The Fleet Lead

This week in trucking: Goodbye DEF derates, hello truck parking

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:15:55 -0300

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of July 9:

EPA is weakening the upcoming NOx rule and removing DEF derates
Rhode Island is preparing for truck-only tolls
USMCA is in an awkward position
Diesel fell 9 cents, but oil futures spiked

This week in trucking: Illinois toll increase, condom heist

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:22:11 -0300

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of July 2

Illinois Tollway is planning a 30% increase in toll rates
FedEx is selling its 3PL arm for $1.4 billion
Cargo thieves stole $1.7 million in condoms and lubricant
Diesel prices fell 16 cents

Have a happy 4th of July!

Cutting-edge fleet technology with Samsara VP Arpan Podduturi

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:11:47 -0300

In this episode of The Fleet Lead, Jeremy Wolfe sits down with Arpan Podduturi, VP of product for transportation tech company Samsara, fresh off the Samsara Beyond user conference in Las Vegas.

The tech company announced a suite of new cutting-edge technologies for fleet management: from new pedestrian detections to AI dispatch communication, LLMs, and beyond.

Gravitate: How tech is rewriting the fuel supply chain

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:57:19 -0300

As downstream fuel margins tighten and market volatility grows, relying on manual spreadsheets and tribal knowledge may no longer be enough for modern fuel haulers. Bulk Transporter's Jason McDaniel sits down with Mike Scharf, CEO of fuel supply chain tech company Gravitate, to discuss how specialized software is transforming the sector.

Timestamps:

01:55 — Gravitate's market footprint

02:35 — From consulting to software

04:40 — Price volatility pushing fleet innovation

08:14 — How generic freight tools fail fuel

14:44 — Autonomous dispatch

21:50 — How software helps smaller fleets

30:27 — Debunking AI misconceptions

Former SpaceX technical trainer on why some leaders fail to launch, others blast off

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:37:24 -0300

It's not rocket science, but people management can be a difficult skill to grasp—especially for those technical employees trained to solve machines rather than personnel.

A former pilot instructor and SpaceX training head, Matt Gjertsen has plenty of experience building teams with stellar technical skills. While techs have many attributes that make them ideal managers, they may not realize that management often means stepping away from problems.

Gjertsen is promoting his upcoming book based off just that experience: In this episode, Fleet Maintenance's John Hitch asks Gjertsen how to step back from the wrench, build genuine trust, and help technical management truly blast off.

Check out Gjertsen's podcast, Leadership Launchpad, here.

Timestamps:

01:16 – Introduction
02:39 – Matt Gjertsen’s Background
06:59 – Shift from technical expert to people leader
09:54 – The delegation doom loop
14:21 – Building trust in diverse
17:33 – First principles leadership Framework
24:47 – Navigating generational shifts and labor shortages
30:25 – Root cause analysis for people problems
42:34 – Technique vs. procedure management

This week in trucking: Dana buys Eaton Mobility, "do not drive" warnings

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:07:31 -0300

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of June 18:

Dana Inc. is purchasing Eaton Mobility
Nearly 800 Mack and Volvo trucks have “do not drive” warnings
Autonomous truck company Einride goes public
Diesel falls 22 cents, ceasefire hopes rise

Zeem's Paul Gioupis: EVs facing "major inflection year"

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:32:20 -0300

What happens when commercial electric vehicles move past the pioneer phase? Paul Gioupis, founder and CEO of Zeem Solutions, has a front-row seat. Managing the ZEV fleet management company, Gioupis sees the massive data behind Zeem's over 350,000 charging sessions.

In this episode, FleetOwner's Josh Fisher talks with Gioupis at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo, discussing how the Tesla Semi is shattering range expectations and how the total cost of ownership (TCO) narrative is changing.

This week in trucking: Trailer duties, LTL disruption, World Cup congestion

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:39:46 -0300

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of June 11

U.S. imposes duties on Mexican, Chinese trailer imports
Amazon’s LTL arm opens for business
World Cup congestion is underway
Strong spot rates are here to stay
Diesel fell 14 cents

Truck and Roll: Origins of the semi-truck and early auto maintenance challenges

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:59:03 -0300

It’s no surprise that America’s economic dominance since the late 19th century coincided with the start of its trucking industry.

