, and aftermarket support through the broader Velocity commercial vehicle network.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Velocity Trailer Centers represents leading trailer manufacturers including Vanguard and Landoll, offering dry van, refrigerated, flatbed, and specialty trailer solutions designed to meet the needs of fleets and owner-operators operating across major freight corridors.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Velocity Vehicle Group operates a network of commercial vehicle dealerships and transportation businesses across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Mexico, delivering integrated truck, trailer, financing, rental, and fleet support services.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>For more information, visit&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.velocitytrailers.com\/\"><strong>www.velocitytrailers.com<\/strong><\/a><strong>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.velocityvehiclegroup.com\/\"><strong>www.velocityvehiclegroup.com<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p><\/div>","slug":"velocity-trailer-centers-expands-vanguard-trailer-availability-across-southeast-us","meta_title":"Velocity Trailer Centers Expands Vanguard Trailer Distribution in Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia","meta_description":"Velocity Trailer Centers has expanded Vanguard dry van and refrigerated trailer availability across Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, strengthening trailer sales, support, and fleet equipment access across the Southeast U.S. freight market.","meta_keywords":"Velocity Trailer Centers, Vanguard trailers, dry van trailers, refrigerated trailers, trailer sales Southeast US, Tennessee trailers, Alabama trailers, Georgia trailers, fleet trailers, commercial trailers, trailer distribution, Velocity Vehicle Group, fr","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"04\/01\/2026"},{"id":73,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/vvg-terawatt-partnership-announcement.png","image_alt":"VVG announces EV charging partnership with Terawatt","news_title":"Velocity Vehicle Group Announces EV Charging Partnership with Terawatt","news_desc":"<h1><strong>Driving Confidence: How the Terawatt and Velocity Vehicle Group Networks are Future-Proofing Commercial EV Investments<\/strong><\/h1><h2><strong>Strategic partnership delivers unprecedented charging coverage, maintenance support, and long-term asset security to EV fleets in Southern California and beyond.<\/strong><\/h2><p><strong>San Francisco, Calif. \u2013 Mar. 4, 2026<\/strong> \u2014 For any new technology to gain traction, the network that supports it must be robust, reliable, and scalable. For the heavy-duty electric vehicle (HD EV) sector, this network is not just beneficial \u2014 it is foundational. Fleet operators considering the transition to HD EVs face twin pressures: the immediate need for seamless charging coverage and the long-term imperative to maintain vehicle value. Today and tomorrow, coverage matters.<\/p><p>This critical juncture has led to a powerful strategic partnership between Terawatt, a leader in high-speed, dedicated commercial EV charging infrastructure, and Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), a dominant force in North American commercial vehicle sales, financing, and maintenance. Together, they are focused on dissolving the barriers of range anxiety and maintenance uncertainty, forging a network overlap that delivers security and confidence to customers across the crucial freight market of Southern California and the greater United States.<\/p><p><a data-flickr-embed=\"true\" href=\"https:\/\/www.terawattinfrastructure.com\/\" title=\"TW_RIALTO-0057\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55128743391_ee3f9b731f_b.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" alt=\"TW_RIALTO-0057\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dii\"><\/a><\/p><h3><strong>The Terawatt Advantage: High-Speed, High-Efficiency Charging<\/strong><\/h3><p>The greatest asset to an EV fleet is the time saved during charging. Wasting hours waiting for power erodes profitability, slows down cargo movement, and diminishes the value proposition of the technology. Terawatt\u2019s approach to charging infrastructure is designed specifically to address this inefficiency, providing dedicated, high-speed, pull-through charging centers built for commercial vehicles.<\/p><p>By securing power early and in the right places, Terawatt has gone to work developing a network of sites with megawatt-scale capacity that deliver high-speed charging for customers. Featuring amenities and designs that accommodate heavy-duty tractor-trailers, Terawatt\u2019s network ensures that drivers can pull in, charge quickly, and pull out with minimal interruption to their schedules. This focus on driver and cargo efficiency is what transforms the EV from a complex new drivetrain into a valuable, reliable asset.<\/p><p>With increasing coverage across key regional routes \u2014 including a new site in the Inland Empire \u2014 Terawatt is building the hubs needed to support electrification, ensuring that regional and last-mile operations in areas like Southern California are supported with reliable charging where they need it most.<\/p><p>\u201cFor heavy-duty fleet electrification to succeed, the infrastructure must be as dynamic and dependable as the internal combustion engine network it replaces,\u201d said Neha Palmer, CEO of Terawatt. \u201cOur network is engineered for high utilization and speed, using a pull-through design that allows drivers to keep moving without complex maneuvering. This commitment to efficiency is the heart of what Terawatt offers to customers. When every hour counts, providing reliable, high-speed charging is how we give fleet owners the confidence to invest in EV technology today, knowing the coverage will be there to support them tomorrow.\u201d<\/p><p><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p><h3><strong>Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG): The Security of a Service Network<\/strong><\/h3><p>While charging helps reduce range anxiety, the maintenance and long-term viability of the truck itself is another critical consideration for total cost of ownership (TCO). Across North America, Velocity Vehicle Group supports EV fleets with EV-certified technicians, dedicated infrastructure, and a robust service and parts network designed to protect fleet electric vehicle investments.<\/p><p>Velocity operates a vast, multinational network of dealerships and maintenance centers, spanning multiple states across the U.S. and extending into countries such as Canada, Australia, and Mexico. Crucially, VVG owns an especially high concentration of dealerships throughout Southern California, providing comprehensive sales, service, and parts support. This established physical footprint ensures that when a customer invests in a battery-electric truck, VVG is positioned to support it throughout its lifecycle. This widespread, EV-focused network provides confidence that certified service is always close by, minimizing downtime and maximizing the operational life of the vehicle.<\/p><p>As EV technology continues to evolve, having a trusted, experienced, and geographically widespread service partner is paramount to protecting an asset\u2019s value for years to come. VVG's ability to offer comprehensive sales, service, parts, and even financing through its associated companies \u2014 including Crossroads Equipment Lease &amp; Finance and Velocity SBA \u2014 means they are equipped to handle the EV lifecycle end-to-end.<\/p><p>\u201cFleet owners are making a long-term commitment when they purchase new commercial vehicles, and that commitment must come with a level of assurance,\u201d said Chris Abarca, Director of Sales at Velocity Vehicle Group. \u201cVelocity Vehicle Group\u2019s footprint\u2014especially the robust maintenance coverage we provide throughout Southern California\u2014is the safety net for our customers\u2019 EV investments. We\u2019re not just selling a truck; we\u2019re supporting uptime and serviceability across its entire lifespan. Together, the Terawatt and VVG networks allows us to tell customers, \u2018We\u2019ve got the power, and we\u2019ve got the parts and EV-certified service technicians to keep you moving,\u2019 ensuring their electric trucks remain valuable assets for years to come.\u201d<\/p><p><br><\/p><h3><strong>Creating a Seamless HD EV Network&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3><p>The true strength of the Terawatt and VVG partnership is realized in the overlap of their respective networks. Terawatt provides the energy arteries, making regional movement seamless and efficient. VVG provides the vital service and parts infrastructure, ensuring each asset is properly cared for and its value retained.<\/p><p>This combined network is particularly transformative in Southern California \u2014 a global hub for freight movement and a hotbed for EV adoption. Fleets operating in this high-traffic, high-demand region can invest in electric vehicles with confidence, knowing that reliable, high-speed charging is available along their routes, and factory-certified service is always just a short distance away.<\/p><p>This unified approach drastically lowers the entry barrier to electrification, reduces risk, and provides a clear pathway for fleets to scale their zero-emission operations.<\/p><p>Terawatt and VVG are not just building charging stations and service bays; they are collaboratively constructing the operational confidence required for commercial EV adoption. By combining high-speed, pull-through charging with a dense, multiregional maintenance and support structure, the partnership delivers a comprehensive solution that makes an electric truck reliable today and valuable for years to come. This network overlap is a crucial piece of the puzzle in ensuring the future of commercial EVs is secure, efficient, and accessible.<\/p><p><a data-flickr-embed=\"true\" href=\"https:\/\/www.terawattinfrastructure.com\/\" title=\"TW_VVC\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55128794736_4843155a92_b.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" alt=\"TW_VVC\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dii\"><\/a><\/p><h3><strong>How This Partnership Supports You<\/strong><\/h3><p><strong>Through this partnership with Terawatt, Velocity customers gain practical support to make EV adoption easier and more confident:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><strong>Hands-on EV demos with charging support for Velocity demonstration vehicles, allowing you to experience electric trucks in real-world conditions.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>On-site capability visits to assess EV readiness, charging requirements, and operational fit.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Expanded charging access along key routes to help extend range, improve flexibility, and deliver competitive charging pricing.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Together, Velocity and Terawatt are removing barriers to EV adoption by combining vehicles, service expertise, and charging infrastructure into one seamless solution.<\/strong><\/p><p><br><\/p><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/contactus\" style=\"background-color: #d02c2f; color: white; padding: 20px;\">Contact Us<\/a><\/strong> &nbsp;<\/p><p><br><\/p><p><br><\/p><h4><strong>About Terawatt<\/strong><\/h4><p>Terawatt designs, develops, and operates high-performance charging centers dedicated to medium- and heavy-duty commercial electric vehicles. Focusing on strategic locations along key freight corridors, Terawatt\u2019s purpose-built, pull-through centers ensure maximum efficiency and uptime for commercial fleets, transforming the operational experience of electric transportation.<\/p><h4><strong>About Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG)<\/strong><\/h4><p>Velocity Vehicle Group is a major North American and global commercial vehicle dealership organization, providing sales, service, parts, collision repair, and financial services for a wide range of top commercial truck and bus brands. Operating an extensive network across the U.S. (including California, Arizona, and Nevada) as well as Canada, Australia, and Mexico, VVG is committed to supporting its customers\u2019 operations from acquisition through the entire lifespan of the vehicle.<\/p>","slug":"vvg-terawatt-partnership-announcement","meta_title":"Terawatt & Velocity Vehicle Group Partnership | Commercial EV Charging & Fleet Support","meta_description":"Terawatt and Velocity Vehicle Group partner to deliver high-speed EV charging infrastructure and certified service support for commercial electric truck fleets across Southern California and beyond.","meta_keywords":"commercial EV charging electric truck fleet infrastructure heavy duty EV charging network fleet electrification solutions Terawatt charging network Velocity Vehicle Group EV service electric truck charging stations HD EV infrastructure Southern California","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"03\/04\/2026"},{"id":72,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/2025\/VTC-Section179-WebBanner-OCT25.png","image_alt":"Section 179 Made Simple: How the One Big Beautiful Bill Benefits Your Trucking Business","news_title":"Section 179 Made Simple: How the One Big Beautiful Bill Benefits Your Trucking Business","news_desc":"<p style=\"font-size: 30px;\"><strong>Why Section 179 Matters for Trucking Businesses<\/strong><\/p><p>Thinking of purchasing a new truck? Now might be a great time to shop.<\/p><p>Buying a new truck in 2025 could save your business a lot of money. Thanks to Section 179 and bonus depreciation under the One Big Beautiful Bill, you may be able to deduct the cost of your truck in the same year you start using it. This can lower your taxable income and free up cash to invest back into your fleet.<\/p><p style=\"font-size: 30px;\"><strong>Who Qualifies<\/strong><\/p><p>Most businesses that buy, finance, or lease new or used trucks in 2025 may qualify for Section 179. To qualify, the truck must be used for business purposes more than 50% of the time, and it must be put into service between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.<\/p><p>Medium and heavy duty trucks qualify because they are essential business equipment, weigh over 6,000 lbs, and are used mainly for work. This means when you buy a Freightliner, Western Star, Rizon, or Isuzu in 2025, you may be able to deduct the full cost in the same year, taking full advantage of Section 179 and bonus depreciation. <\/p><p style=\"font-size: 30px;\"><strong>How Section 179 Works with Bonus Depreciation<\/strong><\/p><p>Section 179 lets you deduct the cost of both new and used trucks. Bonus depreciation for 2025 is at 100% and now also covers used trucks. Usually, Section 179 is applied first, and bonus depreciation covers the remaining cost. Even if your business has a loss, bonus depreciation can still help you take a deduction and carry it forward to future years.<\/p><p style=\"font-size: 30px;\"><strong>Is There A Deadline?<\/strong><\/p><p>To take advantage of Section 179 for Tax Year 2025, eligible customers must purchase, finance, AND put qualifying equipment into service by December 31, 2025.<\/p><p style=\"font-size: 30px;\"><strong>Ready to Shop?<\/strong><\/p><p>Upgrading your fleet now not only gives you new trucks, it can also save your business money. Talk with your tax advisor to make sure your purchase qualifies, and let Velocity Truck Centers help you choose the right truck for your fleet.<\/p><p><em><strong>Disclaimer:<\/strong> <em>his material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal or accounting advice.<\/em><br><em>Please refer to&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpublications%2Fp946&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ckmarin%40vvgtruck.ca%7Cdcca72d639bd4f62536308de06b743b0%7Cd76f4e522ea14d2786f221e52e3ed421%7C1%7C0%7C638955581386044460%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Dc%2BKyY6qFbRrd8zgc07PLLCAXa%2BS9Z6Wk7%2FMT%2BryXGo%3D&amp;reserved=0\"><em>IRS.gov<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;and consult with your own professional advisors for more information, including eligibility requirements.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/em><\/p><p><br><\/p><p><strong><a href=\"mailto:druano@vvgtruck.com?Subject=Section%20179%20inquiry\" style=\"background-color: #d02c2f; color: white; padding: 20px;\">Ask Our Team About Section 179<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp; <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/inventory\/new-trucks?current_page=1&amp;location=Madison,Chandler,Tolleson,Carson,CCTTS%20-%20%20Fontana,Fontana,Oxnard,San%20Diego,Transwest%20Truck%20Center%20\/%20SportTruckRV,Whittier,Lexington,Ayden,Canton,Connelly%20Springs,Greensboro,Hope%20Mills,Raleigh,Rocky%20Mount,Warsaw,Wilmington,Las%20Vegas,Sparks,Charleston,Florence,Greenville,Kingsport,Nashville,Nashville%20Isuzu\" style=\"background-color: #d02c2f; color: white; padding: 20px;\">Shop Inventory<\/a><\/strong><\/p>","slug":"section-179-made-simple","meta_title":"Section 179 Made Simple: How the One Big Beautiful Bill Benefits Your Trucking Business","meta_description":"Section 179 Made Simple: How the One Big Beautiful Bill Benefits Your Trucking Business","meta_keywords":"Section 179 Made Simple: How the One Big Beautiful Bill Benefits Your Trucking Business","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"10\/02\/2025"},{"id":71,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/greenlane2.jpg","image_alt":"Velocity Truck Centers Becomes First Dealer to Join Greenlane\u2019s \u201cCharge On Us\u201d Program","news_title":"Velocity Truck Centers Becomes First Dealer to Join Greenlane\u2019s \u201cCharge On Us\u201d Program","news_desc":"<ul type=\"disc\"><li><em>New dealer program provides $500 in charging credits, special charging rates and a six-month subscription to the network, which includes a fleet management portal to make reservations and help lower total cost of ownership<\/em><\/li><li><em>Leading commercial vehicle dealer, Velocity, is the first to join the program with immediate rollout across its network, offering the program with each new truck sale<\/em><\/li><li><em>The program addresses infrastructure hurdles and range anxiety, making the switch to commercial EVs more accessible<\/em><\/li><li><em>Dealerships can also run pilots out of Greenlane facilities making it easy for customers to run a pilot program.<\/em><\/li><\/ul><p><strong>SANTA MONICA, Calif. \u2013 September 23, 2025&nbsp;<\/strong>\u2014 While upfront costs for battery electric trucks are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/global-ev-outlook-2025\/trends-in-heavy-duty-electric-vehicles?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\">trending downward<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivegreenlane.com\/\">Greenlane<\/a>, a leader in public charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles, is launching its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivegreenlane.com\/partners\/dealerships\/\">\u201cCharge On Us\u201d<\/a> dealer program to help further reduce costs and ease the path to electrification for fleet customers. The program includes $500 in charging credits and six months of complimentary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivegreenlane.com\/fleets\/\">Greenlane Edge\u2122<\/a> subscription access for every qualifying light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric truck sold. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Velocity Truck Centers<\/a>, a major North American dealer for top commercial vehicle brands, is the first partner to sign up for the program.<\/p><p>\u201cOne of the biggest challenges our customers face when considering electric trucks is figuring out charging\u2014where to charge, how to support it, and how to pay for it all,\u201d said Scott Zeppenfeldt, COO of Velocity. \u201cGreenlane\u2019s \u2018Charge On Us\u2019 program removes those hurdles by letting our customers rely on public infrastructure instead of investing time and money in their own charging setup. We\u2019re excited to run pilot programs out of their flagship Colton facility and utilize other sites on their network, which gives us a real-world proving ground to show customers how straightforward electric can be when the charging piece is handled.\u201d<\/p><p>Dealers participating in the program benefit from a turnkey solution that includes sales enablement support, marketing resources, and customer service, all backed by Greenlane\u2019s growing public charging network and technology suite. For signing up, dealerships also receive a number of subscriptions to the network, which enables them to run pilots out of Greenlane facilities, simplifying customer billing and eliminating the need for expensive and complicated infrastructure. The Greenlane Edge\u2122 subscription ensures access to discounted charging rates, advanced reservation tools, and a robust software ecosystem to help reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and streamline billing and electric freight operations. Members benefit from real-time charging data, flexible technology integrations, and consolidated billing. Greenlane Edge\u2122 can enhance route planning and reduce downtime.<\/p><p>\u201cAs more heavy-duty fleets shift to electric, we need to address the real concerns holding them back: where to charge, cost, and how to deploy charging infrastructure day one,\u201d said Patrick Macdonald-King, CEO of Greenlane. \u201cOur program tackles these issues by providing immediate charging credits, access to high-speed chargers and our technology ecosystem that delivers a seamless charging solution. Partnering with Velocity helps us scale that impact and make electrification easier for more companies by lowering the cost of entry and complexity of procuring power and deploying infrastructure.\u201d<\/p><p>In April, the company <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivegreenlane.com\/news\/greenlane-opens-flagship-charging-hub-in-socal-advancing-zero-emission-freight-on-i-15\/\">opened its flagship Greenlane Center\u2122<\/a> in Colton, California, featuring more than 40 high-speed chargers, including 12 pull-through and 29 bobtail lanes for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles, amenities such as restrooms and wifi, carports, 24\/7 security, and additional offerings like office space and parking. The Colton site, located at the intersection of I-215 and I-10, is part of Greenlane\u2019s I-15 charging corridor from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and I-10 corridor which will include new sites to be developed in Blythe, California, and Greater Phoenix, Arizona.<\/p><p>To learn more about Greenlane\u2019s charging hub and technology ecosystem, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.drivegreenlane.com\/\">www.drivegreenlane.com<\/a> or the Colton Greenlane Center at 1650 Fairway Drive in Colton, CA.<\/p><p><strong>About Greenlane<\/strong><\/p><p>Greenlane\u2019s mission is to design, develop, install and operate a nationwide, high-performance, electric vehicle public charging and hydrogen refueling network for medium- and heavy-duty battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles. Greenlane addresses the urgent need for publicly available, nationwide electric charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles, especially for long-haul freight operations, and is a critical step toward the development of a sustainable electric vehicle ecosystem across North America. For more, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.drivegreenlane.com\/\">www.drivegreenlane.com<\/a>.<\/p><p><strong>About Velocity Truck Centers<\/strong><\/p><p>Velocity Truck Centers, a division of Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), which operates 65 commercial vehicle dealership locations across the U.S., including California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Hawaii. VVG also has operations in Australia and Baja, Mexico. In addition to trailers, VTC provides sales and support for Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Isuzu, Hino, and other commercial vehicle brands. The company also offers equipment financing through Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance, along with small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA.<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centers-becomes-first-dealer-join-greenlanes-charge-us-program","meta_title":"Velocity Truck Centers Becomes First Dealer to Join Greenlane\u2019s \u201cCharge On Us\u201d Program","meta_description":"Velocity Truck Centers Becomes First Dealer to Join Greenlane\u2019s \u201cCharge On Us\u201d Program","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"09\/23\/2025"},{"id":70,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/2025\/kelowna.jpg","image_alt":"Velocity Truck Centres Celebrates Grand Opening of New Kelowna Dealership","news_title":"Velocity Truck Centres Celebrates Grand Opening of New Kelowna Dealership","news_desc":"<p>Kelowna, BC \u2014 June 20, 2025 \u2014 Velocity Truck Centres (VTC) proudly marked the grand opening of its new, 40,000 sq ft state-of-the-art facility in Kelowna on Friday, June 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 6320 Lapointe Drive.<\/p><p>The facility was designed around the needs of today\u2019s fleet operators, providing expanded service capacity and on-site access to leading commercial vehicle brands\u2014including the latest trucks and trailers from Freightliner, Lode King, and more. It also debuted sustainable features such as EV charging infrastructure, Rizon EV Trucks, &nbsp;and a dedicated Hydrogen\/CNG service bay\u2014one of only two of its kind in the Okanagan region.<\/p><p>Purpose-built with specialized ventilation, detection, and safety systems, the Hydrogen\/CNG bay allows certified technicians to safely maintain and repair alternative fuel vehicles, including natural gas and hydrogen-powered trucks. As more fleets look to adopt low-emission transportation solutions, this infrastructure positions VTC Kelowna to support the evolving demands of clean energy logistics.<\/p><p>Guests enjoyed a complimentary BBQ lunch, took part in exclusive giveaways, and had the chance to win exciting prizes.<\/p><p>\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to expand our presence in the Okanagan with a facility that delivers faster service, deeper inventory, and an enhanced customer experience,\u201d said Tant Boothman, President, Velocity Truck Centres Canada. \u201cThis location underscores our commitment to supporting drivers and fleet managers across the region.\u201d<\/p><p>Highlights of the new Kelowna facility included:<\/p><ul><li>19 Full-Service Bays \u2013 reducing wait times and speeding up repairs<\/li><li>Extensive Inventory On-Site \u2013 featuring new and pre-owned trucks and trailers<\/li><li>Expansive Parts Warehouse \u2013 stocking both OEM and aftermarket components<\/li><li>Flexible Rental &amp; Leasing Options \u2013 from day cabs to box trucks<\/li><li>Comfortable Driver Lounge \u2013 designed for rest and convenience<\/li><li>Future-Ready Design \u2013 built for sustainability and the next generation of commercial vehicles<\/li><li>Whether servicing a single truck or an entire fleet, Velocity Truck Centres Kelowna now stands as the one-stop shop for sales, service, parts, rental, and leasing in the region.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>About Velocity Truck Centres<\/strong><\/p><p>Velocity Truck Centres is a leading commercial truck dealership network with 18 locations across Alberta and British Columbia. We provide comprehensive solutions for truck owners and operators, including new and used truck sales, parts, service, collision repair, and financing \u2014 all backed by industry expertise and a commitment to customer satisfaction. As part of the Velocity Vehicle Group, which operates over 100 locations across Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Australia, we combine global strength with local service to keep our customers moving.<\/p><p>Learn more at <a href=\"https:\/\/velocitytruckcentres.ca\" target=\"_new\">velocitytruckcentres.ca<\/a><\/p><p><strong>For more information, contact:<\/strong><br><strong>Kim Marin<\/strong>, Marketing Specialist<br><strong>Email:<\/strong> kmarin@vvgtruck.ca<br><strong>Website:<\/strong> velocitytruckcentres.ca<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centres-celebrates-grand-opening-new-kelowna-dealership","meta_title":"Velocity Truck Centres Celebrates Grand Opening of New Kelowna Dealership","meta_description":"Velocity Truck Centres Celebrates Grand Opening of New Kelowna Dealership","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"06\/20\/2025"},{"id":69,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/2025\/VTRLCanada2.jpg","image_alt":"Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing Announces Exciting Updates in Canada","news_title":"VTRL Announces Exciting Updates in Canada","news_desc":"<p>Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing (VTRL) is proud to announce several exciting developments that reflect our continued growth and commitment to excellence across the Lower Mainland.<br><br>First, we are pleased to announce the promotion of Sabine Hardie to the role of Manager of Administration. Sabine has been a valued team member over the past year, contributing to multiple areas of the business with reliability, professionalism, and care. In her new role, Sabine will oversee rental coordination, service administration and advising, accounts payable, and general office administration. She will be based out of our new Langley location, where her leadership and dedication will continue to strengthen our operations.<br><br>We are also thrilled to welcome Sukhvinder \u201cSukh\u201d to the team as our new Rental Account Manager. Sukh brings valuable experience from his previous role as a Service Dispatcher at our Surrey Service location. With a strong background in customer service, logistics, and truck operations, Sukh is well positioned to support business development and foster customer relationships throughout Surrey, Langley, and Abbotsford. His focus will be on growing our rental fleet presence and ensuring a seamless experience for our clients.<br><br>In addition to these staffing announcements, VTRL is proud to unveil its newest location in Langley, co-located with Alchemist Specialty Carriers. Officially opened on April 1, 2025, the facility is located at #101, 9930 \u2013 197 Street, Langley, BC, V1M 3G5. The site currently supports rental and leasing operations as well as trailer service bays. The truck shop is scheduled to open later this year, further expanding our service capabilities. The Langley team includes two office staff\u2014Sabine and Brian\u2014and four technicians, three of whom began on April 14, with one already on site.<br><br>While this new facility represents a significant milestone, our head office remains in Surrey, which continues to serve as the central hub for Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing in Canada.<br><br>These updates mark a major step forward for our business and reinforce our commitment to delivering outstanding service, reliable equipment, and strong partnerships across the region. We thank our team members and customers for their continued support as we build the future of commercial truck rental and leasing in Canada.<br><br><strong>For additional information, please contact:&nbsp;<\/strong><br>Mark Elsey - melsey@velocitytruckrental.ca<br>Regional Manager, Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing \u2013 Canada<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-rental-and-leasing-announces-exciting-updates-canada","meta_title":"Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing Announces Exciting Updates in Canada","meta_description":"Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing Announces Exciting Updates in Canada","meta_keywords":"Velocity Truck, Rental,  Leasing, Canada, Langley, BC, V1M 3G5","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"04\/15\/2025"},{"id":68,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/2025\/trailers-logo.png","image_alt":"Velocity Trailer Centers - Vanguard Trailers","news_title":"Velocity Truck Centers Expands Trailer Division with the introduction of Velocity Trailer Centers","news_desc":"<p>Fontana, CA; February 18, 2025 \u2013 Velocity Truck Centers (VTC) announced today the expansion of its trailer division with the opening of a new flagship dealership in Fontana, California, under the Velocity Trailer Centers flag. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as the central hub for Velocity\u2019s growing trailer operations, supporting customers across California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, Utah, and Mexico.<\/p><p>The Velocity Trailer Centers (VTC) division offers a comprehensive range of services, including new and used trailer sales, parts, service, leasing, and financing solutions. With over 1,000 new and used trailers in stock, Velocity Trailer Centers now operates the largest dedicated trailer salesforce on the West Coast.<\/p><p>Warren Auwae, Senior Vice President &amp; General Manager of The Velocity Trailer Centers, stated, \u201cThe Velocity Team is very excited to be expanding our trailer business with a partner like Vanguard.\u201d<\/p><p>The Fontana flagship location will primarily focus on the full line of Vanguard National Trailer products, including reefers, dry vans, and flatbeds. The expansion solidifies VTC\u2019s position as a leader in the commercial trailer industry, providing fleet customers with unparalleled access to high-quality equipment and support services.<\/p><p>Velocity Truck Centers, a division of Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), which operates 65 commercial vehicle dealership locations across the U.S., including California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Hawaii. VVG also has operations in Australia and Baja, Mexico. In addition to trailers, VTC provides sales and support for Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Isuzu, Hino, and other commercial vehicle brands. The company also offers equipment financing through Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance, along with small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA.<\/p><p>For more information on the new Velocity Trailer Centers flagship location in Fontana, please contact Warren Auwe; <a href=\"mailto:wauwae@vvgtruck.com\">wauwae@vvgtruck.com<\/a> and <strong>www.VelocityTrailerCenters.com<\/strong><\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centers-expands-trailer-division-introduction-velocity-trailer-centers","meta_title":"Velocity Truck Centers Expands Trailer Division with the introduction of Velocity Trailer Centers","meta_description":"Velocity Trailer Centers is your Vanguard Trailer dealership","meta_keywords":"Velocity, Trailer, Centers, Vanguard, Trailers, dealership","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"02\/18\/2025"},{"id":67,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/2025\/Spartanburg_blog.jpg","image_alt":"Velocity Truck Centers Expands Footprint with New Branch Opening in Spartanburg, SC","news_title":"Velocity Truck Centers Expands Footprint with New Branch Opening in Spartanburg, SC","news_desc":"<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>February 3 2025, Spartanburg, SC<\/strong> \u2013 Velocity Truck Centers (VTC), a leading name in commercial truck sales, service, and support, is excited to announce the opening of a new branch in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This strategic expansion strengthens VTC\u2019s commitment to serving the growing needs of commercial truck owners and operators across the region.<br><br>Located at 740 Falling Creek Road, the Spartanburg branch opens with a fully stocked Parts Department, offering an extensive range of DTNA parts and aftermarket parts from other top suppliers. With a robust inventory and knowledgeable staff on-site, customers can count on Velocity Truck Centers to support their fleet needs, ensuring they\u2019re back on the road quickly and efficiently.<\/p><p>The Spartanburg branch will soon enhance its services with a full-service department, staffed by factory-trained technicians, and a dedicated sales team to assist with new and pre-owned truck purchases for Western Star and Freightliner vehicles. These additions are expected to launch in the coming months, broadening VTC\u2019s capacity to deliver a complete suite of solutions under one roof.<\/p><p>\u201cOur Spartanburg branch marks an exciting step in our mission to deliver industry-leading support and solutions to our customers,\u201d said Scott Zeppenfeldt, COO of Velocity Vehicle Group. \u201cBy establishing a parts department first, we\u2019re immediately able to support the local trucking community, with full service and sales coming soon to provide even more comprehensive support.\u201d<\/p><p>With over 42 locations across the United States, Velocity Truck Centers is dedicated to driving excellence in customer service and product quality. The new Spartanburg branch is another testament to VTC\u2019s commitment to making critical resources accessible to truck owners, fleet operators, and logistics professionals.