Business
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.
Canadian Oil Prices Bounce Back From One-Year Low
Canadian crude rebounded from a one-year low after inventories fell and Alberta’s premier pledged to defend prices.
Tailgate Problems Prompt Ford F-150 Recall in Canada, but not US
Ford is recalling its popular F-150 pickup truck in Canada to fix a problem with electric tailgate latches, but identical trucks aren’t being recalled in the U.S.
Ford’s Lincoln Partners With Rivian for First Electric Model
Lincoln is building its first fully electric vehicle with Rivian Automotive Inc., the battery-powered truck and SUV maker Ford Motor Co. backed with a $500 million investment last year.
US Grounds Chinese-Made Drones, Citing Security Fears
The Interior Department is banning nonemergency flights of its fleet of 810 drones as it reviews national security concerns about the Chinese-made devices.
Trump Signs USMCA Agreement Into Law
President Donald Trump on Jan. 29 signed into law a major rewrite of the rules of trade with Canada and Mexico that he said replaces the “nightmare” of a Clinton-era agreement and will keep jobs, wealth and growth in America.
Senator, USDOT Officials Highlight Rural Transportation Needs
The next set of guidelines Congress approves for the country’s highway programs must improve roadways across rural corridors, Nebraska Republican Sen. Deb Fischer said during a Commerce Committee hearing Jan. 28.
Fleets Manage Parts in Multiple Ways
GRAPEVINE, Texas — Fleets have found various ways to handle the need for parts: expanding inventory levels, not substituting cheaper but less reliable ones for critical parts, doing some warranty work themselves, keeping the average age of trucks low or turning to electric trucks.
Eaton, Meritor Expand Aftermarket Parts Approaches
GRAPEVINE, Texas — Tier 1 commercial vehicle suppliers Eaton and Meritor Inc. presented their latest approaches to serving customers in the aftermarket.
FMCSA Announces Two-Year Delay of Its Entry Level Driver Training Rule
The so-called Entry Level Driver Training rule — originally set to go into effect Feb. 7 — is delayed until Feb. 7, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced Jan. 29 in an interim final rule.
Longshore Union, Which Handles West Coast Containers, Could Face Bankruptcy
The union that handles every shipping container that crosses West Coast docks is bracing for bankruptcy. It’s a rare prospect for a bargaining group, and it’s rattling organized labor nationally.