What may be surprising is that much of the automotive and trucking industries started not in Detroit, but it’s neighbor to the south, Cleveland. This is where Alexander Winton built the first semi-tractor to haul his company’s automobiles to early customers, and also where White Motor Co. got its start.

For America 250, Cleveland’s Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum is hosting an exhibit called "Keep on Truckin" (a phrase coined by artist R. Crumb, who lived in Cleveland for a time) that showcases several early truck models.

Fleet Maintenance's John Hitch visited the museum to discuss trucking’s past and evolution with the museum’s curator of transportation history, Aaron Warkentin.

Timestamps:

01:45 — Origins of the semi-truck
04:30 — Early truck technology
07:10 — Old timey headlights
08:10 — Horsepower vs horses
10:00 — Motorless truck maintenance
11:35 — Truck design evolution
14:15 — The Crawford Museum's founding
22:50 — White Motor Company

A look under the hood at Volvo Trucks' next D13 engine

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:53:33 -0300

Volvo Trucks North America unveiled its new EPA 2027-compliant D13 engine at this year's Advanced Clean Transportation Expo.

The Fleet Lead brought on Duane Tegels, VTNA's product marketing manager, to talk about its updated electrical architecture, aftertreatment, and engine block designs. The new engine hits aggressive NOx reductions while maintaining fuel economy and boosting engine braking performance.

Timestamps:

0:57 – New electrical architecture
4:36 – Tips for maintaining the new engines
6:30 – Increased engine braking power
7:56 – Procurement advice
9:34 – VTNA's vocational plan
11:04 – Checking out the new engine

Truck Yeah! America’s 250-Year Trucking History & Tech Future

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:56:29 -0300

To celebrate America's 250th anniversary, the crews from FleetOwner and FleetMaintenance team up for an epic look at the trucking industry’s deep historical roots and its tech-driven future. From the first horse-drawn wagons that moved goods through the Thirteen Colonies to the 1897 invention of the semi-truck to today's shift toward alternative powertrains, we're breaking down how freight moves America.

Plus, we dive into the Right to Repair Act, the multi-year freight recession, and the surprising history of how Henry Ford accidentally invented Kingsford charcoal.

Timestamps:

0:57 – Colonial trade routes and the physical evolution of freight
3:08 – The 1897 invention of the semi-truck
5:57 – 13 diagnostic trouble codes
11:00 – NASCAR roots, North Carolina culture
13:46 – Eisenhower's interstate vision
18:05 – Regulatory shifts, alternative fuels
25:19 – The Federal Excise Tax (FET) debate
30:44 – The multi-year freight recession
35:21 – The Right to Repair Act
44:06 – Holiday plans and how Henry Ford invented Kingsford charcoal

This week in trucking: FedEx Freight, Ohio non-dom CDLs

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:09:32 -0300

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of June 4:

FedEx Freight completed its LTL spinoff
Ohio is planning the expiration of 5,000 non-domiciled CDLs
Congress considering more truck parking funding
Attempts to repeal the Federal Excise Tax
Diesel fell 17 cents

National Tank Truck Carriers' new chairman, Jeremy Mairs

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 08:54:08 -0300

The National Tank Truck Carriers' new chairman is doing much more than continuing the association's long-held tradition of bald chairmen. Bulk Transporter's Jason McDaniel hosts Jeremy Mairs, president/CEO of Cox Transport and NTTC's chairman, to talk about his experience growing up in the industry and working under California regulations. What does Mairs have on the agenda for NTTC in the next couple years?

Timestamps:

0:33 — Qualifications for tank truck association leadership?
1:16 — Jeremy met his wife at an NTTC event
2:33 — Experience as a driver
6:01 — Cox Petroleum's footprint
7:41 — How did your upbringing influence your trucking view?
10:09 — Jeremy's priorities as chairman
12:00 — FMCSA's Derek Bars
15:15 — Where NTTC can make the most progress
18:08 — What is it like operating in California?
23:54 — The Iran fuel shock
25:33 — Jeremy's industry outlook
27:30 — Why stay engaged with NTTC?

This week in trucking: Driver bathrooms, charging consolidation

Thu, 28 May 2026 17:21:23 -0300

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of May 28.

A House committee passed a surface transportation bill
Motive is updating its dash cam tech offerings
EV charging companies Voltera, Revel are merging
In fuel this week, diesel fell 7 cents

Driver Demographic Cliff: How fleets can survive the workforce aging crisis

Thu, 28 May 2026 08:56:04 -0300

There is a fundamental shift happening in how fleets hire, pay, and retain drivers. The trucking workforce is rapidly aging, and the critical population of 45- to 65-year-old drivers is shrinking. What happens when the demographic cliff hits your fleet?

