SAN ANTONIO — Rush Enterprises Inc. CEO W.M. “Rusty” Rush called retention the biggest obstacle that the trucking technician sector faces.

Recruitment trends in trucking began returning to more normalized levels after a frenzied start to the year that was very much influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

SAN ANTONIO — Rush Enterprises Inc. resumed its annual technician challenge as an in-person competition ­— with a first-time in-person competitor as grand champion — after a two-year hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, a return to normal that was welcomed by the company’s leader.

SAN ANTONIO — Rush Enterprises Inc. launched its 17th annual truck technical competition in-person Dec. 11 after two years of holding it virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic.

A softening freight market has led to a slowdown in recruitment spending across the transportation industry, but experts urge carriers to remain focused on retention efforts and continue working to keep a steady pipeline of drivers flowing in.

China’s experience with another outbreak of the coronavirus and related protests could have a downstream impact on domestic transportation.

The trucking industry continued to experience strong acquisition activity this year, but there may be some signs of softening heading into next year.

The trucking and logistics industries could be headed for another year-end boost in merger and acquisition activity.

U.S. trailer orders in October jumped 82% from the prior month to reach 46,750 units, ACT Research reported Nov. 16.

A surge in spot market rates that led some truck drivers to leave fleet jobs and go into business for themselves has cooled off, bringing with it a downturn in the number of drivers striking out on their own, industry data shows.