This Mini Countryman Takes Us Back To 1990's Car Audio Contests
Mini partnered with Austrian design studio Vagabund to build two custom Countryman concepts that revive 1990s car‑audio contest aesthetics. Both vehicles feature raised ride height, 20‑inch wheels, 3D‑printed aero covers and body‑integrated tweeters, mid‑range speakers and subwoofers, turning each car into a mobile soundstage. The monochrome liveries and festival‑inspired badging emphasize a party‑ready vibe, while the models remain one‑off show pieces rather than production options.
Svitzer’s First Three TRAnsverse Tugs Near 3,000 Commercial Tug Job Total
Towage specialist Svitzer reports that its three TRAnsverse class tugs have nearly reached 3,000 commercial jobs within an 18‑month span, demonstrating superior escort capability in Amsterdam and Newcastle. The newest 35‑meter Svitzer Balder, currently in sea trials in Turkey, is...
Nobody Should Control the Strait of Hormuz, UAE Minister Says
UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy said the Strait of Hormuz must remain a free, public waterway and not be controlled by any nation. She warned that any US‑Iran security pact must include a definitive end to...
Interview with Volvo Autonomous Solutions: Driverless Trucks Are upon Us
Volvo Autonomous Solutions is moving driverless trucks from pilot projects to commercial reality with its purpose‑built VNL Autonomous platform, produced alongside conventional models at the New River Valley plant in Virginia. The company integrates autonomy at the vehicle level, partners...
IndyCar Is Rushing To Replace Its 14-Year-Old Dallara Chassis
IndyCar announced that Dallara will begin summer testing of its next‑generation IR28 chassis, marking the first step toward a 2028 debut. The new car will initially run on the existing 2.2‑liter turbo V6 and a 100‑horsepower Mahle hybrid system while...
New MHI and Deloitte Report Finds AI Biggest Disruptor of Supply Chains over the Next Decade
A joint MHI‑Deloitte report released at Modex 2026 identifies artificial intelligence as the top disruptive technology for supply chains over the next decade. The survey shows 24% of leaders view AI as transformational and 48% rate its impact as significant...
You Don't Need a BMW 3-Series—This $20K Japanese Sedan Is Just as Plush
The 2021 Mazda 6 Turbo, available for roughly $20,000 on the used market, offers a blend of refinement, performance, and technology that rivals the BMW 3‑Series. With 227‑250 hp, front‑wheel‑drive balance and an upscale cabin featuring a Bose sound system and optional heads‑up...
Garmin Pilot Adds Airport, FBO Comment Feature
Garmin has added a user‑driven commenting system to its Garmin Pilot app, enabling pilots to post real‑time notes on airport facilities and FBO services. The feature lets users share details such as fuel availability, ramp conditions, and service quality, with...
US Reveals Start Date for Tariff Refund Process, but Questions Remain on Implementation
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will roll out the first phase of its Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool on April 20, allowing importers to submit tariff refunds through the ACE Portal. The move follows a February Supreme...
Lucid Names Silvio Napoli as the Electric Luxury Brand's New CEO
Lucid Motors announced Silvio Napoli as its new chief executive, succeeding interim CEO Marc Winteroff, who will revert to the COO role. Napoli arrives from the Schindler Group, where he led the Swiss elevator and escalator manufacturer. His appointment coincides...
FAA Clarifies Limits Of Sport Pilot Instructor Privileges
The FAA released new guidance (InFO 26006, April 10) clarifying that sport pilot instructors may only provide training and endorsements limited to sport‑pilot operations. Even when a private‑certificate pilot receives a flight review from a sport instructor, the pilot is restricted to...
Lufthansa’s Proud 100-Year Celebration Derailed by Strikes
Lufthansa marked its 100‑year anniversary with a high‑profile ceremony at the new Hangar One, but the celebration was eclipsed by a coordinated strike by flight attendants and pilots that grounded hundreds of flights. The labor action disrupted Lufthansa’s extensive network...
