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.
Court Dismisses ATA’s Lawsuit Against Rhode Island Truck Tolls
A federal judge has dismissed the trucking industry’s lawsuit against Rhode Island for its trucks-only tolling system.
Rail Closures Disrupt Livestock Feed Supplies for California Farms
Some farms, dairies and feed companies in the San Joaquin Valley of California are facing shortages of livestock feed supplies after deadly river flooding in the Midwest closed major railroad shipping corridors in recent days.
February Tonnage Up 5.4%
American Trucking Associations’ seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index in February was 117.4, a gain of 5.4% from the same period a year ago.
Chattanooga VW Will Source EV Batteries From New Georgia Factory
Volkswagen’s Chattanooga, Tenn., electric vehicle assembly plant will use batteries produced at a $1.67 billion factory in Georgia.
Opinion: Ensuring Quality of Diesel Exhaust Fluid Can Help Keep Trucks Running Smoothly
Fleet managers and truck drivers both need to understand that the quality of the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) going into their vehicles is as important as the quality of the engine oils or fuels used in their vehicles.
TMC Takes Stock of Latest Developments in Automated Driving, Platooning
ATLANTA — Representatives from self-driving truck startups TuSimple and Embark and truck platooning firm Peloton Technology continued the industry’s conversation about the emergence of automated trucking at American Trucking Associations’ 2019 Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting.
America’s Farmers Call for Help as Debts Climb to 1980s Levels
The worst agricultural downturn since the 1980s is taking its toll on the emotional well-being of American farmers. In Kentucky, Montana and Florida, operators at Farm Aid’s hotline have seen a doubling of contacts for everything from financial counseling to crisis assistance.
Wabash Commercial Trailer Segment Uses Technology and Dealers to Remain Vital
ATLANTA — Wabash National Corp. is diversifying from the dry van business, a recent Investors Day presentation made clear. But at the same time, the company’s commercial trailer products segment is gaining dealers and pushing ahead with new designs.
Lyft Gets First Buy Rating Ahead of IPO Amid Market Share Gains
Lyft Inc. received an encouraging sign from Wall Street March 20, winning its first buy rating more than a week before shares start trading.
BMW Pushes on With UK-Made Electric Minis as Brexit Looms
BMW AG will start production of an electric Mini model in the U.K. later this year even as carmakers grapple with the implications of the latest twist to Britain’s exit from the European Union.