VTNA to Begin Taking VNL Electric Orders by End of 2026
Volvo Trucks North America announced it will begin taking orders for its flagship VNL Electric Class 8 tractor by the end of 2026, a year later than the original 2025‑early‑2026 target. The delay is linked to a cooler political climate for battery‑electric trucks following President Donald Trump’s re‑election. The electric tractor will be powered by Proterra’s Onyx battery platform, a capability secured after Volvo’s $210 million acquisition of Proterra Powered. Production is slated for VTNA’s Dublin, Virginia plant, which received a $400 million upgrade to support the launch.
MicroVision Expands Lidar Portfolio After Two Acquisitions
MicroVision announced the expansion of its lidar portfolio after acquiring Luminar Technologies' Halo and Iris sensors for $33 million and Germany‑based Scantinel Photonics, which brings ultra‑long‑range FMCW technology. The company aims to cut sensor prices to about $200 and apply the...
Mack Doubles Battery-Electric Infrastructure Program Size
At the 2026 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo, Mack Trucks announced it is doubling the size of its battery‑electric infrastructure program by adding ABM and Lane Valente Industries to the existing InCharge Energy and Heliox partners. The expanded turnkey network will...
Saia Reports Mixed Operating Metrics in Q1
Saia Inc., the Johns Creek‑based less‑than‑truckload carrier, posted Q1 net income of $49.9 million, or $1.86 per diluted share, beating analyst forecasts. Total operating revenue rose 2.4% to $806.2 million, yet the operating ratio slipped to 91.7% from 91.1%, a 60‑basis‑point increase....
DOJ Confirms Antitrust Probe of Beef Processors
The U.S. Justice Department confirmed a combined criminal and civil antitrust investigation into the meat‑packing sector as beef prices hit record highs and cattle inventories shrink. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the probe will move quickly, targeting major processors...
DOT Awards $774 Million for Port Infrastructure Projects
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced $774 million in Maritime Administration grants to modernize ports across the country, with Alaska, Texas and Florida receiving the largest allocations. Alaska’s $115.4 million award funds a multimodal expansion at Port MacKenzie, while Texas gets $97.7 million for...
EU Seeks US Trade Talk on Trump Tariff Threats
President Donald Trump warned on May 1 that he could raise U.S. tariffs on EU‑made cars and trucks to 25%, prompting the European Union to signal it is ready to respond. Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis stressed dialogue and said the EU has...
XPO Posts Record Q1 Earnings as OR Improves
XPO Inc. reported record first‑quarter earnings, posting net income of $101 million, or 85 cents per diluted share, a 46% increase from a year earlier. Total revenue rose 7.3% to $2.1 billion, while the North American LTL adjusted operating ratio improved 200 basis...
Schneider's Rourke Optimistic Freight Upcycle Has Taken Hold
Schneider National reported first‑quarter 2026 results with revenue essentially flat at $1.4 billion and net income dropping to $20.4 million, or 12 cents per share, versus $26.1 million a year earlier. CEO Mark Rourke said the freight up‑cycle has finally taken hold, driven...
Trump Says He's Still Considering Deal for Spirit Airlines
President Donald Trump announced the White House is still weighing a rescue plan for Spirit Airlines, which is on the brink of shutting down due to a cash crunch and soaring fuel costs. The proposed deal could involve up to...
Trump Says US to Raise Tariff Rate on EU Cars, Trucks to 25%
President Donald Trump announced that the United States will raise tariffs on imported European Union cars and trucks to 25% after accusing the bloc of breaching a recently negotiated trade agreement. The new levy excludes vehicles assembled in U.S. facilities,...
US Manufacturing Holds Up as Costs Gauge Hits Four-Year High
The Institute for Supply Management reported that its prices‑paid index jumped to 84.6 in April, a four‑year high, while the overall Manufacturing PMI steadied at 52.7, matching the strongest level since 2022. Input costs surged as the Iran‑Israel conflict and...