In this episode of The Fleet Lead, FleetOwner’s Josh Fisher sits down with Leah Shaver, president and CEO of the National Transportation Institute, a leading organization that tracks industry drivers’ wages, benefits, and retirement trends. Leah shares her experiences with driver demographics, how carriers approach age differences, driver retention, and more.

Tune in to discover:

The Root Causes: Why traditional retention strategies are failing the next generation.
Creative Solutions: How carriers are moving past the “earn your stripes” mentality with flexible scheduling and modern incentives.
The Legal & Cultural Hurdles: Navigating marijuana regulations and the generational communication rift.

Episode Chapters & Timestamps

1:04 – Understanding the Driver Demographic Cliff
2:06 – The Compounding Factors Restricting Driver Supply
5:46 – Moving Past the “Earn Your Stripes” Mentality
8:49 – Creative Scheduling and Modern Incentives
10:11 – Bridging the Generational Communication Rift
21:17 – Navigating the Industry’s Marijuana Hurdles
27:20 – What Modern Drivers Actually Prefer
34:00 – Immediate Action Items: What Fleets Can Do Today

EPA 2027 Prebuy: Build slots, fleet strategies, and powertrain planning

Tue, 26 May 2026 17:24:54 -0300

The Model Year 2027 prebuy has changed considerably over the last few years. What hasn't changed, though, is that fleets can still expect a several-thousand-dollar premium on the next series of compliant trucks.

Don Davis, executive vice president of national accounts for Fleet Advantage, shares his perspective on the coming prebuy, equipment procurement, and overall truck lifecycle management.

Timestamps:

1:30 – Is there still a prebuy?
3:34 – Are fleets starting to feel constrained equipment availability?
5:19 – How the prebuy changed
8:32 – The NOX rule's cost increases
9:53 – What should fleets do?

America 250: How NASCAR and North Carolina helped shape American trucking

Thu, 21 May 2026 13:15:55 -0300

Transportation is a major part of America's identity, and few regions are as steeped in automotive history as North Carolina. The Spirit of Innovation is more than alive in The Tar Heel State, from NASCAR to truck OEMS.

Fleet Maintenance editor Lucas Roberto visited Charlotte's NASCAR Hall of Fame where Winston Kelly, executive director of the facility, explained North Carolina's automotive culture, how the region's talent draws OEMs like Daimler Truck North America, Mack Trucks, and Volvo Truck North America. He also shared some lessons that commercial vehicle technicians can take from motorsports mechanics.

This week in trucking: New registration system, electric truck rebates

Thu, 21 May 2026 13:14:06 -0300

Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of May 21:

California launched an electric truck rebate program
FMCSA's new registration system is live
Einride has an autonomous deployment in the Midwest
FMCSA announced $217 million in grant funding
Spot rates hit record highs
Diesel dropped 4 cents

International on prebuy capacity: Can carriers still get build slots before EPA 27?

Mon, 18 May 2026 17:47:54 -0300

The commercial transportation industry is staring down the EPA 2027 emissions standards. With the chances of prebuy chaos still high, is there a significant risk in waiting too long to secure your build slots?

At ACT Expo, Josh Fisher hosts International's David Hillman to discuss the mid-2026 trucking market ahead of the EPA 2027 emissions regulations, early fleet planning, and International's S13 integrated powertrain.

Timestamps:

1:27 – Growing demand for fleet equipment
4:19 – What is the risk of waiting too long to prebuy?
9:05 – How fleet concerns evolved with connected vehicles
11:07 – What is the single question fleet executives should be asking their dealers to prepare for 2027?

This week in trucking: Broker liability, autonomous boom

Thu, 14 May 2026 16:46:17 -0300

Here are the latest headlines from the trucking industry as of May 14:

The Supreme Court affirmed broker hiring liability
Cargo theft bill passed the House
Tariffs bounced in court
Tesla Semi entered serial production
California issued autonomous truck rules
Several carriers are adopting autonomous fleets
ACT Expo featured engine, e-axle, electric truck announcements
Diesel remained at $5.64 per gallon

The 11th hour: Vanishing truck slots and the return of the driver shortage

Mon, 11 May 2026 23:00:18 -0300

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

This week in trucking: Freightliner safety tech, Clearinghouse security

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:02:52 -0300

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.