<\/p><p>For more information, contact:<br><strong>Stewart Brown<\/strong>, Regional General Manager<br>Velocity Truck Centers<br><strong>Phone:<\/strong> 910-540-5515<br><strong>Email:<\/strong> sbrown@vvgtruck.com<br><strong>Website:<\/strong> velocitytruckcenters.com<\/p><p><strong>Stuart Christopher,<\/strong> Branch Manager<br>Velocity Truck Centers<br><strong>Phone:<\/strong> 864-256-3880<br><strong>Email:<\/strong> schristopher@vvgtruck.com<br><strong>Website:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/\/velocitytruckcenters.com\">velocitytruckcenters.com<\/a><br><br><\/p><p><strong>About Velocity Truck Centers<\/strong><br>Velocity Truck Centers (VTC) is a premier network of commercial truck dealerships, offering a complete range of solutions to meet the unique needs of truck owners and operators. With a focus on customer satisfaction and industry expertise, VTC provides new and used trucks, parts, service, and financing solutions. VTC\u2019s extensive network ensures truck operators have the support they need wherever the road takes them.<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centers-expands-footprint-new-branch-opening-spartanburg-sc","meta_title":"Velocity Truck Centers Expands Footprint with New Branch Opening in Spartanburg, SC","meta_description":"Velocity Truck Centers Expands Footprint with New Branch Opening in Spartanburg, SC","meta_keywords":"Spartanburg, SC, south carolina, truck, dealer, Velocity Truck Centers, truck parts","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"02\/04\/2025"},{"id":66,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/2025\/Tant Boothman_President.jpg","image_alt":"Tant Boothman","news_title":"Introducing the New President of Velocity Truck Centres, Canada","news_desc":"<p>SURREY, British Columbia;<em>&nbsp;January 7, 2025<\/em> - Velocity Truck Centres, Canada is thrilled to announce the appointment of Tant Boothman as the new President of our Canadian operations. With a proven track record of leadership and a passion for innovation, Tant is poised to guide the company into an exciting new era of growth and excellence.<\/p><p>A Leader with Vision -<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>Tant brings over sixteen years of leadership experience in the commercial vehicle industry, having held key leadership roles in operations, sales and manufacturing. &nbsp;Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to driving operational excellence, fostering team collaboration, and delivering exceptional value to customers. Tant\u2019s forward-thinking approach aligns perfectly with Velocity Truck Centres' mission to provide world-class products and services to our clients through our three pillars of Speed, Value and Trust.<\/p><p>\u201cI am very excited to be joining the Velocity team\u201d, Say\u2019s Tant Boothman, President of Velocity Truck Centres, Canada. \u201cI can feel the pride and passion for our customers success within the Canadian team. I am looking forward to working with the team to develop solutions that consistently exceed our customers expectations.\u201d<\/p><p>Under Tant\u2019s leadership, Velocity Truck Centres, Canada is set to further its commitment to innovation, sustainability and a customer first approach. Through his focus on strategy, leadership and digital transformation, he is committed to developing strong business leaders and enhancing customer experiences.<\/p><p>At the core of Tant's leadership philosophy is a dedication to people\u2014both within the organization and in the communities we serve. He is passionate about fostering a culture of inclusivity and professional development, ensuring that every team member has the tools and opportunities to succeed.<\/p><p>As we welcome Tant to the Velocity Truck Centres team, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. With his strategic insight and leadership, we are confident that Velocity Truck Centres, Canada will continue to set the standard for excellence in the commercial vehicle industry.<\/p><p>Join us in welcoming our new President, Tant Boothman, to our Velocity Team! &nbsp;Stay tuned for updates as we embark on this promising chapter together.<\/p>","slug":"introducing-new-president-velocity-truck-centres-canada","meta_title":"Introducing the New President of Velocity Truck Centres, Canada: Tant Boothman","meta_description":"Introducing the New President of Velocity Truck Centres, Canada: Tant Boothman","meta_keywords":"New President, Velocity Truck Centres Canada, Tant Boothman","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"01\/07\/2025"},{"id":64,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/2025\/gptw.png","image_alt":"VVG is Certified A Great Place To Work","news_title":"We're Certified A Great Place To Work\u00ae","news_desc":"<p><strong>What the Great Place to Work\u00ae Certification Means for Velocity Vehicle Group<\/strong><\/p><p>In the competitive world of commercial vehicle solutions, an organization's culture plays a significant role in its success and reputation. For a second year in a row Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG) has earned the prestigious <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatplacetowork.ca\/en\/certification\"><strong>Great Place to Work\u00ae Certification<\/strong><\/a>, which signals to employees, customers, and partners alike that VVG stands out as an exceptional workplace. But what does this certification truly mean for VVG and all those who interact with the company? Let\u2019s dive into the impact of this achievement and how it benefits employees, customers, and the industry.<\/p><p><strong>What Is the Great Place to Work Certification?<\/strong><\/p><p>The Great Place to Work Certification is a globally recognized symbol of trust and quality in workplace culture, awarded to organizations that demonstrate high levels of employee satisfaction and engagement. To achieve this certification, companies must undergo a rigorous evaluation process, including an employee survey that assesses various aspects of the work environment, from trust and camaraderie to benefits and leadership quality. With 84% of our employees saying it\u2019s a great place to work compared to 57% of employees at a typical U.S. based company, earning this certification is a testament to VVG's commitment to its workforce.<\/p><p><strong>Why This Certification Matters<\/strong><\/p><p>The Great Place to Work Certification isn't just a badge to display; it reflects a company\u2019s dedication to fostering an environment where employees feel valued and supported. At VVG, we grow from our three pillars of Speed, Value and Trust.<\/p><p>&nbsp;Here\u2019s why this achievement is significant for the company:<\/p><p><strong>Employee Well-being and Retention<\/strong><br>A high-trust workplace empowers employees to perform at their best, knowing they are valued and appreciated. The certification affirms that VVG prioritizes the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of its team \u2014 creating a more stable workforce that\u2019s dedicated to long-term goals.<\/p><p><strong>Enhanced Customer Experience<\/strong><br>Employees who feel satisfied and engaged are better positioned to deliver exceptional customer service. A positive work culture fuels morale and encourages employees to go above and beyond for customers. For VVG customers, this means consistent, high-quality \u201cElite\u201d service from a team that genuinely cares about their needs and outcome.<\/p><p><strong>Increased Innovation and Collaboration<\/strong><br>A great workplace cultivates open communication and teamwork. Employees who feel safe and valued are more likely to contribute ideas, which drives innovation. At VVG, fostering a collaborative environment empowers team members to improve existing processes, create new solutions, and offer insights that contribute to the company\u2019s success. We provide our employees with suggestion boxes and monthly surveys, supporting innovative ideas and continuous improvement.<\/p><p><strong>Reputation as an Industry Leader<\/strong><br>The Great Place to Work Certification enhances VVG\u2019s standing in the commercial vehicle industry. Along with our three pillars of Speed, Value, and Trust, we are committed to providing our customers with the utmost honesty and integrity in everything we do. As more customers and partners seek to work with values-driven organizations, this certification is a powerful indicator of VVG's dedication to excellence and ethical business practices.<\/p><p><strong>VVG\u2019s Commitment to a Positive Workplace<\/strong><\/p><p>Achieving this certification requires more than just good intentions. VVG has established policies, benefits, and practices that promote work-life balance, professional development, and team cohesion. Whether through employee recognition programs, opportunities for advancement, or wellness initiatives, VVG actively invests in the success and satisfaction of its workforce. This ongoing commitment is a cornerstone of its success and ensures that it remains a great place to work for years to come.<\/p><p><strong>VVG, a Great Place to Work.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p><p>Earning the Great Place to Work Certification is an impressive milestone, but it\u2019s also a commitment to maintain and improve upon the standards that brought VVG to this point. VVG will continue to prioritize employee satisfaction, seek feedback, and make improvements that ensure it stays at the forefront of workplace excellence. We could never have earned this certification if it wasn\u2019t for our employee\u2019s dedication, hard work and drive to continuously make VVG a truly great place to be.<\/p>","slug":"were-certified-great-place-work","meta_title":"We're Certified A Great Place To Work\u00ae at Velocity Vehicle Group","meta_description":"We're Certified A Great Place To Work\u00ae at Velocity Vehicle Group and our divisions","meta_keywords":"Great Place To Work, GPTW, Certified, Velocity Vehicle Group, Velocity Truck Centers","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"11\/19\/2024"},{"id":65,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/tbb.jpg","image_alt":"ARIZONA BUS CENTER","news_title":"BUSWEST WELCOMES ARIZONA BUS CENTER TO THE VELOCITY NETWORK","news_desc":"<p>BusWest, a Division of Velocity Vehicle Group (Velocity), announced today that the company has acquired Arizona Bus Center from The Reading Truck Group. The acquisition of Arizona Bus Center is a natural extension of BusWest\u2019s current coverage with the Thomas Built Bus brand in California, Nevada and Hawaii. &nbsp;<\/p><p>Today, Velocity has 129 commercial vehicle locations globally, including coast-to-coast coverage of commercial vehicle sales, service, parts, collision and fabrication services as well as equipment financing in North America. &nbsp;The BusWest division of Velocity is committed to serving the demanding needs of school bus operators with a dedicated sales team, parts call-center and service staff that ensure the reliable transportation of students everywhere we serve.&nbsp;<\/p><p>President and CEO of Velocity Brad Fauvre said, \u201cWe are excited to welcome the Arizona Bus Center team to what is the most comprehensive commercial vehicle sales, service and support network in North America. Our BusWest division has a laser focus on our School Bus customers, and through this acquisition, we will be able to provide Arizona Thomas Built Bus customers significant additional support through our network of facilities in Arizona. We are also excited to welcome the Arizona Bus Company employees into our family to be a part of the growth to come from with Thomas Built Bus with the added resources of the Velocity organization\".<\/p><p>Jason Connell, president and COO of Reading Truck Equipment said, \u201cBusWest\u2019s acquisition of Arizona Bus Center serves customers and employees alike by positioning them for continued growth alongside BusWest\u2019s strong portfolio and extensive market experience. They are getting a great team, and we wish them continued success\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p><p>###<\/p><p>BusWest, a part of the Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), operates commercial vehicle dealership locations in the US across California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and Hawaii. VVG also operates Daimler dealerships across Australia, as well as Mexico, and Western Canada. VTC provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full spectrum from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school buses, as well as aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VTC is an authorized dealer for the Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Sprinter, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, SportTruck, Renegade RV, Rosenbauer fire, Battle Motors and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands and Great Dane and several other specialty trailer brands. VVG also offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.<\/p><p><strong>ABOUT READING TRUCK<\/strong><\/p><p>The Reading Truck Group, LLC, a business unit of J.B. Poindexter &amp; Co., Inc. (JBPCO), is a leading manufacturer, distributor and upfitter of work truck bodies and equipment. Established in 1955 and headquartered in Reading, PA, all truck bodies are proudly made in the USA with outstanding craftsmanship that provide longevity and durability. Reading Truck bodies are available through its extensive national network of distribution partners and Reading Truck equipment centers which offer expert upfitting, installation, parts, equipment and services for a single truck or an entire fleet For more information, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.readingtruck.com\/\">readingtruck.com<\/a>.<\/p>","slug":"buswest-welcomes-arizona-bus-center-velocity-network","meta_title":"BUSWEST WELCOMES ARIZONA BUS CENTER TO THE VELOCITY NETWORK","meta_description":"BUSWEST WELCOMES ARIZONA BUS CENTER TO THE VELOCITY NETWORK","meta_keywords":"BUSWEST, ARIZONA BUS CENTER,  VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"11\/18\/2024"},{"id":63,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/vtrl-ribbon-cutting.jpg","image_alt":"Ribbon Cutting Event","news_title":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing (VTRL) and Trio Host Ribbon Cutting Event to Unveil 47 High-Powered Electric Charging Stations In Southern California.","news_desc":"<p><strong>Fontana, CA, September 25, 2024 \u2013<\/strong> Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing (VTRL), a division of Velocity Vehicle Group, and sustainability and energy advisory company Trio proudly hosted a successful ribbon-cutting ceremony at their Fontana facility on September 24, 2024, to celebrate the official launch of 47 high-powered electric charging stations across Southern California. The event featured speeches from representatives of Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing, Trio, the California Energy Commission, and Southern California Edison, highlighting Velocity's commitment to providing reliable charging for medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks.<\/p><p>The high-powered chargers have been installed at VTRL\u2019s facilities in Rancho Dominguez (17), Fontana (14), the City of Industry (14), and San Diego (2). The newly installed infrastructure comprises 45 120 kW Detroit e-Fill and two ChargePoint chargers. Detroit e-Fill commercial-grade chargers are renowned for their reliability and efficient performance, enabling trucks such as the Class 8 Freightliner eCascadia, Class 6 and 7 Freightliner eM2, and RIZON class 4 to 5 battery-electric cabover trucks to achieve an 80% state of charge in just 90 minutes or less.\u202f The ribbon-cutting event underscored Velocity\u2019s commitment to expanding electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and making significant strides toward reducing emissions in the freight and logistics sector.<\/p><p><strong>Speakers Included:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><strong>David Deon<\/strong>, President, Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing (VTRL)<br>David is the President of Fleet Logic, LLC dba Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing, a privately owned commercial truck rental and full-service leasing company operating out of the Southwest and Mid-South USA plus British Columbia, Canada. In 2011, he was brought on board as the General Manager where he successfully completed the start-up phase of VTRL and was later promoted to President in 2013.<\/li><li><strong>Simon Horton<\/strong>, Sr. Director, TE &amp; Clean Energy Projects, Trio<br>Simon leads the Trio team developing clean energy projects, including fleet electrification, solar generation, energy storage, and energy optimization. His team develops strategic road maps for clients\u2019 clean energy transitions, manages the engineering and design of projects, and oversees the safe and efficient implementation and construction of these important projects.<\/li><li><strong>Chanel Parson<\/strong>, Director of Clean Energy and Demand Response, Southern California Edison<br>Chanel is responsible for progressing SCE\u2019s vision for a Clean Energy Future through accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles, solar, and battery storage while also supporting grid resiliency through managing and maintaining strong demand response programs.<\/li><li><strong>Hannon Rasool<\/strong>, Fuel and Transport Division Director, California Energy Commission<br>Hannon has over 15 years of experience in the energy industry, including the regulated utility space and government. He has an extensive background in regulatory affairs and electric vehicle infrastructure. His work history includes clean transportation, renewable energy, net metering, energy storage, and distributed energy technologies.<\/li><li><strong>Erik Neandross<\/strong>, President, Clean Transportation Solutions<br>For the last 25 years, Erik has worked with leading truck manufacturers and their dealer networks; large commercial fleet operators; an array of global energy companies, utilities, project developers and fuel providers; and public agencies and other stakeholders to spearhead the development of many of the nation's largest and most important low and zero emission commercial transportation projects.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>About VTRL<\/strong><\/p><p>Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing (VTRL), a division of Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), offers innovative rental, leasing, and fleet maintenance solutions for commercial trucks throughout Western Canada and the USA. With a robust fleet of vehicles, including box trucks, day cabs, and eco-friendly electric options, VTRL is committed to providing flexible, efficient, and cost-effective services. Our focus on customer-driven solutions helps businesses reduce the complexities of fleet ownership, ensuring they can operate smoothly while we handle their transportation and maintenance needs.<\/p><p><strong>To learn more visit:&nbsp;<\/strong>velocitytruckrentalandleasing.com<\/p><p><strong>About Trio<\/strong><\/p><p>Trio is a global sustainability and energy advisory company that helps large commercial, industrial, and institutional organizations navigate the clean energy transition. Trio provides integrated strategy and implementation offerings across sustainability, renewables, energy procurement, energy optimization, and transportation electrification to help the world\u2019s largest organizations deliver on their strategic, financial and sustainability goals.<\/p><p><strong>To learn more visit:&nbsp;<\/strong>trioadvisory.com<\/p><p><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>For All Media Inquiries Contact:<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Jennifer Rhinehart<\/strong><br><strong>Regional Vice President of Lease &amp; Rental<br>Direct: 949-655-2458<br>Mobile: 602-769-4741<br>Email: <\/strong><a href=\"mailto:jrhinehart@velocitytruckrental.com\"><strong>jrhinehart@velocitytruckrental.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-rental-leasing-vtrl-and-trio-host-ribbon-cutting-event-unveil-47-high-powered-electric-charging-stations-southern-california","meta_title":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing (VTRL) and Trio Host Ribbon Cutting Event to Unveil 47 High-Powered Electric Charging Stations In Southern California.","meta_description":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing (VTRL) and Trio Host Ribbon Cutting Event to Unveil 47 High-Powered Electric Charging Stations In Southern California.","meta_keywords":"Velocity Truck Rental,  Leasing,VTRL,  Ribbon Cutting Event, Unveil, 47 High-Powered, Electric, Charging Stations, Southern California.","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"09\/25\/2024"},{"id":62,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/part2C.jpg","image_alt":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing is shifting the electric truck charging space \u2013 and making inroads into new territory","news_title":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing is shifting the electric truck charging space \u2013 and making inroads into new territory","news_desc":"<p><strong>Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing is shifting the electric truck charging space \u2013 and making inroads into new territory<\/strong><br>By Elana Knopp<br>Manager, Content and Communications, <a href=\"https:\/\/trioadvisory.com\/\">Trio<\/a><\/p><p><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>Part II<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>With Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing (VTRL) recently announcing the energization of 47 high-powered charging stations at four VTRL facilities across Southern California, the company is setting the bar when it comes to leading the transition to sustainable freight solutions by providing efficient and reliable charging options for commercial medium and heavy-duty electric trucks.\u202f<\/p><p>The newly-installed infrastructure, located at the company\u2019s facilities in Rancho Dominguez, Fontana, the City of Industry, and San Diego, will enable a broad range of trucks to achieve an 80% charge in just 90 minutes or less.\u202fWith a goal of shaping the electromobility space \u2013 not just reacting to it \u2013 VTRL is focused on helping their commercial and industrial clients transition smoothly to an electrified future, ensuring that they are prepared to comply with the many forthcoming rules and regulations. And while compliance is top of mind for many, there are plenty of companies who are simply motivated by the desire to create a healthier planet and a more sustainable future, notes David Deon, president of VTRL.<\/p><p>\u201cWe have companies out there that are doing it because they feel it's the right thing to do,\u201d he said. \u201cMany of the larger organizations are already starting to do it, which is wonderful. For Velocity, our goal is to be environmentally responsible. We want to do everything we can to offset emissions from trucks and to be good citizens, which is part of the reason why I wanted to be ahead of this curve. The other piece of it is that we want to be the consultants who can answer any questions that our customers have to help them along this path.\u201d<\/p><p><strong>Charging options<br><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><\/strong><strong>&nbsp;<img src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/velocitytruckcenters-bucket\/media\/uploaded-files\/chargers.jpg\" style=\"width: 300px;\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib\"><\/strong><br>VTRL offers flexible charging options to accommodate diverse customer needs. This includes self-managed and opportunity charging during daily routes.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Customers can also take advantage of VTRL\u2019s \u2018charging as a service' model, which simplifies the process of EV charging for fleet operators by eliminating the complexities of setting up, maintaining, and operating charging infrastructure. Customers that sign up for charging as a service can establish a monthly subscription or pay-per-use agreement and can leave their trucks at one of VTRL\u2019s charging locations to be charged and ready ahead of their next shift.\u202f\u202f<\/p><p>&nbsp;The company\u2019s charge management system carefully monitors the charging status of each truck, enabling staff to quickly and seamlessly rotate trucks as chargers become available.<\/p><p>&nbsp;\u201cI think that has to be the future because the idea of a driver sitting there for a couple of hours is what everybody thinks of, and it doesn't have to be that way,\u201d Deon said. \u201cIt just has to be a partner that's willing to do what we're willing to do. I'm a big believer in this initiative and getting the right type of trucks on the road, and you have to find your right audience for that.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p><p><strong>What\u2019s next&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p><p>That next audience may be in British Columbia, Canada, where hydropower is abundant and where Velocity is currently establishing itself, primarily on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.&nbsp;<\/p><p>\u201cThey're very excited about zero emissions \u2013 they want to keep their territory beautiful,\u201d Deon said. \u201cSome think of that area as the California of Canada, and we want to help that initiative along. I want to be the guy that's known as the EV provider in that province because I really think there's going to be a lot of takers up there between the cost, the mindsets, and the government money available. That's really important to me personally, and to our company, as we look at what's next.\u201d<\/p><p>&nbsp;Other potential areas for the company\u2019s expansion include Alabama, Texas, and Georgia.&nbsp;<\/p><p>\u201cThe fear that everybody has is about cost, so the most important thing is to find a trusted advisor and get real answers,\u201d Deon said. \u201cWhen it comes to EV trucks and their capabilities, that\u2019s what VTRL and Velocity Vehicle Group are experts at - on the sales side and with our own distributors. When it came time for the charging infrastructure, I didn't try to take my knowledge in one area and apply it to another. That\u2019s why we found the experts at Trio. They educated us and walked us through the process.\u201d Deon also has some sage advice to those seeking to play a role in the transition to an electrified future.<\/p><p>&nbsp;\u201cDon't listen to the naysayers, and don't listen to gossip and negativity,\u201d he said. \u201cFind a true expert and get real answers because you could end up spending either a lot more money in fines or in technology, or losing out on grant opportunities. At Velocity, we are trying to be at the cutting edge of all these different phases of this transition, because that's really what it is. It is a transition to a cleaner environment when it comes to transportation of goods. We want to be known as the provider of this solution in the years to come.\u201d<br><img src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/velocitytruckcenters-bucket\/media\/uploaded-files\/rizon%20charging.png\" style=\"width: 300px;\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib\"><\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-rental-leasing-shifting-electric-truck-charging-space-and-making-inroads-new-territory","meta_title":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing is shifting the electric truck charging space \u2013 and making inroads into new territory","meta_description":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing is shifting the electric truck charging space \u2013 and making inroads into new territory","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"09\/23\/2024"},{"id":61,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/part1C.jpg","image_alt":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing is on a mission to transform the future of electromobility. Here\u2019s how","news_title":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing is on a mission to transform the future of electromobility. Here\u2019s how.","news_desc":"<p><strong>Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing is on a mission to transform the future of electromobility. Here\u2019s how.<\/strong><\/p><p>By Elana Knopp<br>Manager, Content and Communications, <a href=\"https:\/\/trioadvisory.com\/\">Trio<\/a><\/p><p><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>Part I<\/strong><\/p><p>In May, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckrentalandleasing.com\/\">Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing (VTRL),<\/a> a division of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.velocityvehiclegroup.com\/\">Velocity Vehicle Group<\/a>, announced the energization of 47 high-powered charging stations at four VTRL facilities across Southern California, including Rancho Dominguez, Fontana, the City of Industry, and San Diego. The investment is part of VTRL's initiative to lead the transition to sustainable freight solutions by providing efficient and reliable charging options for commercial medium and heavy-duty electric trucks.\u202f<\/p><p>The newly installed infrastructure comprises 45 120 kW Detroit e-Fill and two ChargePoint chargers, all designed to cater to the specific needs of medium and heavy-duty battery electric trucks. The commercial-grade chargers will enable trucks such as the Class 8 Freightliner eCascadia, Class 6 and 7 Freightliner eM2, and RIZON Class 4 to 5 battery-electric cabover trucks to achieve an 80% charge in just 90 minutes or less.\u202f<\/p><p>VTRL, which has locations throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, and Alabama, provides full service truck leasing, commercial truck rentals, including EV truck rentals; used truck sales; and fleet management services for private fleets and transportation service providers.<!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><a href=\"#_msocom_1\" language=\"JavaScript\" name=\"_msoanchor_1\">[JR1]<\/a><!--[endif]--> The company is a member of NationaLease, one of the largest full-service truck leasing organizations in North America, with over 1,000 service locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.<\/p><p><strong>How it all started<\/strong><br><img src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/velocitytruckcenters-bucket\/media\/uploaded-files\/chargers.jpg\" style=\"width: 300px;\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib\"><\/p><p>Plans for installing the charging stations began several years ago, said VTRL president David Deon. \u201cWe were trying to understand what was coming next,\u201d he said. \u201cI'm one of those believers that nobody is ever on the curve - you're either ahead of it or you're behind it. And my team and I began thinking about the traction for EVs and the infrastructure it was going to take.\u201d Deon and his team looked at the market, the regulations, and consumer demand, and knew it was time to integrate charging solutions along key transit corridors to ensure that customers had the support when and where they needed it.<\/p><p>Deon, who serves on the eMobility Council for Freightliner, as well as on the Board of Directors for the Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA), said that speaking with peers about the challenges they were facing was a key part of the planning process. \u201cThey talked about how the amount of power to charge a truck was the same as powering a McDonald's,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you've got 10 trucks, the next thing you know it\u2019s 20 trucks, and then it\u2019s like trying to power a small city.\u201d<\/p><p>Beyond addressing the challenges of providing vast amounts of power, there was also the issue of forecasting. What would demand be like over the next 10 years? What would the market look like? What was the company\u2019s risk tolerance? That\u2019s when Deon approached sustainability and energy advisory company Trio (formerly Edison Energy).<\/p><p>\u201cWe were trying to get ahead of the curve,\u201d he said. \u201cWe knew we wanted to get all of our Southern California locations energized. The challenge was understanding what it would actually take to make that happen.\u201d<\/p><p><strong>Keeping customers compliant<\/strong><\/p><p>With a goal of shaping the electromobility space \u2013 not just reacting to it \u2013 VTRL is focused on helping customers transition smoothly, ensuring that they are prepared to comply with the many forthcoming rules and regulations, as well as those already in place, including the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation.<\/p><p>The ACF regulation, developed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), complements CARB\u2019s recently adopted Advanced Clean Trucks regulation and will help advance the introduction of zero-emission technologies into California\u2019s truck and bus fleets. This requires fleets that are well suited for electrification to reduce emissions by phasing in the use of Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), as well as the requirement that manufacturers produce only ZEV trucks beginning in the 2036 model year.<\/p><p>The ACF regulation is expected to introduce nearly 1,700,000 ZEVs into the California fleet by 2050.<\/p><p>\u201cThe manufacturers are driving that with their allocation as far as what they\u2019re allowing dealers to sell,\u201d Deon said. \u201cFor example, they might say that for every three internal combustion engine trucks you sell, you have to sell one EV, and they're doing that at the customer level.\u201d<\/p><p>But customers with smaller fleets could get left behind in the process, according to Deon.\u201cWe want to make sure that doesn\u2019t happen,\u201d he said. \u201cBut how are they going to satisfy the manufacturers? My proposal is simple \u2013 we\u2019re going to make sure that we have enough electric trucks that we can rent or lease to customers - both internal combustion and zero emission - depending on where they\u2019re at so that they can stay compliant and stay in business.\u201d<\/p><p>The Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) Program has also been top of mind for many customers.<\/p><p>The WAIRE Program aims to reduce nitrogen oxide and diesel emissions associated with warehouses, help meet federal standards, and improve public health, particularly in communities located near warehouses in California\u2019s South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD).<\/p><p>\u201cWe have a lot of people asking about the WAIRE Program,\u201d Deon said. \u201cThey're paying fines. WAIRE started with larger warehouses, and they've gone down in square footage as far as who they fine. One of our customers that deals with Amazon gets paid extra for loads going into Amazon DC on zero emissions because now Amazon can count it towards their credits. They want to incentivize people to use zero emissions.\u201d<br><img src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/velocitytruckcenters-bucket\/media\/uploaded-files\/ecascadia-charging2.jpg\" style=\"width: 300px;\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib\"><\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-rental-leasing-mission-transform-future-electromobility-heres-how","meta_title":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing is on a mission to transform the future of electromobility. Here\u2019s how","meta_description":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing is on a mission to transform the future of electromobility. Here\u2019s how","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"09\/19\/2024"},{"id":60,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/autow.jpg","image_alt":"vtrl acquisition","news_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK RENTAL & LEASING COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF AUTOW NATIONALEASE TRUCK RENTAL, INC.","news_desc":"<p>Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing (VTRL) is pleased to announce that the company has added capacity in the Southeast with the acquisition of Autow Nationalease Truck Rental, Inc. This acquisition extends VTRL\u2019s reach into Tennessee from California, Arizona, Nevada, Northern Alabama and British Columbia.<\/p><p>Over the past 62 years AUTOW has developed an impeccable reputation for total customer focus and excellent service to their full-service leasing, commercial truck rental and repair services customers from their three locations in Tennessee and Alabama. We are proud to maintain the Autow name, existing staff and customer focused culture in these markets with the overall goal of continuing to provide the first-rate service and flexibility our customers have come to expect.<\/p><p>The VTRL-Autow network now consists of 15 locations across the US and Northwest Canada. In all our locations we focus on operating leases tailored to customer needs, late model rental trucks and customized vehicle maintenance programs.<\/p><p>David Deon, President of VTRL, says, \u201cI am pleased to welcome Autow Nationalease to the Velocity family. &nbsp;It has been a pleasure to work with Lee Harlan and the Autow leadership throughout this process. &nbsp;The continuity of the Autow team will allow us to maintain excellent customer service and relationships while being supported by the resources and functional teams of the VTRL organization. &nbsp;I look forward to working together to carry on the Autow tradition of great local customer support in Middle Tennessee and Alabama.