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.
Maxion, Denso, Webb Wheel, Eaton, Meritor Unveil New Products at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Show
Maxion, Denso, Webb Wheel, Eaton and Meritor were among the companies that introduced new products or expanded product lines during the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week trade show that wrapped up Jan. 26 in Las Vegas.
January 27, 2017Detecting a Problem
Fleets that have adopted the latest in active safety technologies, such as adaptive cruise and electronic stability control and, most recently, collision mitigation, report that there is little additional maintenance associated with these complex electronic systems on trucks.
Materials and Design Changes Shed Weight From Class 8 Tractors
Equipment and component manufacturers are using new designs and materials such as aluminum to remove weight from Class 8 tractors, which helps fleets increase payload and maximize fuel efficiency.
Truck Dealers Talk Challenges in Service, Uptime
While it’s no secret trucking fleets have been frustrated in recent years when it comes to getting problems with their rigs diagnosed and repaired in a timely manner, truck dealers say they are working harder than ever to improve service and uptime for their customers. But, they say, fleets need to step up to the plate as well.
New Era in Aftermarket Under Way
Outside of brakes and oil changes, service in the aftermarket has largely operated as “fix as fail,” but that era is fading. Instead, more trucks have connected components and telematics, which means preventive maintenance is becoming the new norm. That is pushing the aftermarket to know when a truck is coming in, what part it needs and to get it to the service provider at the right time and right price, industry experts said.
Trailer Makers’ Brave New World
In less than 12 months, motor carriers are scheduled to encounter their first experiences with trailers designed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and increase fuel efficiency. The latest federal government mandate to clean the air imposes standards for the first time on semi-trailers, creating what many consider to be a brave new world for trailer makers and suppliers of aerodynamic devices.
Solar Power’s Future Looks Bright
Many fleets are interested in harnessing free power from the sun to support ever-increasing electrical needs. However, successfully implementing solar power technology on today’s commercial vehicles requires careful planning and having the right application in mind.
Columbia Basin College Trucking Into the Future With $100,000 Truck Driving Simulator
“Loading the virtual world,” Bud Stephens said as he fired up Columbia Basin College’s newest tool to train future truck drivers.
A Brave New Trucking World — Again?
This issue of Equipment & Maintenance Update marks the first of 2017, which could be a year of change for the United States and quite possibly for trucking.
Eno Center President: States ‘Not Waiting for Washington to Act’ on Infrastructure
States will continue to adopt funding programs meant to pay for big-ticket infrastructure projects amid federal inaction on a long-term plan, the chief of the Eno Center for Transportation said Jan. 27.