How Volvo raised the VNL's fuel efficiency

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:46:36 -0300

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

The FleetGap Initiative: get experienced help for your fleet at zero financial risk

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:26:31 -0300

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

How Daimler engineers boost the Cascadia's fuel efficiency

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:01:10 -0300

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.

This week in trucking: DataQ upgrade, new autonomous drayage truck

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:58:42 -0300

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

What fuel efficiency techniques are fleets using?

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:49:53 -0300

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?

This week in trucking: Paper medical certs extended, chameleon carriers exposed

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:30:36 -0300

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

Van interior upfits that boost residual value?

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:51:13 -0300

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.

BeyondTrucks on trucking's bend toward AI

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:50:21 -0300

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

This week in trucking: Idaho speed limits, more Iran chaos

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:47:58 -0300

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

What you missed at Q1's fleet trade shows

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:32:18 -0300

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

This week in trucking: ELD tampering out-of-service extension, Indiana's 1,790 non-dom CDLs

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:00:27 -0300

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

Volvo Trucks' Peter Voorhoeve on tariffs, market timing, the all-new VNR, and North American manufacturing

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:01:03 -0300

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

Is broker liability about to change? Supreme Court case on Montgomery could decide

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:21:00 -0300

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.

This week in trucking: New wheel-end sensor, diesel prices

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:10:10 -0300

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

This week in trucking: Rear impact guard milestone, truck tech lawsuits

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:34:36 -0300

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 spotlight: PlusAI's software-first approach to trucking

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:18:34 -0300

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

Looming trade dispute ruling could reshape the U.S. trailer industry

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 18:02:30 -0300

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

This week in trucking: 13,000 CDLs gone, diesel price hikes

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:48:16 -0300

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 spotlight: Torc Robotics driving Freightliners

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:51:20 -0300

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 spotlight: Bot Auto narrowing cost per mile

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:49:59 -0300

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 spotlight: Kodiak's focus on AI

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:55:43 -0400

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.

This week in trucking: New vocational trucks, legal decisions

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:36:51 -0400

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

Trucking's "Law and Order" Era: Incoming TCA President Jim Mullen on FMCSA crackdowns, freight recessions, and emissions course corrections

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:55:33 -0400

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

This week in trucking: Tariff reruns, FMCSA wants more English proficiency

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:37:21 -0400

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

Daimler Truck's next diesel engine and the urgency of fleet renewal

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:08:26 -0400

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.

Is manufacturing coming back to U.S.? Reshoring Institute talks tariffs, China, nearshoring

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 18:37:54 -0400

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

This week in trucking: emissions rollback, non-domiciled oversight

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:07:34 -0400

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

Ford Pro's take on tech shortage, work truck TCO, and journey to zero downtime

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:44:15 -0400

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

This week in trucking: Sysco loses retaliation suit, $200 million for truck parking

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:17:44 -0400

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

An AV vs. EV horse race: ACT Expo 2026

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:12:03 -0400

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

This week in trucking: Werner acquired FirstFleet, autonomous milestones

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 17:17:11 -0400

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

2026's regulatory rodeo with David Heller, Truckload Carriers Association

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 19:40:59 -0400

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?

This week in trucking: Spot rates down, California enforces English

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 18:05:52 -0400

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

2026 Outlook: Rise of AI, dwindling EV focus, and brain-reading trucks

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:58:28 -0400

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.

This week in trucking: Appalachian CDLs, STG Logistics bankruptcy

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:18:57 -0400

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

This week in trucking: California loses funding, USPS cuts non-dom CDLs

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:44:33 -0400

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

What to expect from PC-12 engine oils with Shell's Karin Haumann

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:19:09 -0400

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

Nuclear verdicts cost the entire U.S. economy

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 11:20:47 -0400

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

This week in trucking: Colorado CDL scrutiny, LTL closure

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 12:44:34 -0400

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!