\u201d<\/p><p>Lee Harlan, President &amp; CEO of AUTOW Nationalease, says, \u201cVelocity and AUTOW share a very similar culture and approach towards supporting customers and developing associates. Joining Velocity will offer many new opportunities for growth across an expanded network. &nbsp;I\u2019m excited for the future of Autow and to see how it continues to grow in other areas of the Southeast. &nbsp;I could not have selected a better organization to carry the AUTOW name forward.\u201d &nbsp;<\/p><p>Please forward any questions to Omar Besiso at <a href=\"mailto:obesiso@velocitytruckrental.com\">obesiso@velocitytruckrental.com<\/a>.<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-rental-leasing-completes-acquisition-autow-nationalease-truck-rental-inc","meta_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK RENTAL & LEASING COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF AUTOW NATIONALEASE TRUCK RENTAL, INC.","meta_description":"VELOCITY TRUCK RENTAL & LEASING COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF AUTOW NATIONALEASE TRUCK RENTAL, INC.","meta_keywords":"VELOCITY TRUCK RENTAL & LEASING COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF AUTOW NATIONALEASE TRUCK RENTAL, INC.","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"09\/03\/2024"},{"id":59,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/battle-motors.png","image_alt":"Velocity Truck Centers Expands Representation of Battle Motors Across the United States","news_title":"Velocity Truck Centers Expands Representation of Battle Motors Across the United States","news_desc":"<p>LOS ANGELES, CA \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/\">Velocity Truck Centers (VTC)<\/a>, a leading provider of innovative heavy-duty truck solutions, is excited to announce its expanded partnership with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.Battlemotors.com\">Battle Motors<\/a>, making Battle Motors' innovative electric trucks available through VTC dealerships nationwide including California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. Battle Motors, renowned for its state-of-the-art Class 7 and 8 trucks and commitment to sustainable transportation solutions, has chosen Velocity Truck Centers for its extensive industry expertise, innovative thinking, and exceptional service standards. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the expansion of Battle Motors' presence in the United States market.<\/p><p><em>\"We are thrilled to partner with Battle Motors. This partnership underscores our commitment to promoting sustainable transportation solutions and providing our customers with the highest quality vehicles. We look forward to a successful collaboration and the opportunity to drive the future greener transportation solutions together.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp; - <strong>Brandon Volner,&nbsp;<\/strong>National Refuse Manager<strong>, Velocity Truck Centers.<\/strong><\/p><p>Velocity Truck Centers, renowned for its dedication to customer service and extensive network of dealerships, will now feature Battle Motors' ICE, CNG and electric trucks, providing customers with environmentally friendly, high-performance options for their transportation needs. In addition to the EV offerings, this collaboration will also expand Velocity\u2019s vocational product offering, enabling them to better service a wider customer base with a variety of versatile, durable trucks designed for various industries and applications.<\/p><p><em>\"We are excited about this expanded partnership with Velocity Truck Centers, which aligns with our mission to deliver top-tier, transportation solutions across the country. Velocity's expertise and commitment to service make them an ideal partner as we continue to grow our presence in the U.S. market.\u201d<\/em> <strong>- Stan Mikalonis, Chief Revenue Officer, Battle Motors.<\/strong><\/p><p>Battle Motors' range of diesel, CNG and electric trucks is designed to meet the demands of national clean energy standards, offering unparalleled performance, efficiency, and reliability. With Velocity's extensive network and dedicated team, customers across the country will have increased access to Battle Motors' products, providing a solution for a variety of industries. As an official representative, Velocity Truck Centers will support the sales, service, and parts for Battle Motors' products, ensuring a seamless experience for customers nationwide. Both companies share a vision for a sustainable future and are excited about offering innovative solutions to the transportation industry across the United States.<\/p><p><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>About Velocity Truck Centers<\/strong><\/p><p>Velocity Truck Centers, a part of the Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), operates commercial vehicle dealership locations in the US (United States) across California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Hawaii. VVG also operates Daimler dealerships across Australia, as well as Mexico, and now, 18 locations in Western Canada. VTC provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full spectrum from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school buses, as well as aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VTC is an authorized dealer for the Freightliner, Western Star, Rizon, Autocar, Ford, Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Sprinter, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, SportTruck, Renegade RV, Rosenbauer fire, Battle Motors and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands and Great Dane and several other specialty trailer brands. VVG also serves as the exclusive US and Canada distributor for Daimler\u2019s Rizon commercial EV brand and offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.<\/p><p>For more information about Velocity Truck Centers, please visit velocitytruckcenters.com<\/p><p><strong>About Battle Motors Inc.<\/strong><\/p><p>Battle Motors, a leader in the development of electric vehicle (EV) technology, acquired commercial vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Crane Carrier Company, LLC (CCC) in 2021. Battle Motors is the leader in the vocational truck industry, providing work-ready diesel, clean natural gas (CNG), and now EV chassis designed and manufactured in North America for the refuse and recycling markets. Battle Motor\u2019s durable, dependable trucks are built to excel in many applications that now include middle- and last-mile delivery. CCC manufactured commercial vehicles for 76 years.<\/p><p>For more information, please visit<a href=\"https:\/\/battlemotors.com\/\">&nbsp;<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/battlemotors.com\/\">battlemotors.com<\/a> and follow us @battlemotors<\/p><p><strong><u>Velocity Truck Centers Media Contact:<\/u><\/strong><\/p><p>Andrea Brown<br><a href=\"mailto:abrown@vvgtruck.ca\">abrown@vvgtruck.ca<br><\/a>780-266-4726<\/p><p><strong><u>Battle Motors Media Contact:<\/u><\/strong><\/p><p>Jennifer Gross | Battle Motors<br><a href=\"mailto:Jennifer@Battlemotor.com\">Jennifer@Battlemotor.com<\/a><br>323-646-8412<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centers-expands-representation-battle-motors-across-united-states","meta_title":"Velocity Truck Centers Expands Representation of Battle Motors Across the United States","meta_description":"Velocity Truck Centers Expands Representation of Battle Motors Across the United States","meta_keywords":"Velocity Truck Centers, Battle Motors, Across the United States","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"08\/05\/2024"},{"id":58,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/VTC_tolleson_outside-02.jpg","image_alt":"Successful Dealer Award Program","news_title":"Velocity Vehicle Group named as a Finalist for Successful Dealer Award Program","news_desc":"<p>It is with great pleasure that we announce that Velocity Vehicle Group are finalists of the Successful Dealer Award. Now in its 12<sup>th<\/sup> year, the Successful Dealer Award program continues to grow by featuring highly rated dealers in the North American trucking industry. The award was created to recognize medium and heavy-duty truck dealers for their consistent business excellence, continuous improvement efforts, marketing expertise, customer support, amongst others.<\/p><p>\u201cIt\u2019s an honour to be included amongst other great companies considered for this award. It\u2019s uplifting to see the transportation industry come together to celebrate our dealer networks success.\u201d Says Scott Zeppenfeldt, COO Velocity Vehicle Group. \u201cI look forward to seeing Velocity Vehicle Groups growth as we implement more initiatives in the future.\u201d<\/p><p>The official winner will be announced at the 2024 <em>Successful Dealer<\/em> Award Summit held Oct. 14-16, in Nashville. This event brings together all current award finalists and prior <em>Successful Dealer<\/em> Award winners, featuring business sessions, networking experiences and the 2024 award presentation designed to provide useful takeaways and maximize your time in Nashville.<\/p><p>Congratulations to the other OEM dealers nominated for this award; Peterbilt, Excel Truck Group, Lakeside International Trucks, and RWC Group.<\/p><p>View full announcement here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckpartsandservice.com\/successful-dealer-award-archive\/article\/15679630\/dealers-finalists-named-for-2024-successful-dealer-award\">https:\/\/www.truckpartsandservice.com\/successful-dealer-award-archive\/article\/15679630\/dealers-finalists-named-for-2024-successful-dealer-award<\/a><\/p>","slug":"velocity-vehicle-group-named-finalist-successful-dealer-award-program","meta_title":"Velocity Vehicle Group named as a Finalist for Successful Dealer Award Program","meta_description":"Velocity Vehicle Group named as a Finalist for Successful Dealer Award Program","meta_keywords":"Velocity Vehicle Group named as a Finalist for Successful Dealer Award Program","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"08\/01\/2024"},{"id":57,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/vtrl-charging-depot-1-2.jpg","image_alt":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing Powers Up Electromobility with 47 New High-Powered Chargers in Southern California","news_title":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing Powers Up Electromobility with 47 New High-Powered Chargers in Southern California","news_desc":"<p>Fontana, Calif., May 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing (VTRL), a division of Velocity Vehicle Group, is proud to announce the energization of 47 high-powered charging stations at four strategic dealer locations across Southern California. Scheduled to be fully operational in May 2024, the high-powered chargers have been installed at VTRL facilities in Rancho Dominguez (17), Fontana (14), the City of Industry (14), and San Diego (2). This significant investment is part of VTRL's initiative to lead the transition to sustainable freight solutions by providing efficient and reliable charging options for commercial medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p><p>The newly installed infrastructure comprises 45 120 kW Detroit e-Fill and two ChargePoint chargers, all designed to cater to the specific needs of medium and heavy-duty battery electric trucks. Detroit e-Fill commercial-grade chargers are renowned for their reliability in and efficient performance, enabling trucks such as the Class 8 Freightliner eCascadia, Class 6 and 7 Freightliner eM2, and RIZON Class 4 to 5 battery-electric cabover trucks to achieve an 80% state of charge in just 90 minutes or less.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p><p>\u201cAt Velocity, we are not just reacting to the shift towards electric mobility; we are at the forefront with our customers and actively shaping it. By integrating high-powered, commercial-grade charging solutions along key transit corridors, we are ensuring that our customers have the support they need today,\u201d noted David Deon, president of VTRL. \u201cThis charging infrastructure investment is a testament to our commitment to helping our customers transition smoothly to electromobility solutions and to prepare for compliance with the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulations.\"\u202f&nbsp;<\/p><p>VTRL offers flexible charging options to accommodate diverse customer needs. This includes self-managed and opportunity charging during daily routes, supported by the issuance of billing codes and cards. While their vehicles are charging, drivers can relax in comfortable break rooms equipped with WIFI, television, snacks, water, and restrooms, ensuring a pleasant and convenient wait.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p><p>Customers can also take advantage of VTRL\u2019s 'charging as a service' model, which simplifies the process of EV charging for fleet operators by eliminating the complexities of setting up, maintaining, and operating charging infrastructure. Customers that sign up for charging as a service can establish a monthly subscription or pay-per-use agreement and will be able to leave their trucks at one of VTRL\u2019s charging locations to be charged and ready ahead of their next shift.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p><p>Deon added, \"Adapting the Velocity Vehicle Group\u2019s dealer model to meet the evolving needs of today\u2019s customers is paramount. This latest development not only furthers a sustainable future in transportation but also strengthens our network's reliability and our commitment to customer service.\"\u202f&nbsp;<\/p><p>For more information on how Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing is driving the future of transportation, visit our website at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=0E5lPJBmXX5s5FbdWTHbtqioLaT02K3cQBldAQgeKjh0oe-jzsVQk8wIArMicjx5vYedgIjQGCHEM7C8J4i2UeAmig7I-YXi_fZkplAbrKiibw_rT76bczgF0NniuZ8BAdF9F7zxAHmqCgAvAv4pkw==\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"www.velocitytruckrentalandleasing.com\">www.velocitytruckrentalandleasing.com<\/a> or contact our sales team.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p><p>About Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing&nbsp;<\/p><p>Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing is a proud member of NationaLease. Founded in 1944, NationaLease is one of the largest full-service truck leasing organizations in North America, with over 1,000 service locations throughout the US and Canada and a combined customer fleet of over 184,000 tractors, trucks, and trailers. The company provides comprehensive fleet management services for private fleets and transportation service providers. To learn more about Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing, visit&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=0E5lPJBmXX5s5FbdWTHbtqioLaT02K3cQBldAQgeKjh0oe-jzsVQk8wIArMicjx5xSHlQhPH5Bb6yWWuXxtpEKtib3CdS2s5jZFNIvYSOIuueVLV_z1mmsu16tnn37vTsBICPupkY9dMIIrzZ1A0JQ==\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"www.velocitytruckrentalandleasing.com\">www.velocitytruckrentalandleasing.com<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-rental-leasing-powers-electromobility-47-new-high-powered-chargers-southern-california","meta_title":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing Powers Up Electromobility with 47 New High-Powered Chargers in Southern California","meta_description":"Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing Powers Up Electromobility with 47 New High-Powered Chargers in Southern California","meta_keywords":"Velocity, Truck, Rental, Leasing, Power, Electromobility, Chargers, Southern California, EV, electric, trucks","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"05\/13\/2024"},{"id":56,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/20240430_rizon-e18l-cr-ajp-__-720x516-s.jpg","image_alt":"Daimler's Electric Rizon Truck Does the eCanter Proud","news_title":"Daimler's Electric Rizon Truck Does the eCanter Proud","news_desc":"<p>Daimler Trucks\u2019 newest brand, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/10197740\/daimler-announces-rizon-medium-duty-electric-truck-brand\">Rizon<\/a>, rode into Canada last week, announcing it was setting up new distributorships north of the border for the Class 4-5 electric truck. Daimler announced the Rizon brand a year ago, but this is the first chance HDT has had to experience the truck up close. It was just a month ago that Daimler announced the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/10219200\/rizon-trucks-go-to-work-in-california\">first Rizon trucks<\/a> were being delivered to customers in California.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br><strong>Rizon Electric Trucks in Canada<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Customers on Canada's West Coast, specifically Vancouver, British Columbia, will be served by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/10195316\/velocity-purchases-200-battery-electric-trucks-for-leasing-operations\">Velocity Truck Centres<\/a>, as will fleets in Toronto, Ontario. Globocam will carry the Rizon banner in Quebec. Rizon sees the three major cities in Canada as good markets, citing moderate winter climates and inexpensive clean energy. British Columbia and Quebec have highly developed hydro-electric generating capacity, while Ontario relies predominantly on hydro and nuclear.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>\u201cVancouver is a market where you have a lot of green power with hydro energy, and the climate is also a little bit milder,\u201d said Velocity EV General Manager Alex Voets. \u201cOn the East Coast, the Toronto area seems to be a market where the political environment is good for this. We assume that's where the big first movers are going to be.\u201d\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>Rizon made the announcement in mid-April at Truck World, Canada's only major truck show. The company brought a couple of trucks to the show and offered a reasonably long test drive on a top-of-the-line e18L model. HDT, of course, took full advantage of the opportunity.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br><strong>Rizon Electric Truck is Basically a Next-Generation Fuso eCanter<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>It's no secret that Rizon\u2019s Class 4 and 5 offerings are rebadged eCanters, formerly from the Mitsubishi Fuso stable. The truck was making a name for itself in North America, with units testing at J.B. Hunt, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/326934\/penske-truck-leasing-keeps-electrifying-with-fuso-ecanter\">Penske Truck Leasing<\/a> and others. But in May 2020, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/359173\/mitsubishi-fuso-truck-of-america-discontinues-new-truck-sales\">Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America<\/a> discontinued all new truck sales in the U.S. and Canada. &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cDaimler Truck decided to step out of active sales of Fuso Trucks in North America following independent strategic analysis,\u201d explained Andreas Deuschle, global head of Rizon Truck. Daimler later determined that the lighter-duty EV commercial vehicle market was an important addition to its medium- and heavy-duty electric lineup in North America (the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/10194856\/qa-ups-anthony-marshall-on-its-first-class-8-electric-truck\">Freightliner eCascadia<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/10218215\/freightliner-delivers-first-em2-electric-trucks-to-fleet-customers\">eM2<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/10155478\/fccc-launches-all-electric-mt50e-walk-in-van\">FCCC MT50e<\/a>.)<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>In 2023, Daimler launched the Rizon brand as a 100% fully electric truck lineup. \u201cIt was decided that we should not miss the chance to be in this space,\u201d Deuschle said. \u201cCalifornia was the first market to go in the U.S. Now we\u2019re looking at all the mega cities here and basically any markets which welcome this technology.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The eCanter went into series production in 2017. It\u2019s still available through Mitsubishi Fuso in other markets, including Africa, Asia, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/143455\/european-customers-now-running-fuso-ecanter-electric-trucks\">Europe<\/a>, Latin America, the Middle East, and Oceania. Many of those markets continue to offer a diesel version of the Canter as well.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br><strong>The Lighter End of Medium-Duty is Perfect for Electric Trucks<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>There are four variants of the Rizon electric truck in Class 4 and Class 5:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Rizon e16M<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Rizon e16L<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Rizon e18M<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Rizon e18L<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<p>The M and L designations refer to battery capacity. M is a two-pack configuration with a range of 75 to 110 miles. L is a three-pack setup offering up to 160 miles.\r\n\t<br>The powertrain in both configurations is the same: 175hp\/129 kW peak with 317ft-lb\/430NM of torque. Wheelbase options include 134-, 152-, 175-, and 187-inch.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>The trucks are equipped from the factory with electronics, cabling and connections for level 2 AC charging and level 3 DC charging. The AC charging capability eliminates any barriers to uptake for even single-truck operators. The option to move up to level 3 DC fast-charging opens doors for fleet expansion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The market for such a truck is ripe for the picking now. There\u2019s still plenty of enthusiasm for electrifying the transport sector. Charging infrastructure challenges remain major hurdles for Class 7 and 8 trucks, but Rizon's Class 4 and 5 trucks slide in under that wire. These trucks are easily accessible to nearly anyone in that market segment. &nbsp;\u201cI think the people that will be interested in this truck are those with either a very strong interest in sustainability, or they want to make a statement about their ESG goals,\u201d said Voets. \u201cThey also appeal to fleets in the public eye \u2014 consumer brands \u2014 with an interest in appealing to their customers\u2019 green sensibilities.\u201d Box, flatdeck and stake bodies are the top sellers so far, but Voets said there's also interest from municipal fleets. \u201cThere's a lot of interest in the more bespoke vocational type of applications like service bodies and even small trash compactors,\u201d he said. \u201cCities really are kind of driving the force towards electrification. They are setting an example.\u201d\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br><strong>Rizon Shows Innovation at Every Turn<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Comparing the Rizon specs to those of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/353789\/focus-on-mitsubishi-fuso-ecanter\">eCanter I drove<\/a> at the Work Truck Show four years ago, it\u2019s clear it\u2019s been upgraded \u2014 slightly more powerful motors, for example. The battery capacity is the same, but the advertised range estimates are better. There\u2019s an e-axle out back rather than a central motor with a driveshaft.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>The Rizon Connect telematics platform is standard on all vehicles. It offers the same capabilities as the full Daimler Connect infrastructure included with the Rizon\u2019s bigger cousins, the eM2 and eCascadia, such as full real-time visibility of vehicle health, diagnostic codes, driver behavior, safety events, and more.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Also standard on this new and improved version are advanced passive and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/10200238\/are-adas-and-aeb-finally-ready-for-prime-time\">active safety systems<\/a>, including:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Active brake assist with moving pedestrian detection<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Lane departure warning<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Active side assist<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Electronic stability control.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<p>Again, all modeled on Daimler Trucks' advanced driver safety and assistance technology.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br><strong>Rizon's Charging Options, e-PTO Capability<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>All four Rizon models come from the factory wired for both Level 2 AC charging and DC fast charging. They are equipped with a two-way charging connector with both the J-1772 and CCS1 charging ports. Typical AC charging times are listed at 6-9 hours, while DC fast charging can be completed in as little as 1 to 1.5 hours, Rizon says.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Rizon trucks are wired for e-PTO capability for added flexibility when considering chassis-mounted equipment such as refuse compactors, dump bodies, or transport refrigeration units. \u201cWe made a lot of changes between the first and second generations, and that\u2019s why we feel very confident about the technology and where the truck sits right now,\u201d Voets said. \u201cWe got a tremendous amount of customer feedback on the truck while it was part of the Daimler Innovation fleet, and that drove much of what you see today.\u201d\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br><strong>Will Rizon Add Larger Trucks?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Asked if Rizon's current four-truck lineup would ever have a bigger brother, Deuschle said no. \"We see ourselves as experts in Class 4 and Class 5 and we'd like to stay very specific in that market.\u201d He noted that Rizon is the beneficiary of all of Daimler's global expertise and competence in electric vehicles. \u201cEven though each brand will have a specific focus \u2014 eCascadia, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/10203073\/three-mercedes-eactros-electric-trucks-complete-five-country-european-tour\">Actros<\/a> and eM2 \u2014 there's a lot of collaboration across the brands.\u201d\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br><strong>Driving the Rizon Battery-Electric Truck<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>I spent about an hour at the wheel of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/ourbrands\/rizon\/e18l\" target=\"_blank\">Rizon e18L<\/a> on a rainy April afternoon driving around an industrial area near Toronto\u2019s Lester B. Pearson airport. It offers a nimble, comfortable ride with exceptional visibility. And of course it\u2019s quiet; it\u2019s all-electric. At Class 4 and 5, Rizon trucks don\u2019t require a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/10192039\/4-things-to-know-about-the-entry-level-drive-training-rule\">commercial driver\u2019s license<\/a> to operate, so it\u2019s likely the people driving them will not be familiar with the feel of a big truck. The e16 and e18 models offer the comfort of a pickup truck with a whole lot more cargo space. Its peppy acceleration and sure-footed handling belie the fact that this is a cargo truck. It accelerates fast \u2014 but that comes at a price.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>This is something drivers new to electric trucks will have to get over. Jack-rabbit starts and hard acceleration compromise <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/10139840\/heavy-payloads-and-commercial-ev-range-a-real-world-test\">electric-vehicle range<\/a>. That said, drivers who are smooth on the accelerator pedal and can manage regenerative braking will get full value for a charge. I quickly got used to the feel of the pedal in braking mode. I only used the brake pedal to hold the truck still at traffic lights. It creeps while in gear, so you have to keep your foot on the brake while stopped. Easing up on the pedal while decelerating modulated the regenerative braking, making it a very intuitive one-pedal truck.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br><strong>The Rizon Cab<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Inside the Rizon cab, there\u2019s not much on the dash to distract the driver. The main display shows all the vital info such as road speed and state of charge. There\u2019s not much else the driver needs to worry about. However, watching the battery gauge while regen braking can help the driver optimize the charging opportunities while in motion. It has a tiny steering wheel, which gives it a sporty feel, but the 12-volt electric power steering was as smooth and sure as you can get. Two features drivers will love are the heated seats and heated steering wheel.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>I wondered about the draw on the battery from those features. But my tour guide, Rizon Sales and Marketing Manager Phil Birko, told me it takes less energy to run the heated seat and steering when than it does to heat the air in the cab. \u201cDrivers will feel warmer faster with those two features than while running the heater,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s better for the driver and the batteries.\u201d I did a bunch of maneuvering the truck, right and left turns, a few backing moves, and lots of straight between the lines driving and I came away smiling \u2014 as I did after the eCanter drive four years ago.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>I like this little truck. It's fun to drive, and it gets the job done.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>Copyright belongs to:\r\n\t<br>Article Author: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/authors\/3299\/jim-park\">Jim Park<\/a> Equipment Editor\r\n\t<br>Article source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/10220726\/daimlers-electric-rizon-truck-does-the-ecanter-proud\">https:\/\/www.truckinginfo.com\/10220726\/daimlers-electric-rizon-truck-does-the-ecanter-proud<\/a><\/p>","slug":"daimlers-electric-rizon-truck-does-ecanter-proud","meta_title":"Daimler's Electric Rizon Truck Does the eCanter Proud","meta_description":"Daimler Trucks\u2019 newest brand, Rizon, rode into Canada last week, announcing it was setting up new distributorships north of the border for the Class 4-5 electric truck.","meta_keywords":"Rizon, USA, Canada, Class 4-5, electric truck","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"05\/01\/2024"},{"id":49,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/rizon.jpeg","image_alt":"rizon","news_title":"Class 4-5 RIZON Electric Trucks Officially Hit the Streets Throughout California","news_desc":"<p>Whittier, Calif., March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Velocity EV is proud to announce that the first RIZON Class 4-5 battery-electric cabover trucks, engineered by Daimler Truck Group, are now being delivered to customers throughout California. RIZON trucks, exclusively distributed in the U.S. by Velocity EV, are set to revolutionize urban delivery applications by driving both economic and environmental sustainability. The first fleet deliveries have already commenced and are slated to continue this spring.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>RIZON trucks can be customized with several different load body options for local goods movement, urban deliveries, and refrigerated deliveries. Equipped with an electric power take-off (ePTO) controllable from the cab, these trucks offer added versatility for specialized equipment such as reefer belt drives and hydraulic pumps. &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The initial deployment of RIZON trucks in California includes a diverse range of customers embracing sustainable transportation solutions:&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>LA Sanitation &amp; Environment (LASAN): As the lead agency for the City\u2019s environmental programs and initiatives, LASAN is deploying seven e18L RIZON trucks with stake bed bodies to facilitate the delivery of home trash bins to Los Angeles residents.&nbsp;<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Goodwill Industries of San Diego County: Supporting its Southern California donation centers and thrift stores, Goodwill is integrating an e18L RIZON dry van box truck into its fleet to bolster logistics efficiency.&nbsp;<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Diamond Environmental: Southern California-based equipment rental and onsite services company, Diamond Environmental, is deploying four e18L RIZON trucks to deliver and service portable restrooms, enhancing efficiency and reducing emissions in the communities it serves.&nbsp;<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Ecorecycling: To transport thousands of pounds of clothing and book donations from the local community to its sorting warehouse, Ecorecycling is deploying three e18L RIZON dry van trucks into its Northern California routes.&nbsp;<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing: To provide California businesses with accessible zero-emission commercial vehicle solutions, Velocity has five e18L RIZON box trucks available for immediate rental or lease. &nbsp;<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<p>Alex Voets, general manager of Velocity EV, expressed enthusiasm, stating, \"The shift to electrification is typically a large undertaking for fleets, but our customers are pleased the RIZON Trucks can use inexpensive charging hardware and are finding the trucks are easy to operate. It\u2019s great to see fleets deploying their first RIZON trucks.\"&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>RIZON trucks offer a range of benefits tailored to urban delivery applications, including competitive pricing, telematics, flexible financing from Daimler Truck Financial Services, and a class-leading warranty \u2013 five years\/75,000 miles for the powertrain, chassis and cab, and five years\/120,000 miles for the batteries.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>With a range of up to 160 miles on a single charge, RIZON trucks can be charged by both inexpensive level 2 AC charging and DC fast charging.\u202f\u202fMedium (M) and Long (L) range battery configurations allow fleet operators to choose the best price-to-range option for their typical routes. In addition, the vehicles are equipped with Daimler's advanced active safety system and four-stage regenerative braking, enabling drivers to easily adjust it for energy conservation to extend the brake life and driving range.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>RIZON trucks purchased in California qualify for a base voucher of $60,000 per vehicle through the California Air Resource Board\u2019s (CARB) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=pvCXoQwkH1SG6YkuDbWq9-N4-GajdqPQFY1jo4ipYze1gXvDng7wi7IkI2YDP9x6wmGKpgg8bobw6BSkuI63DFwDl8p7ArvXMdqRj2tlSHB-hRAGu9Zj7TJqcRVXB5n11cY0_7wqWzwpcVEE1mUWO9QgS6_qip_sEXOJi1KtXVw=\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP\">Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP<\/a>), further incentivizing the transition to sustainable transportation solutions. To participate in the HVIP voucher program, fleet operators must work with an HVIP-approved dealer which submits the voucher request on the fleet's behalf for the RIZON truck. RIZON is available from California Truck Centers and Velocity Truck Centers, which are both HVIP-approved dealers.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The CARB certification designates all four RIZON models \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=7W1-5NrC3qyEvBNm7W_6MdXqdfmBCqIzC4ZC_AFgrCtEYwDL2JJMpJ5ZaHg58mm7J_I-mg_zUEb1kIOJVt7jKJX8977k8fbtOxEwhifC8oW3MY6wQHGdrlSHglqqv5xeWXz-lYPseypkWrGKUo4cRQ==\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"e16M\">e16M<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=KiJvWKdj5OE90fXr0t1MD3jww-rNjmfW4VlZeJgvaEISHw35MLyaZg82hdxFwrtOlK4CvDWrQZuejQBDAQbYINV3xubXfiQXmYWSoQlREmEIKfbhyo5JrdfE5c5g7JujueFjrhHizoQP-SBzJTEopA==\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"e16L\">e16L<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=2m7ly5haMTRwfIifX37aI4_uLicU3jKYP5VUMjg3rNqnLg3w7OuEH_kZZTky4lBRRtp5-c1tvEYuY6TLmP3QgPVtzT8nL2JWhq3jVJNX9JlesnIUI5gP9SpuZF-uB3LawwOrIBqGRTdUZlZr69P-zQ==\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"e18M\">e18M<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=ujYuotODtMy-vouJl3xk7DCEj2Dycbnl8K46mkr66MRiyDLzo4I1z4PNN3sJTaInlkq2qUb2fNrvzYk2NNlwl8nseUs_AwPjX0fbp1eFDuZqHejODwcmA-9j5L4_Ydh3YPE0nptdy6Ul3qSGXITegQ==\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"e18L\">e18L<\/a> \u2013 as compliant under the Advanced Clean Fleets rule that mandates 50% of overall state, local and municipal vehicle purchases be zero-emissions starting January 1, 2024.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>To learn more about RIZON trucks and explore financing opportunities, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=IbjvQkVBcNQwTNI-IiFeqnQvNg4eIxK_NBanQCR7bumhCsAAjkEH4FTD22yItDURIhVVHxSXQClqIm6MqOYNjrT7dFIW1ctByvDlrg-R0SM=\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"www.rizontruck.com\">www.rizontruck.com<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>ABOUT RIZON<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Delve into the realm of Class 4-5 RIZON trucks, a Daimler Truck brand, where modern design, functionality, and electric vehicle expertise converge to redefine the commercial transportation landscape. Discover the possibilities of sustainable transportation and its positive impact on the environment without breaking the bank. The smaller Class 4-5 vehicles present an excellent and attainable pathway to compliance with regulations due to the lower purchase price and easier, less expensive charging solutions. For more information <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=IbjvQkVBcNQwTNI-IiFeqpjlqCklwJyGphjvXJ3Ihr6CGP8lpCoVnn2fqhPnGPFO3bCT-ARfxh3FXOlhJ7VdA2pyTe1DRd5a_R3N359iCSE=\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"www.rizontruck.com.