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.
US in Preliminary Finding Says China Truck Tires Subsidized
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Commerce Department has made a preliminary finding that bus and truck tires from China received countervailable, or offset, government subsidies from China ranging from 17.06% to 23.38%.
Jobless Claims Increased by 10,000 Last Week to 268,000
The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits during the week ended June 25 rose to a level that’s still consistent with steady improvement in the labor market.
Congestion ‘Increasingly Problematic’ for Trucking, ATA Chairman Says
WASHINGTON — Traffic congestion must be alleviated nationwide, or it will remain a detriment to the trucking industry as demand for transporting freight increases in the coming decades, the chairman of American Trucking Associations said.
Have a Nuclear Option for Amazon, Former FedEx Exec Says
A former top logistics executive at FedEx believes Amazon is not ready to take on the parcel and freight carrier yet, but suggests FedEx should have an action plan ready for a prolonged battle over on-demand logistics in the near future.
Volvo Touts New Crawler-Gear Option for Off-Road Trucks
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. — Managers of Volvo Trucks North America talked up the improved fuel efficiency and increased driver productivity of their new crawler-gear option on the I-Shift automated manual transmission designed for applications where very slow speeds are used.
Two New Parking-Related Apps Offered to Help Drivers Find Spaces
Drivers are gaining two new options in the ongoing struggle to find a place to park during rest periods.
June 29, 2016California’s VMT Program Gets Going as Oregon’s Reaches 1-Year Mark
As Oregon’s vehicle mile tax pilot program hits the one-year mark on July 1, California’s nine-month program, which unlike Oregon’s includes commercial vehicles, is just beginning.
Trucking Industry Invests $9.5 Billion in Safety, ATA Says
The trucking industry invests at least $9.5 billion in safety annually according to a report released June 29 by American Trucking Associations.
June 29, 2016Caterpillar to Pay $60 Million to Settle Engine Defect Claims
Caterpillar Inc. has agreed to pay $60 million to settle claims about defects in its C13 and C15 engines, which were taken off the market after widespread reports by fleets of shutdowns and sudden loss of horsepower.
June 29, 2016How Amazon Triggered a Warehouse Robot Arms Race
Amazon whipped out its wallet and threw down $775 million to purchase these robot legions in 2012. The acquisition effectively gave Jeff Bezos, its 52-year-old chief executive, command of an entire industry.