The Fleet Lead

The commercial vehicle market faces vanishing equipment slots as the EPA prebuy emerges. Mixed with rising driver retention struggles and a shift toward private capacity, the North American trucking market is certainly chaotic. Ken Vieth, president and senior analyst for ACT Research, talks with Josh Fisher about driver retention, equipment availability, and fleets' "planning nightmare." 01:16 — The driver shortage returns 04:56 — Will private fleets continue growing? 08:04 — The EPA prebuy 13:38 — Electric vehicles, competition with China 15:24 — Could autonomous tech help with labor problems? 17:42 — One of the most volatile times for trucking

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of April 30: The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse added more identity verification FMCSA’s new registration system is coming soon Freightliner is getting new driver assistance safety features Bot Auto completed its first fully driverless commercial haul (EMBARGO LIFTS THURSDAY MORNING) Descartes acquired an AI driver safety company for $28 million dollars Diesel fell again by 5 cents You can find the Bot Auto interview episode on Podbean here.

Over the last couple decades, truck manufacturers have made massive strides in fuel efficiency, helping carriers haul more for less fuel. At Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA), the VNL achieved a 7% efficiency boost in the last model alone! Volvo's engineers brought those significant fuel savings through a combination of aerodynamic redesigns, engine geometry changes, intelligent drivetrain software, and more. In this episode Duane Tegels, product marketing manager for VTNA, explains how the company accomplished it. Timestamps: 00:30 — How much VNL's fuel efficiency has improved 02:50 — The importance of cutting through air 04:20 — Powertrain improvements 06:15 — The RPM sweet spot 08:50 — Intelligent powertrain software

Military service members often have no easy path into fleet management—even if they've worked as technicians while serving. Thanks to the work of the military's SkillBridge Program and Shzoom Technologies, members of the NAFA Fleet Management Association now have easy—and affordable—access to these determined workers. Ingrid Cook Moravitz, founder and CEO of Shzoom, tells Fleet Maintenance's John Hitch how the program benefits everyone involved: participating shops, servicemembers, and the industry as a whole. Timestamps: 1:44 - How Uptime works 4:10 - What is the FleetGap Program? 6:07 - Shazoom's work with Skill Bridge 8:21 - The government pays pre-apprentice wages 10:42 - In the shop while active duty

With today’s diesel prices, the best way to reduce fuel costs is to run new equipment. The Freightliner Cascadia’s fuel efficiency has improved an impressive 35% since 2007. The constant improvement of the nation's most popular Class 8 vehicle is thanks to Daimler Truck North America’s engineers and their incremental tweaks to the tractor’s aerodynamics and powertrain. In this episode, DTNA’s Greg Treinen, VP of on-highway market development, and Steve Collins, director of field sales engineering, describe the many small ways that DTNA made efficiency gains in the Cascadia—from bumper air ducts to combustion timing. Timestamps: 0:32 — How much has the Cascadia’s efficiency improved? 1:18: Aerodynamic and other improvements 4:48: Efficiency improvements in the Gen 6 Detroit engine. 8:07: The rise of integrated powertrain components. 16:01: New electrical architecture and computational power.

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of April 23: FMCSA is improving DataQ reviews Ohio publicly called out hundreds of carriers for unpaid tolls PlusAI is no longer going public A new autonomous trucking company entered the market Diesel dropped by 21 cents

Fuel costs are often top-of-mind for many motor carriers—especially with the recent diesel spike. The best way to cut fuel costs is to improve a tractor's miles-per-gallon. This episode of the Fleet Load hosts Yunsu Park, the North American Council for Freight Efficiency's (NACFE's) director of engineering, to talk about the fuel efficiency equipment and practices that make the biggest impact—and those that are popular among carriers. Timestamps:  0:22 – Yunsu's expertise 3:21 – Today's high-impact fuel efficiency equipment 5:56 – Fuel-saving operations 9:42 – Popular—and unpopular—efficiency options 12:18 – Liftable axles save fuel?

