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.

Government, Business, Safety

Plaintiff Attorneys Often Use 'Reptile Theory' to Win Nuclear Trucking Jury Verdicts, Experts Say

In trucking accident lawsuits, the "reptile theory" is a method plaintiff lawyers have deployed in pursuit of so-called “nuclear” jury verdicts.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
January 19, 2021
Government, Business, Technology, Logistics

US Automakers Plead for Government Help in Growing Chip Crisis

American automakers are asking the U.S. government to help solve a debilitating shortage of computer chips that is closing auto factories worldwide and could restrict production until the fall.

Keith Naughton | Bloomberg News
January 19, 2021
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Autonomous

Paccar, Aurora to Partner on Development of Autonomous Trucks

Paccar Inc. reached a deal with a California technology startup to develop and sell autonomous versions of two of its most popular Class 8 truck models.

Jerry Hirsch | Contributing Writer
January 19, 2021
Government, Business, Safety

Biden’s Transportation Aid in COVID-19 Package on Congressional Radar

The incoming administration is calling on Congress to approve emergency aid for transportation programs as part of a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
January 19, 2021
Business

Navigating the Driver Shortage

The latest economic report from ATA estimates the driver shortage to be over 60,000. What role has the pandemic played? Older drivers chose to retire while potential drivers found licensing difficult with the closure of state motor vehicles offices. The launch of the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse database also impacted the number of drivers on the road.

January 19, 2021
Government, Business, Technology, Fuel

Spending on Global Energy Transition Hits Record $500 Billion

The world spent a record $501.3 billion in 2020 on renewable power, electric vehicles and other technologies to cut the global energy system’s dependence on fossil fuels.

January 19, 2021
Business, Technology, Equipment, Top 100

More Fleets Are Utilizing Remote Diagnostics

A growing number of motor carriers are taking advantage of remote diagnostics to streamline vehicle maintenance and reduce downtime, but fleets must know how to filter through the data to use this information effectively.

Steve Brawner | Special to Transport Topics
January 19, 2021
Government, Business

Yellen Says Aid to Jobless, Small Firms ‘Biggest Bang’ for Buck

Janet Yellen told lawmakers Jan. 19 that help for the unemployed and small businesses would provide the “biggest bang for the buck” as she made the case for President-elect Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan.

Saleha Mohsin | Bloomberg News
January 19, 2021
Business, Technology, Fuel

Rivian Reportedly Reaches $27.6 Billion Value on New Funds

Rivian Automotive Inc., the electric-truck startup backed by Amazon .com Inc. and Ford Motor Co., raised $2.65 billion in new funding from a group of investors led by T. Rowe Price Group Inc.

Ed Ludlow | Bloomberg News
January 19, 2021
Business, Logistics, Top 50, Top 100

Incoming CEO of XPO Spinoff Company Outlines Plans

Malcolm Wilson shared his hopes and plans Jan. 15 for when he becomes the first CEO of a new company splitting from XPO Logistics Inc.

Connor D. Wolf | Staff Reporter
January 19, 2021