Trucks as a materially relevant vehicle segment, not incidental mentions.
Mentorship programme supports safer commercial drivers
Southeastern Freight Lines driver Harold Perry explains how its Driver Mentor Programme pairs experienced and newer drivers to build judgement, confidence and safer habits. He also outlines how fleet managers can support driver training and safety.
Private fleets expand their share of company freight, NPTC survey finds
NPTC’s 2026 Benchmarking Survey, covering 89 private fleets and 2025 operations, finds respondents handled 72% of outbound freight and 64% of inbound movements. Seventy-one per cent expect to add equipment or handle more company freight over the next five years.
Powerstar to put VL 550 through its paces at South Africa’s Truck Test
Powerstar will enter its VL 550 extra-heavy truck in Truck Test 2026 on South Africa’s Johannesburg–Durban route. The 405kW Weichai-powered vehicle will be assessed for fuel consumption, journey times, speed and productivity under long-haul operating conditions.
Powerstar showcases trucks and tests Euro 5 prototypes in South Africa
Powerstar distributor Ever Star Industries showcased construction and mining trucks at Electra Mining Africa, while testing new 6×4 Euro 5 manual and automatic prototypes. The company also highlighted local assembly, expanded production and demand for water tankers in South Africa.
GM launches new V8 engines for 2027 full-size pickups
General Motors has detailed two new V8 engines, a carryover diesel and an upgraded turbocharged option for its 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, as US automakers renew competition in the profitable full-size truck market.
Volvo updates D13 engine for EPA 2027 emissions rules
Volvo Trucks North America has updated its D13 heavy-truck engine with a high-pressure common-rail system, 48-volt aftertreatment components and a revised turbocharger. Ratings run from 405 to 540 hp, with fuel-economy gains of about 4% claimed for some fleets.
Michelin launches X Multi Energy D2 regional-haul truck tyre
Michelin has launched the X Multi Energy D2 drive tyre for regional-haul trucks, claiming 9% lower rolling resistance than its predecessor. The tyre offers improved worn wet handling and snow traction, a casing rated for up to four retreads, and is available in three sizes.
Ford expands V8 availability and cuts prices for 2027 F-150
Ford will offer its 5.0-litre V8 across the 2027 F-150 range, including premium King Ranch and Platinum models, while cutting prices for the Raptor and Tremor by removing some standard equipment.
Kapsch secures five-year UAE truck tolling operations contract
Kapsch TrafficCom will operate and maintain Ras Al Khaimah’s free-flow truck tolling system until 2029 under a five-year contract. The system uses gantries, RFID, ANPR and back-office software to process around one million toll transactions annually.
DTNA recalls 2,404 trucks after incompatible brake remedy
Daimler Truck North America is recalling 2,404 Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 49X 4x2 trucks in the US after an incompatible software remedy failed to address potentially corroded brake modulator valves. Dealers will replace the valves free of charge.
ZF expands North American commercial-vehicle technology and production
ZF is expanding its North American commercial-vehicle business, bringing its PowerLine transmission to more applications and localising production of electric axles and trailer systems. The supplier is also developing hybrid technology and autonomous-truck solutions.
ATRI research identifies high-value telematics metrics for trucking fleets
ATRI research identifies the telematics metrics motor carriers value most for safety, operations and maintenance. Cost per mile ranked highest in operations, while critical events, speeding, risky driving and hard braking were the most widely adopted safety measures.
US diesel prices reach record high, increasing pressure on trucking fleets
US average retail diesel prices reached $5.97 a gallon on 9 September, exceeding the previous 2022 record. California prices approached $8, as refinery constraints, supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions increased fuel-cost pressure on trucking fleets.
Connex2X develops AI guidance to help truck drivers respond to alerts
Connex2X is developing conversational AI and connected workflows that turn truck diagnostics, crash alerts and vehicle data into actionable driver guidance, including incident-response prompts and vehicle-specific routing.
Tesla targets autonomous Semi as camera-only approach faces scrutiny
Tesla expects to demonstrate a self-driving Semi by late 2026 or early 2027, prompting debate over whether its camera-based system can safely operate an 80,000-pound truck at highway speeds. The article examines competing sensor strategies and the regulatory challenges facing autonomous trucking.