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of April 16: Drivers’ paper medical card exemption extended to October FMCSA is quietly allowing some states to reissue non-domiciled CDLs An episode of ‘60 Minutes’ focuses on chameleon carriers Private equity acquired Carrier Logistics A proposed bill would increase minimum insurance requirements Diesel prices FELL by 4 cents  

Legend Fleet Solutions produces van liners and floors that can increase residual value by 10-35%. These products prevent cargo damage, keeping fleet vehicles like "brand new" for resale. The Fleet Lead's Kevin Jones hosts Legend's Jerry Simpson, sales representative, and Brendand Church, chief marketing officer, to hear more. Timestamps: 01:40 — A fleet ROI case study 02:32 — How do skeptical buyers respond? 04:19  — Leaving the products with vehicles adds value 07:03 — What makes Legend unique 10:33 — How the company is handling tariff impacts.

Jason McDaniel hosts BeyondTrucks' CEO Hans Galland and Head of Product Mariah Alf to discuss the technological evolution of the trucking industry. The company's transportation management system has a host of AI tools, from rating calculations to natural language interfacing—but, they note, AI in trucking should not just be a "hammer looking for a nail."   Timestamps: 05:59 — Growth of transportation technology and BeyondTrucks' differentiator 13:15 — AI applications in for-hire trucking and BeyondTrucks 20:05 — What fleets should look for in AI 24:26 — Guarding against data overload 27:55 — BeyondTrucks' "AI rate agents" feature 38:00 — Carriers' technology adoption during the freight recession

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of April 9: Idaho is allowing semi-trucks to travel 80 mph The Iran War is raising aluminum prices FMCSA is working on its truck parking survey Diesel prices are up 24 cents Strait of Hormuz's potential reopening is messy

Did you miss your chance to attend the year's major trade shows? From Heavy-Duty Aftermarket Week to ATA's Technology and Maintenance Council, Work Truck Week, and beyond, the Fleet Lead's hosts talk about the major events and announcements that defined each conference—featuring Trailer-Body Builder's Kevin Jones, FleetOwner's Jade Brasher, Bulk Transporter's Jason McDaniel, and Fleet Maintenance's John Hitch. Timestamps: 01:11 – Heavy-Duty Aftermarket Week 02:44 – Work Truck Week, vehicle reveals 04:44 – Fleet adoption of AI 11:34 – TMC annual meeting: latest parts and labor data 23:35 – Upcoming 2026 events

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of April 2: Indiana removed nearly 1,800 non-domiciled CDLs International and Ryder are using an autonomous truck for real freight Out-of-service orders will now treat ELD tampering differently EPA is removing DEF sensor requirements? Diesel prices rose three cents  

With cross-border tariffs making headlines and the average North American tractor reaching the oldest age in years, fleets are caught between a soft freight market and the impending 2027 emissions cliff.  FleetOwner was at Volvo Group's largest manufacturing plant in the world this week and sat down with Volvo Trucks North America President Peter Voorhoeve in Dublin, Virginia. He breaks down how a $500 million investment in the New River Valley plant and a new $700 million facility in Mexico are insulating Volvo's supply chain—and what that means for your next purchasing cycle. We also discuss how Volvo Trucks' redesigned VNL and VNR models are serving as "smartphones on wheels," leveraging automated over-the-air updates to slash unplanned downtime by 24%. Plus, Voorhoeve explains why the all-new VNR's "Swiss Army knife" versatility and standard safety features are critical tools for regional fleets trying to survive on thin margins. Catch this episode of The Fleet Lead podcast here or search for The Fleet Lead on your favorite podcast app. Timestamps: 1:37 – Are customers following Peter’s previous advice to buy trucks now? 4:27 – The new VNR model 8:06 – Connectivity, over-the-air updates 9:47 – A $700 million investment in Monterrey, Mexico 12:17 – How tariffs impact Volvo 14:34 – Peter's advice to fleets on equipment purchasing

The Supreme Court took up the opportunity to standardize how states look at negligent hiring claims against freight brokers. The decision could change how brokers view the risk of small carriers. The case is Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, also known as Montgomery v. C.H. Robinson. The legal battle started with a truck collision in 2017. Hear more from FleetOwner's Jeremy Wolfe and Matt Reh, a partner and trial attorney with Armstrong Teasdale who represented C.H. Robinson in the lawsuit.

