Business

Truck manufacturers received 18,900 net orders for Class 8 trucks in June, the lowest monthly total so far this year but still 13% above the year-ago level, ACT Research reported.

A federal appeals court has ruled that Alabama discriminates against railroads because it makes them pay a sales tax on diesel fuel that truckers and other freight haulers do not have to pay.

Second-quarter profits will show only limited improvement for publicly traded fleets, due to lackluster freight volumes in a slow-growing economy, according to analyst estimates and reports.

Some of the nation’s largest shippers said they are shopping for carriers to haul freight using natural gas-powered trucks, a trend that could spur further use of the alternative fuel.

Federal regulators last week waived the rest-break provision of the new hours-of-service rule for truck drivers carrying live animals and also plan to change their guidance on what counts as “off-duty time.”

U.S. and Canadian trucking officials said an agreement allowing truckers to move empty trailers within the other country could result from their governments’ efforts to improve cross-border trade.

Fairness is a bedrock requirement for a just taxation system. And fairness is surely what state officials in Alabama had in mind some years ago when they imposed a 4% sales tax on diesel fuel purchases by railroads.

The trucking industry is one of the most innovative and dynamic sectors in our country, and its companies and professionals have been leaders for change in many areas.

Driver turnover is rising again after a brief respite during 2012 and is poised to increase even more later this year, American Trucking Associations said last week.