\">www.rizontruck.com.<\/a>\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>About Velocity EV<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity EV is a leading zero-emission truck distributor and exclusive U.S. distributor for Daimler Truck\u2019s RIZON brand - a Class 4-5 battery-electric truck focused on urban delivery. Velocity EV is based in Whittier, California, and a subsidiary of Velocity Vehicle Group, one of the largest full-service commercial truck dealerships in the U.S., and one of the most experienced electric truck dealers in the world. For more information, visit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=lvRMGBkVvt-AG3sjENF0Auc52Xjlu50UT9nPQ8GGJHGVQ6bz1ATSCAPnLHd-y-HLlvK7xE5TQy7vyWT8j_ux5flk8VjnVYSsfjhFKRufzKI=\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"www.vvgelectric.com.\">www.vvgelectric.com.<\/a>\u202f\u202f<\/p>","slug":"class-4-5-rizon-electric-trucks-officially-hit-streets-throughout-california","meta_title":"Class 4-5 RIZON Electric Trucks Officially Hit the Streets Throughout California","meta_description":"Velocity EV is driving economic and environmental sustainability solutions with the first 15 zero-emission RIZON trucks delivered to Southern California-based businesses, municipalities and non-profits for deliveries around their community.","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"03\/27\/2024"},{"id":53,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/nationalease.jpeg","image_alt":"RIZON Trucks Available Through NationaLease","news_title":"RIZON Trucks Available Through NationaLease","news_desc":"<p>We are excited to announce RIZON trucks are now available through your local Nationalease member! We joined this 100-member network, which reaches from coast to coast. You\u2019ll get the same level of service you expect from Nationalease while removing emissions from your fleet. <a data-tracking-control-name=\"public_post-text\" data-tracking-will-navigate=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/lnkd.in\/gXXx9qyC?trk=public_post-text\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_self\">https:\/\/lnkd.in\/gXXx9qyC<\/a> <a data-tracking-control-name=\"public_post-text\" data-tracking-will-navigate=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/signup\/cold-join?session_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Ffeed%2Fhashtag%2Felectrictrucks&amp;trk=public_post-text\" target=\"_self\">#electrictrucks<\/a> <a data-tracking-control-name=\"public_post-text\" data-tracking-will-navigate=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/signup\/cold-join?session_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Ffeed%2Fhashtag%2Ffleetsolutions&amp;trk=public_post-text\" target=\"_self\">#fleetsolutions<\/a> <a data-tracking-control-name=\"public_post-text\" data-tracking-will-navigate=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/signup\/cold-join?session_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Ffeed%2Fhashtag%2Femobility&amp;trk=public_post-text\" target=\"_self\">#emobility<\/a> <a data-tracking-control-name=\"public_post-text\" data-tracking-will-navigate=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/signup\/cold-join?session_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Ffeed%2Fhashtag%2Fev&amp;trk=public_post-text\" target=\"_self\">#ev<\/a> <a data-tracking-control-name=\"public_post-text\" data-tracking-will-navigate=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/signup\/cold-join?session_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Ffeed%2Fhashtag%2Fdaimlertruck&amp;trk=public_post-text\" target=\"_self\">#DaimlerTruck<\/a> <a data-tracking-control-name=\"public_post-text\" data-tracking-will-navigate=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/signup\/cold-join?session_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Ffeed%2Fhashtag%2Frizon&amp;trk=public_post-text\" target=\"_self\">#RIZON<\/a> <a data-tracking-control-name=\"public_post-text\" data-tracking-will-navigate=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/signup\/cold-join?session_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Ffeed%2Fhashtag%2Frizontruck&amp;trk=public_post-text\" target=\"_self\">#RIZONTruck<\/a> <a data-tracking-control-name=\"public_post-text\" data-tracking-will-navigate=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/signup\/cold-join?session_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Ffeed%2Fhashtag%2Fzeroemissionvehicles&amp;trk=public_post-text\" target=\"_self\">#zeroemissionvehicles<\/a> <a data-tracking-control-name=\"public_post-text\" data-tracking-will-navigate=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/signup\/cold-join?session_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Ffeed%2Fhashtag%2Fbev&amp;trk=public_post-text\" target=\"_self\">#BEV<\/a> <a data-tracking-control-name=\"public_post-text\" data-tracking-will-navigate=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/signup\/cold-join?session_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Ffeed%2Fhashtag%2Felectricfleet&amp;trk=public_post-text\" target=\"_self\">#electricfleet<\/a><\/p>","slug":"rizon-trucks-available-through-nationalease","meta_title":"RIZON Trucks Available Through NationaLease","meta_description":"Class 4-5 battery-electric RIZON trucks are now available through NationaLease\u2019s coast to coast 100-member network.","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"03\/01\/2024"},{"id":48,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/svt_logo.png","image_alt":"SVT","news_title":"SVT Fleet Solutions Acquires SoCal Fleet Services, Expanding Footprint and Services Across the Southwest","news_desc":"<p>[Whittier, 1\/9\/24] \u2013 SVT Fleet Solutions, a leading provider of comprehensive fleet management solutions, proudly announces the successful acquisition of SoCal Fleet Services, a prominent fleet management player in the Southwest. This strategic move marks a significant step forward in SVT Fleet Solutions' commitment to enhancing its service offerings and expanding its geographic presence.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>The acquisition of SoCal Fleet Services aligns with SVT Fleet Solutions' long-term growth strategy, aiming to strengthen its position as a top-tier fleet management provider in the region. By combining the strengths and expertise of both companies, SVT Fleet Solutions anticipates delivering even greater value to its clients and achieving operational synergies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>Tom Franchina, owner of Southern California Fleet Services, remarks, \"I am truly delighted that SVT Fleet Solutions has acquired Southern California Fleet Services. This acquisition marks a significant transition for our business, as SVT brings a wealth of experience and resources that will undoubtedly benefit our dedicated employees and valued customers. I am confident that under SVT's ownership, our employees and customers can look forward to a future of enhanced capabilities and continued excellence. I am pleased to see the positive impact this acquisition will have on the services we provide, and I wish both the employees and customers of Southern California Fleet Services all the best in this new chapter.\" Adds Esther M. Santos, Head of Business Development at SVT Fleet Solutions, \u201cSoCal Fleet Services has built a strong reputation for excellence in fleet management for private fleets and municipalities alike, and we are thrilled to welcome them into the SVT Fleet Solutions family. This acquisition is a key milestone for us as we continue to grow and enhance our capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our clients.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>Key benefits and highlights of the acquisition include:\r\n\t<br>1. Expanded Geographic Presence: SVT Fleet Solutions now has an increased presence in Southern California, Nevada and Arizona, allowing for better coverage for our clients.\r\n\t<br>2. Enhanced Service Offerings: By integrating the expertise and resources of SoCal Fleet Services, SVT Fleet Solutions now presents an expanded array of fleet management services, with a particular focus on enhancing preventative maintenance and routine servicing.\r\n\t<br>3. Operational Synergies: The combined strengths of SVT Fleet Solutions and SoCal Fleet Services will result in operational efficiencies, ultimately benefiting clients through cost-effective and streamlined services.\r\n\t<br>4. Client-Centric Approach: SVT Fleet Solutions remains committed to a client-centric approach, prioritizing customer satisfaction, and building long-lasting relationships.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>SVT Fleet Solutions looks forward to the opportunities this acquisition brings and is excited about the enhanced capabilities that will be available to clients. For further information, please contact SVT Media Relations at info@svtfleet.com.\r\n\t<br>About SVT Fleet Solutions: SVT Fleet Solutions is a leading provider of comprehensive fleet management solutions, offering a range of services to optimize fleet performance and reduce operational costs. With a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, SVT Fleet Solutions serves clients across North America.<\/p>","slug":"svt-fleet-solutions-acquires-socal-fleet-services-expanding-footprint-and-services-across-southwest","meta_title":"SVT Fleet Solutions Acquires SoCal Fleet Services, Expanding Footprint and Services Across the Southwest","meta_description":"","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"01\/09\/2024"},{"id":47,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/pr-truck-centre.jpg","image_alt":"P & R Truck Centre","news_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS WELCOMES P&R TRUCK CENTRE TO THE VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP","news_desc":"<p><strong>PRESS RELEASE<\/strong>\r\n\t<br>December 18, 2023\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>Velocity Truck Centers (VTC) announced today that the company has acquired P &amp; R Truck Centre (P &amp; R), with six locations on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>The addition of P &amp; R with its current locations will give VTC 18 locations across Western Canada in British Columbia and Alberta, making it the largest network of Daimler Truck dealerships in the region. With VTC\u2019s 63 locations in the United States, including 11 body shops, offering coast-to-coast coverage of commercial vehicle sales, service, parts, collision and fabrication services as well as equipment financing, and its 15 locations in Mexico, Velocity will have 96 locations in North America, and another 18 in Australia, for a total of 114 worldwide. Across this network VTC focuses on Speed, Value and Trust, bringing unparalleled customer focus, including two-hour Express Assessment, Elite Support Certification and equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance division.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>Co-Presidents of VTC, Brad Fauvre and Conan Barker, said, \u201cWe are very excited to welcome the P &amp; R team to what is the most comprehensive commercial vehicle sales, service and support network in North America. It has been a pleasure to work with P &amp; R\u2019s President, Dave Polack through this process and we are thrilled that he will continue to lead the team on Vancouver Island as we go forward. The continuity of the P &amp; R leadership team will enable us to achieve the best of both worlds \u2013 a locally led team with total focus on the Vancouver Island market, supported by the resources, processes and functional teams of the Velocity organization. We want to personally welcome everyone from P &amp; R to the Velocity organization, and we look forward to meeting customers on the island in the coming months.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>P &amp; R President, Dave Polack added, \u201cWe are thrilled to welcome Velocity to Vancouver Island and look forward to taking advantage of their resources to better serve our customers. We are convinced this will be a benefit for our customers and our staff as well. The commitment to customer service was a real area of similarity for the organizations and I am excited for the benefits that will happen as a result of the increased focus on training, education, and support. Also, Velocity brings a real expertise in electric vehicles and an even deeper relationship with Daimler Trucks,\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>Velocity Truck Centers, a part of the Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), operates commercial vehicle dealership locations in the US across California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and Hawaii. VVG also operates Daimler dealerships across Australia, as well as Mexico, and now, 18 locations in Western Canada. VTC provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full spectrum from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school buses, as well as aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VTC is an authorized dealer for the Freightliner, Western Star, Rizon, Autocar, Ford, Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Sprinter, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, SportTruck, Renegade RV, Rosenbauer fire, Battle Motors and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands and Great Dane and several other specialty trailer brands. VVG also serves as the exclusive US and Canada distributor for Daimler\u2019s Rizon commercial EV brand and offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centers-welcomes-pr-truck-centre-velocity-vehicle-group","meta_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS WELCOMES P&R TRUCK CENTRE TO THE VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP","meta_description":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS WELCOMES P&R TRUCK CENTRE TO THE VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP","meta_keywords":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS WELCOMES P&R TRUCK CENTRE TO THE VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"12\/18\/2023"},{"id":50,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/rizon-ctc-fresno-truck-photo-lr.png","image_alt":"rizon ctc","news_title":"California Truck Centers Certified as Authorized Dealer for RIZON Battery-Electric Trucks","news_desc":"<p>Fresno, California, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Velocity EV, the exclusive U.S. distributor of RIZON battery-electric trucks, has added California Truck Centers, one of the state\u2019s largest and family-owned commercial truck dealerships, to its authorized dealer network. California Truck Centers is now certified to sell and service the Class 4-5 zero-emissions cabover trucks \u2013 engineered by Daimler Truck \u2013 at six of its eight California locations in Fresno, Oakland, Sacramento, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, and Keyes.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cThe need for battery-electric Class 4 and 5 trucks is increasing across California as fleets eye quickly approaching regulatory deadlines and their customers\u2019 increasing interest in zero-emission urban delivery,\u201d said Alex Voets, general manager, Velocity EV. \u201cWith their extensive customer service reputation in the commercial truck industry, California Truck Centers\u2019 sales and service teams are well-skilled in helping customers navigate the transition to battery-electric trucks. Customers can contact a California Truck Centers dealership to test drive and experience the advanced technology and safety features of these innovative electric trucks.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>California Truck Centers has been owned and operated by the Howard family in Fresno since 1930. For more than nine decades, the dealer group has served the trucking industry in Central and Northern California with new and used light- to heavy-duty conventional and vocational truck sales, adding electric vehicles to its inventory in 2021. With more than 800 employees who specialize in OEM truck parts, body shop service and repair, in-house financing, and rentals and leasing, California Truck Centers earned Certified Elite Support status through Daimler Truck. The dealership network has trained a team of 95 vehicle technicians on how to perform safe and efficient service on RIZON trucks, as well as equipped its dealerships with on-site diagnostic equipment, RIZON parts inventory, and charging infrastructure at six dealer locations. &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe are excited to introduce RIZON's medium-duty electric trucks to our commercial truck lineup, expanding our zero-emission offerings to include Class 4 to Class 8 electric trucks for Northern and Central California,\u201d said Doug Howard, president, California Truck Centers. \u201cThe RIZON Class 4 and 5 trucks offer electric solutions at very affordable prices. At California Truck Centers, we take pride in leading the way in sustainability by providing zero-emission solutions and support for our customers.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>RIZON trucks purchased in California through California Truck Centers are eligible for a base voucher of $60,000 per vehicle as part of the state\u2019s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). The zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) designation was approved in September by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), enabling fleet operators to further reduce their total cost of ownership of RIZON trucks with HVIP credit. The CARB certification designates all four RIZON models, which include the e16M, e16L, e18M, and e18L, as compliant under the Advanced Clean Fleets rule that mandates 50% of overall state, local and municipal vehicle purchases be zero-emissions starting January 1, 2024.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>RIZON\u2019s battery-electric cabover trucks can be customized with different body options, including box truck, stake bed and more. Designed for city driving with a tight turning radius, collision avoidance safety features, and regenerative braking technology, RIZON trucks can range up to 160 miles on a single charge by both inexpensive level 2 AC charging and DC fast charging, ideal for daily delivery hauls. Medium (M) and Long (L) range battery configurations allow fleet operators to choose the best price-to-range option for their typical routes. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>RIZON is a commercial electric truck brand introduced in May 2023 from Daimler Truck Group, one of the world\u2019s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers. Velocity EV received the first 50 RIZON trucks in October, deploying the fleet throughout its dealer network for immediate purchase and body customization. &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;ABOUT RIZON&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Delve into the realm of Class 4-5 RIZON Trucks, a Daimler Truck brand, where modern design, functionality, and electric power converge to redefine the commercial trucking landscape. Discover the possibilities of sustainable hauling and its positive impact on the environment without compromising on performance. The smaller Class 4-5 vehicles present an excellent pathway to compliance with regulations due to the lower purchase price and easier, less expensive charging solutions. For more information www.rizontruck.com.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>About Velocity EV&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity EV is a leading zero-emission truck distributor and exclusive U.S. distributor for Daimler Truck\u2019s RIZON brand - a Class 4-5 battery-electric truck focused on urban delivery. Providing a comprehensive sales and service network, including authorized dealers covering a large geography, Velocity EV is focused on fleet operators that need an economically sensible medium-duty zero emission truck. Velocity EV is based in Whittier, California, and a subsidiary of Velocity Vehicle Group, one of the largest full-service commercial truck dealerships in the U.S., and one of the most experienced electric truck dealers in the world. For more information, visit: www.vvgelectric.com. &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>About California Truck Centers&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>For over 93 years, California Truck Centers has proudly served the transportation industry with an extensive inventory of commercial trucks, OEM parts, and elite service to support customers throughout their truck's life cycle. Originally founded in 1930 by brothers P.L., Earl, and Roscoe Howard, California Truck Centers got its start selling heavy-duty truck trailers to better serve the local agricultural community. Four generations later, California Truck Centers has now flourished in growth with several dealerships spanning throughout Northern and Central California and has brought home numerous awards in sales and excellence, including Business Week National Dealer of the Year. For more information visit: www.californiatruckcenters.com.&nbsp;<\/p>","slug":"california-truck-centers-certified-authorized-dealer-rizon-battery-electric-trucks","meta_title":"California Truck Centers Certified as Authorized Dealer for RIZON Battery-Electric Trucks","meta_description":"Velocity EV, a Velocity Vehicle Group company and the exclusive U.S. distributor of RIZON trucks, expanded its California sales network to include six additional dealerships.","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"11\/16\/2023"},{"id":46,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/first-truck-centre-logo.jpg","image_alt":"First Truck Centre","news_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS WELCOMES FIRST TRUCK CENTRES TO THE VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP","news_desc":"<p>November 1, 2023\r\n\t<br>PRESS RELEASE<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>Velocity Truck Centers (VTC) announced today that the company has further expanded into Canada with the acquisition of First Truck Centre (First Truck). The acquisition of First Truck, with twelve locations in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, adds the largest group of Daimler Truck dealerships in Western Canada to the Velocity network.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>Today, VTC has 63 locations in the United States, including 11 body shops, offering coast-to-coast coverage of commercial vehicle sales, service, parts, collision and fabrication services as well as equipment financing. Combining the 12 locations from First Truck, and its 15 locations in Mexico, Velocity now has 93 locations in North America, and another 18 in Australia for a total of 111 worldwide. Across this network VTC focuses on Speed, Value and Trust, bringing unparalleled customer focus, including two-hour Express Assessment, Elite Support Certification and equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance division.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>Co-Presidents of VTC, Brad Fauvre and Conan Barker, said, \u201cWe are very excited to welcome the First Truck Centre team to what is the most comprehensive commercial vehicle sales, service and support network in North America. It has been a pleasure to work with the Olson family and First Truck executive team through this process. The continuity of the First Truck Centre leadership team will enable us to achieve the best of both worlds \u2013 a Canada led team with total focus on the market, supported by the resources, processes and functional teams of the Velocity organization. We want to personally welcome everyone from First Truck Centre to the Velocity organization, and we look forward to meeting customers throughout Western Canada in the coming months.\u201d\r\n\t<br>First Truck President and CEO, Rod Graham added, \u201cThe union of our two highly principled and professional organizations made sense. The alignment of core values, team-first philosophy, education and training opportunities, unique Daimler Truck opportunities, and degree of increased resources that will support both our customers and employees is what led us to the decision to become a key geographic pillar of Velocity Vehicle Group. This acquisition sets the foundation for continued growth in Canada. We look forward to better serving our customers through size, scope, scale, sophistication, and safety.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>Velocity Truck Centers, a part of the Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), operates commercial vehicle dealership locations in the US across California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and Hawaii. VVG also operates Daimler dealerships across Australia, as well as Mexico, and now, 12 locations in Western Canada. VTC provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full spectrum from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school buses, as well as aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VTC is an authorized dealer for the Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Sprinter, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, SportTruck, Renegade RV, Rosenbauer fire, Battle Motors and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands and Great Dane and several other specialty trailer brands. VVG also offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centers-welcomes-first-truck-centres-velocity-vehicle-group","meta_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS WELCOMES FIRST TRUCK CENTRES TO THE VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP","meta_description":"FIRST TRUCK CENTRES JOINS VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP AND IS RENAMED VELOCITY TRUCK CENTRES - CANADA","meta_keywords":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS, FIRST TRUCK CENTRES, VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP, VELOCITY TRUCK CENTRES, CANADA","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"11\/01\/2023"},{"id":45,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/RIZON PR photo.png","image_alt":"rizon truck","news_title":"All-electric RIZON Trucks Receive EPA and CARB Certification, Clearing the Way for Sales","news_desc":"<p>California - RIZON, the newest brand of Daimler Truck commercial vehicles, has achieved full homologation in the United States, clearing the way for the sale of its class 4 and 5 medium-duty electric trucks nationwide.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>With series production underway, the first shipments of vehicles are now arriving in California, where customers can take advantage of a $60,000 baseline incentive per vehicle through the California Air Resource Board\u2019s (CARB) Hybrid and Zero-emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP).<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>RIZON recently received both Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification and dual CARB Executive Orders and is in full compliance with the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The first deliveries of vehicles are set to commence in Q4 of 2023 through dealer networks in California.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>RIZON trucks are exclusively distributed by Velocity EV, which is a part of the Velocity Vehicle Group, an established name in the commercial vehicle industry with around 80 global outlets. Their deep knowledge and experience make them a leader in the transition to electric commercial vehicles. Velocity EV will be appointing additional RIZON dealers to provide a seamless network across the United States.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>With RIZON\u2019s selection of series-production zero-emissions trucks in classes 4 and 5, customers can begin to decarbonize vehicles in their fleet through four model variants - the e18L, e18M, e16L, and the e16M. RIZON Trucks are ideally suited to urban and last-mile deliveries and routes of up to 150 miles per day. They support a versatile mix of configurations suitable to each customer\u2019s unique requirements that include box trucks, flatbeds, stake beds, refrigerated, and other body types. Sustainable commercial transportation is a top priority for Daimler Truck, and the RIZON brand plays an important role in achieving its goals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br><strong>RIZON trucks at a glance<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>RIZON is Daimler Truck\u2019s ninth, and newest brand and represents its dedication to zero-emission transportation. The brand and its trucks were announced to the public for the first time during the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in May of 2023, in Anaheim, California.\r\n\t<br>The class 4 and 5 medium-duty battery-electric vehicles, ranging from 15,995 up to 17,995 lbs. in gross vehicle weight (GVW), can run from 75 -110 miles (for M size variant with 2 battery packs) to 110 -155 miles (L size variant with 3 battery packs) on a single charge*.\r\n\t<br>RIZON trucks are capable of being charged by two types of battery charging systems: DC Fast Charging (via CCS1 connector), and less expensive Level 2 AC Charging (via J1772 connector), which makes the transition to e-mobility even easier.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>*as of October 2023\r\n\t<br>For press inquiries, please contact the RIZON Communications Team:\r\n\t<br>Michael Carter, RIZON Lead Spokesperson\r\n\t<br>Charlene Ede, RIZON Head of Global Communications &amp; Marketing\r\n\t<br>rizon_pr@daimlertruck.com\r\n\t<br>For more information, visit the Official <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rizontruck.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">RIZON Website.<\/a><\/p>","slug":"all-electric-rizon-trucks-receive-epa-and-carb-certification-clearing-way-sales","meta_title":"All-electric RIZON Trucks Receive EPA and CARB Certification, Clearing the Way for Sales","meta_description":"All-electric RIZON Trucks Receive EPA and CARB Certification, Clearing the Way for Sales","meta_keywords":"All-electric, RIZON, Trucks,  EPA, CARB Certification,","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"10\/27\/2023"},{"id":51,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/rizon-truck-hvip-certified.jpg","image_alt":"RIZON Electric Class 4-5 Now Eligible for California\u2019s HVIP Incentive Program","news_title":"RIZON Electric Class 4-5 Now Eligible for California\u2019s HVIP Incentive Program","news_desc":"<p>WHITTIER, California, Oct. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The California Air Resources Board (CARB) designated RIZON\u2019s Class 4\/5 battery-electric cabover trucks as zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) in the state of California under Executive Order: A-361-0033 in September 2023. The ZEV designation makes RIZON\u2019s vehicles eligible for the state\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=1vM9-DKZwL9x0v27CaASRSWH6q0QR1x9YgUgmZqTWWzjTLq9zZGUKfRX1pfTdKrgbQYvs-dWUI-GnnIjGSlDi-vLoN3peMuayYjZbaBLKy49phoYit8wGT9-jB_Np2_TnuPkATLZlwN73JKsAJE4V1bnbBC7ZX-Zw9MV49CbY6XeuUwARRN5m3RF_wXYYyyy5-DkeWDeJb0Gg-iSoC7H4w==\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP)\">Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP)<\/a>, enabling fleets to apply for a base voucher of $60,000 per vehicle purchased. &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>RIZON\u2019s battery-electric cabover trucks \u2013 engineered by Daimler Truck and exclusively distributed in the U.S. by Velocity EV \u2013 are designed for local goods movement, urban deliveries, and refrigerated deliveries, and can be customized with different body options, including box truck, stake bed and more. All models benefit from a tight turning radius ideal for city driving, and advanced safety features such as collision avoidance. Offering a range of up to 160 miles on a single charge, RIZON trucks can be charged by both inexpensive level 2 AC charging and DC fast charging.\u202f\u202fMedium (M) and Long (L) range battery configurations allow fleet operators to choose the best price-to-range option for their typical routes.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>By utilizing HVIP vouchers, fleet operators will have an opportunity to further reduce their total cost of ownership for all of RIZON's battery-electric truck models, including the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=JAbNZofjpl5_4TVTuq2TAEzxxFMyzsG934M4RVpeWKoxd9Ii2ahLATTM2eLBfG2dDRERYPQXJo3R4GWhZbagdCASXR1cu2UTrS_hHfJB2ciRMVX8pf9rds3p_JUL5dIFl85ZPVclaMtziFyAJ2HdWw==\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"e16M\">e16M<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=BtD9BYpzzTdo_FdP9Lrp1YL-8eE5RetlVHs0lr31qpXF34QtmG1wlty7avAHJi22xsuUWyNu-Q1xbt2tMWalBuUL4L0xo1ugqVz2xx6oKIcwSMrUWWboPf_crWytmlGDkaP5hF_X8kAgALS-ThTRnQ==\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"e16L\">e16L<\/a>, with a GVWR of 16,000 pounds, and larger&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=WT9iTxnHeG5w9-6lH6OT4rcCdYRKLGIhvIQKo7pfYjsLzyz1Biu-yU3hOpaG60hDQKgPUM9FiAwzw4Z-Wi4QlWRO9DRsZ-nD9IEp50AXBcxR1hpyKIOYVxX2LPT3j0O33v_fl4NhB0nZTCtyTx-A3w==\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"e18M\">e18M<\/a>, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=2DKWbQ0o_YhyFjtluyxXCdScyo3x4euGdVyB7Q99YPM9ol6GGfKZysUqT0019dNU759nU8hEOjHgiR76tELAB-GGFgiJgf3hlXhZAO4b8AvHIkLYJ_adQylGEVPdu569f4jaP6JFgI7X3Kgh5xPfUg==\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"e18L\">e18L<\/a> with a GVWR of 18,000 pounds. To participate in the HVIP voucher program, fleet operators must work with an HVIP-approved dealer, like Velocity, which submits the voucher request on the fleet's behalf for the RIZON truck. &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cBy offering CARB-compliant, zero-emission trucks at a cost-effective price point, we are making it easier for fleets to make the switch to electric and comply with California\u2019s Advanced Clean Fleet Rule,\u201d said Alex Voets, general manager, Velocity EV. \u201cRIZON trucks are available for test drives with our qualified e-mobility service team and we\u2019re confident that once fleet operators experience the power, efficiency and safety features they will want to drive a new RIZON truck off the lot.\u201d &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>RIZON has officially started commercial production of its Class 4\/5 battery-electric cabover trucks, with the first 50 units arriving at Velocity Truck Center dealerships in Southern California this month. More than 30 of the trucks were pre-ordered by fleet customers and will be deployed across Southern California this year, with the remaining trucks available for immediate purchase and body customization. RIZON will continue to ramp up production and delivery of vehicles to California customers and dealerships through the end of the year and beyond. &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>VIDEO: Take a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=PmDTWD5GJxf-kNTn4v5BI8IChp5T-1LbUz388cJzuHXnZPSrL3x3VoeAk3VmaeUceSSZpBrMVYjs3ZUyxx9OojFASZMQuKXBPY_Ru9OHt8qErIiUaj-HePvit2ydtyau\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"virtual test drive\">virtual test drive<\/a> to view the new RIZON all-electric medium-duty truck engineered by Daimler Truck. &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>About RIZON&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Delve into the realm of Class 4-5 RIZON Trucks, a Daimler Truck brand, where modern design, functionality, and electric power converge to redefine the commercial trucking landscape. Discover the possibilities of sustainable hauling and its positive impact on the environment without compromising on performance. The smaller Class 4-5 vehicles present an excellent pathway to compliance with regulations due to the lower purchase price and easier, less expensive charging solutions. For more information&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=1FbyGGN5RZbg868om-RD0In6aZUmNbqKvN1nRPkkOmX2B0HhyG7rbIlo_XM6gZjeCSNnxa6pfmhtrslJb2eltLytn6fwvAMK2QyiI7hHc3w=\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"www.rizontruck.com.\">www.rizontruck.com.