Trucking Business News

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.

BusinessEquipment

Eaton to Provide Transmissions to Indian Truck Maker

Truck parts manufacturer Eaton Corp. said it has signed an agreement with Indias Tata Motors, that countrys largest automotive manufacturer, to provide heavy-duty truck transmissions through 2014.

February 16, 2009
BusinessLogistics

Trucking Sheds 24,900 Jobs

The trucking industry lost nearly 25,000 jobs in January, the highest monthly total ever except during a national strike in 1994, according to data from the Department of Labor.

February 16, 2009
GovernmentBusinessSafety

Truck Highway Safety Improves to Best Level, DOT Data Show

Two key safety indicators improved to their best-ever levels during 2007, according to data just released by the Department of Transportation and analyzed by Transport Topics.

February 16, 2009
BusinessGovernment

Congress Trims Road Funding in Stimulus Bill Compromise

Congress late last week was poised to pass a $789 billion economic stimulus package, which included less guaranteed funding for roads and bridges than industry officials had hoped for, but it also contained money for diesel engine retrofits and a tax break for buying new equipment.

February 16, 2009
Business

Obama Signs Stimulus Package Into Law

President Obama signed a $787 billion economic stimulus package into law last week that included about $27.5 billion in highway funding, some of which already is being put to use.

February 16, 2009
BusinessFuelGovernment

Diesel Dips 2.7瞽, Marking 28th Decline in 30 Weeks

Driven by a freight-scarce economy, abundant fuel inventories and predictions of continuing economic distress, the average price of U.S. retail diesel drifted down another 2.7 cents a gallon to $2.219 last week, its fourth straight decline and the 28th in the past 30 weeks.

February 16, 2009
BusinessGovernmentSafetyFuelTechnologyEquipment

Navistar Urges Trucking to Back Gradual Phase-in of 2010 Regs

ARLINGTON, Va. A top Navistar Inc. official said the company is pursuing its own solution to meet the 2010 U.S. emission standards, because it doesnt believe the fuel savings claimed by competitors will justify the higher costs and more complicated systems associated with the new engines.

February 16, 2009
Business

YRC, Banks Close to Deal on Debt Covenant Waiver

CORAL GABLES, Fla. YRC Worldwide Inc.s chief financial officer said here Feb. 11 that the company expects to announce agreements in the next several days with lenders that will produce a waiver from debt covenant restrictions.

February 16, 2009
BusinessGovernment

Fleet Execs Confront Dealers on Padded Bills, Estimates

ORLANDO, Fla. Fleet executives complained bluntly about what they said were padded bills for repair services, unreliable estimates and failures by service operators to offer realistic completion times.

February 16, 2009
BusinessGovernment

Less-Than-Truckload Pricing Fades in 4Q

Less-than-truckload pricing dwindled during the fourth quarter, contributing to an increase in operating ratios toward the break-even point, according to a survey of results from publicly traded companies.

February 16, 2009