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.
LaHood’s Praise of Bike Lanes Irks Trucking, Highway Users
A recent blog from U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has provoked truckers and other highway users to complain anew about an old issue — highway trust fund money paying for things other than highways.
January 24, 2011Truck Market Becomes More Global, Intensifying Competition, Execs Say
LAS VEGAS — The dynamic heavy-duty truck market is becoming more closely connected globally, with manufacturers of parts, components and whole vehicles competing fiercely worldwide while more national governments impose significant regulations on carbon dioxide emissions, industry executives said.
January 24, 2011Optimism Grows for 2011 as Freight Indexes Rise
A combination of upbeat reports in three recent freight indexes and record-setting 2010 port freight volumes are signaling stronger business levels as 2011 unfolds.
January 24, 2011Experts See 2011 Merger Wave as Three Fleets Announce Deals
Carrier acquisition announcements this month by three fleets provide a clear signal that the pace of trucking mergers will pick up in 2011, industry officials said.
January 24, 2011Medium Truck Sales Up 24% in Biggest Month Since 2008
U.S. sales of medium-duty trucks totaled 30,578 in December, a 24.7% increase over the comparable month in 2009 and the highest amount since March 2008, WardsAuto.com reported.
January 24, 2011Analysts, Economists Differ on Outlook for Transportation, U.S. Growth
LAS VEGAS — Two industry analysts differed over whether trucking will tread water this year or improve its financial performance even more than it has, and economists told heavy-duty executives the danger of a double-dip recession is gone.
January 24, 2011Obama Calls for Simplification of Rules, Review of Regulations That Hurt Growth
President Obama signed an executive order on Jan. 18 calling for a simplification of regulations and a review of ones that stifle economic growth.
January 24, 2011Strike Threat by Canadian Rail Workers Could Affect Intermodal Shipments
Canadian Auto Workers union members have voted to strike soon at Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. in a move that could affect both carriers’ intermodal shipments in that nation.
January 24, 2011NTTC Asks PHMSA to Withdraw Plan for Outsourcing Regulatory Requirements
The National Tank Truck Carriers association has asked federal hazardous materials regulators to withdraw a plan to outsource regulatory requirements for the design, manufacture, test, inspection and repair of cargo tanks to a pair of professional organizations.
January 24, 2011Diesel Rises 7.4¢ to $3.407 a Gallon
U.S. retail fuel prices rose for the seventh consecutive week, as the average price of a gallon of diesel jumped by 7.4 cents a gallon to $3.407, the Department of Energy reported.
January 24, 2011