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>About Velocity EV&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity EV is a leading zero-emission truck distributor and exclusive U.S. distributor for Daimler Truck\u2019s RIZON brand - a Class 4-5 battery-electric truck focused on urban delivery. Providing a comprehensive sales and service network, including authorized dealers covering a large geography, Velocity EV is focused on fleet operators that need an economically sensible medium-duty zero emission truck. Velocity EV is based in Whittier, California, and a subsidiary of Velocity Vehicle Group, one of the largest full-service commercial truck dealerships in the U.S., and one of the most experienced electric truck dealers in the world. For more information, visit:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=l9GEi9aMltmeWgw_WSwtbBuujCeA7MRKHRErOoWY_kNoFlIzaZUUX7hB_R4i-HylKNI1RO3V1vYIRBjpn5GoBC8VtAoQGZlVnpwXTs0Lmzc=\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"www.vvgelectric.com\/\">www.vvgelectric.com\/<\/a><\/p>","slug":"rizon-electric-class-4-5-now-eligible-californias-hvip-incentive-program","meta_title":"RIZON Electric Class 4-5 Now Eligible for California\u2019s HVIP Incentive Program","meta_description":"Eligibility comes as RIZON\u2019s first 50 factory-built, battery-electric cabover trucks arrive at Velocity Vehicle Group in Southern California.","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"10\/24\/2023"},{"id":54,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/RIZON PR photo.png","image_alt":"rizon","news_title":"RIZON: The Cost-Effective, Zero-Emission Solution for Class 4-5 Trucks","news_desc":"<p>Take a virtual test drive with Alex Voets of Velocity-EV to check out the new medium-duty, battery-electric cabover truck engineered by the Daimler Truck Group with a considerable focus on safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. RIZON trucks offer a tight turning radius ideal for city driving and can be customized with several different load body options for local goods movement, urban deliveries, and refrigerated deliveries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Fleets can order their RIZON trucks in two different battery pack sizes, offering a range of up to 160 miles on a single charge. \u202fRIZON trucks are capable of being charged by both level 2 AC charging and DC fast charging.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>RIZON trucks come packaged with flexible financing, a class-leading warranty, and comprehensive charging support. Distributed exclusively by Velocity-EV, a subsidiary of Velocity Vehicle Group, the sales and service teams offer years of commercial eMobility experience for seamless integration of RIZON trucks into your fleet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Learn more and schedule a test drive by visiting&nbsp;<a data-feathr-click-track=\"true\" data-feathr-link-aids=\"601414fe09459728802a7a1d\" href=\"http:\/\/www.rizontruck.com\/\">www.rizontruck.com<\/a>.<\/p>","slug":"rizon-cost-effective-zero-emission-solution-class-4-5-trucks","meta_title":"RIZON: The Cost-Effective, Zero-Emission Solution for Class 4-5 Trucks","meta_description":"Take a virtual test drive of the new medium-duty, battery-electric cabover truck engineered by the Daimler Truck Group with a considerable focus on safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"09\/23\/2023"},{"id":55,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/alex.jpg","image_alt":"ACT News Talks Tech: Velocity EV\u2019s Alexander Voets","news_title":"ACT News Talks Tech: Velocity EV\u2019s Alexander Voets","news_desc":"<p>ACT News Talks Tech is a new series of interviews with some of the top innovators in the advanced clean transportation sector. Stephane Babcock, GNA\u2019s director of editorial and media partnership, recently sat down with Alexander Voets, general manager of Velocity EV, to discuss the Daimler Truck Group\u2019s recent launch of a line of electric trucks in the U.S. market under the new brand name \u2014 <a data-feathr-click-track=\"true\" data-feathr-link-aids=\"601414fe09459728802a7a1d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/ourbrands\/rizon\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">RIZON<\/a>. Velocity EV, a subsidiary of <a data-feathr-click-track=\"true\" data-feathr-link-aids=\"601414fe09459728802a7a1d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.velocityvehiclegroup.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Velocity Vehicle Group<\/a>, will provide a comprehensive sales and service network for these products in conjunction with approved dealers.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>View video here &gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.act-news.com\/news\/act-news-talks-tech-velocity-evs-alexander-voets\/\">https:\/\/www.act-news.com\/news\/act-news-talks-tech-velocity-evs-alexander-voets\/<\/a><\/p>","slug":"act-news-talks-tech-velocity-evs-alexander-voets","meta_title":"ACT News Talks Tech: Velocity EV\u2019s Alexander Voets","meta_description":"","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"07\/10\/2023"},{"id":52,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/mp2-7933.jpg","image_alt":"Velocity EV","news_title":"Velocity EV Named Exclusive U.S. Distributor of RIZON, a Daimler Truck Brand","news_desc":"<p>Whittier, CA, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RIZON, a new brand of commercial battery-electric trucks engineered by the Daimler Truck Group, has announced three cabover truck models designed for urban delivery applications. The Class 4 e16M &amp; e16L and Class 5 e18L medium-duty RIZON models will be distributed exclusively by Velocity-EV LLC, a subsidiary of Velocity Vehicle Group (Velocity) \u2013 one of the Daimler Truck Group\u2019s largest North American dealer partners whose sales and service teams offer several years of commercial eMobility experience. Each RIZON model comes packaged with competitive pricing, telematics access, flexible financing from Daimler Truck Financial Services, a class-leading warranty, and charging support to ensure seamless integration into customers\u2019 fleets.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe are truly excited to have this unique opportunity to tap into the global engineering prowess of the Daimler Truck Group and become the exclusive distributor for the RIZON brand in USA,\u201d said Brad Fauvre, president of Velocity Vehicle Group. \u201cRIZON trucks offer a cost-effective, zero-emission solution for the fast-growing medium-duty segment, and fleet operators will benefit from our deep customer-focused relationships, combined with our knowledge of incentives and regulatory compliance. The California Air Resources Board\u2019s Advanced Clean Fleets Rule, for instance, will require fast action among our California-based customers to transition to electrification, and Velocity is in a prime position to deliver economic sustainability with affordable and flexible financing options. We will also be actively appointing dealers across the US to provide a seamless national service network.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>RIZON, a Daimler Truck Group brand, was introduced for the U.S. market on May 2, 2023, at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in in Anaheim, California, where it exhibited its first battery-electric cabover models. The e18L model was unveiled in Velocity\u2019s booth on the exposition show floor and attendees were able to test run the e16L truck during onsite Ride &amp; Drive events. RIZON\u2019s MY2024 trucks will be available for order starting in Q2 2023 at Velocity Truck Center locations throughout California, with additional markets to be added in 2024.\u202f Velocity also intends to begin appointing dealers for RIZON in areas outside of its existing service territory, with the goal of providing a seamless network across the nation. Demonstration vehicles will be available to test drive at select Velocity Truck Center locations in Q3 2023, with customer deliveries beginning in late 2023.\u202f &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cVelocity is as an ideal U.S. distributor partner for the new RIZON trucks given their team\u2019s extensive eMobility experience, market reach, and familiarity with customizing battery-electric vehicles to suit their customers\u2019 operational needs,\u201d said Andreas Deuschle, the Daimler Truck Group\u2019s global head of the RIZON Trucks brand. \u201cThe Daimler Truck Group\u2019s battery-electric technology has been road tested for more than five million miles by commercial fleet operators around the world and has received high marks for maneuverability and efficiency.\u201d &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>RIZON e16M, e16L, and e18L models were engineered by the Daimler Truck Group with a considerable focus on safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. Notable benefits include: &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Customizable Vehicle Applications: RIZON\u2019s battery-electric cabover trucks can be customized with several different load body options for local goods movement, urban deliveries, and refrigerated deliveries. The dry van body is anticipated to be the most popular selling application. Depending on the customers\u2019 load profile and maneuverability needs, trucks can be ordered with a 175- or 187-inch wheelbase.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Powerful and Highly Efficient Motor: The electric motor (eMotor) has an output of 129 kW at peak for the e16M, e16L and e18L models to provide a high-torque start, while enabling a quiet, smooth ride for drivers during operation. Integrated inverter technology requires low maintenance due to both its water cooling system and removal of additional high-voltage cables. \u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Flexible Range: RIZON vehicles feature lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which can be ordered with two battery pack sizes. The medium \u201cM\u201d size 82 kWh battery can run between 75 to 110 miles* on a single charge, and 110 to 160 miles* on the larger \u201cL\u201d 124 kWh battery. In addition, the vehicles are equipped with an integrated shift lever and four-stage regenerative braking, enabling drivers to easily switch between settings for energy conservation to extend the brake life and driving range. \u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Innovative Drivetrain: The motor-integrated differential e-axle has been designed to provide low maintenance and high efficiency. Its compact drivetrain, which was built without a propeller shaft, offers seamless acceleration (i.e., no shift shock or torque interruption) and nimble driving, with no gear change or clutch operation required. The parking lock can be activated with an electronically operated button switch.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Enhanced Driver Comfort: Multiple features have been added to improve the overall user experience, including a smart key, a 10-inch LCD display, and a second touchscreen display with vehicle information (e.g., battery charging level, navigation, radio\/music, and Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music controls).\u202fIt will also have LED headlights and LED taillights. &nbsp;<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Comprehensive Safety: All three models include multiple features that contribute to safe operation, including, Active Brake Assist (ABA), Active Side Assist (ASA), electric parking brake, anti-lock braking system , vehicle stability control, lane departure alerts, reverse view camera system, and acoustic vehicle alerting system. In addition, the vehicle includes an easily accessible emergency cut switch for safety.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\r\n\t<li>ePTO Option: An electric power take-off (ePTO) device controlled by an on\/off switch in the cab is available for reefer belt drive and special equipment, including a hydraulic pump. The equipment is mechanically driven by the ePTO motor and hardwire connected without the need for a high voltage cable or CAN cable for easy connection to the back-body build. &nbsp;<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Cold Climate Ready: Fleets can deploy RIZON vehicles in regions with cold weather and utilize the battery preconditioning features to warm the battery while the vehicle is charging on AC. In addition, to warm the interior cab cost-effectively, the PTC heater features an output control function with a temperature control dial and a cut switch, as well as a power-saving heating and defrost function.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Class Leading Warranty: Fleets can enjoy peace of mind with a comprehensive warranty that includes five years\/75,000 miles for the powertrain, chassis and cab, and five years\/120,000 miles** for the batteries.\u202f\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Charging: Rizon trucks are capable of being charged by two types of battery charging systems: level 2 AC charging and DC fast charging (up to 104 kW) compliant with the CCS1 protocol. Installing AC Level 2 charging infrastructure onsite for RIZON trucks is an easy and affordable option for fleets as well as for individual customers. With AC charging (19.2 kW), it would take about 5-6 hours# while with the high-powered DC chargers, it would take about 1-1.5 hours#. Fleets will also have the option to utilize the 40 units of 150 kW chargers installed at Velocity Truck Centers along high-transit corridor stops in Rancho Dominguez, Fontana, Industry, and San Diego. &nbsp;<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<p>To learn more about the e16M, e16L, and e18L truck models visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=c3UkJvVKStuuHZrnG5PriHYy540kCAPGTJ01MwB4TWAX594LoRgT8MHUNvBNq89t3wpl60G4aQEfdTRuXnzI6mx2_TOs5GGCmHGSfAJxBdQ=\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"www.rizontruck.com\">www.rizontruck.com<\/a>. To schedule a test drive or discuss vehicle incentive and financing opportunities, contact Velocity Truck Center. Visit the website to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=SoLhunhVBtNDa6fvnI1H_Yo1ycajO9svw-Rve1RieZPP9uO91pVNPPWrgc_AJZT9ORzSF2BZm3iszZgK9616I0wpLUbVuDRHS9C1l0LXn90dbBBZe0VS2wwFg18bN9RV\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"find your local dealer\">find your local dealer<\/a>.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>*Under standard testing conditions with 50% payload. The range may vary based on environment conditions, battery health \/ charge level, recuperation usage, road traffic \/ profile, accessories usage, speed of operation and driving style&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>#Charging time depends upon charger capacity, max. charging rate, battery health and various other operating conditions&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>**as of April 2023&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>About Velocity Vehicle Group&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Vehicle Group (Velocity) is one of the largest full-service commercial truck dealerships in the U.S., with operations that include new and used commercial vehicle sales, service, parts distribution, and vehicle rental and leasing. Established in 1998, Velocity today operates a network of nearly 80 state-of-the-art dealerships, service centers, and leasing facilities across seven U.S. states, in addition to an international footprint in Australia and Mexico. Velocity\u2019s 3,500 employees are customer-focused based on the three company pillars of speed, value, and trust. Velocity is a leading distributor for 14 brands of original equipment manufacturers in the medium- and heavy-duty truck sector, and the exclusive U.S. distributor for the Daimler Truck Group\u2019s RIZON brand of electric trucks, providing a comprehensive sales and service network. In addition to commercial vehicle sales with more than 9,000 trucks sold in 2022, Velocity offers full-service leases through its Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing subsidiary and participates in equipment finance through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance program. Based in Whittier, California, Velocity is a leader in implementing emissions-reducing vehicle technologies, including natural gas, cleaner diesel, and electric. For more information&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=clfo8Ew9J_hAm05i__hI27M-ZumBhmT3nX6Z-7cBAIITk4T6Eh-ZK_SjFU9CFVEEcZ7OVGGjk_qCc7XaqefVX7cbYiV59UixQZ581KXEjfsV4NiUXf5ipk7nR-4suGfN\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"www.velocityvehiclegroup.com.\">www.velocityvehiclegroup.com.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>","slug":"velocity-ev-named-exclusive-us-distributor-rizon-daimler-truck-brand","meta_title":"Velocity EV Named Exclusive U.S. Distributor of RIZON, a Daimler Truck Brand","meta_description":"The first battery-electric cabover trucks from RIZON \u2013 the e16M, e16L, and e18L \u2013 were unveiled at the 2023 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Anaheim, California.","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"05\/02\/2023"},{"id":44,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/screenshot-2023-05-01-at-16-42-54-daimler-truck-launches-rizon-medium-duty-electric-trucks-in-the-united-statesjpg-avif-image-700-394-pixels.png","image_alt":"Rizon Truck","news_title":"RIZON medium-duty electric trucks in the United States & Canada","news_desc":"<p>The Daimler Truck group (\u201cDaimler Truck\u201d) announces the launch of a line of electric trucks in the US market under the new brand name RIZON. The RIZON brand and its vehicle offerings will be presented to the public for the first time at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, scheduled to run from May 1-4, 2023 in Anaheim, California.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;RIZON delivers customer-focused zero-emission trucks and mobility solutions from one of the world\u2019s largest and most experienced commercial vehicle manufacturers, Daimler Truck. RIZON\u2019s identity is rooted in the brand\u2019s commitment to form a partnership with business owners as they shift to zero-emission transportation. Fleet owners and truck drivers will be comprehensively supported through an experienced dealership network offering a range of services that help deliver the seamless experience customers expect from Daimler Truck\u2019s brands. Consulting on AC and DC charging as well as telematics access will be available. Flexible financing is provided by Daimler Truck Financial Services.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;Three model variants, the e18L, e16L, and the e16M, will be the first trucks available under the RIZON brand. The brand will offer a versatile mix of configurations and options suitable to each customer\u2019s unique requirements to optimize day-to-day operations and productivity. The class 4 and 5 medium-duty battery-electric vehicles, ranging from 15,995 up to 17,995 lbs in gross vehicle weight (GVW), are able to run from 110 -160 miles for L size variant with 3 battery packs) and 75 -110 miles (for M size variant with 2 battery packs) on a single charge*. These trucks are ideally suited to a variety of applications such as dry vans, flatbeds, landscape dumps, and reefers. All RIZON trucks are built using proven quality assurance standards developed by Daimler Truck and in practice at more than 40 manufacturing locations around the world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;In addition to versatility, RIZON provides peace of mind. RIZON trucks incorporate advanced passive and active safety systems to help safeguard drivers, passengers, and the communities in which they operate. Drivers can feel even more secure in stop-and-go traffic and congested urban areas with Daimler Truck\u2019s safety technology such as Active Brake Assist and Active Side Guard Assist. RIZON trucks are capable of being charged by two types of battery charging systems, Level 2 AC Charging (J1772) and DC Fast Charging CCS1 compliant. The RIZON brand will also carry a class-leading warranty package that protects the powertrain, chassis and cab, for 5 years\/75,000 miles and the high voltage batteries for 5 years\/120,000 miles**.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;With this initial product selection, RIZON trucks will target businesses involved in urban retail logistics, last-mile deliveries and municipal work. Starting Q4 2023,<strong>&nbsp;they will be distributed in the United States through an exclusive agreement with Velocity Truck Centers<\/strong>, an established name in the commercial vehicle industry with around 80 global outlets. With sales consultants and technicians experienced in commercial e-mobility, Velocity touchpoints will serve as one-stop-shops for customers interested in making the jump to electric trucks. Additionally, Velocity will be appointing dealers for RIZON in areas outside of Velocity\u2019s footprint to provide a seamless network across the United States.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The mobility industry is changing rapidly as legislation and customer initiatives focus the spotlight on zero-emissions commercial transportation. Incentive funding and tax credits in certain markets are also helping to ease fleets\u2019 switching costs. As this dynamic new marketplace develops, RIZON stands ready to assist customers in making their transition. Through its partnership with Velocity and these favorable shifts in the transportation landscape, Daimler Truck expects attractive growth potential in the medium-duty electric truck market as for the RIZON brand in the years ahead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>*The L size (124 kWh) variant has an expected driving range of 110 -160 miles and the M size (83 kWh) variant offers 75 -110 miles on a single charge. The range may vary based on environment conditions, battery health \/ charge level, recuperation usage, road traffic \/ profile, accessories usage, speed of operation and driving style.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>**as of April 2023<\/p>","slug":"rizon-medium-duty-electric-trucks","meta_title":"Rizon Electric Truck, for sale at Velocity Truck Centers","meta_description":"RIZON medium-duty electric trucks in the United States, from Velocity Truck Centers","meta_keywords":"RIZON, EV, medium-duty, electric, trucks,USA,Velocity Truck Centers","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"05\/01\/2023"},{"id":43,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/Image_Velocity_eCascadia Truck.jpg","image_alt":"Velocity Vehicle Group Purchases 200 Battery-Electric Trucks for California Truck Rental & Leasing Operations","news_title":"Velocity Vehicle Group Purchases 200 Battery-Electric Trucks for California Truck Rental & Leasing Operations","news_desc":"<p align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>The investment also supports high-powered charging infrastructure for Class 6-to-8 Freightliner models to reach an 80% state of charge within 90 minutes or less&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>FONTANA, Calif. \u2014 March 22, 2023: Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing, a division of Velocity Vehicle Group, is adding 200 battery-electric trucks \u2013 including 125 Class 8 Freightliner eCascadia\u2019s and 75 Class 6 &amp; 7 Freightliner eM2\u2019s from Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) \u2013 to its commercial truck rental and full-service truck leasing business. The new rental and leasing fleet, along with supporting infrastructure to charge vehicles in 90 minutes or less, enables Velocity\u2019s customers to deploy zero-emission trucks quickly and cost-effectively into their operations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cOur customers are always at the forefront of what we do, and we know firsthand what it takes to put electric trucks and infrastructure in place,\u201d said David Deon, president of Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing. \u201cThe acquisition of our new battery-powered fleet allows our customers the opportunity to go zero-emissions quickly, in addition to offering cost-saving measures through quick-charging infrastructure that is included in our leasing program.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Both Freightliner models are battery-powered to run up to 230 miles. The larger eCascadia is an all-electric version of North America\u2019s best-selling Class 8 truck suited for short-haul and last-mile delivery routes. The eM2 is a highly maneuverable, quiet and comfortable Class 6-7 EV truck engineered for regional pick-up and delivery routes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>In partnership with DTNA, Velocity serves on the Electric Vehicle Council, in addition to the Customer Experience Fleet to test the eCascadia in real-world applications. Collectively, the Freightliner eCascadia and eM2 models have been driven more than 1.5 million miles by customer-partners.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cThe Velocity team is making considerable investments to help its fleet customers successfully integrate medium- and heavy-duty battery-electric vehicles into their operations, as well as help DTNA make progress toward its global freight electrification goals,\u201d said DTNA SVP, Sales and Marketing, David Carson. \u201cAs one of DTNA\u2019s largest dealership partners, Velocity also adds value as a solution-orientated member on our EV taskforce identifying tactical methods to electrify more fleets in the commercial sector.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The entire fleet of 200 battery-electric trucks is scheduled to be in full service by 2025, with the first five Freightliner eCascadia trucks currently being deployed to Arrowlink Logistics to support pickups and deliveries at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cOur team is excited to integrate zero-emission Freightliner eCascadia trucks into our port drayage operations so that we can reduce our impact on the local community as we transport freight between Southern California\u2019s busy ports and local warehouses,\u201d said Kevin Kuo, president of Arrowlink USA, Inc. \u201cVelocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing has made the entire process easy for our team \u2013 including helping us determine the right truck configurations for our routes, providing training to our drivers, and supporting us in developing a plan to charge our trucks.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><a name=\"_Hlk128989940\">Velocity\u2019s investment also includes installation of 39 dual port 150 kW chargers at multiple Southern California locations, providing customers with an affordable, reliable, and immediate option to charge battery-electric trucks. The high-powered technology allows the Freightliner eM2 to&nbsp;<\/a><a name=\"_Hlk128990206\">reach an 80% state of charge in approximately&nbsp;<\/a>60 minutes for the Class 6 model and 90 minutes for the Class 7 model. Similarly, the Class 8 Freightliner eCascadia can achieve an 80% state of charge in approximately 90 minutes utilizing dual port charging.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The nearly four-dozen chargers will be installed at key locations along transit corridors with 17 in Rancho Dominguez, 10 in Fontana, 10 in Industry, and two in San Diego. Velocity\u2019s customers will have access to these high-powered chargers as either their primary or supplementary charging location as part of the lease agreement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em>About Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing is a proud member of NationaLease. Founded in 1944, NationaLease is one of the largest full-service truck leasing organizations in North America, with over 1,000 service locations throughout the US and Canada and a combined customer fleet of over 184,000 tractors, trucks, and trailers. The company provides comprehensive fleet management services for private fleets and transportation service providers. To learn more about Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.velocitytruckrentalandleasing.com\">www.velocitytruckrentalandleasing.com<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>","slug":"velocity-vehicle-group-purchases-200-battery-electric-trucks-california-truck-rental-leasing-operations","meta_title":"Velocity Vehicle Group Purchases 200 Battery-Electric Trucks for California Truck Rental & Leasing Operations","meta_description":"Velocity Vehicle Group Purchases 200 Battery-Electric Trucks for California Truck Rental & Leasing Operations","meta_keywords":"Velocity Vehicle Group, Purchases 200 Battery,Electric Trucks, California, Truck, Rental, Leasing, Operations","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"03\/22\/2023"},{"id":41,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/richard-higgins-headshot.png","image_alt":"Richard Higgins Promoted to President of Velocity Truck Centres in Australia","news_title":"Richard Higgins Promoted to President of Velocity Truck Centres in Australia","news_desc":"<p>PRESS RELEASE:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG) has announced the promotion of Richard Higgins to the position of President of its Velocity Truck Centres Unit. Mr. Higgins will continue to be responsible for managing the operations of the seventeen (17) Velocity Truck Centres locations in Australia, overseeing its overall strategy, and ensuring its strong performance for our customers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since first joining VVG in 2021, Mr. Higgins has served as the Executive Vice President. During that time, Mr. Higgins has driven a number of important improvements, including completing the integration of the acquisition from Eagers Automotive, bringing consistent policies and processes across the locations, implementing a new business management system, completing additional acquisitions in Huntingwood, NSW, and Broome, WA, and building a management team to continue to raise the level of service provided by Velocity Truck Centres (VTC) for the future.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Co-Presidents of VVG, Brad Fauvre and Conan Barker said, \u201cRichard has done a terrific job in leading a very complicated change process while servicing our customers based on our mission of speed, value, and trust. We are encouraged at the prospect of continuing to realize more improvements within our Australia operations under his leadership. We have a long way to go to sell more vehicles and raise our level of customer service and we are confident that we are on the right track to get there.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>VTC\u2019s Australian network sells and services commercial vehicles and exclusively represents Daimler Trucks brands Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and Fuso, as well as Mercedes Benz vans. VVG also operates 65 commercial vehicle dealership locations in the US across California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Hawaii. VVG also operates 8 locations in Baja California, Mexico. VVG provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full spectrum from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school buses, as well as aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VVG also offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>CONTACT INFORMATION:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Jessica Ramirez\r\n\t<br>Velocity Vehicle Group\r\n\t<br>+ 1 562 447-1251<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.velocityvehiclegroup.com\/\">www.VelocityVehicleGroup.com<\/a><\/p>","slug":"richard-higgins-promoted-president-velocity-truck-centres-australia","meta_title":"Richard Higgins Promoted to President of Velocity Truck Centres in Australia","meta_description":"Richard Higgins Promoted to President of Velocity Truck Centres in Australia","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"02\/01\/2023"},{"id":33,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/electric fire truck.jpg","image_alt":"Electric Fire Truck","news_title":"Los Angeles City Fire Department to take delivery of the first all-electric fire truck in North America","news_desc":"<p><strong><em>Announcing the arrival of the RTX<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><em>Los Angeles City Fire Department to take delivery of the first all-electric fire truck in North America.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Rosenbauer\u2019s first RTX fully electric fire truck for the North America market will soon be delivered to the Los Angeles City Fire Department.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The RTX embodies technological know-how which was honed over ten years of development work by the Rosenbauer Group. The result is more than an \"electrified fire engine.\" It is the blueprint for the firefighting vehicle of the future: a vehicle that is functional and robust, with a highly ergonomic vehicle architecture, an unprecedented level of safety for the crew, and an innovative operating concept with comprehensive connectivity. The RTX combines everything that firefighters demand out of a vehicle into one productive apparatus.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Unrivalled driving maneuverability&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>What distinguishes the RTX is its stable handling and high driving safety. It has a low-floor height with a core tube frame in which one of the two high-voltage batteries is installed. This results in a much lower center of gravity compared to traditional firefighting vehicles. Single-wheel suspension and switchable rear axle steering ensure excellent maneuverability, and the RTX can even operate in crab steering mode. The air-suspended chassis allows the adjustability of the driving height to the ground (on-road and off-road driving, wading mode, operation site mode), and due to the compact dimensions (L x W = approx. 28.5\u201d x 92.5\u201d), the vehicle can easily drive through narrow alleys and heavy traffic. Modern assistance systems such as ADM (Automatic Drivetrain Management) and EBS (Electronic Braking System) support the driver.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Electric drive system<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The advanced driving dynamics of the RTX are a result of the electric drivetrain design: two electric motors with an output of 2 x 180 kW (peak) or 2 x 130 kW (continuous) drive all four wheels (permanent all-wheel drive). They are supplied with power from two high-voltage batteries with an electrical storage capacity of 132 kWh, which also powers the pump operation and other truck functions at the fire scene.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>In addition, the RTX has a standard range extender (clean diesel engine with power generator) that has an output of 225 kW. This is installed within the truck\u2019s body to save space. The RTX effectively becomes an integrated power plant that automatically recharges the high-voltage batteries as they approximately reach 20% remaining energy. The trucks batteries are designed in such a way that they aren\u2019t ever fully depleted and meets NFPA standards.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Increased health and safety<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The integrated design of the RTX cab provides a high level of passive safety during fire calls. Thanks to the air-suspension chassis, the vehicle can be lowered while on the fire scene (approximately 7\u201d step height) to the extent that the crew cab can be safely accessed without barriers and the equipment stored in the vehicle may be accessed while firmly standing on the ground. The shadowless LED scene lighting and the underfloor lighting increase safety around the vehicle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>In addition, the RTX reduces emergency crews\u2019 exposure to pollutants. While responding to the scene of an emergency, they travel virtually emission-free and experience less noise on the fire ground than ever before. This is due to most of all technical and common fire-fighting operations may be carried out purely on electricity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Improved command center ergonomics<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the RTX, the driver's cab and crew cab merge to form a modern command center where operational briefings may be held in a quiet atmosphere, protected from wind, weather and other obstructions. For this purpose, the driver and front passenger turn their seats inwards and face the crew member cabin directly, who sit on the sides of the vehicle facing each other and on the rear wall of the cab facing forwards.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>All functions of the vehicle, from lighting to firefighting equipment, may be controlled via a 15\u201d display, centrally located in the control panel. In addition, the vehicle has its own Wi-Fi network, which can be used to wirelessly control robots, drones, and other electrical equipment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>John Slawson, CEO of Rosenbauer America<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cThe Rosenbauer RTX is the fire truck of the future, built from the ground up using the most advanced materials and technologies. The RTX is the safest fire truck on the roads today - for firefighters, for communities, and the environment. We are very pleased to develop the RTX in partnership with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, and the truck will soon demonstrate its capabilities in everyday fire and rescue operations.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Richard Fields, Assistant Chief Los Angeles City Fire Department<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"We were at Rosenbauer headquarters in Austria at the beginning of February for the acceptance test of our vehicle. We had the opportunity to get to know the truck better, drive it, and test all its functionality. We were particularly impressed by the RTX\u2019s driving characteristics and ride comfort but moreover, the operating and control concept is absolutely state-of-the-art. It's a vehicle that we're sure to enjoy, that has everything we need for our routine operations, and with which we're contributing to climate protection to boot.