Steady Wins the ROI Race
PrePass released its Mile Marker 2026 index, quantifying the value of consistent weigh‑station bypasses across 40 states. The benchmark, built from 1.6 billion events, shows each bypass saves 7 minutes, half a gallon of fuel and $10.65 in operational costs. A 150‑truck fleet...
Oil Prices Up 11% for the Week
Oil markets saw Brent crude dip 0.5% to $109.88 a barrel on May 1, yet the benchmark remains up about 11% for the week as geopolitical worries linger over a prolonged Strait of Hormuz closure. The price pressure keeps U.S. gasoline...
First Brands Creditor Sues Auditor BDO Over Missed Red Flags
A Black Diamond Capital Management fund sued auditor BDO USA P.C., alleging the firm failed to spot red flags in First Brands Corp., an auto parts supplier that filed Chapter 11 with over $11.5 billion in liabilities. The lawsuit claims BDO’s audits...
Oil Jumps to Highest Level Since June 2022 as War Continues
Oil prices surged to their highest level since June 2022 as the U.S.-Iran conflict and the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz tightened global supply. Brent crude rose above $119.50 a barrel before settling near $118, while WTI hovered just...
ODFL Reports Improving Q1 Demand Despite Top-Line Decline
Old Dominion Freight Line reported Q1 net income of $238.3 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, down from a year earlier. Revenue slipped 2.9% to $1.34 billion, yet the results beat Wall Street forecasts. The carrier saw improving demand late in the...
Hanwha Pledges Canadian Auto Partnerships in Submarine Bid
South Korea’s Hanwha Group announced it will partner with Canadian auto‑parts firms to produce armored vehicles if it secures Canada’s multi‑billion‑dollar submarine contract. The bid competes with Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems for up to 12 submarines valued at roughly $20 billion...
Paccar Sees Truck Sales, Production Accelerating in Q2
Paccar reported a 19.8% drop in Q1 Class 8 truck sales, moving 17,800 units, while its financial services arm posted $542.2 million revenue, up 2.7%. CEO Preston Feight said the slowdown was a cadence issue and expects a rapid acceleration in Q2,...
Trump Discussed Extended Blockade With Oil Executives
President Donald Trump met with top oil executives, including Chevron CEO Mike Wirth, to discuss extending the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. The White House gathering also featured leaders from Trafigura, Vitol, Mercuria, Vice...
US Says 15% of Tariff Refund Entries Denied So Far
U.S. importers seeking refunds of $166 billion in tariffs overturned by the Supreme Court are encountering obstacles with a new CBP online portal. Since its launch on April 20, 13.3 million entries have passed an initial review, but about 15 % were denied for...
Shell Sees Tight Oil Supplies as Hormuz Remains Blockaded
Shell CEO Wael Sawan warned that the Hormuz blockade has removed roughly 900 million barrels of oil from the market, forcing a drawdown of inventories and prompting demand curtailment and fuel switching. The disruption has pushed Brent crude up 2.8% to...
BP's Profit More Than Doubles in Q1 as US Gas Prices Rise
BP reported first‑quarter profit of $3.84 billion, more than five times the $687 million earned a year earlier, as U.S. gasoline prices surged to a yearly high of $4.18 per gallon amid the ongoing Iran‑Saudi conflict. Adjusted earnings reached $1.24 per share,...
Trump Pursues Durable Tariffs After Supreme Court Rebuff
After the Supreme Court invalidated President Donald Trump’s broad IEEPA tariffs in February, the administration has turned to Section 301 investigations to install more durable import taxes. Hearings beginning this week will examine forced‑labor practices across 60 economies and alleged overproduction...
Target Orders Relocation to HQ for Merchandising Teams
Target Corp. is mandating that roughly 150 remote merchandising employees relocate to its Minneapolis headquarters, offering relocation assistance to those who move and separation benefits to those who opt out. The policy is part of CEO Michael Fiddelke’s effort to...
