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 Hires Exec Formerly in Charge of Apple’s Car Project
NEW YORK — Ford Motor Co. has hired a former executive from Apple and Tesla to be the company’s head of advanced technology and new embedded systems, a critical post as the auto industry moves to adopt vehicles powered by electricity and guided by computers.
September 8, 2021Traffic Deaths Rise in Q1 Despite Decline in Miles Traveled
Risky driving behaviors that have become more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic were the primary contributor to a 10.5% increase in total fatalities during the first quarter of 2021, despite fewer vehicle miles traveled, according to an “early estimates” report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
NTSB’s Homendy Expected to Be a Tesla Watchdog
Federal regulators last month officially opened an investigation into crashes involving Tesla Inc.’s Autopilot system. Jennifer Homendy, the new leader of the government’s transportation safety watchdog, hopes that’s just the beginning.
Mack Trucks Dealer Nextran Expands Locations With Acquisition
Nextran Truck Centers added three locations with the acquisition of Westfall-O’Dell Truck Sales, Mack Trucks announced Sept. 1.
September 7, 2021VTNA Plant to Be Supplied Using VNR Electric Trucks
LONG BEACH, Calif. — The Volvo VNR Electric, Volvo Trucks North America’s first commercially available battery-electric Class 8 vehicle, will be deployed on local logistics routes servicing the company’s New River Valley truck assembly operations in Dublin, Va., by the end of 2021, the company announced.
Biden Pushes Infrastructure Plan With New York Flood as Backdrop
President Joe Biden redoubled his push for a $1 trillion infrastructure bill on Sept. 7, using flood-stricken areas of New York and New Jersey as a backdrop to underscore the threat climate change poses to critical services.
Shell, Meritor Make Case for Lower Emissions
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Shell and Meritor Inc. have withstood abrupt changes in an evolving transportation industry because of their ability to adapt to new technologies.
Dana Announces New HD, MD e-Axles
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Dana Inc. announced an expansion of its Spicer Electrified e-powertrain offerings to include a family of single and tandem e-axles designed for a variety of Classes 7 and 8 applications.
Orange EV Yard Trucks Surpass 3 Million Miles of Usage
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Orange EV announced several milestones achieved for its yard trucks: 3 million miles of usage, 1 million hours of operation, and an average uptime of 97% for trucks built since 2018 and 99% for trucks built since 2020.
Navistar Launches Production on International eMV Series
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Navistar Inc. announced that its new, fully electric International eMV Series medium-duty truck is now in production, in four available wheelbase lengths.