Daimler expected normalization of the truck market in Q1, and then came coronavirus

OEMs already anticipated lower production, because fleets had bought so many units during the freight boom of 2017-2018. 

By Jim Stinson • April 30, 2020

Volvo to restart production at 'low levels' as OEMs face slumping market

Fleets are hitting pause on buying during the coronavirus pandemic, meaning truck manufacturers have to manage a new, troublesome environment.

By Jim Stinson • April 27, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Trucking Dive

These five stories detail the top trends and issues facing the trucking and transportation industry. 

By Trucking Dive staff

Paccar Parts has record-setting Q1 while truck sales dip

Increased shipments of medical supplies, food, infrastructure materials and goods stimulated parts demand in the first quarter of 2020. 

By Jim Stinson • April 21, 2020

FTR: Tough trucking conditions to persist until 2021

Trailer orders dropped 54% in March, and volumes and rates could hit bottom in April and May, said FTR.

By Jim Stinson • April 17, 2020

Daimler limits production as Paccar, Mack extend shutdowns

Market forces and social distancing are keeping OEMs offline longer than anticipated.

By Jim Stinson • Updated April 7, 2020

Mack, Daimler offer fleets finance programs to keep cash flowing

The programs aim to help fleets make buying decisions in the middle of a pandemic.

By Jim Stinson • April 1, 2020

TuSimple, ZF plan for the next step in truck autonomy

The companies will begin a partnership in April, bringing trucks to market and furthering TuSimple's goal of removing the driver from the equation.

By Jim Stinson • March 30, 2020

Toyota makes new bet on hydrogen fuel cells for heavy duty

The OEM will partner with Hino Motors, advancing Toyota's plan to reduce its emissions 90% by 2050.

By Jim Stinson • March 27, 2020

Paccar follows Volvo, Mack in halting production over COVID-19 concerns

OEMs and tire manufacturers cited safety and declining market demand as reasons to pause production, in some cases through mid-April.

By S.L. Fuller , Jim Stinson • Updated March 24, 2020

Tires emit more pollution than exhaust, study finds

Pollution resulting from tire wear can be 1,000 times worse than exhaust emissions, according to initial testing from Emissions Analytics.

By S.L. Fuller • March 17, 2020

February trailer orders drop to 2009 levels as coronavirus creates uncertainty

FTR anticipates canceled events and social distancing will lead to a further drop in March, but orders will recover "significantly" once the viral outbreak stabilizes.

By Jim Stinson • March 16, 2020

Los Angeles, Long Beach ports approve fee to phase out diesel trucks

More subsidies are on the way to nudge drayage providers toward electric vehicles.

By Jim Stinson • March 11, 2020

Will coronavirus change trucking demand and rates? Watch these 4 factors

Understanding customer supply chain struggles will help trucking executives anticipate demand changes and strengthen their relationships with shippers, DAT's Peggy Dorf writes.

By Peggy Dorf • March 11, 2020

Daimler Trucks measures customer experience with battery-electric fleet

The company wants to go fully electric. But first, the testing.

By Jim Stinson • March 9, 2020

Coronavirus has trucking experts on edge for 2020

Forecasts for the remainder of the year are mute, as COVID-19 and driver shortages play out.

By Jim Stinson • March 9, 2020

Navistar posts first loss since Q2 2019, reflecting slower freight economy

If the spread of the novel coronavirus is contained, Navistar forecasts net income of more than $220 million. That would be roughly equal to 2019's net income of $221 million.

By Jim Stinson • March 6, 2020

Nikola to become publicly traded company, accelerate EV production

By merging with a NASDAQ-listed company, Nikola has new ways to grow and meet the requirements of fleets under pressure to reduce emissions.

By Jim Stinson • March 4, 2020

Team Drive-Away bets trucks are good cargo

More consolidation with truckload and niche markets is likely in 2020, despite volatility, an analyst said.

By Jim Stinson • Feb. 28, 2020

Unscheduled maintenance costs shoot up 25.7% in Q4

Towing costs contribute to fleet headaches at the end of 2019.

By Jim Stinson • Feb. 27, 2020

Carriers report reefer, truck shortages in China's stalled supply chains

One logistics company recommended booking trucking services two days in advance as a result of the driver shortage.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 19, 2020

Cummins cuts inventory by $400M anticipating truck production downturn

Private fleets are "awash in excess equipment,” according to ACT Research. Cummins' CEO said Tuesday he expects heavy-duty truck production for North America to be down 40% year-over-year in 2020.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 5, 2020