AMC Fights Back: History of the Gremlin & Hornet — Ep.3: The Last Independent Automaker
The Truth About Cars’ documentary episode spotlights American Motors Corp.’s bold response to 1960s import competition, launching the quirky Gremlin subcompact built on the Hornet platform. It also chronicles AMC’s 1969 acquisition of Jeep, a move that opened the 4WD market despite internal doubts. The film highlights AMC’s innovative cost‑saving engineering, labor‑union collaborations, and the fuel‑efficiency surge after the 1973 oil embargo that drove record sales. The episode ends with the company’s ambitious Pacer project, setting the stage for its next chapter.
Fleetworthy Unifies Toll, Bypass and Compliance Into One Platform
Fleetworthy has integrated its three core brands—Fleetworthy, Drivewyze and Bestpass—into a single, AI‑enabled platform that unifies safety, compliance, toll management and weigh‑station bypass. The consolidation eliminates separate logins and siloed data, allowing fleets to manage vehicles, transponders and compliance fields...
ADG 5/21: Price Check
The U.S. Justice Department has charged four major shipping‑container manufacturers—including Hong Kong‑based Singamas and China’s CIMC—accusing them of a multi‑year price‑fixing conspiracy that doubled container prices from 2019 to 2021. In parallel, Walmart reported first‑quarter results that missed consensus, with...
Fiat X1/25: The Electric City Car That About Forty Years Too Early
In 1972 Fiat unveiled the X1/23, a two‑seat electric city car that could hit 70 km/h and travel 70‑80 km on a charge. The prototype featured a 13‑14 kW motor, lead‑acid batteries, and an early regenerative‑braking system. Despite its forward‑looking design, the model...
Tesla Model Y Becomes First-Ever Car to Reach Legendary Milestone
The Tesla Model Y became the first vehicle in Norway to surpass 100,000 new registrations, reaching 100,224 units as of May 20, 2026. By population, one in every 29 passenger cars on Norwegian roads is now a Model Y, highlighting...
A Tale of Two Straits: Sweden and Denmark Are in a Position of Power Over Russia
Sweden and Denmark control the Øresund Strait, through which roughly 60% of Russia’s seaborne oil that funds its war in Ukraine passes. While the Strait of Hormuz remains closed after Iran‑U.S. clashes, the Øresund remains open, offering Europe a lever...
What If Driverless Trucks Suddenly Become Cheap and Diesel Stays Expensive??
Rick Mihelic’s speculative piece examines five "what‑if" scenarios that could reshape U.S. trucking. He imagines Tesla ramping up to 50,000 electric Class 8 trucks a year by 2030, a merger that removes 2.8 million diesel rigs from the road, diesel fuel staying...
Aviation’s New Crisis Is a Three-Way Collision
The commercial aviation sector now faces a three‑way collision of persistent aircraft shortages, soaring fuel prices, and mounting financial stress among weaker carriers. Production bottlenecks at Airbus and Boeing keep new narrow‑bodies scarce, while jet‑fuel costs have roughly doubled, eroding...
The Status of Fare Evasion in Washington State
Washington State transit agencies resumed fare enforcement after pandemic‑era free rides, with King County Metro restarting in May 2025 and Sound Transit in fall 2023. Both rely on a proof‑of‑payment model, but the statewide Youth Ride Free program—allowing riders 18...
Freight Sector Braces for Turbulence Despite Cautious Optimism
Freight sector outlook shows modest GDP growth, with Q1 2026 freight‑related GDP rising about 2% despite weak 0.5% Q4 2025 growth. Consumption slipped below the 2‑4% target, while investment stayed strong, propelled by data‑center construction and AI demand. Economist Bill...
GE’s Foam Engine Wash Aims to Restore Efficiency, Improve Fuel Burn and Durability
General Electric unveiled a foam‑based engine wash to clean turbine deposits that erode performance over time. The biodegradable foam penetrates blade surfaces, dissolving fouling that accumulates especially in sand‑laden regions. GE estimates the treatment can recover roughly 2% of lost...