Fleets urged to prioritise truck maintenance before autumn freight peaks
Cox Fleet advises heavy-duty fleets to review cooling systems, batteries, tyres, fluids and maintenance data before autumn freight volumes rise, warning that summer wear and unplanned downtime can significantly increase operating costs.
Ford increases F-Series production despite 10.3% August US sales decline
Ford is raising F-Series pickup production after supplier fires disrupted output, with August F-150 production reaching a two-year high. The move comes as Ford’s US vehicle sales fell 10.3% year on year and F-Series sales remained 10.9% lower through August.
FMCSA removes more than 110 truck driver training schools
FMCSA has removed more than 110 entry-level driver training providers from its registry and proposed removing over 160 more. It will also audit third-party CDL skills testers nationwide as US agencies intensify action against alleged trucking fraud and unsafe practices.
FMCSA prepares 2027 pilots for more flexible truck driver hours
FMCSA has completed pre-tests for pilots examining flexible sleeper-berth rules and pauses to drivers’ 14-hour clocks. Full programmes are planned for 2027, with up to 512 truck drivers participating across the two studies.
Detroit opens orders for EPA 2027-compliant heavy-duty engines
Daimler Truck North America will open orders on 1 September for Detroit Gen 6 DD13 and DD15 engines in Freightliner and Western Star trucks. The engines feature updated fuel, emissions and thermal-management systems after three years and more than 8 million miles of testing.
BYD unveils Mako plug-in hybrid pickup for Brazil
BYD has unveiled the Mako, a mid-size plug-in hybrid pickup for Brazil, using its fifth-generation DM system and a 12.9kWh battery. Launch is planned for September 2026, with initial imports from China before production moves to BYD’s Bahia plant.
Volvo Trucks and pet-safety group issue guide for professional drivers
Volvo Trucks North America and the Center for Pet Safety have released a guide for US truck drivers travelling with pets. It covers crash-tested restraints, emergency preparation and temperature risks, following an evaluation of pet-safety features in Volvo’s VNL truck.
International Roadcheck finds medical cards and English proficiency among top violations
CVSA’s 2026 International Roadcheck covered nearly 55,000 inspections in the US, Canada and Mexico. Medical-card violations became the leading driver out-of-service issue, while English-language proficiency violations entered the list for the first time.
Kenworth updates T880E electric vocational truck for fleet applications
Kenworth’s T880E battery-electric vocational truck offers four- or five-string battery packs, up to 250-plus miles of range and 350kW DC charging. Its central e-motor, PTO options and flexible configurations are designed for construction, municipal and delivery fleets.
US to raise Canadian vehicle and parts tariffs to 50% in 2027
Donald Trump said the US will increase tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, automotive parts and steel to 50% from 1 January 2027, escalating the trade dispute after negotiations broke down.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks introduces Base and Line Haul models in Southern Africa
Mercedes-Benz Trucks has expanded its Southern African range with new Base and Line Haul heavy-duty models. The Base variants focus on cost-conscious operations, while Line Haul models target long-distance transport with enhanced comfort, efficiency and range.
Google makes large-vehicle routing tools generally available in US
Google has made Large Vehicle Routing generally available in the US through its Routes API, Route Optimisation API and Navigation SDK. The tools use vehicle dimensions, weight, axle count and hazardous-goods classifications to generate truck-specific routes and ETAs.
Public Wi-Fi attack risks prompt cybersecurity advice for trucking fleets
Heavy Duty Trucking details how the Storm-2945 threat group used public Wi-Fi captive portals to steal credentials and distribute malware, and outlines safeguards including cellular connections, phishing-resistant MFA, VPNs and conditional access controls for trucking fleets.
Zijin Longking unveils 350-tonne electric mining truck in China
Zijin Longking has unveiled the 350-tonne ZL230E battery-electric mining truck in China. It has a 230-tonne payload, twin 800kW motors and a 1,400kWh battery reportedly capable of charging to 90% in 25 minutes.
Grand Island Express reports 25% revenue gain from AI dispatch
Nebraska refrigerated carrier Grand Island Express says AI-assisted dispatch increased revenue by 25% with the same fleet size. The company is also using automation to manage trailer pools, improve costing and identify maintenance issues, while retaining human oversight.
King Fio expands electric drayage fleet despite cost and charging hurdles
King Fio Trucking founder Jennie Abarca is expanding her Long Beach drayage fleet with battery-electric heavy trucks, despite higher costs and charging challenges. Her 35-truck fleet includes 11 electric vehicles, with 21 Teslas on order, and she aims to eliminate diesel trucks by 2030.