This week in trucking: Rail merger targets trucking, 17k CDLs on pause

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:47:47 -0400

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

This week in trucking: Prime's nuclear verdict, non-domiciled CDL disputes

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:49:37 -0400

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

New ATA chairman on drivers, tankers, regs, and trucking's future

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:33:20 -0400

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

This week in trucking: Fleets downsizing, autonomous expands

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 16:39:35 -0400

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

Dean Croke's' connection to Wreaths Across America, U.S. truck drivers

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 15:33:55 -0400

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

Trucking's year in review: Uncertainty

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 08:54:37 -0400

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

This week in trucking: CDL crackdown, truck orders plummet

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:48:11 -0400

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

Podcast: Ryder recruiter Suzanne Varghese on veteran hiring best practices

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:01:30 -0400

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's 'Beyond Suspensions' strategy

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 17:46:09 -0400

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

This week in trucking: Freight recession symptoms, Bollinger quits

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 10:59:07 -0400

The major headlines from the week of Nov. 24 in trucking, just before Thanksgiving:

Bollinger Motors is no more
Demand for Class 8 equipment is very weak
Industrial production is doing even worse than expected
The first all-new Mack Pioneers have been delivered
Diesel prices dropped 4 cents

Volvo Trucks on the freight recession, fleet survival, and the bottom line

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 12:46:06 -0400

Volvo Trucks North America launched its new VNL and VNR models in the middle of the prolonged freight recession. While OEMs don't choose the market conditions when they develop a new truck, Peter Voorhoeve, president of VTNA, points to the bright side: the models' fuel efficiency can be a critical tool for carriers' bottom line.

In this episode of the Fleet Lead, Josh Fisher talks with Volvo's Voorhoeve about fleets' equipment acquisition strategies, the current environment of uncertainty, and electric vehicle adoption.

2:07: New trucks launch in longest freight recession
3:42: Fuel savings and equipment replacement advice
7:47: Electric truck focus is waning
11:30: Global strategy and regional markets

This week in trucking: NOx rule stays, Schneider ready for acquisitions

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:54:37 -0400

The major headlines from this week in trucking:

The heavy-duty NOx rule will not be delayed
Schneider is looking for more opportunities for mergers and acquisitions
The Department of Transportation is demanding Pennsylvania revoke non-domiciled CDLs
Pilot Company named its 2025 Road Warrior Champion
Diesel prices rising

How Peterbilt is juggling new vehicle platforms, waiting on the freight recession

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 11:26:06 -0400

Peterbilt is finishing out 2025 with a strong lineup, but just like every other industry stakeholder, they're also waiting to see how the market shifts on alternative powertrains, like electric vehicles and natural gas engines, as well as looking toward the end of the freight recession. To drill down on how fleets can manage their business needs while still operating in plenty of unknowns, Jake White, director of Product Marketing for Peterbilt, sat down to discuss the company's model 579 and 579 EV and how their customers are responding to the various powertrains available to them.

Listen to the interview on this week's episode of The Fleet Lead podcast below or search for The Fleet Lead on your favorite podcast app.

Timestamps:

1:05 - Peterbilt's show trucks and lineup
3:41 - Peterbilt's vocational business
4:58 - Customer sentiment on EVs and natural gas
5:61 - Advice for fleets for when the freight recession ends

Volvo's autonomous roadmap

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 18:04:12 -0400

People in the trucking industry predicted that autonomous trucks would be running in 2019—then it was 2021, 2024... What's the holdup? Sasko Cuklev, Head of On-Road Solutions of Volvo Autonomous Solutions, details the company's strategy for commercializing autonomous trucking and its development of an autonomous ecosystem: digital integration, infrastructure, first responder training, and more.

Veteran's Day Special: Talking veterans with Nick Smith, a U.S. Marine turned International sensation

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 01:56:34 -0400

Whether they're in the bay or on the road, veterans have both the tangible and intangible skills to succeed in the transportation industry. Whatever the branch of service or mission given, service members by and large have been trained to think on the fly and get the job done no matter what, learn to follow and lead, and manage stress. They also know a thing or two about logistics and how to "hurry up and wait," making them well suited to the transportation industry once their military service has ended.

In this special Veterans Day episode of The Fleet Lead, Fleet Maintenance's Editor-in-Chief John Hitch, a former U.S. Navy submariner, sat down with Nick Smith, the media relations manager at International and former Marine who did two combat tours in Iraq, to discuss his transition from the Corps to a top-notch trucking communicator, how vets in general can help reinforce your fleet or shop's ranks, as well as how to set them up for success.

We also get into how difficult life gets when the mission and adrenaline rushes are over and it's time to return to civilian life, and how trucking can be a lifeline to those who gave their best years to the nation and are desperate for purpose.

