Business

About Business News...

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.

Business

FedEx to Launch All-Electric Delivery Trucks

FedEx Corp. said Monday it will launch the first all-electric parcel delivery trucks in the United States when it rolls out four vehicles in June.

March 29, 2010
Business, Fuel

Oil Climbs Toward $81 a Barrel

Oil rose in early trading Monday to near $81 a barrel as the U.s. dollar fell versus the euro, Bloomberg reported.

March 29, 2010
Business

Personal Spending Increases for Fifth Month

Consumer personal spending rose in February for the fifth straight month, the Commerce Department said Monday.

March 29, 2010
Business, Logistics

Greatwide to Launch Rebranding

One year after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, Greatwide Logistics Services is rolling out a major marketing effort to reassure existing customers and bring in new shippers, particularly medium-size firms.

March 29, 2010
Letters to the Editor, Business, Logistics

Letters: Telemarketers, Infrastructure Op-Ed, Shoe Shippers

I am writing in response to the letter with the opinion about telemarketers, which was published in the March 8 edition. As national sales manager for a third-party logistics provider, I would like the opportunity to counter some of the points the letter writer made and give a sales perspective to this issue.

March 29, 2010
Editorial, Business, Autonomous

More Smiles at Mid-America

The Mid-America Trucking Show this year was miles beyond the somber version last year. The exhibition hall in Louisville was humming last week with new products and rising expectations, reflecting the fact that virtually all segments of trucking are showing signs of recovery.

March 29, 2010
Business, Safety, Government

Competition Lowering Insurance Rates

Increased competition is driving down insurance rates and forcing providers to offer broader coverage to transportation firms, according to in-terviews with industry specialists and new surveys.

March 29, 2010
Business, Government

Funding Shortfall Hinders Plans for Passage of Long-Term Highway Bill Before Year End

Funding is the main obstacle to Congress’ passing a long-term highway bill, and several officials said last week it was unclear whether the bill could be done before the most recent extension of current law expires at the end of the year.

March 29, 2010
Business

Driver Turnover Remains Low at Truckload Fleets in Fourth Quarter

Driver turnover — or churn — at large truckload carriers hovered near its all-time low in the fourth quarter of 2009, coming in at 44%, American Trucking Associations said.

March 29, 2010
Business, Fuel, Autonomous

Manufacturers Seek Better Times at Mid-America Trucking Show

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Truck makers and their suppliers returned to marketing products here that intrigue drivers and appeal to fleet executives based on durability, comfort, ease of operation and even pizzazz, after years spent surviving the Great Recession and straining to meet government-imposed emissions requirements.

March 29, 2010