Outlook and Benchmarking

Will 2023 be the 'best recession ever'?
Are we heading into the best recession ever? According to the economists at this week's 2023 TRALA Annual Meeting, it's all in the way that you look at it.
April 3, 2023
Sarah Moore, TRALA Annual Meeting
Declining fuel prices threatened as OPEC hits 'a tough spot,' IRA imposes oil tax and refineries cash in on renewable diesel
Fuel prices have been dropping but experts warn that it may not last for long as OPEC considers cutting production and the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act gears up for an oil tax.
August 24, 2022
CEFCO fuel prices sign
Chinese ire over Taiwan could lead to 'devastating' microchip and rare earth metal shortages
Worrisome supply lines of microchips and rare earth metals used in EV motors may be further at risk following House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's controversial trip to Taiwan, which prompted a sullen China to engage in military drills that are impeding commerce.
August 4, 2022
Navistar's newest truck plant in San Antonio, Texas builds all-electric and conventional trucks which require microchips and rare earth metals sourced overseas.
Trucking market offers supply chain some stability
All-in-all the industry – as fragmented as it is – consistently answers the bell by keeping equipment capacity high.
June 1, 2022
shipping yard of containers
What gets measured gets managed
Instead of suffering through the pain and aggravation of running SAE/TMC Type II, III and IV testing for fuel economy, why not document and develop a SAE/TMC Type V fuel economy recommended practice?
May 16, 2022
man in service pit
Alt fuel industry looks to 'perfect storm' to help spur fleet interest
Alt fuel supporters are looking to a 560% uptick in federal funding, heavy investments from OEMs and utilities, credit programs and tougher government regulations to help increase fleet interest in green powertrains.
May 12, 2022
Alt fuel proponents have looked to the Ride n' Drive event at ACT Expo in Long Beach, Calif. as another way to help attract more fleets to green powertrains. Fleet operators lined up for two hours Tuesday and three hours Wednesday to take a spin. An all-time high of 43 trucks and vans were on display with 16 of those available for Ride and Drive. This year's expo easily broke attendance records with 8,300 accounted for by Tuesday, a 60% jump from last year. Due to its surge in growth, next year's expo will be held at the convention center in nearby Anaheim.
How fleet managers can use data to save their company money
There may be a good number for trucks running 100,000 miles a year at around 70 cents per mile, but not every truck in the fleet will be operating at 70 cents.
May 10, 2022
truck being towed
Corcentric hopeful that rising interest rates will beat down 'astronomical' used truck values
Corcentric executives offer an industry outlook and advice on dealing with supply chain constraints and "tremendous asset inflation."
May 6, 2022
semi-trucks on the road
The ten percent solution
There are no average trucks, no average drivers and no average loads.
May 2, 2022
tractor roof fairings
Chip supply 'mess' continues as OEMs look to newer tech to help ease production woes
The semiconductor shortage continues to limit vehicle production as OEMs push to build more advanced safety systems and powertrains, like all-electric, which require even more chips. New tech can help, but it won't come soon enough.
April 11, 2022
International LT interior chip production
Secrets to building a successful trucking company
More than 3,140 trucking companies went out of business last year. Typically, around 85-90% of startup trucking companies fail.
October 31, 2021
trucks at dock
Port confidence still wanes despite driver bonuses, new container fees
From the Port of Miami to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, efforts to alleviate historic port congestion through big driver bonuses and hefty container fees have left industry leaders concerned about the heavy price of business.
October 30, 2021
Trucks waiting at Port of Los Angeles new container fees
Trying to turn around a trucking company? Use the 1% approach
Every facet of the industry is so competitive that it can feel like there’s no room for improvement in rates or costs. But opportunities are there – even if you find them just 1% at a time.
October 13, 2021
U-turn prohibited sign
White House tasked with recognizing 'essential importance of commercial vehicles'
One major truck manufacturer says the Biden administration needs to prioritize commercial vehicles.
October 11, 2021
A Volvo VNR Electric at Manhattan Beer Distributors in New York City. It takes more semiconductors to produce zero-emission trucks versus internal combustion .
OEMs mostly quiet on Biden chip data request as more advanced chips get investment dollars
The Biden administration’s push for semiconductor data from U.S. auto makers as part of an effort to curb hoarding and create a more equitable approach to divvying up legacy chips may do little in a growing global economy hungry for more advanced chips.
October 7, 2021
Mack assembly line
Former Celadon exec: Industry 'close to having enough drivers'
Most relevant labor and payroll data suggests trucking industry employment across the board is at or near pre-pandemic levels.
September 15, 2021
trucks and trailers being loaded at a warehouse
Masks are back and more freight could be coming
Citing concern with COVID breakthrough cases, the CDC recommended indoor mask-wearing Tuesday regardless of vaccination status. Trucking experts say volumes should remain 'strong' amid surging cases and may even grow stronger.
July 28, 2021
Growing concern over COVID breakthrough cases led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend indoor mask-wearing today regardless of vaccination status. Trucking experts advise that freight volumes should remain strong and may even grow stronger amid a COVID resurgence.
Surge in COVID prompts Walmart to close stores for deep-cleaning
With COVID cases rising, Walmart is shutting down some stores for deep-cleaning. This is not necessarily an indicator of pending "major economic damage" according to ACT Research.
July 26, 2021
The halt to in-person spending at some Walmarts during COVID cleansing is lasting for roughly a day-and-a-half. 'Any retrenchment away from experiential spending would be likely to extend that on-going strong trend of consumer spending on goods,' said ACT Research President and Senior Analyst Kenny Vieth.
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Top Stories
Women in Trucking member Angelika Mangino is the group's Member of the Month for April. Though more women are entering the filed, a WIT survey showed that safety remains a top concern among female drivers.
Recruiting & retention
Female trucker surveys divide proponents on pay and cab design
Industry leaders agree on safety and respect as top issues among surveyed female truck drivers but disagree on pay and cab design.
Pilot Flying J station
Mergers & Acquisitions
Pilot Company names new executives as part of Berkshire Hathaway ownership
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Technology
How technology is working to prevent your yard from becoming a trucking graveyard
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Safety
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