Heavy-duty repair businesses are doing better, survey finds Hendrickson shows off its new wheel-end sensor In the spot market, refrigerated and flatbed rates are still up In fuel this week, diesel is up 30 cents and counting

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of March 19. Another House bill mandating English proficiency just passed committee Stoughton Trailers successfully completed a 40-mph rear impact guard crash test Trailer manufacturer Hyundai Translead is bringing manufacturing to the U.S. In the storied Motive-Samsara legal battle, Samsara recently won $30 million Diesel prices shot up 21 cents and continue to rise

Autonomous trucking has real-world operations today—and the developers have bold plans for commercialization within the next two years. This week, the Fleet Lead's Jeremy Wolfe is hosting interviews with four of the industry's autonomous developers. PlusAI is taking a software-first approach to autonomous trucking, supplying its virtual driver technology to several major OEMs, rather than operating its own fleet. Dr. Shawn Kerrigan, co-founder and COO, joins the Fleet Lead to discuss the company's global data strategy, its factory-integrated trucks, and its roadmap to commercial launch in 2027. Timestamps: 0:35 - PlusAI's company history 1:35 - PlusAI's global partner strategy 2:32 - Roadmap for commercializing in the U.S. 4:50 - Technology designed to work across various truck platforms 6:46 - Where are PlusAI's trucks on the road today? 8:48 - Recent breakthroughs and the road ahead 14:10 - Benefits of autonomous trucking 15:18 - Challenges for fleets adopting autonomous trucks

A high-stakes trade dispute could reshape the North American trailer market. U.S. manufacturers say low-priced imports from China, Mexico, and Canada are harming domestic production. Importers argue the industry’s struggles stem from the prolonged freight downturn, not unfair trade. The U.S. International Trade Commission has ruled that domestic trailer builders have a case.   Timestamps: 1:11 - U.S. trailer makers claim unfair competition from imports 6:52 - Importers rebut coalition's claims, blame downturn on 'macroeconomic' forces 11:46 - What's next for regulators and the trailer industry

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of March 12: California removed 13,000 non-domiciled CDLs. Pell Grants might pay for some workforce training Daimler producing new camera system for medium-duty, vocational trucks Harbinger Motors is launching a medium-duty cabover truck Diesel prices shot up by a whopping $0.96

Autonomous trucking has real-world operations today—and the developers have bold plans for commercialization within the next two years. This week, the Fleet Lead's Jeremy Wolfe is hosting interviews with four of the industry's autonomous developers. Torc Robotics is integrating autonomous software into the Freightliner Cascadia, the most popular Class 8 truck in the U.S. for many years. The developer is also using generative AI to develop training simulations for its virtual driver. Andrew Culhane, Torc’s chief commercial officer, describes the company’s work and the state of the technology. Timestamps: 1:54 - Benefits of autonomous vehicles 4:56 - The growing pains a carrier might face 6:12 - What makes Torc unique? 8:29 - Torc’s current operations 10:19 - Recent major milestones 18:09 - Torc's near-future plans.

