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.
Home Construction Rebounds in March
WASHINGTON — U.S. housing construction rebounded strongly in March with home builders recovering from an unusually frigid February that shut down projects.
Port Manatee Sees Record Container Cargo Business
PORT MANATEE, Fla. — In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, Port Manatee is experiencing a boom in business with containerized cargo trade increasing nearly 74% in the six months ending March 31, compared to the same period a year earlier.
Daimler Profit Tops Estimates as China Leads Sales Recovery
Daimler AG reported significantly better first-quarter earnings than analysts expected, driven by strong demand for Mercedes-Benz cars, particularly in China.
Walmart Invests in Cruise, the GM-Backed Autonomous-Car Startup
Walmart is taking an undisclosed stake in Cruise, the autonomous-vehicle technology company that’s majority-owned by General Motors Co.
Buttigieg Promotes Budget for DOT, Touts Infrastructure Plan
The Biden administration’s proposal to increase funding for operations at the U.S. Department of Transportation would enhance the flow of commerce and respond to concerns linked to climate change, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg told House lawmakers April 15.
Supply Chain Industry Calls on Congress to Pass DRIVE-Safe Act
A group of supply chain industry representatives, including trucking leaders, sent a letter to members of Congress on April 14 urging them to pass legislation that would allow truckers under age 21 to drive across state lines.
TuSimple Raises $1.35 Billion Through IPO
Autonomous truck developer TuSimple raised $1.35 billion through its initial public offering, a move that will help fund the company’s push to commercialize self-driving trucks and expand its autonomous freight network across the United States.
In Pandemic-Era First, Driving on US Highways Tops 2019 Levels
Here’s the latest sign of the great U.S. gasoline comeback: For the first time since the pandemic started, driving on the nation’s highways is higher than at the same time in 2019.
Looking to Hire a ‘Fresh-Faced Veteran’ Maintenance Tech? Good Luck
Recruiting military veterans for maintenance positions in trucking fleets’ repair shops is an industry goal, but the prospect of finding and transitioning young vets to become civilian service technicians can be challenging.
TMC Highlights Big Changes to VMRS Coding System
A vehicle maintenance coding system used by repair shops across the trucking industry is receiving an update that has been years in the making, and is also evolving to include the burgeoning electric vehicle segment.