CMA CGM Increases Asia-Europe FAK Rates for Early June
CMA CGM announced a new Freight All Kinds (FAK) pricing schedule for shipments from Asia to North Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa covering the first half of June. Rates for North Europe are set at $2,900 for a 20‑foot...
Iran Establishes Persian Gulf Strait Authority
Iran has formally defined its regulatory jurisdiction over the Strait of Hormuz and created the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA). The PGSA delineates a controlled maritime zone between specific points in Iran and the UAE. Vessels transiting the strait must...
Dubai's Shipping Hub Status Under Pressure As Some Industry Veterans Eye Greece
Dubai’s reputation as the premier Middle‑East shipping hub is wavering as the US‑Israel conflict with Iran has led to competing blockades that have stranded roughly 2,000 vessels in the Gulf. While tanker rates have surged 240% and US oil exports...
Early-Retiring A319s Saves easyJet £250 Million
EasyJet announced it will accelerate the phase‑out of its remaining 79 Airbus A319s, targeting full retirement by fiscal year 2029—one year earlier than previously planned. The A319s, which make up about 22% of the airline’s 356‑aircraft fleet, include 61 leased...
Behind South Korea’s Arctic Gambit
South Korea has launched a state‑funded trial to run container ships through the Northern Sea Route (NSR), a passage that cuts Russia’s Arctic coast. While the initiative is framed as a logistics experiment, analysts say its primary goal is to...
(Unedited) Podcast Transcript 579: Greensboro’s Downtown Greenway
Greensboro, North Carolina, opened the final four‑mile section of its Downtown Greenway, a project that began 25 years ago. The public‑private partnership combined foundation grants, city investment, and community engagement to deliver a 12‑foot‑wide, paved trail that weaves through eight...
Valenciaport Strengthens North Africa Trade Ties at Logismed Casablanca
Valenciaport sent a senior delegation to the Logismed Casablanca trade fair, the premier logistics event in North Africa, to deepen ties with Moroccan stakeholders. The visit supports the port authority’s strategy to act as a gateway between Europe, Africa and...
CEVA Logistics Opens Automated Distribution Center in China
CEVA Logistics has launched a 4,300‑square‑meter automated distribution center in Alashankou, China, bolstering its trans‑Eurasian road network. The hub consolidates less‑than‑truckload cargo for routes linking China, Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe, cutting transit times from roughly 20 days to...
ACMobility’s Power-on-Wheels Shows How Southeast Asia May Solve EV Charging Differently
ACMobility launched its Power‑on‑Wheels (POW) mobile DC fast‑charging service in Metro Manila in March 2023, deploying ten electric vans with up to 120 kWh of battery storage to deliver on‑demand charging via the Evro app. The service, modeled after Singapore’s P.UP,...
Sinkhole Shuts Down Runway at New York LaGuardia Airport
A sinkhole was discovered near Runway 4/22 at New York’s LaGuardia Airport during a routine morning inspection on May 20, 2026. The runway was immediately closed, prompting emergency construction crews to begin repairs while the FAA warned of extended delays. Departing flights experienced...
Open Letter: EU Passenger Package Is A Golden Opportunity For Rail To Reach Its Full Potential
The Youth on Track coalition, a partnership of youth groups, consumer advocates and environmental NGOs, has issued an open letter urging the European Union to raise the ambition of its newly proposed Passenger Package. The coalition argues the package is...
Op-Ed: Summer in Berlin Changes Perspective on Cars
The author’s summer in Berlin revealed how a dense tram and S‑Bahn system can replace a car for everyday trips, highlighting efficiency, safety, and environmental benefits. Back in California, the contrast sparked a call for a cultural shift toward public...
Sinkhole Shuts One Of LaGuardia’s Two Runways As Flights Cancel And Delay
A sinkhole opened near the edge of Runway 4/22 at New York LaGuardia Airport on Wednesday, prompting its immediate closure. With only Runway 13/31 remaining, the airport’s capacity was effectively halved, leading to roughly 20% of flights cancelled and 28% delayed. The cause...
