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.
Alphabet’s Wing Seeks Expanded US Drone Flight Permissions
Alphabet Inc.’s Wing Aviation is asking U.S. regulators to allow it to expand drone operations as a way to make more efficient deliveries controlled from a central command post.
Battery-Electric Vehicle Service May Extend to Independent Shops
Dealers and other fleet-servicing shops are coming to terms with the growing shift toward electric fleet vehicles. If enough truck dealerships are slow to adopt, “it may slow down the rollout or it may lead to another service model, such as through third parties or national service chains,” said Mike Roeth, executive director for the North American Council for Freight Efficiency.
Biden to Restore California’s Ability to Set Pollution Rules
The U.S. Transportation Department is moving to reverse former President Donald Trump’s bid to end California’s ability to set its own automobile tailpipe pollution standards.
April 23, 2021Volkswagen AG Names First Female Labor Leader
Volkswagen AG’s powerful works council picked its first female leader to succeed Bernd Osterloh, 64, who will take over as personnel chief at the German industrial giant’s Traton SE trucks division next month.
24-Hour Repair Becomes the Standard
Time is money in the trucking business, so the clock is always ticking when a commercial truck is in the shop for maintenance or repairs.
Dealers Prepping for the Inevitable Shift Toward Electric Vehicle Service
Trucking industry insiders as well as certain state regulators agree electric trucks will eventually pull significant market share away from diesel trucks. And truck dealers are already making decisions on how, when or even if to accommodate that seemingly inevitable advance.
Republicans Counter Biden With $568 Billion Infrastructure Plan
A $568 billion plan that focuses on surface transportation connectivity improvements and greater access to broadband internet for rural residents was unveiled by the Republican leadership in the U.S. Senate April 22.
Biden’s Postal Board Nominees Say Restoring Service Is Vital
President Joe Biden’s nominees to the governing board of the U.S. Postal Service pledged April 22 to rebuild trust with the American public through prompt deliveries, as they outlined a vison for the agency in their first formal statements to lawmakers.
Union Pacific Reports Lower Q1 Earnings
Inclement weather in much of the area where Union Pacific Railroad operates — Midwest, South and parts of Texas — is being blamed for the decline in first-quarter earnings.
Landstar Reports Record Earnings for Q1 2021
Landstar System Inc. reported record profits for the first quarter of 2021.