Tesla ‘Full Self-Driving’ Crashed Through Railroad Gate Seconds Before Train
A Texas Tesla driver on Full Self‑Driving (FSD) reported that the vehicle accelerated through a lowered railroad crossing gate just seconds before an oncoming train arrived. The driver, Joshua Brown, who has logged over 40,000 FSD miles, slammed the accelerator...
STB Advances LGIR Texas Project
The Surface Transportation Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis issued a Draft Environmental Assessment for Laredo Gateway Industrial Railway’s proposed 2.6‑mile common‑carrier line in Webb County, Texas. LGIR, a Kraus Development subsidiary, has petitioned for an exemption to bypass standard prior‑approval...
DEVELON Simplifies ADT Operation with New Auto-Hold Brake Function
DEVELON unveiled the DA45-7 articulated dump truck, featuring a fully redesigned cab that mirrors automotive interiors and a suite of automation tools. The new Auto‑Hold brake function provides hill‑assist without the traditional two‑foot operation, automatically engaging and releasing brakes as...
Boeing Delivers 143 Aircraft in Q1 2026, Led by 737 Output
Boeing delivered 143 commercial aircraft in the first quarter of 2026, with 114 of those being 737 models. The remaining deliveries included six 767s, eight 777s, and 15 787s. Output remained steady after the recovery that began in 2025, though...
A4E Calls for Measures to Help Airlines Manage Middle East Impact
Airlines for Europe (A4E), representing 80% of European traffic, urged the EU to adopt temporary measures to cushion airlines from the Middle East conflict’s fallout. The group asked for slot‑protection rules to cover airspace closures and fuel shortages, a relaxation...
Mini Turned 2 Countrymans Into Rolling Boomboxes to Celebrate 'Sound Culture'
Mini partnered with Austrian design studio Vagabund to create two one‑off Countryman models that function as mobile sound systems. The cars replace rear quarter windows with external speakers, add rugged fender flares, custom bumpers and a stainless‑steel mesh roof rack,...
Spain, Portugal See Tourism Boom as Travellers Avoid Middle East
Spain and Portugal are seeing a sharp surge in summer travel demand as tourists avoid war‑torn Middle‑Eastern destinations. By early April, flight bookings to Spain rose 32% year‑on‑year and hotel searches 28%, while Portugal recorded 21% and 16% gains respectively....
Saudi Arabian Railways Extends Service Network
Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) announced five new logistics corridors that connect Gulf ports with central and northern Saudi regions and neighboring countries, serving key dry ports and freight terminals such as Riyadh, Dammam, Jubail, Hail and Al‑Qurayyat. The corridors enable...
Mark Mills: Strait of Hormuz and Global Trade
War between the United States‑Israel coalition and Iran has forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint between Oman and Iran. The strait handles roughly 15 million barrels of crude oil each day, along with sizable volumes...
Chinese Tanker Crosses Strait of Hormuz, Testing Trump
A Chinese-flagged tanker sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, directly challenging President Donald Trump’s newly announced maritime blockade aimed at curbing Iranian oil shipments. The vessel, listed under U.S. sanctions, completed the transit into the Gulf of Oman...
Nissan CEO Says Xterra Is Coming Back Thanks to Weaker Fuel Economy Regulations
Nissan announced the revival of the Xterra, a body‑on‑frame SUV, after recent loosening of U.S. fuel‑economy (CAFE) regulations. CEO Ivan Espinosa said the regulatory shift removed the need to sell an additional 200,000 electric vehicles to stay compliant, opening the...
Transense to Supply Surface Acoustic Wave Sensing Tech for Cummins Heavy-Duty EV Motor
Transense Technologies will supply its SAWsense surface acoustic wave sensors to Cummins for the DriveSense project, a 12‑month effort to create a sensor‑enabled smart electric motor for heavy‑duty zero‑emission vehicles. The sensors capture real‑time torque and temperature data from inside...
