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.
Trailer Manufacturers Chip Away at Weight by Using Aluminum, Composite Materials
Trailer manufacturers have been pursuing weight reduction for years, trimming pounds from body materials and suspension components in response to customer demands for greater hauling capacity.
March 9, 2015Truckers Criticize Potential Increase in Minimum Insurance Requirements
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration received more than 2,000 comments on its advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to increase mandatory insurance minimums, many of them questioning whether an adjustment was needed.
March 9, 2015Ford Redesigns Medium-Duty Line, Including Updated Telematics System
INDIANAPOLIS — Ford Motor Co. introduced a redesigned lineup of medium-duty trucks here that includes dedicated tractor models in two weight classes, and an updated telematics suite.
March 9, 2015Regional LTL Benton Global Ends Operations; First Publicly Announced Failure This Year
Benton Global, a regional less-than-truckload operator in the Southeast, has closed its doors, representing the first publicly announced fleet failure this year.
March 9, 2015Navistar Narrows Fiscal 1Q Loss as Sales Gain, Repair Costs Drop
Navistar International Corp. narrowed its loss in its fiscal first quarter as vehicle sales improved and warranty expenses continued to decline.
March 9, 2015Three Large Chassis Owners Begin Pool in Southern California to Tackle Shortage
Three of the largest intermodal chassis owners announced the startup of a pool in Southern California that is meant to address ongoing difficulties with equipment supply at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.
March 9, 2015Used-Truck Transactions Up, But Constrained by Inventory
Used-truck transactions rose about 4% last year, but sales volumes were constrained by the scarcity of desirable units reaching the secondary market, IHS Automotive said.
March 9, 2015Diesel Gains 3.6¢ to $2.936
Continued cold weather throughout parts of the United States pushed the diesel average price 3.6 cents higher to $2.936 a gallon, the Department of Energy reported.
March 9, 2015International Introduces Enhanced Truck and Body Electronics
International Truck has introduced a new body control module to improve the processing speed and expand the capabilities of its truck and body electronics for medium-duty and vocational vehicles.
March 6, 2015Descartes’ Income Improves for 4Q, Year
Logistics software firm Descartes Systems Group said its fourth-quarter profit improved from a year ago on higher revenue and acquisitions.