Ryder System Inc. is expanding its North American rental fleet. The company said it is adding 6,700 new trucks, tractors, trailers and vans to meet accelerating demand for capacity. The purchases, which covers multiple classes of equipment, including refrigerated units, will replace older-model vehicles that are being retired. Last year, Ruder added 4,900 vehicles to its fleet, in anticipation of fresh demand spurred by economic recovery. With the purchases, more than 40 percent of Ryder's rental fleet of nearly 30,000 units will consist of vehicles with a model year of 2010 or later. Ryder said it canvassed its customer base to determine the size of the orders. The addition of new refrigerated equipment will help customers to comply with recent Food Safety Modernization legislation, to be enforced by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Ryder said it has already begun integrating the new equipment into its fleet, and will continue to roll out new vehicles through April of 2011. Retired units will become part of the company's used vehicle inventory.

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