Military Fuel Tenders Signal Shift From Hormuz-Linked Routes
The U.S. military has issued tenders to ship roughly 495,000 barrels of jet fuel and diesel from the Cherry Point refinery in Washington to Subic Bay in the Philippines and Yokosuka (Yokose) in Japan. These shipments, slated for May‑June, represent...
Ford Rejects Claim of US-Focused Talks With Geely
Ford Motor Co. denied reports that it is negotiating with Geely Automobile Holdings to bring Chinese car technology to the U.S. market, clarifying that talks are confined to a potential use of Ford’s underutilized plant in Spain. Earlier reports suggested...
Volvo Raises Europe Truck Market Forecast After Orders Jump
Volvo AB raised its outlook for Europe’s heavy‑duty truck market to 310,000 units for 2026, up from 305,000, after a 14% jump in first‑quarter global order intake. The Swedish OEM also lifted forecasts for India and Brazil, citing a stronger...
Norfolk Southern Profit Falls 27% in Q1
Norfolk Southern reported a 27% drop in first‑quarter profit, earning $547 million, or $2.43 per share, versus $750 million and $3.31 a year earlier. The decline stems from the absence of insurance recoveries tied to the East Palestine derailment and higher costs...
Businesses Pay Up to $4 Million to Cross Panama Canal
Businesses are paying up to $4 million for premium Panama Canal slots as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed. The canal’s auction system now commands an extra $425,000 on top of the standard $300,000‑$400,000 crossing fee, reflecting soaring demand. Companies...
Scotseal X-Treme HD Keeps Vehicles on the Road
SKF Automotive unveiled the Scotseal X‑treme HD seal, a purpose‑built solution for heavy‑duty vocational vehicles operating in harsh environments. The seal features a patented labyrinth design, multiple dirt‑excluding lips and CR WaveSeal™ technology for superior contaminant protection and oil retention. Constructed...
Acquisitions Lift Mullen Group Revenue to Q1 Record
Canadian carrier Mullen Group posted a record first‑quarter revenue of C$547.7 million (≈$405 million USD), a 10.2% increase year‑over‑year, largely fueled by recent acquisitions. Net income rose to C$21 million (≈$15.5 million USD), or 22 cents per diluted share. The logistics and warehousing segment led...
Rare Diesel Cargoes Move From US West Coast to Australia
Three tankers have departed the U.S. West Coast carrying more than 925,000 barrels of ultra‑low sulfur diesel bound for Australia, a route rarely used before the recent Middle East conflict. The volume shipped in the past two months nearly matches...
Used Vehicle Sales Lift Ryder Q1 Results, 2026 Guidance
Ryder System reported a stronger‑than‑expected first quarter, driven by a rebound in used‑vehicle sales and higher rental fleet utilization. Used‑vehicle sales rose 27.8% quarter‑over‑quarter, adding about 1,000 units, while utilization climbed to 68% from 66% a year earlier. The company...
Atlas Survey Signals Confidence in Corporate Relocation
Atlas Van Lines’ 59th Annual Corporate Relocation Survey shows 61% of companies plan to increase relocation budgets in 2026, even as employee refusals climbed to 46% in 2025. Relocation volume rose for 54% of respondents last year and 52% expect further growth...
ATA Truck Tonnage Continues to Show Signs of Turnaround
The American Trucking Associations reported its For‑Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 0.3% sequentially to 117 and posted a 3% year‑over‑year gain in March, the strongest YoY increase since October 2022. The first quarter of 2026 delivered the best quarterly performance since...
Saia Enhances Northeast Presence
Saia Inc. opened a new 74‑door terminal in York, Pennsylvania on April 20, 2026, instantly adding capacity to its Northeast network. The facility is designed to boost shipment volumes, cut transit times and improve service reliability across the mid‑Atlantic and Northeast...
