Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Fleet managers from around the nation applied fuel-saving techniques to improve their mileage 33.6 percent to 40.5 percent during a Fuel Economy Challenge conducted by Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA).

The three-day event, a combination seminar and hands-on driving experience, was staged on a former runway at the El Toro Marine Air Base in California. Isuzu has conducted Fuel Economy Challenges around the world for several years. This is the first time the event has been held in America.

Areas covered in the seminar included vehicle running resistance, fuel-efficient driving techniques, exhaust brake usage, minimizing idle time, route scheduling, and vehicle maintenance. After driving 2008 Isuzu low cab forward trucks on a special course, the managers attended a training session and then drove the same course again, using the techniques to reduce their fuel usage.

Many of the attendees said they plan to start fuel economy programs based around training and incentives to motivate good driving habits that can help minimize operating expenses.

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