Trucking Business News

About Business News...

Transport Topics business coverage focuses on the financial, economic, and commercial aspects of the modern freight business. Looking at both the microeconomic and macroeconomic forces shaping bottom lines, the news in this category includes labor news, jobs reports, tonnage and sales indicators, operations analysis, money and banking, mergers, acquisitions, e-commerce, bankruptcy, insurance issues, and more.

Business, Government, Safety

House Bill Would Give Tax Credit for APUs

A bill introduced in the House of Representatives would provide up to $3,000 in tax credit for fleets to purchase auxiliary power units.

August 3, 2009
Government, Business

Construction Spending Increases 0.3%

Construction spending rose 0.3% in June, the Commerce Department said Monday.

August 3, 2009
Business, Fuel, Government

SmartWay Helps Fleets Quantify Savings of Emissions, Fuel

The SmartWay Transport Partnership is giving shipper-owned fleets a way to showcase their commitment to energy efficiency and cleaner air.

August 3, 2009
Letters to the Editor, Business, Safety, Government

Letters: Reregulation (cont.), Climate Change

I differ from the “Reregulation, Please” letter writer’s view that small carriers are offering transport service prices that are too cheap. Yes, there are some shoestring trucking operations hauling for very low freight rates, but there also are large carriers doing the same.

August 3, 2009
Editorial, Business, Safety, Government, Equipment

Stopping Short

There were no surprises in the new federal rule designed to improve the braking power of a standard, fully loaded, tractor-trailer by almost one-third.

August 3, 2009
Business, Safety

Texting Top Driver Distraction, New Va. Tech Study Finds

Truckers who text from the driver’s seat are about 23 times more likely to have a crash, or at least a close encounter, than are drivers who are watching the road, according to a Virginia university study for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

August 3, 2009
Business, Government, Safety, Fuel, Equipment, Logistics, Technology

Rule Won’t Require Overhaul of Braking Systems, Experts Say

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s decision to cut the maximum allowed stopping distance for large trucks by 30% will increase truck buyers’ costs somewhat, but will not force a widespread shift to new technology such as air disc brakes, industry groups and manufacturers said.

August 3, 2009
Business, Safety

Plunge in Intermodal Business Dampens Freight Railroads’ Earnings for 2nd Quarter

A sharp drop in intermodal business helped to drag down second-quarter earnings for the largest North American railroads.

August 3, 2009
Business, Government, Safety

Navistar Says 2010 Models Up $6,000-$8,000

Navistar Inc.’s 2010-compliant engines will sell for $6,000 to $8,000 more than its previous generation of engines, the company said last week.

August 3, 2009
Business, Safety, Government

June Truck Tonnage Drops 13.6%

American Trucking Associations’ tonnage index declined 13.6% in June from year-ago levels, the biggest such decline since early 1996.

August 3, 2009