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.
Daimler Adds to Natural-Gas Buzz With New Truck Offerings
YOUNTVILLE, Calif. — The paradoxical status of natural gas in the trucking industry was on vivid display here, as officials of the nation’s largest truck maker cited the fuel’s growing importance as an alternative to diesel and minimized its actual effect on the freight-hauling industry up to now.
August 5, 2013Editorial: Much Ado About a Little Something
Once again last week, natural gas as a trucking fuel was a major source of attention, as Daimler Trucks North America announced a few new models powered by the alternative fuel.
August 5, 2013Letter: MAP-21, Brokering
The intent of the language in MAP-21 was to clarify that motor carriers need separate brokerage authority and the subsequent bonding requirement to legally broker freight.
August 5, 2013DOT to Cut Daily Reports; Rule Change Could Save Trucking $1.7 Billion a Year
WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said his department would formally propose eliminating a requirement that truck drivers file daily inspection reports when they do not find any problems with their vehicles, a decision he said would save the industry $1.7 billion a year.
August 5, 2013U.S. Court Again Upholds Cross-Border Pilot Project
A federal appeals court has again ruled that the government’s cross-border trucking pilot program, which allows approved Mexican fleets to operate throughout the United States, can go forward.
August 5, 2013Truck Suppliers Report Lower Profits on Sluggish 2nd-Qtr. Heavy-Duty Sales
Continuing weakness in North American heavy-duty truck sales took a toll on second-quarter earnings for a group of major truck suppliers, most of which remained profitable but at lower levels than the same quarter in 2012.
August 5, 2013American Roads LLC Files for Bankruptcy
The bankruptcy filing by the private owner of four Alabama toll roads and the operator of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is not expected to have any immediate effects on freight haulers, officials said.
August 5, 2013Diesel Average Up 1.2¢ to $3.915, Highest Level Since Mid-April
U.S. retail diesel prices rose 1.2 cents last week to a national average of $3.915 a gallon, the highest level since mid-April, the Department of Energy reported.
August 5, 2013Trucking Adds 6,300 Jobs; Unemployment Rate Drops to 7.4%
Trucking added 6,300 jobs in July, as the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.4%, the lowest level since December 2008, the Labor Department said Friday.
August 2, 2013Eaton’s 2Q Earnings Rise
Eaton Corp. said Friday its second-quarter earnings rose, due in part to its $13 billion acquisition of Ireland-based Cooper Industries last year.
August 2, 2013