ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

Sears Seating, Dana Inc. and Cummins Inc. — three of the oldest companies in the nation that typically supply the trucking industry — separately announced they are repurposing their efforts to create products and provide material for medical personnel battling the novel coronavirus.

Motor carriers consider many factors — and come to different conclusions — as they evaluate wide-base tires versus standard duals for their tractors and trailers.

Bridgestone Americas announced plans to restart its North American commercial tire plants as well as its North American Firestone industrial products and Firestone building products manufacturing facilities April 13.

Commercial vehicle supplier Meritor Inc. announced it halted production at most of its commercial truck facilities throughout North and South America, India and Europe on a temporary basis as a result of the spread of the coronavirus.

Mack Trucks told Transport Topics it is exploring new ways of working and possible approaches to production that would allow for increased social distancing when its Lehigh Valley truck assembly plant in Pennsylvania reopens.

Two more manufacturers have idled production of new tires amid the nationwide economic slowdown brought on by the coronavirus.

Autonomous driving company TuSimple has reached a deal with German vehicle components maker ZF Friedrichshafen to develop and commercialize technology for autonomous trucks.

This year’s International Roadcheck, originally set for May 5-7, has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns.

Peterbilt Motor Co. is recalling 35,671 trucks to repair an issue with battery cables on certain models, according to a March 18 notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

From decontamination of their uniforms daily to keeping their distance from truck cabs and drivers, roadside inspectors face increasingly challenging conditions in keeping the nation’s highways safe in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.