Autonomous trucking has real-world operations today—and the developers have bold plans for commercialization within the next two years. This week, the Fleet Lead's Jeremy Wolfe is hosting interviews with four of the industry's autonomous developers. Bot Auto operates its own autonomous truck fleet to pursue a transportation-as-a-service model, vying for the business of shippers and brokers. The company is focused on minimizing its cost per mile, achieving costs significantly below its competitors. Xiaodi Hou, Bot Auto's founder and CEO, joins the Fleet Lead to talk about the state of autonomous trucking. Timestamps: 0:34 - Benefits of autonomous technology 2:24 - Challenges to autonomous operation 6:41 - The history of Bot Auto 8:43 - The "Transportation as a Service" model 11:27 - Cost per mile compared to competitors 16:32 - Bot Auto's active truck fleet 19:58 - Texas partnerships 22:54 - Bot Auto's future roadmap

Autonomous trucking has real-world operations today—and the developers have bold plans for commercialization within the next two years. This week, the Fleet Lead's Jeremy Wolfe is hosting interviews with four of the industry's autonomous developers. Kodiak AI is a public autonomous truck developer with a focus on OEM-agnostic upfitting and edge computing. It achieved some of the first major autonomous milestones in recent years under its partnership with Atlas Energy. Here Don Burnette, founder and CEO of Kodiak AI, describes the state of autonomy today and outlines the company's achievements.

Here are the big stories from this week in trucking as of March 5: OEMs announced two new vocational trucks The Trump administration is changing independent contractor classification The Supreme Court is hearing arguments around broker liability Torc Robotics is moving autonomous hauls to Michigan Bot Auto is working with a broker for Texas hauls Diesel prices jumped 9 cents  

Jim Mullen is replacing Jim Ward as president of the Truckload Carriers Association in early April. How will Mullen use his deep trucking industry experience—as a former mega-carrier executive, past FMCSA acting administrator, and leader in autonomous trucking and the Clean Freight Coalition—to guide the truckload sector through a massive regulatory shift? FleetOwner's Josh Fisher sat down with Mullen at TCA's Truckload 2026 to discuss his "360-degree" perspective and his strategy for navigating trucking's new era of enforcement and economic recovery. Timestamps: 0:40 - Industry sentiment 4:15 - Career background 7:30 - Lobbying and regulatory relations 10:30 - Impact of enforcement 13:20 - Hours of Service (HOS) pilot 16:00 - Clean Freight Coalition's future 24:20 - Autonomous technology 27:50 - Advice for carriers

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of February 26: The Supreme Court struck down IEEPA tariffs FMCSA is continuing its driver qualification crackdown Daimler revealed its next heavy-duty engine Spot rates increased over 2 cents Diesel prices jumped 10 cents

As EPA's new NOx standards creep nearer, Daimler Truck North America this month revealed its next generation of complaint heavy-duty engines. The Detroit-branded Gen 6 diesel engines will be available in 13-, 15-, and 16-liter options that meet the looming 35-milligram NOx limit, and will power future Freightliner and Western Star trucks. In the historic Detroit Manufacturing Plant, FleetOwner's Josh Fisher talks with David Carson, SVP of sales and marketing at DTNA, about the new engine, the state of on-highway and vocational trucking, and Carson's advice for fleets. To avoid a repeat of the 2022 capacity crunch and manage the rising maintenance costs of aging equipment, Carson advises fleet managers to "order early, order often" rather than waiting for perfect economic certainty.

The relocation of manufacturing back to the U.S. could be a boon for domestic freight. The pandemic recently spurred business interest in reshoring, but tariff volatility also paralyzed many investment decisions. Rosemary Coates, executive director of the Reshoring Institute, explains the current state of U.S. reshoring. Timestamps: 00:42 - The Reshoring Institute's mission 04:00 - Global supply chain vulnerability 06:30 - Tariff volatility and business paralysis 12:45 - Manufacturing moving to Mexico

Here are the trucking industry's headlines this week, as of February 12: EPA finalizes removal of trucks’ greenhouse gas regulations FMCSA makes another attempt to tighten non-domiciled CDLs TCA's next president will be Jim Mullen In fuel, diesel prices rose by 1 cent