Chapters:

Introduction - 00:40

Smith's role at International - 02:47

How veteran's experiences prepare them for work - 05:15

Smith's role and mentorship in the marines - 08:09

On leadership - 11:04

Support after service - 15:28

The stigma against veterans - 25:15

How to prepare for discharge - 31:26

Navigating uncertainty with Fleet Advantage's Brian Antonellis

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 20:44:39 -0400

Fleets have been working in challenging conditions for the past two years, from a long-running freight recession to swiftly shifting regulations. But while fleets can't control today's economic volatility, they can strategically manage their fleets by paying attention to the data they're getting from their vehicles and considering how to spend their capital, whether that's on strategic repairs or carefully planned procurement. In this episode, Fleet Maintenance's Editor-in-Chief, John Hitch, sat down with Fleet Advantage's senior vice president of fleet operations, Brian Antonellis, to discuss how fleets can balance extending their trucks' lifespans with increased maintenance costs, if electric vehicles are still viable, and how fleets can manage today's trucking environment.

Jade Transport driver talks his trailer, dashcams, and more

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 19:21:50 -0400

While fleets must often focus on a top-down view of the trucking industry, sometimes it helps to get back in the driver's seat to appreciate the finer details and challenges on today's roads. In this episode, Jason McDaniel, senior editor at Bulk Transporter, caught up with Dennis Duran, a driver with Jade Transport, to talk the care and keeping of his Kenworth truck and stainless-steel chemical tank trailer from Tremcar, as well as how the industry has changed over the years.

Chapters:

00:58 - Duran's truck and trailer

2:46 - Industry developments

3:27 - Dashcams in the truck

3:49 - Looking ahead for the tank truck world

ATRI, A&M Transport talk top fleet concerns

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0300

The economy is a chief concern for fleets during an ongoing freight recession, and nowhere is this more apparent than at the American Transportation Associations' annual management conference. In this episode, Josh Fisher of FleetOwner sat down with Rebecca Brewster, president of the American Transportation Research Institute, and Andy Owens, president of A&M Transport, to discuss ATRI's recent report on the top 10 concerns fleets have heading into 2026, from the economy to driver qualifications and AI.

Read more about the top 10 issues at FleetOwner.

Leadership means focusing on the outcome

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:30:40 -0300

Success comes from focusing on outcomes, maintaining a positive mindset, and taking personal responsibility for daily progress.

That’s the takeaway from this conversation hosted by Chris Messer, executive vice president of the transportation group at EndeavorB2B—The Fleet Lead’s parent company. He’s joined by Mike Jones, president and master trainer at Discover Leadership Training, and Randy O’Connor, owner/principal of Dealer to Dealer Development Group serving the auto and tire service industry.

Leadership is about enrolling others in a shared vision and personal accountability—not just giving orders.

Calling plays for mobile maintenance

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 08:50:09 -0300

In the age of convenience where everything is delivered, even commercial vehicle maintenance comes on wheels. But why would a shop decide to go mobile? In this episode John Hitch interviews Kevin and Kyle Coltrain, who just launched Coltrain Onsite Fleet Care earlier this year. The brothers are drawing on their family's maintenance and football roots to run their company like a winning team.

Great Dane’s secret to 125 years is focusing “on the right thing”

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:20:05 -0300

To reach 125 years, trailer manufacturer Great Dane continually adapted and innovated to remain a leader in the transportation space—and kept focused “on the right thing,” as its leaders would say.

In this episode, President and COO Rick Mullininx and EVP of Sales Chris Hammond highlight the company's history, key milestones, and future vision.

Listen to the interview on this week's episode of The Fleet Lead podcast below or search for The Fleet Lead on your favorite podcast app.

00:45 - From blow pipes to trailer manufacturing

01:53 - The pivotal 1997 Crown family acquisition

02:32 - Challenging times in the 1980s

03:11 - During COVID, drawing inspiration from World War II efforts

05:33 - Safety as a core company value

06:44 - The Fourth Industrial Revolution, future innovations

Trucking today: trailer manufacturing, English requirements, emissions regs

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 15:58:32 -0300

The Fleet Lead’s team of transportation experts break down some of the industry’s hottest topics today: re-shoring manufacturing, trucking’s overcapacity problem, English proficiency requirements, and emissions regulations.