TraPac Chooses Künz and ABB for New Cranes and Systems Upgrade at Los Angeles Terminal
TraPac LLC selected Austrian crane maker Künz and ABB to deliver nine new rail‑mounted stacking cranes and upgrade 32 existing cranes at its Los Angeles terminal. The new cranes will be built in Europe, assembled in Poland and delivered between...
BYD Is Now Upgrading some of Its Top Selling EVs with 5-Min Flash Charging
Chinese EV maker BYD is extending its 5‑minute Flash Charging system, first seen on the ultra‑luxury Yangwang U7, to high‑volume models. The Denza Z9 GT, priced at $134,500, becomes the inaugural overseas vehicle equipped with the technology, debuting in Europe....
Right Now A Hybrid Sounds Like A Great Idea, But Is The Prius PHEV Worth It?
The 2026 Toyota Prius Plug‑In Hybrid, formerly the Prius Prime, arrives with a larger battery delivering about 40 miles of electric‑only range. Pricing starts at $34,970 for the base SE and climbs to $38,990 for the Nightshade edition, a premium...
Fleet Safety as a Business Strategy for Construction Companies
Construction firms face high roadway risk, with vehicle crashes ranking second among causes of worker deaths—75 fatalities in 2020. Multimillion‑dollar jury verdicts and soaring insurance costs make fleet safety a financial imperative. Implementing a written safety policy, driver screening, telematics,...
Larsen Pushes Bipartisan Path for Upcoming Highway Bill
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee ranking member Rep. Rick Larsen (D‑WA) is urging a bipartisan surface‑transportation reauthorization before the September expiration of the current highway authorization. He emphasizes safety, multimodal connectivity and a balanced split between highway and transit funding,...
Women in Aviation Conveys Inaugural Award Of Excellence
Women in Aviation International presented its inaugural Board Chair’s Award of Excellence to Marci Veronie, senior vice president at Avemco Insurance, during the 2026 conference in Dallas. The award honors her two‑decade commitment, leadership roles, and mentorship of women in...
Investing With Customers for Growth
Genesee & Wyoming (G&W) is leveraging customer‑driven industrial projects to fuel its own growth, exemplified by two flagship investments on opposite coasts. In Savannah, the Georgia Central Railway (GC) backed Hyundai’s $5 billion electric‑vehicle plant with track upgrades, higher speeds and...
STB Eyes Changes to Ex Parte Regs
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is seeking public comment on a proposed overhaul of its ex parte communication rules, prompted by an Association of American Railroads petition. The board aims to clarify “routine” and “procedural” contacts, allow technical queries with...
New EU Entry-Exit System Causing up to Three-Hour Delays, Say Airports
The EU’s new Entry‑Exit System (EES) went live across Schengen states on 10 April, and airports in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece and others are reporting queues of up to three hours. The Airports Council International (ACI) warned the delays could...
Are Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 Tires Any Good? Here's What Drivers Say
Michelin’s Defender LTX M/S2 tire garners strong praise for tread life, comfort, and wet‑dry traction, with Tire Rack logging 970 ratings and 26 million miles of real‑world use. The model holds a 4.7‑star rating from over 2,300 Michelin‑site reviews, and 84% of...
Ocean Freight Contracts: How Data Steers One Shipper’s Approach
Shippers are turning to data analytics to reshape ocean‑freight contracts amid heightened market volatility. Bluspark’s consulting platform helps Emser Tile integrate multi‑dimensional metrics—rates, carrier performance, vessel routes, and port efficiency—into procurement decisions. By visualizing these data points, Emser Tile can...
SIXT Partners with Signature Aviation on Vehicle Rental at European FBOs
Car rental giant SIXT has teamed up with Signature Aviation to provide its premium vehicle fleet at more than 30 European fixed‑base operator locations. Reservations will be handled by Signature, with SIXT delivering cars directly to terminals and offering ramp‑side...
Nissan Announces Its New ‘Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life’ Long-Term Strategy
Nissan unveiled its "Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life" strategy, centering on AI‑defined vehicles, expanded e‑Power hybrid options and a leaner model lineup. The plan calls for integrating Nissan AI Drive technology into 90% of its cars and delivering end‑to‑end automated...