Modern work trucks have become very advanced, and OEMs' strategies to manage those trucks even more advanced. Ford Pro's Eric Rice, general manager of U.S. fleet sales, details the industry's latest trends: driver assistance, predictive maintenance, the technician shortage, and more. Timestamps: 02:23 - Total cost of ownership 07:35 - Advanced safety tech 11:35 - The technician shortage 16:30 - Machine learning for actionable data 18:30 - Race to zero downtime

Here are the trucking industry's headlines this week, as of February 5: The latest highway funding bill includes truck parking Five employees won a $52 million verdict against food distributor Sysco EPA is looking to further weaken DEF derates Heavy-duty equipment demand in January was very strong Spot rates made a record-high jump Diesel prices increased 6 cents

Erik Neandross, president of TRC’s Clean Transportation Solutions Group, previews ACT Expo 2026 in Las Vegas. As the industry pivots from clean fuel goals to "clean intelligence," Neandross shares an insider’s look at where OEM and fleet capital is actually flowing this year. Timestamps: 2:00 - Shift to economic sustainability 9:53 - ACT Expo's focus on continuing education 13:40 - The rise of virtual drivers 20:06 - Software-defined devicles 24:11 - ACT Expo's keynote speakers: Rivian and Mack Trucks 30:23 - The Expo's move to Las Vegas

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking, as of January 29: Werner acquired FirstFleet Gatik completed 60,000 autonomous medium-duty hauls Traton gave $25 million to PlusAI for autonomous truck development Diesel deleting no longer risks jail time FMCSA issued HOS exemptions to most states Eaton is spinning off its commercial vehicle business Diesel prices increased 9 cents

2025 had no shortage of regulatory changes for the trucking industry, vacillating between rapid crackdowns and sluggish rulemakings. David Heller, senior VP of Safety and Government Affairs for the Truckload Carriers Association, shares his outlook for the next year’s regulatory landscape—from English proficiency to CSA scores and beyond. Catch this episode of The Fleet Lead podcast here or search for The Fleet Lead on your favorite podcast app. Chapters: 1:59 - The 2026 regulatory space  2:30 - Regulation pacing 4:22 - English proficiency and CDL crackdowns 9:59 - How might lawsuits impact regulations? 11:09 - Rules to look out for 15:00 - Might CSA score calculations change?

Here are the headlines this week in trucking, as on January 22: California started enforcing English language proficiency requirements United States Postal Service launched a bidding website for last-mile delivery A judge blocked New York’s truck tolling surcharge Spot rates decreased for dry van and refrigerated  Diesel prices jumped 7 cents

The first 2026 roundtable of the Fleet Lead podcast brings together editors from Fleet Owner and Bulk Transporter to analyze a commercial vehicle market currently transitioning from a stagnant 2025 toward a cautiously optimistic 2026. Despite continued carrier bankruptcies and consolidations, there are signs that the market might turn later this year. FMCSA's continued crackdown on driver qualifications could help bring upward pressure on rates. On the technology side, appetite for EVs is shrinking while autonomous and AI deployment marches on—and a brainwave scanner could be the next driver safety tech tool. Featuring Jason McDaniel from Bulk Transporter and Josh Fisher, Jade Brasher, and Jeremy Wolfe from FleetOwner. Timestamps:  1:30 – FMCSA's driver crackdowns 3:55 – Fleet bankruptcies 8:33 – How are carriers feeling about the market? 10:00 – General Motors's new headquarters 11:15 – GM strategy for EVs 20:36 – Survey: Fleets don't want EVs 27:08 – Autonomous truck expectations 29:42 – Brain monitoring devices for driver fatigue. 34:55 – Heil Trailer military contracts and expansion. 36:39 – Global mergers, acquisition deal trends.