Owner-Ops Respond to Broker Group's Freakout over SCOTUS Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that freight brokers like C.H. Robinson can be sued in state court for negligent carrier selection, overturning a prior protection. The decision sparked alarm among industry groups, with the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) calling the...
Tesla Scales Back Driver Monitoring with Latest Full Self-Driving Release
Tesla has released Full Self‑Driving software version 14.3.3, which significantly reduces the driver‑nagging alerts that force occupants to keep their eyes on the road. The update is already praised by owners for being less invasive while adding faster Smart Summon...
American Airlines Status Match For Spirit Airlines Elite Members
American Airlines has relaunched its AAdvantage instant status match, targeting Spirit Airlines Free Spirit elite members. Qualified members can receive a four‑month AAdvantage Gold status after submitting proof of their Spirit tier, and must earn 13,000 Loyalty Points to keep...
Tesla Full Self-Driving Expands in Europe, Entering Its Second Country
Tesla has expanded its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised suite to Lithuania, making it the second European Union country to offer the system after the Netherlands. The rollout follows a mutual‑recognition framework that leverages the Dutch approval, which was earned after...
10 Must-Knows About eBLs in 2026
Enigio’s electronic Bill of Lading (eBL) cuts document transfer time from 10‑14 days to roughly eight minutes, matching the speed of cargo and payment flows. The digital original functions as contract, receipt, and title, while adding structured data, audit trails,...
Are We on the Cusp of a Maritime Renaissance in Time to Meet the PRC Challenge?
The author warns that U.S. shipbuilding has slipped far below its World War II dominance and argues the nation must launch a maritime renaissance to counter the growing People's Republic of China threat. Recent congressional testimony by Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao...
SAIC Audi Sets May 29 Launch for AUDI E7X SUV, Dropping Premium Pricing
SAIC Audi will officially launch the all‑electric E7X SUV on May 29, pricing it between 289,800 yuan ($42,670) and 379,800 yuan ($55,900). The price represents a cut of more than 130,000 yuan from Audi’s original internal target, signaling a shift...
Stellantis, Dongfeng Plan European Joint Venture to Sell Voyah EVs
Stellantis and China’s Dongfeng Motor have signed a non‑binding MOU to create a European joint venture that will sell Dongfeng’s premium EV brand Voyah. Stellantis will own 51% of the new entity and will lead sales and localized production, evaluating...
Tesla Ditches India After Years of Broken Promises
Tesla has officially abandoned plans for a manufacturing plant in India, as confirmed by Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on May 19, 2026. The company had sought a reduction of import duties from 110% to 15% on electric vehicles priced above $35,000,...
The Rise of China Continues: Geely Snaps up Ford Factory in a Bid to Bolster Exports
Chinese automaker Geely has agreed to purchase the entire assembly line at Ford’s Valencia plant in Spain, repurposing it to build its Galaxy A7, E5 and EX2 models as hybrids and fully electric vehicles. The deal includes a secret ‘135’...
Wednesday’s Headlines Aren’t All the Way Back
U.S. transit agencies are still grappling with pandemic‑era ridership losses, with 2024 usage at just 78% of pre‑COVID levels and only six commuter rail systems matching historic numbers. Rising gasoline prices are nudging some commuters back to public transit, while...
EBay Announces 3-Week Postage Rate Change
eBay announced a temporary three‑week price update for USPS Ground Advantage labels purchased through its eBay Labels service, effective May 18 to June 7, 2026. The adjustment targets specific weight‑zone combinations, raising costs for a subset of shipments. It aligns with USPS’s...
STREET: Simulation Transport for Realistic Engineering Education and Training
The University of Sydney’s TransportLab has revived the STREET platform—Simulating Transportation for Realistic Engineering Education and Training—by converting its legacy Java code to modern JavaScript, allowing the suite of web‑based simulations to run directly in browsers. The collection now includes...
