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.
Ford to Partner on Battery Plant in Turkey
Ford’s Turkish partner will join forces with the U.S. automaker’s battery venture to build one of the world’s largest battery plants by 2025. Stocks rose.
Container Freight Rates Set to Rise on More China Lockdowns
The number of containerships waiting off Qingdao, one of China’s biggest ports, is continuing to rise as the country doubles down on its COVID Zero policy, adding more delays to a strained global supply chain.
Biden’s Oil Demands Collide With Drillers Reining In Output
The war in Ukraine has touched off a feud between the White House and U.S. oil industry as many companies reap record profits from rising prices despite pumping less crude than before the pandemic, leaving American consumers beset by surging gasoline costs.
March 11, 2022Wait Times for Chip Deliveries Grow Again
The wait times for semiconductor deliveries rose again in February, a sign that shortages are continuing to bedevil chip buyers in a wide range of industries.
Experts Offer Advice on Spec'ing EVs for Fleets
ORLANDO, Fla. — Industry insiders offered a glimpse into what goes into spec’ing electric vehicles for commercial fleet operations during a panel session at the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council’s 2022 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition March 8.
Allison Announces Transmissions for FCCC
Allison Transmission announced uprated variants of the Allison 1000 Series and 2000 Series transmissions will be integrated into Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp.’s new powertrain combination for its MT walk-in van chassis. FCCC is a unit of Daimler Truck North America.
March 11, 2022US Slashes Russia Trade Status
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced March 11 the U.S. will dramatically downgrade its trade status with Russia as punishment for its invasion of Ukraine and also ban imports of Russian seafood, alcohol and diamonds.
March 11, 2022Fontaine Launches New Line of Fifth Wheels
Fontaine Fifth Wheel announced a new line of fifth wheels for heavy- and severe-duty applications, with mounting brackets available in a wide variety of sizes in both stationary and sliding configurations.
March 11, 2022February Class 8 Sales Down 2.9%
U.S. Class 8 retail sales in February fell compared with a year earlier, and landed just below 15,000 to put most truck brands in negative territory, Wards Intelligence reported.
Why Nearly Empty Auto Lots Make This Pump-Price Shock Different
Gasoline soaring above $4 a gallon this month has inspired comparisons to 2008, when pump prices sapped demand for fuel-guzzling SUVs and helped push Detroit’s automotive behemoths into bankruptcy.