Here are the headlines from this week in the U.S. trucking industry, as on January 15: Tennessee is asking CDL holders for proof of legal residence FMCSA targeted North Carolina’s non-domiciled CDLs STG Logistics filed for bankruptcy Mack Anthem began production

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of January 8: DOT cut more of California's funding USPS is trimming its use of non-domiciled CDLs Autonomous trucking announcements at the Consumer Electronics Show Truck orders reached a three-year high

As the transportation industry continues to meet ever more stringent emissions rules from the EPA, especially the latest low NOx rule, new heavy-duty engines and heavy-duty engine oils are on the way as well. Set for rollout at the start of 2027, the American Petroleum Institute's (API) recently approved three key actions to vote on to establish the new heavy-duty engine oil specification, Proposed Category 12 (PC-12): Acceptance of PC-12 technical requirements, PC-12 user language, and Jan. 1, 2027, as the first license date for API Service Category CL-4 and API FB-4. According to the organization, this new category is supposed to provide more reliability and durability for engines by enhancing oxidative and thermal resistance, wear performance, and compatibility with aftertreatment systems. But don't only take our word for it: In this episode of The Fleet Lead, John Hitch sat down with Karin Haumann, OEM Technical Manager for Shell Rotella and chair of the API New Category development team, to discuss the new category, how it was developed, and how it will impact the trucking industry. Chapters: 1:00 - Haumann's role 1:42 - What are proposed categories? 3:50 - Oil category differences 5:47 - The process to upgrade oil categories 10:14 - Where are we in the upgrade process? What's next? 12:15 - Upcoming changes 16:54 - Can you use different oils in one truck? 19:00 - Biggest reminders for PC-12

Lawsuit abuse is the second-highest concern among fleet executives in 2025, second only to the economy. When thermonuclear verdicts against carriers are stretching beyond $100 million, they may be getting out of hand. According to new research form the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), those lawsuits against carriers are hindering the U.S. economy. If states reduced commercial auto tort costs over 10 years, it could increase annual GDP by $52.3 billion and create 5.7 million additional jobs. John Hitch, editor-in-chief of Fleet Maintenance, shines a light on the study with help from Nick Lucas, executive director for research and data analytics at the ILR. Timestamps:  5:11 - Overview of the commercial auto tort cost study 7:00 - How litigation impacts everyday prices 18:45 - Reducing tort costs have economic benefits 24:00 - Third-party litigation funding and transparency 30:15 - The need for systemic safeguards

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of December 30: DOT targeting Colorado over non-domiciled CDLs Standard Forwarding Freight ceased operations Advocacy group sues California's CDL cancellation Spot rates up, fuel prices down Have a happy new year!

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of the holiday week of December 23: California paused its plans to reissue 17,000 CDLs Major rail merger wants to take market share from trucks Spot rates made big holiday gains

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of December 18: California is suing DOT over terminated transportation funding DOT is also threatening New York's funding over non-domiciled CDL practices Oregon is ending the Trusted Carrier Partner program Prime Inc. faces part of a $44M nuclear verdict Legislators launch trucking caucus Trailer orders fell sharply Diesel dropped 6 cents

ATA's latest chairman and Groendyke Transport's CEO, Greg Hodgen, thinks of himself as an optimist, while others call him a realist. But both perspectives are on display in this episode of The Fleet Lead, where Hodgen and Bulk Transporter Editor Jason McDaniel sat down for a frank conversation about the transportation industry, with a special focus on tank trailers. From discussing the shortage of drivers versus qualified drivers to tort reform and beyond, McDaniel and Hodgen cover the spectrum of realism to optimism in trucking while looking ahead for 2026. Catch this episode of The Fleet Lead podcast here or search for The Fleet Lead on your favorite podcast app. Chapter index: 1:04 - Hodgen's road to the industry and ATA leadership 5:00 - Drivers vs qualified drivers 11:53 - The importance of innovation in tank trucking 14:01 - Government and regulations 23:58 - Tort reform and cybersecurity 31:19 - Looking ahead for 2026 37:31 - Appreciating the trucking industry