Kalmar Launches Fully Electric TT7 Terminal Tractor in Europe
Kalmar unveiled its fully electric TT7 terminal tractor for the European market at the TOC Europe conference in Hamburg. The TT7 EV joins the recently introduced TT7 series and is aimed at ports, logistics yards, and cargo handling operations seeking...
Putin Arrives in Beijing; US Indicts PRC Container Firms and Executives; Developing Party Members; Tracking Foreigners
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing accompanied by a senior entourage of ministers and executives, where he was welcomed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The visit comes amid heightened U.S. legal actions against Chinese container shipping firms and...
Roadcheck Spurs Spot Rates to New Highs
International Roadcheck triggered a sharp capacity dip, sending spot freight rates to record levels across all three major truck segments. Flatbed loads averaged $3.60 per mile, while refrigerated (reefer) rates surged to $3.59 per mile, nearly matching flatbeds. Dry‑van rates...
NX Automotive Logistics USA Opens New Warehouse in Ohio
NX Automotive Logistics USA opened Warehouse No. 4 in East Liberty, Ohio, adding 16,762 m² of storage capacity. The facility features 50 dock doors, high‑ceiling multi‑level storage, and is positioned near major automotive plants to shorten lead times. Sustainability is built in...
Calif. Republican State Senator Blames State Gas Taxes, Dems. For High Fuel Prices
California Republican Senator Tony Strickland’s Senate Bill 1035, which would have suspended the state’s $0.79‑per‑gallon fuel tax, failed to clear committee and sparked a partisan outburst blaming Democrats for soaring pump prices. He framed the tax as the primary obstacle...
Daily Energy Report
Four U.S. LNG tankers – one from Cheniere Energy and three from Venture Global – departed between May 5 and May 18 for Tianjin, marking the first direct U.S. LNG shipments to China during President Trump’s second term. The move follows the...
Iran's Floating Oil Stockpile Jumps 65% As U.S. Naval Blockade Bites
Iran’s floating oil stockpile surged 65% to roughly 42 million barrels as the U.S. naval blockade, launched in mid‑April, forced Iranian tankers to linger in the Persian Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz. The number of Iranian‑laden vessels rose from...
Air France, British Airways, and Lufthansa Extend Middle East Flight Operations… This When Flights Should Now Resume
European carriers have further extended their Middle East flight suspensions amid heightened regional tensions. Air France plans to restart Riyadh flights on May 26 and other destinations on June 3, while British Airways now expects Dubai, Doha, Riyadh and Tel Aviv to...
How Toyota Became an EV Winner
Toyota has surged into the U.S. EV market’s third‑place slot with its bZ series, highlighted by the newly released C‑HR electric crossover. After years of lagging behind rivals, the automaker is rolling out a suite of EVs—including an updated bZ,...
FAA Details First Official Response to D.C. Crash Safety Recommendations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued its first formal response to the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) more than thirty safety recommendations stemming from the January 2025 midair collision near Washington, D.C., which killed 67 people. The agency reports that seven...
How Fujairah Is Redrawing the Gulf’s Trade Map
AD Ports’ Fujairah complex, once a backup facility to Dubai’s Jebel Ali, has emerged as the Gulf’s most pivotal maritime hub. Recent expansions have added deep‑water berths and state‑of‑the‑art automation, enabling the port to accommodate ultra‑large container vessels. Capacity now exceeds...
Linxup Integrates with Draivn to Streamline Insurance Data
Linxup has partnered with Draivn to turn its GPS telematics data into real‑time risk analytics for commercial auto insurers, promising faster, more accurate underwriting. Outpost unveiled a second‑generation gate‑automation kiosk that can be installed in a single day, improving driver...
United Expects Record Summer Travel Surge Fueled by Eclipses, Soccer, and Concerts
United Airlines expects a record summer, forecasting more than 53 million travelers between June and August—about three million above last year’s volume. The airline attributes the surge to astro‑tourism around the August 12 total solar eclipse, a 20% rise in bookings...