The roundtable hosted five editors from major trucking brands:

Josh Fisher, Editor-in-Chief, FleetOwner
Jason McDaniel, Editor, Bulk Transporter
Jeremy Wolfe, Editor, FleetOwner
Kevin Jones, Editorial Director, Trailer Body Builders
John Hitch, Editor-in-Chief, Fleet Maintenance

How smaller fleets can use AI to survive the freight recession

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 17:21:48 -0300

Another trucking software company has launched a product that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI). PCS Software unveiled several new offerings that use Cortex AI to automate tasks, from assigning drivers to finding loads.

Mark Hill, PCS Software’s CEO, sat down with FleetOwner to share how he thinks solutions like these can support small- to midsized carriers.

“They’ve done all the right things. These guys, they’ve cut where they need to cut. They’ve extended the life of their assets, and they’re out there talking with customers,” Hill said. “We need to help them by showing them new areas that they can get profit points.”

The future of electric truck adoption is dimmer

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:11:59 -0300

The electric truck market faces big changes this year. State and federal incentives are dissipating in the wake of the Trump administration's disruptions.

In this episode, FleetOwner interviews ACT Research analysts Lydia Vieth and Ann Rundle. Vieth and Rundle explain the current market and regulations, as well as their projections for future electric truck adoption, battery technologies, and beyond.

Tank trucks explained

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 14:39:16 -0300

Tanker trucks are often easy to identify: a tractor hauling a metal cylinder to transport liquid or gas cargo in bulk. But what else separates them from the other tractor-trailers on the road?

In this episode, Jason McDaniel, editor of Bulk Transporter, gives a digestible run-down on tank trucks: their designs, safety regulations, cargo, and more. Jason’s explainer is based on the Fleets Explained series on FleetOwner.

Trailer/Body Builders Buyer's Guide: 65 years and counting

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 12:58:53 -0300

Trailer/Body Builders is celebrating the 65th anniversary of its Buyer’s Guide—an annual complete directory of materials, components, supplies, and services for the trailer and body manufacturing industries.

The Buyer’s Guide is a massive print product: it contains 800 product categories and nearly 5,500 company listings. A former TBB publisher would judge the success of each new issue by dropping it on the floor to hear the “thump” it made.

While many publications have moved away from print, TBB is still a print-first publication. A search bot might save you 10 seconds, but a reliable, physical directory can serve the reader and manufacturer better.

How to launch an electric truck company during the Trump era

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 16:30:31 -0300

Countless commercial electric vehicle (EV) initiatives in the U.S. have either failed or stalled. Despite this, manufacturers still plan to succeed and grow where others failed.
Zero-emission truck manufacturer ZM Trucks opened its first truck assembly plant in Inland Empire, California, in late August. The company constructed the plant in only 88 weeks and plans to sell as many as 1,200 zero-emission trucks next year.
Joost de Vries, CEO of ZM Trucks, emphasized the importance of total cost of ownership and return on investment (ROI) for fleet managers, regardless of emissions.
“Customers are starting to understand that there is an ROI if you go electric,” he told FleetOwner during the company’s plant opening. “It has nothing to do with the environment.”

For-hire’s overcapacity problem

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 17:15:54 -0300

Since the pandemic, growth among private fleets and owner-operators weakened for-hire pricing. ACT Research’s senior analyst Tim Denoyer explains the problem and shares his predictions for a “capacity crunch.”

Tanker segment to outpace GDP through 2029

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:01:48 -0300

The dedicated contract carriage segment of the national liquid and dry bulk truckload market could U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) growth through 2029.

The forecast is from a market study by Logistics Capital and Strategy. The firm expects tanker growth due to nearshoring trends driving demand for industrial gases, and sluggish electric-vehicle adoption buoying gasoline demand.

Jason McDaniel, editor of Bulk Transporter, dives into the details.

Introducing The Fleet Lead Podcast

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:31:15 -0300

The Fleet Lead podcast features journalists from Endeavor Business Media's commercial vehicle brands, including FleetOwner, Fleet Maintenance, Bulk Transporter, and Trailer Body-Builders. It aims to help fleet owners, trucking professionals, and transportation industry leaders navigate the rapidly changing industry, covering topics like new technologies, efficiency, and regulatory shifts. The podcast features expert analysis and real-world insights from trusted trucking industry editors.

New episodes will offer information essential for managing fleets, maximizing uptime and efficiency, and understanding the future of trailer design and autonomous trucks.