How Predictive Maintenance Is Driving the Third Wave of Fleet Technology
Predictive maintenance is the centerpiece of the fleet industry's third wave of technology, leveraging richer vehicle data and software‑defined architectures to shift from reactive repairs to proactive, insight‑driven operations. Modern platforms access hundreds of internal signals, enabling remote diagnostics, over‑the‑air updates, and unified data analytics across gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and electric trucks. By layering software capabilities onto existing fleets, operators can reduce hardware complexity, lower total cost of ownership, and capture $448‑$760 per vehicle per day in avoided downtime. Early adopters stand to improve utilization and secure a competitive ROI as the market evolves.
How Titan Freight Systems Cut Distracted Driving and Boosted LTL Efficiency
Titan Freight Systems, a Pacific Northwest LTL carrier, has leveraged a three‑model Freightliner fleet, AI‑based driver‑assistance, renewable diesel and a purpose‑built transportation‑management system to hit a 98% True On‑Time Delivery rate. The AI safety suite slashed distracted‑driving incidents by 96%...
High Fuel Prices Could Persist for 'Months,' Despite U.S.-Iran Ceasefire
Diesel prices jumped to a national average of $5.64 per gallon, more than $2 above last year, while gasoline rose 13 cents to $4.12 per gallon. The West Coast saw diesel near $7 per gallon, the highest regional level. Although...
Roeth: How Fleet Data Helps Shrink Diesel Costs and Improve Efficiency Amid High Fuel Prices
Fleet operators are turning to connected data to combat diesel prices that have risen above $5 per gallon. Geotab’s latest Sustainability and Impact Report shows fleets cutting idle time by up to 30%, saving 270‑400 gallons of diesel each year....
2026 Vocational Tire Outlook: Volatility to Value
The U.S. off‑the‑road (OTR) tire market ended 2025 with steady demand as fleets emphasized uptime and cost control amid economic uncertainty. Replacement tire sales outperformed new OEM purchases, and dealers shifted to lean, just‑in‑time inventories. For 2026, analysts from Bridgestone,...
Fontana: Is the Customer Always Worth Keeping?
Gino Fontana argues that not every client justifies continued service, urging logistics firms to scrutinize profitability and resource consumption. By applying the Pareto principle, companies can focus on the top 20% of customers that generate 80% of revenue while identifying...
Volvo Trucks' $1.2B North American Investment: Navigating Tariffs, EPA 2027, and the Prebuy
Volvo Trucks North America announced a $1.2 billion investment, allocating $500 million to expand its New River Valley plant and $700 million for a new facility in Monterrey, Mexico. The spend aims to shield the company from cross‑border tariffs and prepare for the...
The Impact of API CL-4 Engine Oil on Fleet Maintenance, Fuel Economy, and Uptime
The American Petroleum Institute will launch API CL‑4 and its low‑viscosity variant API FB‑4 in January 2027, superseding the current CK‑4 and FA‑4 categories. The new specifications are engineered to meet stricter 2027 emissions rules, improve piston‑deposit control, and extend oil‑drain intervals. FB‑4’s...
Fleets Are Considering New Fuel Purchasing Strategies
Fleet executives are re‑evaluating fuel purchasing tactics as diesel prices hit record highs. A recent FleetOwner survey of 23 readers shows only about one‑third currently buy fuel in bulk, while nearly half have contractual agreements. Among those without bulk or...
Ryder, International Launch Autonomous LT Near Laredo
Ryder System and International Motors have launched a joint autonomous trucking pilot on a 600‑mile daily route between Laredo and Temple, Texas. The pilot uses a factory‑integrated International LT equipped with PlusAI’s SuperDrive Level 4 software, with a safety driver on...
Roeth: Why Trucking Cycles Through Booms and Busts, and What Fleets Should Expect
Michael Roeth explains that trucking is inherently cyclical, with new‑vehicle sales fluctuating between roughly 350,000 and 200,000 units in a single year. Downturns are triggered by a mix of economic slowdowns, geopolitical events, rising diesel prices, and regulatory shifts such...
Fuel Price Volatility Continues as Diesel and Gasoline Averages Tick Upward
U.S. on‑highway diesel rose 3 cents to $5.401 per gallon and gasoline increased 3 cents to $3.990, according to the EIA’s March 31 report. The West Coast saw the steepest diesel jump, up 29 cents, while the Gulf Coast posted modest declines. AAA’s independent...
Is Broker Liability About to Change?
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, a case that asks whether the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (FAAAA) preempts state negligent‑hiring claims against freight brokers such as C.H. Robinson. Lower courts dismissed the claim, but...
Gaskins: How Data and Data Analytics Improve Asset Utilization and Loaded Miles
Patrick Gaskins explains how real‑time fleet data and predictive analytics are reshaping trucking operations. By giving dispatchers minute‑by‑minute visibility, carriers can match loads to trucks, cut empty miles, and lift loaded‑mile percentages. Integrated network‑wide platforms further align operations, sales, and...
Roeth: Fleets Need to Prepare for Fuel Volatility Like a Squirrel Prepares for Winter
Diesel prices have surged from $2.55 per gallon in 2020 to nearly $5 in 2022, underscoring the volatility that fleets now face. Michael Roeth urges operators to treat fuel efficiency like a squirrel stockpiling for winter, investing in engine optimization,...