The Best Family Cars – Driven, Rated and Ranked
The 2026 family‑car roundup shows the segment has broadened beyond traditional MPVs to include estates, SUVs, hatchbacks and electrified models. Editors Keith Jones and Sam Phillips crown the BMW 3 Series Touring as the top choice, praising its dynamic handling and...
DoorDash and Wing Expand Drone Delivery to Metro Atlanta
DoorDash and Wing are extending their drone delivery service to metro Atlanta, starting with restaurants near Tanger Outlets in Locust Grove. Eligible customers can select a drone option at checkout and expect meals within roughly 20 minutes. The rollout adds...
Supporting the U.S. Economy
CSX is leveraging its rail network to support U.S. re‑industrialization through its Select Sites® program, which certifies rail‑ready industrial properties. Since its 2012 launch, the initiative has grown to 80 certified sites across a dozen states, adding 21 new locations...
High Gas Prices Tempting Americans Back to EVs
Rising gasoline prices, now averaging around $4.50 per gallon, are prompting a wave of new electric‑vehicle (EV) purchases. The WSJ profile of Eric Janney, an IT worker in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, illustrates how consumers are swapping lightly used EVs like the...
Trucking Capacity Bets Grow as Major Carriers Expand Terminal Networks
Prime Inc. announced a $160 million investment to build a new regional hub near Griffin, Georgia, creating over 120 full‑time jobs and adding driver‑training and maintenance facilities. The hub aims to increase Southeast density and improve driver recruitment amid industry shortages....
Qatar Executive Completes G700 Fleet with 10th Delivery
Gulfstream handed over the tenth and final G700 to Qatar Executive, fulfilling an order first announced in October 2019. The delivery marks the 25th Gulfstream aircraft the Qatar Airways Group’s charter arm has received since its 2015 partnership began. Qatar...
Suzuki Motor, After India Success, Sets Sights on 10% of African Market
Suzuki Motor, fresh off its rapid expansion in India, is targeting a 10% share of Africa’s automotive market by 2030. The Japanese automaker already dominates in five African nations, most notably Angola where it commands an 81% share. To achieve...
IMO Hazardous Cargo Compensation Rules Move Closer
The International Maritime Organization’s 2010 Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Convention is now one step from activation after Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden ratified it, bringing the total to the 12 states required for entry into force. The treaty...
Iran War Drives up African Bitumen Truck Prices
The outbreak of the Iran‑Israel‑US war has sharply lifted bitumen truck prices across sub‑Saharan Africa. In East and Central Africa, ex‑Mombasa rates jumped to KSh165‑175 per kilogram (about $1,159‑$1,313 per tonne), a 40% increase. Nigerian bulk bitumen now trades around...
Picture of the Day: April 15, 2026
AVweb’s "Picture of the Day" for April 15, 2026 features a Bonanza aircraft perched on the runway at Jasper Air Park in the Canadian Rockies. The photo, taken by aviation photographer Joe Emond, showcases the dramatic mountain backdrop that makes the remote...
Airbus and Lakota Connector Partners Successfully Execute Fourth Autonomous Flight Test
Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, together with Shield AI, L3Harris and Parry Labs, completed its fourth autonomous flight test on an H145 helicopter, integrating all four partners' technologies for the first time. The test demonstrated real‑time perception, obstacle detection and...
Iarnród Éireann Travelers Can Now Pay with PayPal
Iarnród Éireann has integrated PayPal into its website and mobile app, allowing travelers to buy rail tickets using PayPal balances or linked funding sources. The move serves the operator’s 55 million annual passengers and targets both domestic and international customers. PayPal...
With 7 Short Words, the CEO of United Airlines Just Taught a Brilliant Lesson in Leadership
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby sent a concise seven‑word message to staff, assuring they would not face furloughs or cuts despite a sharp fuel‑price shock driven by the Iran conflict and inflation. He framed the crisis plainly, contrasting the usual...