Equipment
Commercial freight transportation is a machine-based business. Highly technical equipment and advanced engineering are at the center of supply chain and require constant innovation. Transport Topics equipment coverage focuses on the machines and other physical assets that make delivery possible. It looks closely at available truck, trailer, and chassis models, developments in the engineering space, and maintenance innovations and best practices.
November Trailer Orders Weaken, Leaving Excess Production Capacity
Net orders for U.S. trailers in November fell 56% to just below 20,000, ACT Research reported — putting excess production capacity in the spotlight.
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US Probes Four Automakers in New Takata Air Bag Recall
DETROIT — The U.S. government’s highway safety agency has launched an investigation into four automakers that have a potentially deadly type of Takata air bag inflator in their vehicles but have yet to recall them.
Amazon’s Van-Buying Spree Delivers a Gift to Auto Industry
The Amazon.com vans parked outside apartment buildings and along suburban cul-de-sacs aren’t just bearing gifts to online shoppers this holiday season. The e-commerce giant’s home-delivery push has been a boon to automakers, too.
CARB Board Hears Public Comment on Plan for Electric Truck Future
Just when will heavy-duty electric trucks be ready for prime time, and when will motor carriers purchase them?
Rush Crowns Champs, First Female Winner at Annual Technician Skills Competition
SAN ANTONIO — Rebecca Chewning’s bid for recognition at last year’s Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo sputtered in the first round, but her experience was not at all the same this year in her second time in the competition.
Volvo Sells UD Trucks Unit to Isuzu for $2.3 Billion
Volvo Group agreed to sell its UD Trucks unit to Isuzu Motors Ltd. for about $2.3 billion and announced plans to forge a strategic alliance with its Japanese rival, the latest sign of consolidation in the global automotive industry.
Medium-Duty Sales Skid in Typical November Fashion
U.S. sales of medium-duty trucks in November made the typical slide toward the end of the year, falling 7.4% from the 2018 period, WardsAuto .com reported.
Ford to Add 3,000 Jobs in Detroit Area, Invest $1.45 Billion
DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. is adding 3,000 jobs at two factories in the Detroit area and investing $1.45 billion to build new pickup trucks, SUVs, and electric and autonomous vehicles.
Toyota’s 2020 Forecast Nudges It Closer to Volkswagen
Toyota Motor Corp. is forecasting sales of 10.77 million vehicles worldwide during 2020, nudging it closer to No. 1 automaker Volkswagen AG.
Navistar to Cut 1,300 Jobs; Lower Q4 Net Income, Revenue Reported
Navistar International Corp. reported lower net income and revenue in its fiscal year fourth quarter as the industry’s falling demand for heavy-duty trucks was amplified by other corporate factors, including very strong year-earlier chargeouts.