\"<\/p>","slug":"los-angeles-city-fire-department-take-delivery-first-all-electric-fire-truck-north-america","meta_title":"Los Angeles City Fire Department to take delivery of the first all-electric fire truck in North America","meta_description":"Los Angeles City Fire Department to take delivery of the first all-electric fire truck in North America","meta_keywords":"Los Angeles, Fire Department, first, all-electric, fire truck, North America","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"09\/23\/2022"},{"id":40,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/kentucky-ftl-logo.jpg","image_alt":"Kentucky Freightliner joins the Velocity Truck Centers family","news_title":"Kentucky Freightliner joins the Velocity Truck Centers family","news_desc":"<p>Velocity Truck Centers (VTC) announced today that the company has further expanded into the Mid-South with the acquisition of Kentucky Freightliner Trucks, Inc. The acquisition of Kentucky Freightliner Trucks brings the important Lexington Kentucky market into the VTC network.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Today, VTC has 65 locations across North America, including 11 body shops, and offers coast-to-coast coverage of commercial vehicle sales, service, parts, collision and fabrication services as well as equipment financing. VTC brings unparalleled customer focus, including two hour Express Assessment, Elite Support Certification and equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance division to Central Kentucky.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Co-Presidents of VTC, Brad Fauvre and Conan Barker said, \u201cWe are pleased to add Lexington to what is now the most comprehensive sales, service and support network in the Mid-South and South-East. It has been a pleasure to work with owners Todd and Ed Bray through this process. And we are very pleased to welcome the strong team of dedicated employees into Velocity. The continuity of management along with enhanced resources and support will benefit the commercial truck community in the Lexington area.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Kentucky Freightliner Trucks owner Todd Bray added, \u201cSince 1995 Ed and I have been proud to work with the dedicated team of employees at Kentucky Freightliner, many of whom now have 25 years with the company. The success of Kentucky Freightliner Trucks was built by the long-term dedication of our employees to the highest level of service for our customers and focus on honest dealings and good old fashioned hard work. We are happy that Velocity will continue that history and that our customers and employees will be well taken care of into the future\u201d.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Truck Centers, a part of the Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), operates 65 commercial vehicle dealership locations in the US across California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and Hawaii. VVG also operates 17 Daimler dealerships across Australia, as well as 8 locations in Baja, Mexico. VTC provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full spectrum from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school busses, as well as aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VTC is an authorized dealer for the Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Sprinter, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, SportTruck, Renegade RV, Rosenbauer fire, Crane Carrier and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands and Great Dane trailers. VVG also offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.<\/p>","slug":"kentucky-freightliner-joins-velocity-truck-centers-family","meta_title":"Kentucky Freightliner joins the Velocity Truck Centers family","meta_description":"Velocity Truck Centers (VTC) announced today that the company has further expanded into the Mid-South with the acquisition of Kentucky Freightliner Trucks, Inc.  The acquisition of Kentucky Freightliner Trucks brings the important Lexington Kentucky marke","meta_keywords":"Velocity Truck Centers, Mid-South, acquisition, Kentucky Freightliner Trucks, Inc, Lexington, Kentucky","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"07\/11\/2022"},{"id":36,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/christopher-trucks2.jpg","image_alt":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF CHRISTOPHER TRUCKS","news_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF CHRISTOPHER TRUCKS","news_desc":"<p>Velocity Truck Centers (VTC) announced today that the company has further expanded into the Southeast US with the acquisition of Christopher Trucks. The acquisition of Christopher Trucks brings the fast growing Greenville and Spartanburg areas of South Carolina into the VTC network. With the nine locations in North Carolina and the two locations in South Carolina, the addition of Christopher Trucks\u2019 two locations establishes VTC as the most comprehensive network in the Carolinas with more locations than any other dealer network.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Today, VTC has 64 locations across North America, including 11 body shops, and offers coast-to-coast coverage of commercial vehicle sales, service, parts, collision and fabrication services as well as equipment financing. VTC brings unparalleled customer focus, including two hour Express Assessment, Elite Support Certification and equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance division to all the Christopher Trucks markets in South Carolina.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Co-Presidents of VTC, Brad Fauvre and Conan Barker said, \u201cWe are pleased to add Christopher Trucks to what is now the most comprehensive sales, service and support network in North and South Carolina. It has been a pleasure to work with owner Scott Christopher through this process. And we are very pleased to welcome fourth generation leader Stuart Christopher into Velocity as a branch manager. The continuity of Christopher leadership will ensure the highest possible service and quality the community has come to depend on from Christopher Trucks.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Christopher Trucks owner Scott Christopher added, \u201cIn 1951 my grandfather, McAdams Christopher founded Christopher Trucks with focus on outstanding service. I had the privilege to work with my father McAdams Christopher Jr. until his retirement in 1993 when I acquired the dealership. The success of Christopher Trucks has been built by the long-term dedication of our ownership and our employees to the highest level of service for our customers. Many of our team members have tenure of over 25 years. I\u2019m pleased that the legacy of service that began over 70 years ago will continue into a great future with VTC. Our South Carolina customers will continue to enjoy outstanding products and services provided by our valuable employees as part of the VTC network.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Truck Centers, a part of the Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), operates 64 commercial vehicle dealership locations in the US across California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and Hawaii. VVG also operates 17 Daimler dealerships across Australia, as well as 8 locations in Baja, Mexico. VTC provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full spectrum from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school busses, as well as aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VTC is an authorized dealer for the Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Sprinter, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, SportTruck, Renegade RV, Rosenbauer fire, Crane Carrier and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands and Great Dane trailers. VVG also offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centers-completes-acquisition-christopher-trucks-may-3rd-2022","meta_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF CHRISTOPHER TRUCKS","meta_description":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF CHRISTOPHER TRUCKS","meta_keywords":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS,  ACQUISITION, CHRISTOPHER TRUCKS","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"05\/03\/2022"},{"id":35,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/HR-Update---jeff-cook.jpg","image_alt":"Jeff Cook as CFO of Velocity Truck Centers.","news_title":"Velocity Vehicle Group is pleased to announce Jeff Cook as CFO of Velocity Truck Centers.","news_desc":"<p>Velocity Vehicle Group is pleased to announce Jeff Cook as CFO of Velocity Truck Centers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>This is a newly created position that will help direct the finance and accounting dealership activities to be aligned with VVG business objectives and growth. In this role Jeff will be reporting to Velocity Vehicle Group CFO, Bryan Kobus.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>Jeff spent much of his career with Daimler Trucks North America where he mainly served as a Director of Finance and Business Unit Controller for Western Star and for the DTNA and DDC owned dealerships and distributors. He has vast industry knowledge with proven ability to manage and drive business value improvement initiatives.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>Please join us in welcoming Jeff to the VTC team!\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>","slug":"velocity-vehicle-group-pleased-announce-jeff-cook-cfo-velocity-truck-centers","meta_title":"Jeff Cook as CFO of Velocity Truck Centers","meta_description":"Jeff Cook, CFO of Velocity Truck Centers.","meta_keywords":"Jeff Cook, CFO, Velocity Truck Centers.","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"04\/01\/2022"},{"id":32,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/scott zep.jpg","image_alt":"Scott Zeppenfeldt - COO","news_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS NAMES NEW COO.","news_desc":"<p>Velocity Truck Centers (VTC) is pleased to announced the appointment of Scott Zeppenfeldt to the position of Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Zeppenfeldt joined Velocity Truck Centers in 1997 and has been an effective leader with increasing levels of responsibility, most recently as Senior Vice President of Operations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Zeppenfeldt\u2019s career history includes over 25 years in different roles in the dealership environment. Starting with lot and delivery duties, Scott has progressed through most operational and management roles within the dealership environment over his career. This experience has allowed Scott to become an exceptionally effective leader helping everyone in the organization understand how their role helps to support all departments, and ultimately VTC\u2019s customers. Scott has deep expertise in continuous improvement and has instilled a customer and employee-centric culture that has allowed VTC to grow at a rapid rate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>In his new role, Zeppenfeldt will be responsible for overseeing fixed operations at all VTC facilities in North America.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cScott\u2019s natural leadership ability, his drive for continuous improvement, and his focus on teambuilding have enabled VTC to grow with excellent results. This promotion aligns with our strategic direction of customer focus and the continued growth of the company,\u201d from Brad Fauvre and Conan Barker, Co-Presidents of VTC.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Truck Centers, a part of the Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), operates 54 commercial vehicle dealership locations in the US across California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and Hawaii. VVG also operates 16 Daimler dealerships across Australia, as well as 8 locations in Baja, Mexico. VTC provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full spectrum from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school busses, as well as aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VTC is an authorized dealer for the Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Sprinter, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, SportTruck, Renegade RV, Rosenbauer fire, Crane Carrier, Great Dane Trailers and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands. VVG also offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centers-names-new-coo","meta_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS NAMES NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER SCOTT ZEPPENFELDT","meta_description":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS NAMES NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER SCOTT ZEPPENFELDT","meta_keywords":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTER, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, SCOTT ZEPPENFELDT","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"02\/28\/2022"},{"id":31,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/wemeantrucks-logo.png","image_alt":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF TRIPLE-T TRUCK CENTERS","news_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF TRIPLE-T TRUCK CENTERS","news_desc":"<p align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>January 1, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Velocity Truck Centers (VTC) is pleased to announce that the company has expanded further into the Southeast with the acquisition of Triple-T Truck Centers. These acquisitions extend VTC\u2019s reach in the Southeast along the I-40 in North Carlina to Warsaw, Rocky Point and Wilmington, and into South Carolina including Florence and Charleston. The acquisition also includes the Aftermarket Parts company located in New Bern, North Carolina which provides wholesale replacement parts to the forestry and construction industries nationally and worldwide.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">VTC now consists of 62 locations across North America, including 11 body shops, and offering coast-to-coast coverage of commercial vehicle sales, service, parts, collision and fabrication services as well as equipment financing. VTC will bring its unparalleled customer focus, including two-hour Express Assessment, Elite Support Certification and equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance division, to Triple-T\u2019s markets in the Carolinas.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">From Brad Fauvre and Conan Barker, Co-Presidents of VTC, \u201cWe are very excited to extend our reach in the Carolinas with the addition of the Triple-T locations which have an exceptionally dedicated employee base that we look forward to working with as part of the Velocity team. We want to thank Tim Matt for choosing VTC to carry on his legacy and continue to provide the best service possible for his customers across North and South Carolina.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">From Tim Matt, owner of Triple-T, \u201cI am pleased to have chosen Velocity Truck Centers to carry on the legacy of the Triple-T companies and Aftermarket Parts which began with my family in 1967. It was extremely important to me that Velocity committed to continue the stewardship of my senior management, employees and customers with the same care, ethics and attention as the Matt family has shown for the last 54 years. The transaction has gone exactly as discussed when we shook hands, and I wish Velocity the best of success with their next chapter in the Carolinas and throughout the global markets served by Aftermarket Parts.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Velocity Truck Centers, a part of the Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), operates 54 commercial vehicle dealership locations in the US across California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and Hawaii. VVG also operates 16 Daimler dealerships across Australia, as well as 8 locations in Baja, Mexico. VTC provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full spectrum from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school busses, as well as aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VTC is an authorized dealer for the Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Sprinter, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, SportTruck, Renegade RV, Rosenbauer fire, Crane Carrier, Great Dane Trailers and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands. VVG also offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centers-completes-acquisition-triple-t-truck-centers","meta_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF TRIPLE-T TRUCK CENTERS","meta_description":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF TRIPLE-T TRUCK CENTERS","meta_keywords":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS, ACQUISITION, TRIPLE-T TRUCK CENTERS","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"01\/01\/2022"},{"id":29,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/Daimler-Trucks-Huntingwood.jpg","image_alt":"daimler trucks huntingwood","news_title":"VVG AU completes Daimler Huntingwood purchase","news_desc":"<p><strong itemprop=\"summary\">Velocity Vehicle Group Australia hails \u2018exciting\u2019 business<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Vehicle Group Australia (VVGA) has completed of the transaction to acquire the Daimler Trucks Huntingwood dealership from Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific.\r\n\t<br>Daimler Trucks Huntingwood is located in one of the main transport and distribution regions in western Sydney and has a strong reputation and presence within the industry, VVG notes.\r\n\t<br>Its location, culture and customer base make it an important and complementary addition to VVG\u2019s Australian network.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"We are excited to have Daimler Trucks Huntingwood join the VVGA family VVG Australia executive vice president Richard Higgins says.\r\n\t<br>\"The dealership has a 30-year-plus history of providing exceptional support to a large and diverse customer base.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"The experienced and dedicated team of circa 125 people are an important and a welcome addition to the VVGA network.\r\n\t<br>\"The team have been leaders in Daimler\u2019s Elite Support program which complements the VVGA pillars of Speed, Value and Trust. \"With our focus on these values we aim to continue to grow and develop Huntingwood along with our ability to provide service that meets the ongoing needs of our customers.\"\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>VVG Australia operates 15 other dealership locations across Australia, and exclusively sells Daimler truck, bus and van products across its network. VVG Australia purchased the dealerships from Eagers Automotive in May. \"We are committed to growing the Daimler truck and bus brand and delivering leading customer service,\" founders and co-presidents of VVG Conan Barker and Brad Fauvre says. \"Daimler Trucks Huntingwood will be an important part of the strategy and we welcome the team into the VVG Australia family.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"We want to thank Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific team for working alongside us to finalise this transaction and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with Daimler.\" VVGA\u2019s entry into Australia was very much a meeting of minds between the two companies and Daimler made no secret of that at the time and reinforced the sentiment with this closure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"VVG Australia knows what good customer service looks like and understands the expectations of commercial vehicle customers,\" Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific aftersales and network operations director Greg Lovrich says. \"We are confident Daimler Trucks Huntingwood customers will benefit from VVG\u2019s commitment to build capabilities across its network to ensure it can consistently deliver an excellent experience.\" Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific president and CEO Daniel Whitehead echoed the statement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"We are confident Daimler Trucks Huntingwood is in safe hands with VVG and look forward to continuing to work with the team to grow and develop the business,\" Whitehead says.<\/p>","slug":"vvg-au-completes-daimler-huntingwood-purchase","meta_title":"VVG AU completes Daimler Huntingwood purchase","meta_description":"VVG AU completes Daimler Huntingwood purchase","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"10\/15\/2021"},{"id":30,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/truck.png","image_alt":"1000000 miles on electric trucks","news_title":"One Million Real-World Electric Miles: Freightliner\u2019s Battery Electric Customer Fleets Reach Important Milestone","news_desc":"<p><strong>Portland, Ore \u2013 October 5, 2021 \u2013&nbsp;<\/strong>Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) announced today that its Freightliner battery electric Innovation and Customer Experience (CX) Fleets have reached one million miles of real-world usage, with fleets operating across the West Coast and Canada. &nbsp;With the opening of order boards for the eCascadia and eM2 earlier this year, DTNA is already seeing high demand for its electric trucks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe have reached a tipping point in our electrification journey,\u201d says Rakesh Aneja, Vice President and Chief of eMobility, DTNA. \u201cAfter a million miles of learning in close collaboration with our valued customers, we are ready to move from prototype to scale -- from tens of customer experience trucks to hundreds of production units. &nbsp;We remain committed to continuously improve our vehicle technology, reduce cost of ownership, and support infrastructure development -- the required trifecta for a successful electrification transformation.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Testing in real life with real customers<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Comprised of over 40 battery electric Freightliner eCascadias and eM2s, the Freightliner Electric Innovation and CX Fleets have transformed the testing process by putting trucks into the hands of almost 50 customers to accumulate experience while performing real work, in real fleets, and real commercial vehicle applications.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The nation\u2019s leading fleets, including Penske Truck Leasing, NFI, Hub Group, Knight-Swift, Schneider, XPO, Ryder, J.B. Hunt, and UPS, along with specialized fleets such as Loblaw Companies Limited, Sysco, Southern California Edison, Fastenal, Temco Logistics, Bison Transport, Core-Mark, Costco Wholesalers, Iron Mountain Inc., KeHe Distributors, Mondelez International Inc., US Foods and Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing, have all contributed to the development of Freightliner\u2019s electric Class 8 and Class 6\/7 trucks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Participation in the Innovation and CX Fleets and being an active part of DTNA\u2019s Electric Vehicle (EV) Council has provided those companies a chance to test integration of battery electric trucks into their own fleets and to share their learnings and experiences openly amongst all customers. The fleets are supported by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) which focuses on improving air quality in the South Coast Basin of Southern California and partially funded the project.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Freightliner\u2019s Electric Innovation Fleet began in 2018 with electric trucks running drayage and regional haul routes in Southern California with Penske and NFI. The CX Fleet followed in 2020 with additional vehicles, which have been rotating between various customers in both the U.S. and Canada for the past year. Both fleets have now hit one million accumulated testing miles.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>Original Article: <a href=\"https:\/\/daimler-trucksnorthamerica.com\/PressDetail\/one-million-real-world-electric-miles-freightliner-s-2021-10-05\">https:\/\/daimler-trucksnorthamerica.com\/PressDetail\/one-million-real-world-electric-miles-freightliner-s-2021-10-05<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Important learnings for series production<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>From collecting driver feedback, comparing the relative impact of driver behavior, temperature, weather, and weight between multiple fleets and duty cycle, to assessing wear, testing charging equipment behavior, and readying the service network, DTNA has gained tremendous operational learnings that will apply to the production vehicles to be delivered to customers in late 2022.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Andreas Juretzka, Head of Electric Mobility Product Development at DTNA: \u201cOur rigorous testing has revealed powertrain and auxiliary components, including HVAC, thermal management and low voltage electrical, are high performing and more than up to the job. One lesson stands out in particular: the importance of regenerative braking to maximize range. Across the pilots, the average recuperation ratio was 20-25 percent, with some drivers achieving even up to 30 percent.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Testing electric trucks in real conditions with real fleets has validated and reaffirmed many of the expected benefits of electric trucking from reduced driver fatigue to minimal noise and vibration.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Electrification beyond the vehicle<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>DTNA\u2019s commitment to electrification goes beyond the truck \u2013 with the addition of the in-house Detroit eConsulting team, DTNA\u2019s customers will see a streamlined end-to-end process as they electrify their fleets and navigate charging infrastructure. The Detroit eConsulting team navigates some of the key challenges fleets will experience, including route assessment, coaching driver behavior, optimizing in-cab experience, and planning and installing charging equipment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>In May of this year Detroit also launched Detroit eFill chargers, a full line of commercial vehicle charging stations designed for seamless integration with the Detroit ePowertrain found in the Freightliner eCascadia and eM2 trucks. Detroit eFill stations were developed in partnership with Power Electronics, the leading North American supplier of converters for utility scale solar, and feature the ability to charge a wide range of electric vehicles from other brands.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<strong>About Freightliner Trucks<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Freightliner Trucks is a division of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and is the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets Class 5\u20138 trucks and is a Daimler company, the world\u2019s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer. More information is available at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.freightliner.com\/\">www.Freightliner.com<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>About Daimler Trucks North America<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Daimler Trucks North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Ore., is the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. It manufactures, sells, and services commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star, Detroit, and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. Daimler Trucks North America is a Daimler company. More information is available at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.daimler-trucksnorthamerica.com\/\">www.daimler-trucksnorthamerica.com<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>About Velocity Truck Centers &amp; Velocity Vehicle Group.<br><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Truck Centers is the trucking division of Velocity Vehicle Group. Your premier source for anything electric truck related. Visit <a href=\"\/\/www.vvgelectric.com\">www.vvgelectric.com<\/a> to learn more about the electric trucks and services we provide.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Original Article: <a href=\"https:\/\/daimler-trucksnorthamerica.com\/PressDetail\/one-million-real-world-electric-miles-freightliner-s-2021-10-05\">https:\/\/daimler-trucksnorthamerica.com\/PressDetail\/one-million-real-world-electric-miles-freightliner-s-2021-10-05<\/a><\/p>\r\n<div data-v-7865f72e=\"\">\r\n\t<div data-v-7865f72e=\"\">\r\n\t\t<div data-v-7865f72e=\"\">\r\n\t\t\t<br>\r\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>","slug":"one-million-real-world-electric-miles-freightliners-battery-electric-customer-fleets-reach-important-milestone","meta_title":"One Million Real-World Electric Miles: Freightliner\u2019s Battery Electric Customer Fleets Reach Important Milestone","meta_description":"Freightliner electric trucks at Velocity Truck Centers","meta_keywords":"Freightliner, electric trucks, Velocity Truck Centers","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"10\/05\/2021"},{"id":28,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/hexagon_eM2._web.jpg","image_alt":"Hexagon Purus","news_title":"Hexagon Purus enters partnership with Velocity Vehicle Group \u2013 supplying zero emission medium duty commercial vehicles \u2013 based on the Freightliner M2 chassis \u2013 in California","news_desc":"<p>Hexagon Purus has entered a partnership with Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), a leading group of commercial vehicle dealers in the US, to deliver battery packs and powertrain integration for medium-duty battery electric trucks in California based on Freightliner\u2019s class 6 M2 platform.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Vehicle Group has taken an active leadership role in offering clean vehicles to its customers across its product range and locations, and the partnership with Hexagon Purus is an important part of this transition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Hexagon Purus will deliver turn-key solutions that will convert up to 100 model year 2021 Freightliner M2 medium-duty trucks to Hexagon Purus eM2 emission-free medium duty electrical vehicle trucks. The design will be built upon the platform from Daimler Trucks North America\u2019s successful Innovation Fleet of battery electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. All Innovation Fleet trucks operate using Hexagon Purus\u2019 battery electric solutions and technology. The new zero-emission Hexagon Purus eM2 class 6 trucks will typically operate as package delivery or utility trucks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Deliveries of the new zero-emission Hexagon Purus eM2s in 2021 will be mainly to customers operating in California. In 2022, deliveries of trucks operating in other states in the US are also expected.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe are committed to providing leading-edge clean vehicles to our customer base, and have invested heavily in the infrastructure support, EV maintenance training and product knowledge required to make this happen\u201d, say Brad Fauvre and Conan Barker, Co-Presidents of VVG. \u201cWe are excited to offer the Hexagon Purus eM2 product in cooperation with Hexagon which will allow our customers in California to achieve zero-emissions this year, with a proven platform that includes our support\u201d.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe are honored to enter this partnership with Velocity Vehicle Group. With a shared commitment to clean transportation solutions, we are proud to see that our offering enables the transition to zero-emission vehicles,\u201d says Todd Sloan, EVP Systems, Hexagon Purus.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>&nbsp;About the market<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>With California leading the way, there is a strong push to reduce carbon emissions in the commercial vehicle market in the US. Government incentives and new regulations such as those implemented by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are playing a significant role in driving this segment forward, resulting in major fleet owners committing to zero-emission solutions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>&nbsp;Timing<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The first deliveries are expected to take place in Q4 2021.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>About Velocity Vehicle Group<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG) operates 57 commercial vehicle dealership locations across California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Alabama and Hawaii, and Baja California, Mexico. VVG also operates 15 Daimler dealerships throughout Australia. VVG provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full spectrum from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school busses, as well as aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VVG is an authorized dealer for the Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, SportTruck, Renegade RV, Rosenbauer fire, Crane Carrier and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands. VVG also offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.\r\n\t<br><a href=\"\/\/www.VelocityVehicleGroup.com\">www.VelocityVehicleGroup.com<\/a>&nbsp; @VelocityVehicleGroup<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>About Hexagon Purus<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Hexagon Purus is a world leading provider of medium and heavy-duty battery packs, vehicle systems integration for fuel cell electric and battery electric vehicles and hydrogen type 4 high-pressure cylinders. Hexagon Purus enables zero emission solutions for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, buses, ground storage, distribution, maritime, rail and aerospace. Learn more at www.hexagonpurus.com and follow @HexagonPurus in social media.<\/p>","slug":"hexagon-purus-enters-partnership-velocity-vehicle-group-supplying-zero-emission-medium-duty-commercial-vehicles-based-freightliner-m2-chassis-california","meta_title":"Hexagon Purus enters partnership with Velocity Vehicle Group \u2013 supplying zero emission medium duty commercial vehicles \u2013 based on the Freightliner M2 chassis \u2013 in California","meta_description":"Hexagon Purus enters partnership with Velocity Vehicle Group \u2013 supplying zero emission medium duty commercial vehicles \u2013 based on the Freightliner M2 chassis \u2013 in California","meta_keywords":"Hexagon, Purus,  partnership, Velocity Vehicle Group, zero emission, medium duty, commercial vehicles, Freightliner M2 chassis, California","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"06\/11\/2021"},{"id":27,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/velocity-mexico.png","image_alt":"Velocity Mexico","news_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS PARTNERS WITH CANORSA, THE DAIMLER DEALER IN NORTHERN BAJA, TO FORM VELOCITY VEHICLES MEXICO","news_desc":"<p><img src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/velocitytruckcenters-bucket\/media\/uploaded-files\/velocity-mexico.png\" style=\"width: 300px;\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib\" data-result=\"success\">Velocity Truck Centers (VTC) is pleased to announce that the company has partnered with Rodolfo Cabanas Vildosola and his two sons, Rodolfo Cabanas Padilla and Luis Cabanas Padilla, of Canorsa Freightliner to form Velocity Vehicles Mexico, operating in Mexicali, Tijuana, Ensenada, and San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. Velocity will now be able to offer seamless coverage to customers throughout the rapidly growing Northern Baja Mexico region and the Southeast United States supporting cross-border trucking, manufacturing and general trade.\r\n\t<br>VTC will bring its unparalleled customer focus, including two-hour Express Assessment, Elite Support certification and equipment financing capabilities to Velocity Mexico which will be the only dealership group supporting customers operating on both sides of the US-Mexico border. From Rodolfo Cabanas Vildosola, \u201cWe are proud to partner with Velocity to bring their expertise in customer support, product knowledge and truck sales together with our local customer and market knowledge. This is an exciting start to start our journey of becoming the preeminent dealer group in the Southwest US and Northwest Mexico. No other dealership will be able to provide our seamless level of world-class support across the region.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Adds Brad Fauvre and Conan Barker, Co-Presidents of VTC, \u201cWe couldn\u2019t be happier to be working with Rudy and his family, who have successfully partnered in agricultural equipment distribution with RDO, the largest John Deere dealer group in the world, for over 10 years. Their long family history with trucking in Baja California, excellent locations and strong local customer knowledge will provide the perfect platform for extending VVG\u2019s three pillars of Speed, Value and Trust into Mexico in support of our joint-customers.