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of December 11: For-hire fleets getting acquired or downsizing Aurora expands autonomous truck operations Wreaths Across America Day is here Diesel prices dropped by 9 cents

Analyst Dean Croke talks about his plans for this year’s Wreaths Across America, his bustling social media, and the trucking community's dedication to honoring service members. Dean Croke will be attending the Escort to Arlington with RadioNemo. Croke is a senior analyst for DAT Freight & Analytics, but he’s also a longtime truck driver with an industry social media presence. Croke shares his plans for this year’s Wreaths Across America, his own connection to honoring service members, and some of the reasons why many truck drivers are so passionate about the event. Timestamps: 0:29 - Origins and the convoy 9:52 - Connection, supporting truckers' lonely work 12:42 - Dean's social media and "rollers" 16:02 - How to get involved, where to listen

The Fleet Lead’s editors share a retrospective on 2025 and a look ahead to 2026, focusing on the industry’s latest problems: freight demand and regulatory uncertainty. In 2025, the three-year economic slump continued to drag on. Fleets and manufacturers struggled to plan for the future as a new administration muddied the industry’s future. Electric vehicle hype died down. How will these challenges take shape in 2026, and who will come out on top? Featuring John Hitch from Fleet Maintenance, Josh Fisher from FleetOwner, Kevin Jones from Trailer Body Builders, and Jason McDaniel from Bulk Transporter. Timestamps: 1:07 - The never-ending recession 5:41 - Driver quality 8:15 - FET repeal: Pipedream? 11:37 - EVs on the backburner 15:25 - Tariff impacts 23:05 - Looking for a positive outlook Predictions for 2026 32:57 - Josh Fisher: Autonomous trucking 33:51 - Jason McDaniel: No pre-buy & tech integration 36:25 - Kevin Jones: Market share shakeup 37:15 - John Hitch: AI tools

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of December 4: FMCSA improves ELD review Truck orders continue to plummet FCMSA removes 3,000 CDL training providers Minnesota’s non-domiciled CDLs are in FMCSA’s crosshairs 10 Roads Express is shutting down Diesel prices dropped 7 cents

When it comes to adding veterans to your fleet or shop, there are plenty of benefits you stand to gain. After all, many veterans bring both hard and soft skills to the table, from technical training to leadership, dedication, and reliability. For instance, Suzanne Varghese, a gas turbine engine mechanic and maintenance supervisor for the U.S. Navy has parlayed her skills to the civilian world with Ryder as a recruiter. In this episode of The Fleet Lead, listen to Fleet Maintenance's Editor-in-Chief John Hitch, a former submarine sonar technician, discuss vet hiring best practices with Varghese. And along with commercial vehicle maintenance, this is one area Ryder excels at. Ryder has more than 4,000 veterans on staff and is routinely recognized as a top employer for vets. Since 2011, Ryder has hired more than 15,000 veterans. Chapters: 1:29 - Varghese's role with Ryder 4:25 - Life as a Navy technician 11:50 - Where and how to recruit veterans 13:42 - How to interview a veteran 17:44 - Veterans' soft skills

Hendrickson is a manufacturer and supplier of medium- and heavy-duty suspensions, axle and brake systems, tire pressure control systems, and other products to the global commercial transportation industry. In this episode of the Fleet Lead Hendrickson’s VP of marketing, Jeff Sass, talks about the company’s ‘Beyond Suspensions’ strategy, American manufacturing, an aftermarket myth, and beyond. Timestamps: 01:06 - American manufacturing is critical 03:02 - Investing for the rebound 05:09 - What would Magnus think, 100 years on? 06:08 - A trailer is more than a box on wheels 08:09 - Tariffs: Who pays? 12:29 - Down markets are opportunities 13:58 - Myth: Aftermarket grows when new CV sales are down 15:07- Crystal ball: The growing importance of CV equipment