Topic: Motor Freight

Net orders for heavy-duty Class 8 commercial vehicles were in April were up 91 percent year-over-year

In a Rose Garden ceremony on May 21 with a handful of top U.S. trucking industry and heavy truck manufacturers on hand, President Obama signed a presidential memorandum that for the first time would set mileage and pollution limits for big trucks. The rules are set to take effect with the 2014 model year.

After decades of playing defense, Big Labor is going on offense following a recent ruling by the National Mediation Board might make it easier to organize workers in the airline and railroad industries.

Shippers, logisticians and their motor carrier partners, who often worry about various problems that can occur at any time for shipments in their supply chains, now have another worry that could keep them awake at nights.

Schneider National, a provider of transportation, logistics, and intermodal services, said this week it has made the final upgrades to its nationwide Regional service offering with its new Northeast Regional service.

Many trucking executives believe that we’re on the cusp of a steady, prolonged recovery with solid price increases to match. Analysts aren’t so sure. But nearly all agree that shippers should expect rate increases when their contracts expire, some in the 3-percent to 5-percent range. Here are the four issues that are now in the driver’s seat.