Texas Oil Pipes Are Running All-Out on War-Driven Demand
Texas pipelines moving Permian crude to Gulf Coast export terminals have reached an all‑time high, averaging 5.27 million barrels per day—a 1.5% weekly increase. Some lines, such as the Corpus Christi system, are operating at 102% of their designed capacity as shippers...
Trump Opposes United-American Airlines Merger
President Donald Trump publicly opposed a potential merger between United Airlines and American Airlines, while urging the federal government to help find a buyer for financially distressed Spirit Airlines. Spirit, which has filed Chapter 11 twice, threatens about 14,000 jobs and...
U.S. Trailer Orders Defy Seasonal Slowdown With March Gain
U.S. trailer manufacturers reported a surprising 42% month‑over‑month increase in March orders, defying the typical seasonal dip that begins in the spring. Despite the gain, net orders are still down 14% year‑over‑year to 18,800 units. ACT Research notes the order...
Knight-Swift More Confident in Up Cycle Despite Guidance Cut
Knight‑Swift Transportation trimmed its Q1 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $0.08‑$0.10 per share, down from the prior $0.28‑$0.32 range. The downgrade reflects an $0.08‑share hit from an arbitration award, a $0.05‑$0.06 hit tied to severe winter weather, and higher diesel...
Energy Chief Says Gas May Not Dip Below $3 Until Next Year
Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CNN that U.S. gasoline prices are likely to stay at $3 per gallon or higher until next year, contradicting Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s forecast of sub‑$3 fuel by the summer. Wright said prices have probably...
Oil Prices Rise on Worries About Iran War
Oil prices jumped 3.8% on April 20, with Brent crude reaching $93.84 per barrel as U.S.-Iran tensions escalated following a U.S. seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel. The rise pressured fuel‑intensive companies, sending cruise lines and airlines lower, while the broader...
Fertilizer Prices Fall After Iran Says Strait Is Open
Urea prices in the U.S. Gulf fell about 18% to $640 per ton after Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz was open to commercial traffic. The drop follows a peak of $780 per ton earlier in the week and offers...
US Oil Shipments Via Panama Canal Near 4-Year High
U.S. crude shipments through the Panama Canal have surged to roughly 200,000 barrels per day, the highest level since July 2022. The spike is driven by Asian refiners seeking an alternative to Middle‑East oil after a week‑long disruption in the...
Crude Oil Falls 10% as Strait of Hormuz Opens
Oil prices plunged over 10% on April 17 as Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz is fully open, allowing tankers to resume flow from the Persian Gulf. Brent crude fell 10.5% to $89 per barrel and U.S. crude dropped 10.8%...
J.B. Hunt CEO Touts First-Quarter Performance
J.B. Hunt Transport Services reported a strong first‑quarter, posting net earnings of $141.6 million ($1.49 EPS), up roughly 20% year‑over‑year, and total operating revenue of $3.06 billion, a 5% increase. CEO Shelley Simpson highlighted a tighter truckload market driven by stricter safety...
Canada Post Takes Steps to Stop Home Mail Delivery
Canada Post announced the first phase of a five‑year plan to replace home delivery for roughly 4 million Canadian addresses with community mailboxes. The pilot involves 13 municipalities and will convert about 136,000 doors, a process that can take six to...
US Diesel Traders Turn to Rail as War Scrambles Fuel Flows
In March, U.S. diesel traders dramatically increased rail shipments, delivering 9,112 railcars to terminals—a near‑10% rise year‑over‑year. The surge follows the Iran‑Israel war that has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, tightening global crude supplies and prompting Midwest refiners to...
Nippon Express to Buy Metro Supply in $1.6 Billion Deal
Nippon Express Holdings Inc. announced a deal to acquire Canada‑based Metro Supply Chain Group for up to $1.6 billion. The transaction values Metro at an enterprise price of roughly $1.3 billion with an additional contingent cash payment of up to $292 million tied...