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>VTC now consists of 57 locations across the North America, including 11 body shops, and offering coast-to-coast coverage of commercial vehicle sales, service, parts, collision and fabrication services as well as equipment financing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Truck Centers, a part of the Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), operates 53 commercial vehicle dealership locations in the US across California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Alabama and Hawaii, and now, 4 locations in Baja California, Mexico. VVG also operates 15 Daimler dealerships across Australia. VTC provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full spectrum from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school buses, as well as aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VTC is an authorized dealer for the Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, SportTruck, Renegade RV, Rosenbauer fire, Crane Carrier and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands. VVG also offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br><img src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/velocitytruckcenters-bucket\/media\/uploaded-files\/large-map.png\" style=\"width: 1048px;\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib\" data-result=\"success\"><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS SE ASOCIA CON CANORSA, DISTRIBUIDOR DAIMLER VEHICULOS COMERCIALES, EN EL NORTE DE BAJA CALIFORNIA, PARA FORMAR VELOCITY VEHICLES MEXICO&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p align=\"center\">J U NE 8, 2021<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>C O M U N I C A D O<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Truck Centers (VTC) le complace anunciar su sociedad con Rodolfo Caba\u00f1as Vildosola y sus dos hijos Rodolfo Caba\u00f1as Padilla y Luis Caba\u00f1as Padilla, de Canorsa Freightliner, para formar Velocity Vehicles M\u00e9xico, operando en Mexicali, Tijuana, Ensenada y San Luis Rio Colorado, M\u00e9xico. Velocity ahora podr\u00e1 ofrecer cobertura absoluta a clientes alrededor de la regi\u00f3n, con gran crecimiento en el norte de Baja California y dar soporte a clientes binacionales en el oeste y este de Estados Unidos que atienden el cruce de mercanc\u00eda, manufactura y comercio.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>VTC traer\u00e1 enfoque incomparable al cliente; ofreciendo diagnostic\u00f3 expr\u00e9s en dos horas, soporte con certificaci\u00f3n elite y opciones de financiamiento a Velocity M\u00e9xico, para ser el \u00fanico distribuidor atendiendo a clientes que operan en ambos lados de la frontera USA-Mexico. Rodolfo Caba\u00f1as Vildosola Comenta, \u201cestamos muy orgullosos de asociarnos con Velocity para traer su experiencia t\u00e9cnica y atenci\u00f3n al cliente, conocimiento del producto y venta de camiones en conjunto con nuestro conocimiento local de los clientes y el mercado. Este es el inicio de un viaje, en ser el distribuidor preeminente en el sur-oeste USA y norte de M\u00e9xico. No hay otro distribuidor que podr\u00e1 ofrecer un nivel de soporte clase mundial a trav\u00e9s de la regi\u00f3n.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Brad Fauvre y Conan Barker, Co-Presidentes de VTC comentan, \u201cNo pudi\u00e9ramos estar m\u00e1s contentos en trabajar con Rodolfo y su Familia que ha logrado exitosamente una sociedad con RDO, el distribuidor m\u00e1s grande de John Deere\u2019 en el mundo, por m\u00e1s de 10 a\u00f1os; Su larga historia como familia en la industria del transporte en Baja California, excelentes sucursales, gran conocimiento de los clientes y el mercado local, nos da la plataforma perfecta para extender a nuestros clientes de M\u00e9xico, los 3 pilares de VVG \u2013 Rapidez, Valor y Confianza.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>VTC ahora cuenta con 57 ubicaciones en norte Am\u00e9rica, incluyendo 11 talleres de carrocer\u00eda y ofreciendo cobertura de costa a costa para venta de veh\u00edculos, Servicio, partes, y fabricaci\u00f3n de piezas, m\u00e1s financiamiento.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p align=\"center\">-----------------------------------<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Truck Centers, parte de Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), opera 53 sucursales distribuyendo camiones comerciales en USA, en los estados de california, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Alabama y Hawai, y ahora, 4 sucursales en Baja California, M\u00e9xico. VVG tambi\u00e9n opera 15 sucursales Daimler en Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>VTC provee equipo comercial nuevo y usado, incluyendo el paquete completo de pickups, vans de entrega, camiones escolares de 18 ruedas, al igual que una posventa con soporte en servicio y refacciones, sumando a la multitud de otros servicios relacionados a los veh\u00edculos.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>VTC es distribuidor autorizado para Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, Sport Truck, Renegade RV, Rosenbauer fire, Crane Carrier and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>VVG tambi\u00e9n ofrece financiamiento para camiones y cr\u00e9ditos revolventes de trabajo para PYMES y cr\u00e9ditos SBA v\u00eda Velocity SBA y renta y arrendamiento de camiones v\u00eda Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centers-partners-canorsa-daimler-dealer-northern-baja-form-velocity-vehicles-mexico","meta_title":"Velocity Mexico Freightliner Truck Dealerships","meta_description":"Velocity Mexico Freightliner Trucks,  Mexicali, Tijuana, Ensenada, and San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico","meta_keywords":"Velocity, Mexico, Freightliner, Trucks,  Mexicali, Tijuana, Ensenada, San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"06\/07\/2021"},{"id":25,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/now-VTC.-triad.jpg","image_alt":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF TRIAD FREIGHTLINER GROUP OF COMPANIES, CAROLINA FREIGHTLINER AND H&H FREIGHTLINER","news_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF TRIAD FREIGHTLINER GROUP OF COMPANIES, CAROLINA FREIGHTLINER AND H&H FREIGHTLINER","news_desc":"<p>Velocity Truck Centers (VTC) is pleased to announce that the company has expanded further into the Southeast with the acquisition of the Triad Freightliner, Triad Freightliner of Kingsport, West Carolina Freightliner, Carolina Freightliner and H&amp;H Freightliner (Triad\/H&amp;H). These acquisitions extend VTC\u2019s reach into North Carolina from California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, central Tennessee, northern Alabama and southern Kentucky. Triad\/H&amp;H\u2019s locations sell and service the Freightliner and Western Star brands from 9 locations in northeastern Tennessee and North Carolina.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>VTC now consists of 53 locations across the US, including 11 body shops, and offering coast-to-coast coverage of commercial vehicle sales, service, parts, collision and fabrication services as well as equipment financing. VTC will bring its unparalleled customer focus, including two-hour Express Assessment, Elite Support Certification and equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance division, to Triad\/H&amp;H\u2019s markets in North Carolina and Tennessee.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>From Brad Fauvre and Conan Barker, Co-Presidents of VTC, \u201cWe are very pleased to increase our reach in the Southeast to be able to take care of our customers through North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, a natural extension to our existing mid-south locations in Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky. We want to thank Larry Tysinger for working with us to complete this transaction. Larry was one of the founding Freightliner dealers in 1978 and it has been an honor to work with him and take-up his mantle of leadership in the South. We have enjoyed getting to know his organization\u2019s over 400 employees as we welcome them into the VTC family, as we likewise welcome his customers with whom we look forward to carrying on his tradition of dedicated customer service.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Larry Tysinger added, \u201cI have enjoyed working with Brad and Conan who executed the deal quickly and exactly as we had agreed. I know that my customers and employees are in good hands, and I wouldn\u2019t feel comfortable unless I truly believed VTC would continue our legacy of absolute commitment to our employees and customers.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Truck Centers, a part of the Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), operates 53 commercial vehicle dealership locations in the US across California, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Alabama and Hawaii. VVG also operates 15 Daimler dealerships across Australia, as well as 4 locations in Baja Mexico. VTC provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full spectrum from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school buses, as well as aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VTC is an authorized dealer for the Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Sprinter, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, SportTruck, Renegade RV, Rosenbauer fire, Crane Carrier, Great Dane and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands. VVG also offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centers-completes-acquisition-triad-freightliner-group-companies-carolina-freightliner-and-hh-freightliner","meta_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF TRIAD FREIGHTLINER GROUP OF COMPANIES, CAROLINA FREIGHTLINER AND H&H FREIGHTLINER","meta_description":"Velocity Truck Centers (VTC) is pleased to announce that the company has expanded further into the Southeast with the acquisition of the Triad Freightliner, Triad Freightliner of Knoxville, West Carolina Freightliner, Carolina Freightliner and H&H Freight","meta_keywords":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERs, ACQUISITION,TRIAD FREIGHTLINER, CAROLINA FREIGHTLINER AND H&H FREIGHTLINER","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"05\/03\/2021"},{"id":23,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/VVG-logo.jpg","image_alt":"VVG logo","news_title":"VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP ACQUIRES GREAT WEST TRUCK CENTER OF KINGMAN, AZ","news_desc":"<p>Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG) is pleased to announce that the company has acquired Great West Truck Center in Kingman, Arizona. This will extend VVG\u2019s reach to the intersection of interstates 40 and 93, positioned midway between VVG\u2019s other locations in Flagstaff, Hesperia and Las Vegas, giving seamless service to VVG\u2019s customers in the Southwest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>From LaMont Wolsey of Great West, \u201cI am very proud of the organization that we have built here in Kingman! I know that our customers and employees will continue-on with great success under VVG. Great West will continue our endeavors in Commercial Tires and Heavy Towing, and I can\u2019t think of a better fit for our organization in terms of the focus on customers and employees that I see at VVG.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>From Brad Fauvre and Conan Barker, Co-Presidents of VVG, \u201cWe are excited to be able to add the Kingman location to our network in the Southwest. We want to thank LaMont for working together with us to acquire Great West Truck Center and we wish him the best in his future endeavors. We look forward to offering the high level of VVG support and service are customers expect in this critical interstate location.\u201d Adds Scott Zeppenfeldt, SVP of Operations for VVG, \u201cWe enthusiastically welcome the Great West employees to the VVG family, and we look forward to implementing our industry-leading processes to support our company\u2019s three pillars of Speed, Value and Trust as we expand our coverage to Kingman, AZ.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Vehicle Group operates over 30 commercial vehicle dealerships across the Southwest in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii, and the Southeast in Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama. VVG provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full range from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school busses, aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VVG is an authorized dealer for the Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Mitsubishi Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Sprinter, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, Crane Carrier and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands. VVG also offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP DIVISIONS INCLUDE:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u2022 Velocity Truck Centers \u2022 Crossroads Equipment Lease &amp; Finance \u2022 VelocitySBA \u2022 BusWest \u2022 SelecTrucks Los Angeles \u2022 SelecTrucks Phoenix \u2022 SelecTrucks Fontana &nbsp;\u2022 Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing \u2022 SportTruckRV \u2022 Velocity Fire Equipment &amp; Sales\r\n\t<br>\u2022 Velocity Truck &amp; Trailer Parts \u2022 Miramar Truck Body and Equipment \u2022 Central California Truck &amp; Trailer Sales \u2022 Great Dane of So Cal\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>and now\u2026 Velocity Truck Centers - Kingman, Arizona.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>For more information contact:\r\n\t<br>Ardis Jones\r\n\t<br>Office of the President\r\n\t<br>Velocity Vehicle Group\r\n\t<br>(562) 447-1200<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.VelocityVehicleGroup.com\">www.VelocityVehicleGroup.com<\/a><\/p>","slug":"velocity-vehicle-group-acquires-great-west-truck-center-kingman-az","meta_title":"VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP ACQUIRES GREAT WEST TRUCK CENTER OF KINGMAN, AZ","meta_description":"Velocity Truck Centers is now in Kingman Arizona","meta_keywords":"VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP ACQUIRES GREAT WEST TRUCK CENTER OF KINGMAN, ARIZONA","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"04\/05\/2021"},{"id":22,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/neely12.jpg","image_alt":"Neely Coble","news_title":"Velocity Truck Centers acquires Neely Coble Company","news_desc":"<p>Velocity Truck Centers (VTC), the leading group of commercial vehicle dealerships in the Southwest, is pleased to announce that the company has expanded into the Southeast with the acquisition of Neely Coble Company, Inc. This acquisition extends VTC\u2019s reach from California, Arizona, Hawaii and Nevada into central Tennessee, northern Alabama and southern Kentucky. Neely Coble\u2019s primary locations sell and service the Freightliner, Western Star and Isuzu brands from locations in the Nashville, TN, Huntsville\/Decatur AL, and Bowling Green KY metropolitan areas.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>With the addition of these locations VTC continues as one of the largest Freightliner and Western Star dealership groups in the country with more than 30 locations and over 1,800 employees. Existing operations and announced acquisitions generate in excess of $2 billion in worldwide annual revenue from commercial vehicle sales, service, parts, collision and fabrication centers, and equipment financing. VTC will bring its unparalleled customer focus, including two-hour Express Assessment, Elite Support Certification and equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance division, to markets in the Southeast.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>From Brad Fauvre, Co-President of VTC, \u201cWe are very excited to extend Velocity Truck Center\u2019s reach to the rapidly growing markets in the Southeast. We will now be able to take care of our customers operating in a broad area of the US from East to West. VTC is committed to providing exceptional support for our customers and a great place to work, and we know that the Neely Coble Company employees will help us to accomplish these goals.\u201d Adds Conan Barker, Co-President of VTC, \u201cWe want to thank Neely Coble III for working with us to complete this transaction, and we enthusiastically welcome Neely Coble IV and Edward Coble who will join our management team and ensure continuity of customer service as we navigate the transition. We could not be more pleased to have both of them as our partners going forward. In addition our whole management team looks forward to growing together with our new team members and Southeastern customers in the coming years.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Neely Coble III added \u201cWe feel very fortunate to join Velocity Truck Centers. Neely Coble Company was founded in 1951 by my grandfather and father and now we are in the fourth generation of Cobles. Personally, I could not be happier that my two sons, Neely and Edward, are continuing their careers with VTC and we welcome them to Nashville and the Southeast.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Truck Centers, a part of the Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), operates commercial vehicle dealerships across California, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii. VTC provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full spectrum from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school busses, as well as aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VTC is an authorized dealer for the Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Sprinter, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, SportTruck, Renegade RV, Rosenbauer fire, Crane Carrier and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands. VVG also offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity SBA and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centers-acquires-neely-coble-company","meta_title":"Velocity Truck Centers Velocity Truck Centers acquires Neely Coble Company","meta_description":"Velocity Truck Centers acquires Neely Coble Company in Alabama, Tennessee & Kentucky","meta_keywords":"Velocity Truck Centers, Neely Coble Company, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"03\/05\/2021"},{"id":21,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/eagersauto.png","image_alt":"EAGERS AUTOMOTIV","news_title":"EAGERS AUTOMOTIVE AGREES SALE OF DAIMLER TRUCK OPERATIONS AND MILPERRA PROPERTY FOR $108.0 MILLION","news_desc":"<p>Eagers Automotive Limited (ASX: APE) announces that it has executed a binding agreement for the sale of its Daimler truck business to Velocity Vehicle Group (\u201cVVG\u201d), a privately owned operator of commercial truck dealerships based in the United States. Eagers Automotive have also agreed commercial terms for the sale of the Milperra property, the location of the Stillwell Trucks operation, to VVG as part of the transaction.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>VVG is an integrated network of commercial truck dealerships throughout the Southwest region of the United States of America, operating 36 commercial truck dealership locations. VVG is one of the key global partners with Daimler Truck and Bus and provides customers with a complete line-up of commercial vehicles and services including leasing, rentals, equipment financing, parts, service, specialty fabrication and collision repairs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The Eagers Automotive Daimler truck business employs approximately 650 people at metropolitan and regional locations across Australia, including Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Eagers Automotive will continue to own and operate its existing Webster Truck and Isuzu Truck businesses, which are currently part of the automotive retail division. Following completion of the transaction, the Hino and Iveco operations will be incorporated into the automotive retail division, removing the requirement for a standalone National Trucks division.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>CEO and Managing Director Martin Ward said:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cThe divestment of our Daimler truck operations represents another key step in the ongoing simplification of our automotive retail business. VVG will be a great home for the Daimler truck business and offers an exciting future.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The transaction is subject to conditions precedent including approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), consents of landlords and counterparties to material contracts, and satisfactory environmental condition reports.\r\n\t<br>Transaction completion is anticipated in Q1 2021.\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>For further information please contact:\r\n\t<br>Martin Ward Managing Director 07 3608 7100\r\n\t<br>www.eagersautomotive.com.au<\/p>","slug":"eagers-automotive-agrees-sale-daimler-truck-operations-and-milperra-property-1080-million","meta_title":"EAGERS AUTOMOTIVE AGREES SALE OF DAIMLER TRUCK OPERATIONS AND MILPERRA PROPERTY FOR $108.0 MILLION","meta_description":"EAGERS AUTOMOTIVE AGREES SALE OF DAIMLER TRUCK OPERATIONS AND MILPERRA PROPERTY FOR $108.0 MILLION","meta_keywords":"EAGERS AUTOMOTIVE AGREES SALE OF DAIMLER TRUCK OPERATIONS AND MILPERRA PROPERTY FOR $108.0 MILLION","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"01\/16\/2021"},{"id":20,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/Brad-au-pic-678x381.jpg","image_alt":"VVG Australia","news_title":"DAIMLER MANAGEMENT WELCOMES VELOCITY PURCHASE OF EAGERS AUSTRALIAN DAIMLER DEALERSHIPS","news_desc":"<p>Daimler has confirmed that it is welcoming the announcement earlier &nbsp;today that &nbsp;leading US truck dealer, the Velocity Vehicle Group has &nbsp;agreed to purchase the Australian Daimler Truck dealerships currently &nbsp;owned by Australian automotive dealer behemoth, Eagers Automotive &nbsp;, &nbsp;pending completion of formal approval processes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>As mentioned in our earlier story &nbsp;on T&amp;B News &nbsp;which broke the &nbsp;news to the truck industry, Velocity Vehicle Group is one of the largest &nbsp;Daimler Trucks dealership networks proving its customer dedication &nbsp;across 36 dealership locations in major US markets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Daimler Truck and Bus president and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, thanked &nbsp;Eagers Automotive for its partnership during a time of growth for &nbsp;Daimler commercial vehicles.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe have achieved a lot together and I wish them all the best for the future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just like its US operation, Velocity Vehicle Group\u2019s Australian &nbsp;network will only sell and service commercial vehicles, with a firm &nbsp;focus on truck and bus customers and exclusively represent Daimler &nbsp;brands Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and Fuso.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Daniel Whitehead said he is excited that Velocity Vehicle Group will be supporting its brands in key markets across Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe are extremely pleased to work with a group that has such an &nbsp;incredible track record with Daimler Trucks in the United States which &nbsp;consistently delivers on a core commitment to commercial vehicle &nbsp;customers,\u201d he says.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cDaimler currently has the best and most advanced cab-over and &nbsp;conventional trucks in Australia, and they will now be sold and &nbsp;supported by a strengthened dealership network of equal calibre,\u201d Mr &nbsp;Whitehead adds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Co-presidents of Velocity Vehicle Group Brad Fauvre and Conan &nbsp;Barkersaid they were cited &nbsp;to have the Australian Daimler dealerships &nbsp;of Eagers added to &nbsp;VVG\u2019s portfolio.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe have seen the dedication of everyone at each dealership, and we &nbsp;know that together with their US VVG colleagues, we will be able to &nbsp;deliver world-class service to the Australian truck market. We look &nbsp;forward to getting to know every customer and employee as we execute on &nbsp;our mission of speed, value and trust for all of our Australian &nbsp;customers.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Daimler Truck and Bus Australia aftersales and network operations &nbsp;director, Greg Lovrich, said the significant investment of Velocity &nbsp;Vehicle Group represents a big step forward.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe have long admired the Velocity Vehicle Group as a shining example &nbsp;of a best-practice commercial vehicle dealership network in a market &nbsp;where Daimler is number one and excellent customer service is critical &nbsp;to doing business,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cVelocity Vehicle Group knows what it takes to provide the kind of &nbsp;service that truck and bus customers expect from Daimler and we are &nbsp;thrilled about the commitment it is making to the Australian market,\u201d &nbsp;Greg Lovrich added.<\/p>","slug":"daimler-management-welcomes-velocity-purchase-eagers-australian-daimler-dealerships","meta_title":"DAIMLER MANAGEMENT WELCOMES VELOCITY PURCHASE OF EAGERS AUSTRALIAN DAIMLER DEALERSHIPS","meta_description":"VVG expands to Australian truck market","meta_keywords":"DAIMLER MANAGEMENT WELCOMES VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP PURCHASE OF EAGERS AUSTRALIAN DAIMLER DEALERSHIPS","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"01\/13\/2021"},{"id":24,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/181500237_2994816097418446_1396520653556686872_n.jpg","image_alt":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTRES COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF EAGERS AUTOMOTIVE DAIMLER TRUCK BUSINESS","news_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTRES COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF EAGERS AUTOMOTIVE DAIMLER TRUCK BUSINESS","news_desc":"<p>Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG) is pleased to announce the completion of the previously announced transaction to acquire Eager Automotive Limited\u2019s (AX: APE) Daimler truck business. As of today, Velocity Vehicle Group will take-over all Daimler Truck and Bus sales and service dealerships operated by the Eagers Automotive group across Australia. This business employs approximately 650 people at metropolitan and regional locations across Australia, including Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Vehicle Group is one of the largest Daimler Trucks dealership networks in the United States, serving customer across more than 30 dealership locations in major US markets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just like its US operation, Velocity Vehicle Group\u2019s Australian network will only sell and service commercial vehicles, with a firm focus on the unique needs of truck and bus customers. It will also exclusively represent Daimler brands Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and Fuso.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>From Brad Fauvre and Conan Barker, Co-Presidents of VVG, \u201cwe are very pleased to reach today\u2019s milestone and to welcome the Australian Daimler Truck and Bus Dealerships of Eagers Automotive to the VVG Family. There is a lot of important work ahead of us to deliver on the vast potential that this team has to offer and to take on such an important footprint for Daimler in Australia. We want to thank Eagers for working together with us to acquire their Daimler trucks business and we wish them the best in their future endeavours\u201d.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cIn the US we are one of the largest Daimler Truck dealer groups, with a hard-earned reputation for doing everything we need to do to deliver Speed, Value and Trust for our customers every day. Our team has successfully integrated a number of dealer acquisitions into the VVG family, with great results, and we are confident we can do the same now in Australia. We know we welcome a dedicated team across our Australian dealerships, and we are sure that together with their US VVG colleagues and the dedicated management team in Australia, we will be able to deliver world-class service to the Australian truck market. We look forward to getting to know our Australian customers and employees as we execute on our mission of Speed, Value and Trust\u201d.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>From Richard Higgins, Executive Vice President VVG Australia, \u201cthe Velocity culture is marked by a real focus on continuous improvement, transparency and a willingness from everyone from top to bottom to pitch-in to help each other and drive great results for customers. The VVG culture and values fit well with what Australian customers expect and how Australians like to work. I am excited for the team in Australia to become a part of VVG because together we can each be better operators on our respective sides of the Pacific\u201d.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Daimler Truck and Bus President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, thanked Eagers Automotive for its partnership during a time of growth for Daimler commercial vehicles.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe have achieved a lot together and I wish them all the best for the future,\u201d he says.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mr Whitehead says he is excited that Velocity Vehicle Group will be supporting its brands in key markets across Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe are extremely pleased to work with a group that has such an incredible track record with Daimler Trucks in the United States which consistently delivers on a core commitment to commercial vehicle customers,\u201d he says.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cDaimler currently has the best and most advanced cab-over and conventional trucks in Australia, and they will now be sold and supported by a strengthened dealership network of equal calibre,\u201d Mr Whitehead adds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Aftersales and Network Operations Director, Greg Lovrich, says the significant investment of Velocity Vehicle Group represents a big step forward.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe have long admired the Velocity Vehicle Group as a shining example of a best-practice commercial vehicle dealership network in a market where Daimler is number one and excellent customer service is critical to doing business,\u201d he says.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cVelocity Vehicle Group knows what it takes to provide the kind of service that truck and bus customers expect from Daimler and we are thrilled about the commitment it is making to the Australian market,\u201d Mr Lovrich adds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>ENDS<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centres-completes-acquisition-eagers-automotive-daimler-truck-business","meta_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTRES COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF EAGERS AUTOMOTIVE DAIMLER TRUCK BUSINESS","meta_description":"Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG) is pleased to announce the completion of the previously announced transaction to acquire Eager Automotive Limited\u2019s (AX: APE) Daimler truck business. As of today, Velocity Vehicle Group will take-over all Daimler Truck and Bus","meta_keywords":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTRES COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF EAGERS AUTOMOTIVE DAIMLER TRUCK BUSINESS","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"12\/14\/2020"},{"id":18,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/elec.jpg","image_alt":"Electric Freightliner Truck Velocity","news_title":"Southern California Edison Begins Testing of Battery-Electric Freightliner eCascadia","news_desc":"<p><strong>Portland, Ore. \u2013 Nov. 16, 2020&nbsp;<\/strong>\u2013 Southern California Edison &nbsp;(SCE), the primary electricity supply company for much of southern &nbsp;California, recently welcomed a Freightliner eCascadia from the &nbsp;Freightliner Customer Experience (CX) Fleet to begin a three-month &nbsp;testing trial of the battery-electric Class 8 truck.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cSCE\u2019s testing of the eCascadia is a major step down the path of &nbsp;achieving our company\u2019s fleet electrification goals,\u201d said SCE principal &nbsp;manager of Fleet Asset Management Todd Carlson, who manages the &nbsp;company\u2019s fleet of more than 6,200 vehicles.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>SCE is the first utility to test an electric truck from Freightliner &nbsp;and will use the eCascadia for material transport, moving heavy &nbsp;equipment like transformers, wire reels and switch gears from an &nbsp;Irwindale, California warehouse to SCE service centers and storage &nbsp;yards. SCE\u2019s parent company, Edison International, recently published &nbsp;the 2030 goal to electrify 30 percent of their medium-duty vehicles and &nbsp;pickup trucks and eight percent of their heavy-duty trucks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Freightliner\u2019s CX Fleet is partially supported by a partnership &nbsp;between Daimler Trucks North America and the South Coast Air Quality &nbsp;Management District (South Coast AQMD) which focuses on improving air &nbsp;quality in large portions of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and &nbsp;San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cProjects like Freightliner\u2019s CX Fleet are helping to demonstrate the &nbsp;viability of all-electric heavy-duty trucks and showing companies that &nbsp;zero-emission options will soon be here to meet their truck replacement &nbsp;needs,\u201d said Wayne Nastri, South Coast AQMD\u2019s Executive Officer. \u201cThese &nbsp;demonstrator fleets are a critical step for transitioning trucks to &nbsp;cleaner technologies and helping us to achieve our clean air goals for &nbsp;the South Coast Basin.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>When it enters series production in 2022, the eCascadia will be sold &nbsp;by Freightliner dealers like Velocity Truck Centers who operate seven &nbsp;new truck dealers in Southern California and support the Freightliner CX &nbsp;Fleet by providing vehicle service and fleet management.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cThe future of zero-emission trucks is approaching quickly and &nbsp;Velocity is proud to lead the charge, along with our great customers, &nbsp;and our partners at Freightliner and Daimler Trucks North America,\u201d said &nbsp;Scott Zeppenfeldt, senior vice president of operations, Velocity Truck &nbsp;Centers. \u201cWhile there are a lot of unknowns in transitioning to an &nbsp;electric fleet, supporting our customers in these types of projects are &nbsp;an integral step to starting the journey.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Freightliner\u2019s CX Fleet is comprised of eight early series &nbsp;development trucks meant to test the integration of battery-electric &nbsp;vehicles into large-scale fleet operations. Feedback from Freightliner &nbsp;customers will help fine-tune final driving parameters like battery &nbsp;management software. Early examples of customer-driven eCascadia design &nbsp;include charging port placement on the truck, human-machine interface &nbsp;(HMI) controls and more. To-date, a diverse array of commercial trucking &nbsp;fleets including the nation\u2019s largest for-hire fleets, grocery &nbsp;distributors, and less-than-load carriers have participated in the CX &nbsp;Fleet, with more customers participating in advance of series &nbsp;production.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s critical that we collaborate with customers across multiple &nbsp;segments to further our understanding of how commercial battery-electric &nbsp;trucks will be part of a long-term solution in CO\u2082-neutral &nbsp;transportation,\u201d said Richard Howard, senior vice president, on-highway &nbsp;sales and marketing, Daimler Trucks North America. \u201cOur customers &nbsp;provide important, continuous feedback that contributes to our ongoing &nbsp;design and purposeful innovation of these trucks, and together we will &nbsp;lead the future.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>About Freightliner Trucks<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Freightliner Trucks is a division of Daimler Trucks North America &nbsp;LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and is the leading heavy-duty &nbsp;truck manufacturer in North America. Daimler Trucks North America &nbsp;produces and markets Class 5\u20138 trucks and is a Daimler company, the &nbsp;world\u2019s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer. More information is &nbsp;available at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.Freightliner.com\" target=\"_blank\">www.Freightliner.com<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>About Velocity Vehicle Group<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>We can help you with any aspect of the commercial truck &nbsp;industry. From sales to free grant advice, our goal is to be the one &nbsp;stop shop experts for all truckers, owner operators, fleets &amp; &nbsp;companies alike. If you are in the Southwest of the US, you are in &nbsp;Velocity country and we will take care of you. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;Our company runs on the 3 pillars of Speed, Value and Trust.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp; <strong>Speed<\/strong> because we need to keep you on the &nbsp;road \u2013 we are focused on getting you in and out of our service shops as &nbsp;quickly as possible, delivering your parts as quickly as possible, and &nbsp;getting you the right truck when you need it.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp; <strong>Value<\/strong> because we have to be competitive to drive your profitability. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<strong>Trust<\/strong> because we want to be your partner &nbsp;for all of your commercial truck needs, acting with integrity and your &nbsp;best interests at heart. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>About South Coast AQMD<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>South Coast AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange &nbsp;County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside &nbsp;counties, including the Coachella Valley. For news, air quality alerts, &nbsp;event updates and more, please visit www.aqmd.gov, download the &nbsp;award-winning <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aqmd.gov\/nav\/online-services\/smartphone\" target=\"_blank\">app<\/a>, or follow @SouthCoastAQMD on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/southcoastaqmd\/\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SouthCoastAQMD\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/southcoastaqmd\/\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>","slug":"southern-california-edison-begins-testing-battery-electric-freightliner-ecascadia","meta_title":"Electric Freightliner Truck Velocity Vehicle Group","meta_description":"","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"11\/16\/2020"},{"id":17,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/news\/logo---2020.jpg","image_alt":"selectrucksphoenix","news_title":"SelecTrucks Opens New Center in Phoenix","news_desc":"<p><strong>FORT MILL, S.C. \u2013 June 1, 2020 \u2013&nbsp;<\/strong>SelecTrucks, one of the largest retailers of used trucks in North America, inaugurated today the 28<sup>th<\/sup> location in its steadily-growing network with the opening of SelecTrucks of Phoenix.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Like all SelecTrucks Centers, the Phoenix location offers a wide selection of used trucks, industry-leading, comprehensive warranty packages, flexible financing terms and business support. SelecTrucks Centers are staffed by knowledgeable advisors dedicated to helping customers find the right pre-owned trucks for their business.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>SelecTrucks of Phoenix is a member of the Velocity Truck Center family of dealerships. Velocity proudly operates on three principles of speed, value, and trust - speed&nbsp;to keep customers on the road, value&nbsp;to be competitive and drive customer profitability, and trust&nbsp;to be a customer partner in all commercial truck needs, acting with integrity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cOur sales team at Velocity has been serving truck customers in the Southwest for 50 plus years. We bring customer-focused problem solving to their transportation needs. &nbsp; Our team at SelecTrucks believes in delivering unparalleled service, value and support to our customers and I\u2019m very excited to open the newest store in Phoenix,\u201d said Warren Auwae, vice president of Used Trucks at the Velocity Group.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe greatly value Velocity\u2019s longstanding partnership along with their unwavering commitment to customer service and we are thrilled to introduce them as the newest SelecTrucks location in Phoenix,\u201d added Mary Aufdemberg, president and general manager of Daimler Trucks Remarketing. \u201cAll of our SelecTrucks locations and teams share a passion for helping owner-operators and fleet managers alike and treat their customers as their first and only priority.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>SelecTrucks of Phoenix is located at 9899 W. Roosevelt St. Tolleson, AZ 85353 and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday by appointment only. &nbsp;\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>New website coming soon. For all used trucks for sale, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/inventory\/used-trucks\">https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/inventory\/used-trucks<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>","slug":"selectrucks-opens-new-center-phoenix","meta_title":"SelecTrucks of Phoenix","meta_description":"SelecTrucks of Phoenix, Used Trucks Dealership 9899 W. Roosevelt St. Tolleson, AZ 85353","meta_keywords":"SelecTrucks of Phoenix, Used Trucks, Dealership, 9899 W. Roosevelt St. Tolleson, AZ 85353","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"06\/01\/2020"},{"id":16,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/greatdane-logo.png","image_alt":"Southern California Great Dane","news_title":"Great Dane Announces Dealer Partnership with Velocity Vehicle Group","news_desc":"<p>(Savannah, Georgia \u2013 May 5, 2020) \u2013 Great Dane announced today that Velocity Vehicle Group has partnered with the company as a full-service Great Dane dealer. Velocity will sell and service Great Dane flatbed, dry freight, and refrigerated van trailers and truck bodies at its location in Fontana, California, under the name Southern California Great Dane.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe are very pleased to welcome Velocity to the Great Dane dealer community,\u201d said Rob Ulsh, Great Dane\u2019s Vice President of Dealer and International Sales. \u201cVelocity has established a large and successful presence across the Southwestern United States by providing efficient, high-quality services that its customers can depend on. We are looking forward to having Velocity join our team and continuing to grow our success together.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Vehicle Group is a privately-owned group of companies that are experts in the commercial vehicle industry in the Southwest. In addition to commercial vehicle sales, Velocity offers full-service leases, equipment financing, and SBA lending through its various subsidiaries. The company\u2019s mission is to provide the premier global vehicle brands, with a local handshake, and to be the one-stop-shop experts for all truckers, owner-operators, fleets, and private companies alike.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cVVG is excited to add Great Dane, the premier line of trailers, to support our customers. This will allow VVG to provide a complete product offering of trucks and now Great Dane trailers, coupled with financing, maintenance, and repair, across our locations in Southern California. We could not be more proud to join the Great Dane team and look forward to a long and productive future together,\u201d said Brad Fauvre and Conan Barker, Co-Presidents of Velocity Vehicle Group.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Great Dane has an extensive network of branches, dealers, and independent distributors stretching across North and South America. Through this vast network, the company is able to provide its customers with the premium products and services they expect from Great Dane, when and where they need them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>For more information about Velocity, visit www.velocityvehiclegroup.com or call 562-447-1203.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>About Great Dane<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Great Dane is the leading manufacturer of high-performance commercial transportation equipment, including dry and refrigerated trailers and truck bodies, as well as steel, aluminum and combo platform trailers. Great Dane has a storied history in the commercial trucking industry and is a driving force in trailer technology, innovation, quality and customer service. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and with additional corporate offices in Savannah, Georgia, Great Dane has 10 manufacturing plants strategically located throughout the United States. The company\u2019s network of corporate-owned branches, full-line independent dealers and parts-only independent distributors offers a broad range of distribution points for new and used trailers as well as aftermarket services across North and South America.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>","slug":"great-dane-announces-dealer-partnership-velocity-vehicle-group","meta_title":"Great Dane Announces Dealer Partnership with Velocity Vehicle Group","meta_description":"Great Dane Announces Dealer Partnership with Velocity Vehicle Group & Central California Truck & Trailers","meta_keywords":"Great Dane, Dealer, Partnership, Velocity Vehicle Group, Central California Truck & Trailers, Velocity, Truck Centers","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"05\/05\/2020"},{"id":15,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/vtrl-trucks.jpg","image_alt":"VTRL LOGO","news_title":"Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing Continues Flexible Options","news_desc":"<p><strong><em>Meeting Southern CA and Arizona equipment solutions during a crisis and into the new normal<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Fontana, CA, May 1, 2020\r\n\t<br>\r\n\t<br>Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing understands there will be a new normal for businesses during the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020. Freight rates plummeting, uncertainty in the economy rebounding and future fleet needs are weighing heavily on private fleets and fleet operators. The new normal is yet to be established, but Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing, serving the Southern California and Arizona marketplaces, is changing the way leasing companies attack the market. Looking at Velocity\u2019s portfolio of customers and contracts, flexible terms have been the life-blood of their business and not just a flash in the pan solution.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cCompanies are unsure what their models for transportation will look like in a month, six months or even well into the future\u201d states Jim Ross, Vice President of Sales at Velocity. \u201cThe traditional six and seven year leasing programs almost look archaic, especially since decisions aren\u2019t made with that extensive of a commitment.\u201d Ross continues, \u201cVelocity is no stranger to the short term, creative solution, even before this crisis began, we were offering extremely flexible options.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>While Velocity competes steadily against the large leasing companies in the industry, its ability to be agile in the market is where it truly shines. David Deon, President of Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing, has been through many different phases of the Leasing industry and says, \u201cThe transportation industry has been rapidly changing for years with advancements in safety features, in cab comfort and convenience, emissions requirements and alternative fuels. In order to help our customers be on the forefront we need to provide shorter term solutions to their current needs so they are not waiting for a 7-year lease to expire to play catch up.\u201d He added, \u201cas we come out of this pandemic and the new normal is established we can be certain companies will be looking for more flexibility from their partners.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity is continually reviewing many different term options for all different types of vehicles. The \u201cDon\u2019t compromise on the customer experience while offering market driven programs\u201d philosophy is making it easy for customers to use their business models to create programs and terms. \u201cThe customer wants us to understand their business and how this economy affects them every day\u201d, Ross adds. \u201cWe don\u2019t want programs that only fit our today or only drive our revenues, we want to create lasting partnerships with ultra-flexible programs, so we can grow together with our communities and business partners.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Headquartered in Fontana, CA, Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing is a division of Velocity Vehicle Group. As part of the VVG family, we are committed to providing the best service in the full service leasing and commercial truck\r\n\t<br>rental industry. A regional expert with national coverage, thanks to our special relationship with Nationalease.<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-rental-and-leasing-continues-flexible-options","meta_title":"Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing Continues Flexible Options","meta_description":"Fontana, CA, May 1, 2020: Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing understands there will be a new normal for businesses during the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020. Freight rates plummeting, uncertainty in the economy rebounding and future fleet needs are weighing","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"05\/01\/2020"},{"id":11,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/thousands-of-fleets-denied-registration-in-california.jpg","image_alt":"Thousands of fleets denied registration in California - VTC News","news_title":"Thousands of fleets denied registration in California","news_desc":"<p>In 2020, a formal standard will be enforced by the DMV where any 2004 &nbsp;model year or older model year diesel vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 &nbsp;pounds or less will be denied registration as of January 1. Heavier &nbsp;diesel vehicles with a 2000 model year engine or older will also be &nbsp;denied.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cIt is a perfect storm\u201d according to Matt Schrap, VP of Government &nbsp;Programs for Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance. \u201cHundreds of fleets &nbsp;have received letters in the mail telling them they can\u2019t register &nbsp;their truck, the main thing I hear from these folks is, \u2018I had no &nbsp;idea.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Currently, fleets are being prevented from registering vehicles that &nbsp;have been tagged by CARB for non-compliance. This is any heavy-duty &nbsp;diesel truck over 26,000 pounds GVWR that is not equipped with a diesel &nbsp;particulate matter (PM) control device from either Original Equipment &nbsp;Manufacturer (OEM) or an aftermarket provider.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>2008 through 2010 trucks equipped with 2007-2009 engines have factory &nbsp;installed PM Devices, these OEM equipped trucks are legal to operate in &nbsp;California until January 1, 2023 when the final standards kick in for &nbsp;the CARB On-Road Rule.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the interim, vehicles older than 2008 will have had to install an &nbsp;aftermarket PM device on any 1996-2006 engines to comply starting in &nbsp;2012. Vehicles with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less have had to turn &nbsp;over directly to 2010 model year engine standards which became available &nbsp;for purchase in the 2011 truck model year. (See Tables Below).<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/ww3.arb.ca.gov\/msprog\/truckstop\/tb\/truckbus.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img alt=\"Compliance Schedule\" data-entity-type=\"\" data-entity-uuid=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crlease.com\/sites\/default\/files\/articles\/2019-07\/complianceschedule.jpg\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dii\"><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/ww3.arb.ca.gov\/msprog\/truckstop\/tb\/truckbus.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img alt=\"Truck &amp; Bus Regulation Engine Requirements Timeline\" data-entity-type=\"\" data-entity-uuid=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crlease.com\/sites\/default\/files\/articles\/2019-07\/tbtimeline.jpg\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dii\"><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>For fleets that did not install the aftermarket devices for &nbsp;compliance are now having their registrations denied and are facing &nbsp;increased liability from audits performed by CARB for compliance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>According to the CARB enforcement settlement website it is not &nbsp;uncommon to see hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines tagged on a &nbsp;single fleet. Thousands of dollars in fines can be levied against a &nbsp;single vehicle for several separate rule violations. When fleets have &nbsp;multiple units that have been out of compliance for several years it can &nbsp;be devastating.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe have seen good companies left with very few options when it comes &nbsp;to CARB compliance. With the upcoming Registration ban, it is going to &nbsp;get ugly.\u201d Added Schrap who has been working with fleets on CARB &nbsp;compliance and rule development for close to 15 years. \u201cWe here at &nbsp;Crossroads and our Velocity Truck Center partners have done all we can &nbsp;to promote the varying opportunities for truck turnover incentives and &nbsp;government guaranteed financing, It\u2019s not all bad when it comes to the &nbsp;in-use rules.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>For those fleets who met the schedule for compliance through &nbsp;retrofitting or the purchase later model year trucks, grants and &nbsp;incentives have helped propel many companies well past the compliance &nbsp;dates. Program such as Proposition 1B and the Carl Moyer Program have &nbsp;replaced thousands of older diesel vehicles with new, clean diesel and &nbsp;alternative fuel platforms.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>With the final set of standards drawing closer, fleets have been &nbsp;searching for specific direction in how to navigate the CARB &nbsp;requirements. Companies like Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance, the &nbsp;top lender in the On-Road Heavy Duty Vehicle Loan program administered &nbsp;by the state treasurer\u2019s office, have invested in resources to help &nbsp;fleets achieve compliance or interface with CARB though any pending &nbsp;enforcement actions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>A list of participating on-road loan program lenders is available &nbsp;from CARB, but the agency does not provide any endorsements or &nbsp;recommended pathways for compliance assistance. According to Schrap, &nbsp;\u201cThe state can\u2019t give a gold star to their lending partners or the &nbsp;\u201cconsultants\u201d who claim CARB expertise. However, our record speaks for &nbsp;itself, with close to a quarter of all enrolled loans having been &nbsp;originated and enrolled by Crossroads since the program\u2019s inception, &nbsp;along with the millions in incentive funds we have secured, I\u2019d say the &nbsp;choice is obvious, and when you speak to one of our team members, you &nbsp;will know why.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>When asked for any final thoughts on the upcoming standards, Schrap &nbsp;simply added, \u201cAll of the standards and programs and acronyms can be &nbsp;very confusing, Crossroads is here to help\u201d.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>For more information on the on-road loan program, or upcoming CARB standards, visit www.cafleets.com. &nbsp;To learn more about Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance, or to speak to Mr. Schrap or one of the team members about your fleet, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crlease.com\/\">www.crlease.com<\/a> or call 877-594-2880.<\/p>","slug":"thousands-fleets-denied-registration-california","meta_title":"Thousands of fleets denied registration in California | VTC News","meta_description":"In 2020, a formal standard will be enforced by the DMV where any 2004  model year or older model year diesel vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000  pounds or less will be denied registration as of January 1. Heavier  diesel vehicles with a 2000 model year engine","meta_keywords":"commercial trucks, truck brands, freightliner,autocar, ford, mitsubishi fuso, hino truck, isuzu truck, ccc, fccc, renegade, velocity truck centers, vtc brands","og_image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/storage\/app\/media\/thousands-of-fleets-denied-registration-in-california.jpg","og_type":"website","meta_twitter_card":"summary_large_image","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/news\/thousands-fleets-denied-registration-california","news_date":"01\/08\/2020"},{"id":13,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/cctts.png","image_alt":"Central California Truck and Trailer Sales.","news_title":"VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS ACQUIRES CENTRAL CALIFORNIA TRUCK AND TRAILER SALES","news_desc":"<p>January 1, 2020<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>PRESS RELEASE<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Truck Centers (VTC), the leading group of commercial vehicle dealerships in the Southwest, is pleased to announce that the company has acquired Central California Truck and Trailer Sales, Inc. (CCTTS), the leading independent used-truck and new\/used trailer retailer in California. Warren Auwae, CCTTS\u2019s founder, has joined VTC and will be responsible for the combined trailer and used truck operations of CCTTS and VTC.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>With the combination of CCTTS\u2019 6 locations in California and VTC\u2019s 9 locations, the group will becomes one of the largest volume retailers of used trucks in the west with 15 total locations across California, Arizona and Nevada. CCTTS also brings expertise in new and used trailer sales to the VTC family. In addition CCTTS will now be able to offer financing through VTC\u2019s sister company, Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance, bringing many more options for the CCTTS customer base to acquire equipment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>From Brad Fauvre, Co-President of VTC, \u201cWe are very excited to welcome CCTTS to the Velocity family. Warren and his sales team are best-in-class in all metrics and will bring additional skills and perspective to the Velocity network. We are especially excited to have Warren\u2019s entrepreneurial drive and depth of experience in truck and trailer sales as an addition to our senior management team.\u201d Adds Conan Barker, Co-President of VTC, \u201cWe want to enthusiastically welcome the CCTTS employees into our organization. The CCTTS brand will remain in the marketplace strengthened by the VTC network, and we look forward to growing together with our new team members and customers in the coming years.\u201d From Warren Auwae, \u201cWe feel like we found the perfect home for our employees and customers. &nbsp;We are excited for the opportunity and see real growth potential with the combined forces.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Velocity Truck Centers, a part of the Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), operates commercial vehicle dealerships across California, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii. VTC provides new &amp; used commercial vehicle sales, including the full spectrum from pickup trucks to delivery vans to 18-wheelers and school busses, as well as aftermarket parts and service support, along with a multitude of other vehicle-related services. VTC is an authorized dealer for the Freightliner, Western Star, Autocar, Ford, Fuso, Thomas Built Buses, Isuzu, Hino Trucks, SportTruck, Renegade RV, Rosenbauer fire, Crane Carrier and Freightliner Custom Chassis vehicle brands. VVG also offers equipment financing through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance subsidiary, as well as small business and SBA loans through Velocity Small Business Solutions, and truck rental and leasing through Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP DIVISIONS INCLUDE:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u2022 Velocity Truck Centers \u2022 Crossroads Equipment Lease &amp; Finance \u2022 VelocitySBA \u2022 BusWest \u2022 SelecTrucks of L.A. \u2022 Velocity Truck Rental &amp; Leasing \u2022 SportTruckRV \u2022 Velocity Fire Equipment &amp; Sales \u2022 Velocity Truck &amp; Trailer Parts \u2022 Miramar Truck Body and Equipment<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>and now\u2026 Central California Truck and Trailer Sales.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>For more information contact:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ardis Jones\r\n\t<br>Office of the President\r\n\t<br>Velocity Vehicle Group\r\n\t<br>(562) 447-1200<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>www.VelocityVehicleGroup.com\r\n\t<br>www.VelocityTruckCenters.com\r\n\t<br>www.CRLease.com\r\n\t<br>www.VelocityTruckRentalandLeasing.com\r\n\t<br>www.BusWest.com\r\n\t<br>www.SportTruckRV.com\r\n\t<br>www.wtrucksales.net<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centers-acquires-central-california-truck-and-trailer-sales","meta_title":"VTC Acquires Central California Truck And Trailer Sales","meta_description":"Velocity Truck Centers Acquires Central California Truck And Trailer Sales. Velocity Truck Centers (VTC), the leading group of commercial vehicle dealerships in the Southwest.","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/storage\/app\/media\/cctts.png","og_type":"website","meta_twitter_card":"summary_large_image","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/news\/velocity-truck-centers-acquires-central-california-truck-and-trailer-sales","news_date":"01\/01\/2020"},{"id":14,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/velocity-vehicle-group-logo.png","image_alt":"COVID-19 & Trucking support from VVG","news_title":"COVID-19 & Trucking support from VVG","news_desc":"<p>Drivers, Owner operators, &amp; Valued Customers,<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>We are about to enter into uncharted times in modern history due to the Coronavirus pandemic. As we all know, trucks are the backbone of our logistics network. Ninety percent of what we consume is moved by a truck at some point!<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The Velocity Vehicle Group is committed to keeping you on the road. More importantly, we want to lend the full support of our 31 locations in California, Arizona, and Nevada to all drivers in this trying time. If you need a place to take a break, bathroom facilities, fresh water, parts and\/or service help, then please don't hesitate to call or stop in!<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>We value the job you\u2019re doing and the essential nature of keeping freight moving to those in need!<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>If there is anything we can do to help please let us know.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thank you and stay safe!<\/p>","slug":"covid-19-trucking-support-vvg","meta_title":"COVID-19 & Trucking support from VVG","meta_description":"COVID-19 & Trucking support from VVG","meta_keywords":"","og_image":"","og_type":"","meta_twitter_card":"","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"","news_date":"03\/16\/2019"},{"id":8,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/hvac-system-freightliner-cascadia-truck-models.jpg","image_alt":"HVAC System for New Freightliner Cascadia Truck Models | VTC News","news_title":"New Battery Powered HVAC System Now Available for New Freightliner Cascadia Truck Models","news_desc":"<p>A new Battery Powered HVAC system is now available as a factory-installed option for new Freightliner Cascadia\u00ae truck models. This system provides up to 10 hours of cooling or 34 hours of heating to the cab when parked.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Available on all new Cascadia sleeper sizes and bunk styles, the Battery Powered HVAC system reduces emissions by allowing drivers to maintain a comfortable temperature overnight in their cab without idling the engine. Increased airflow from a floor outlet further improves driver comfort, and the system is integrated with the truck\u2019s Optimized Idle feature for comfort in any extreme climate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>All system components are serviceable, and most can be reached without removing the cabinet where it is housed. For 60\u201d and 72\u201d sleepers, the new solid state electrical center of the Battery Powered HVAC system fits completely underneath the cab\u2019s wardrobe cabinet, freeing up space in the baggage compartment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The Battery Powered HVAC system has a dual evaporator design and the compressor only runs in parked mode \u2013 further enhancing reliability. The system is fully integrated with vehicle power management to preserve engine starting.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cThe new Cascadia is built to provide optimal comfort both on the job and off, and the Battery Powered HVAC system contributes to creating that ideal interior environment for the driver,\u201d said Kelly Gedert, director of product marketing for Freightliner Trucks and Detroit Components.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now available to order, the new Battery Powered HVAC system replaces the previously offered ParkSmart system.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>About Freightliner Trucks<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Freightliner Trucks is a division of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and is the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets Class 5\u20138 trucks and is a Daimler company, the world\u2019s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer.<\/p>","slug":"new-battery-powered-hvac-system-now-available-new-freightliner-cascadia-truck-models","meta_title":"New Battery Powered HVAC System Now Available for New Freightliner Cascadia Truck Models | VTC News","meta_description":"A new Battery Powered HVAC system is now available as a factory-installed option for new Freightliner Cascadia\u00ae truck models. This system provides up to 10 hours of cooling or 34 hours of heating to the cab when parked.","meta_keywords":"Freightliner Cascadia Truck Models, Freightliner Cascadia Truck, Commercial Trucks, Isuzu N-Series Trucks, Isuzu Trucks, commercial trucks, truck brands, freightliner,autocar, ford, mitsubishi fuso, hino truck, isuzu truck, ccc, fccc, renegade, velocity t","og_image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/storage\/app\/media\/hvac-system-freightliner-cascadia-truck-models.jpg","og_type":"website","meta_twitter_card":"summary_large_image","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/news\/new-battery-powered-hvac-system-now-available-new-freightliner-cascadia-truck-models","news_date":"07\/05\/2018"},{"id":6,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/VVG-logo.jpg","image_alt":"Velocity Vehicle Group Unites Dealerships Under Single Brand","news_title":"Velocity Vehicle Group Unites Dealerships Under Single Brand","news_desc":"<p><span>Commercial truck dealership group Velocity Vehicle Group has announced that all 19 of its truck dealerships will be rebranding under the Velocity Truck Centers name.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span>The dealerships were previously operating under different business names such as Freightliner of Los Angeles, LA Freightliner of Fontana, Freightliner of Arizona, San Diego Freightliner, as well as Silver State Truck and Trailer and High Desert Truck &amp; Trailer.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span>All 19 dealerships will now be united under a single brand and new logo, according to the company.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span>\"The new VTC logo design emerged from the intersection of three graphic elements that represent our guiding principles of speed, quality and trust coming together as the premier commercial dealership network in the Southwest,\" said Brad Fauvre, co-president of VVG.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span>VVG has decided that it was a pivotal time to align the company\u2019s vision with the right brand strategy that would preserve the integrity of the dealerships but use and grow the brand\u2019s equity while signaling change and reinforcing a commitment to innovation and dedication to the needs of their customers.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span>\u201cWe are very proud of our management team\u2019s discipline and commitment to excellence and are now more united than ever in our ongoing dedication to providing unparalleled customer service for our customers at whichever location they visit,\u201d said Conan Barker, co-president of VVG.<\/span><\/p>","slug":"velocity-vehicle-group-unites-dealerships-under-single-brand","meta_title":"Velocity Vehicle Group Unites Dealerships Under Single Brand | VTC News","meta_description":"Commercial truck dealership group Velocity Vehicle Group has announced that all 19 of its truck dealerships will be rebranding under the Velocity Truck Centers name.","meta_keywords":"Velocity Vehicle Group, Commercial truck dealership group, Commercial truck dealership, Velocity Truck Centers,","og_image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/storage\/app\/media\/velocity-truck-centers.jpg","og_type":"website","meta_twitter_card":"summary_large_image","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/news\/velocity-vehicle-group-unites-dealerships-under-single-brand","news_date":"05\/03\/2018"},{"id":4,"image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/s3\/media\/velocity-truck-centers-nevada-dealership.jpg","image_alt":"Velocity Truck Centers acquires Nevada dealership","news_title":"Velocity Truck Centers acquires Nevada dealership","news_desc":"<p>Velocity Truck Centers (VTC) announced Tuesday its acquisition of Sierra Freightliner Sterling Western Star, Inc., in Sparks, Nev.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>This acquisition extends VTC\u2019s reach in Nevada and complements its current positioning in the southern part of the state, as well as California, Arizona and Hawaii. VTC will offer Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) products at the Sparks location, providing seamless service for Freightliner, Western Star, Detroit Diesel, Thomas Bus and the group\u2019s other brands.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>VTC says this acquisition also helps the company become one of the largest Freightliner and Western Star dealership groups in the country, with 25 locations, over 1,500 employees and $1 billion in annual revenue. VTC brings its unparalleled customer focus, including two-hour Express Assessment and Elite Support Certification, to northern Nevada. Customers also will have access to equipment financing through VTC\u2019s Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance division, the company says.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe are very excited to extend Velocity Truck Center\u2019s reach to the entire state of Nevada. We will now be able to take care of our customers throughout the Southwest, including the rapidly growing Reno market area. VTC is committed to providing exceptional support for our customers and a great place to work, and we know that the Sparks employees will help us accomplish these goals,\u201d says Brad Fauvre, co-president of VTC.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe want to thank Chris Fleming and the Sierra team for working with us to complete this acquisition quickly and efficiently,\u201d adds Conan Barker, co-president of VTC. \u201cWe enthusiastically welcome the Sparks employees into our organization. Our management team did an excellent job in making all this happen, and we look forward to growing together with our new team members and northern Nevada customers in the coming years.\u201d<\/p>","slug":"velocity-truck-centers-acquires-Nevada-dealership","meta_title":"Velocity Truck Centers acquires Nevada dealership | VTC News","meta_description":"VTC\u2019s reach in Nevada and complements its current positioning in the southern part of the state, as well as California, Arizona and Hawaii. VTC providing seamless service for Freightliner, Western Star, Detroit Diesel, Thomas Bus and other brands.","meta_keywords":"Commercial Trucks, Isuzu N-Series Trucks, Isuzu Trucks, commercial trucks, truck brands, freightliner,autocar, ford, mitsubishi fuso, hino truck, isuzu truck, ccc, fccc, renegade, velocity truck centers, vtc brands","og_image":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/storage\/app\/media\/velocity-truck-centers-nevada-dealership.jpg","og_type":"website","meta_twitter_card":"summary_large_image","meta_twitter_creator":"","canonical_url":"https:\/\/www.velocitytruckcenters.com\/news\/velocity-truck-centers-acquires-Nevada-dealership","news_date":"04\/12\/2018"}]