Falling US trucking capacity drives higher freight rates
FTR, DAT and ACT report that falling trucking capacity is driving higher US spot and contract rates despite weaker freight volumes. Analysts expect capacity constraints to persist, while stronger rates are reviving tractor orders and backlogs.
DTNA Evaluates Sites for New US Truck Assembly Plant
Daimler Truck North America is evaluating US sites for its largest truck assembly plant, due to open in 2029. Construction is expected to start in late 2026 as the company expands capacity and prepares to close its Portland factory.
US trucking fleets resume purchases while tightening parts costs
Three US trucking fleets are resuming equipment purchases and reducing deferred repairs as freight conditions improve, while using competitive bidding, supplier consolidation and OEM-aftermarket comparisons to manage elevated parts, lubricant and tyre costs.
Ford names $28,350 Fathom electric pickup for 2027 launch
Ford has named its new Fathom midsize electric pickup, priced from $28,350 before delivery charges. Pre-orders are due to open in early 2027, with production at Louisville Assembly Plant using Ford’s new Universal Electric Vehicle platform and assembly process.
Chery launches 892hp Jetour F700 plug-in hybrid pickup
Chery has launched the Jetour F700 plug-in hybrid pickup, featuring 892hp, 150km of electric range, 1,300km combined range, 3.5-tonne towing capacity and 900mm wading depth.
Trucking fleets increase orders as freight recovery meets rising costs
Freight volumes and utilisation are improving, prompting trucking fleets to increase tractor orders and add equipment. However, higher fuel, lubricant and maintenance costs, alongside renewed driver shortages, are tempering industry optimism.
US operation removes more than 800 truck drivers and vehicles from service
A three-day US operation led by the Department of Homeland Security removed more than 800 truck drivers and vehicles from service, including operators detained for immigration, safety and English-proficiency violations.
C.H. Robinson to appeal $604m Texas freight crash verdict
C.H. Robinson says it expects to overturn a $604m Texas jury verdict over a fatal 2021 crash involving an independent carrier. The freight broker is also urging the US government to establish clearer national standards for carrier safety and liability.
Langley council seeks public input on cemetery truck parking proposal
Langley council has referred a proposal to permit three years of commercial truck parking and outdoor storage at Bakerview Memorial Cemetery back to staff for public consultation.
Ontario truck enforcement blitz finds 38% of inspected vehicles out of service
A joint enforcement operation in Quinte West and Belleville, Ontario, found 11 of 29 inspected trucks were out of service. Officers issued 30 charges, nearly half related to registration, daily inspections and vehicle maintenance.
US trucking fleets report stronger Q2 results amid driver shortages
Major US trucking fleets reported stronger second-quarter results as freight demand showed signs of recovery. Executives said capacity is tightening and qualified-driver shortages are worsening, with Werner using AI to improve recruitment.
Freightliner supplies new Cascadia for OOIDA outreach tour
Freightliner has supplied OOIDA with a fifth-generation Cascadia truck for its Spirit of the American Trucker outreach tour across the United States, continuing DTNA’s support for the programme since 2013.
U.S. trucking capacity tightens as freight spending rises despite falling shipments
The U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index shows U.S. trucking capacity tightening in the second quarter, with shipments falling while freight spending and spot and contract rates rose sharply amid a shrinking carrier base.
Clean Energy expands Canadian CNG network as fleets add natural-gas trucks
Clean Energy Fuels is expanding its CNG fuelling network in British Columbia and Alberta as Canadian trucking, refuse and oilfield fleets order additional natural-gas heavy trucks using Cummins’ X15N engine.
Hunter Truck acquires two dealership groups and adds 10 US locations
Hunter Truck has acquired Dimmick Group Peterbilt and Lucky’s Truck and Trailer Sales, adding 10 locations in New York, Vermont and New Hampshire and expanding its network to 28 sites across six US states.
TLG Peterbilt acquires two Virginia dealerships
TLG Peterbilt has acquired two Fitzgerald Peterbilt dealerships in Virginia, its first locations in the state. The deal expands the group’s network to 36 dealerships across 12 states and adds sales, parts and service support for regional fleets and owner-operators.
Paccar recalls 5,919 heavy trucks over possible electrical fault
Paccar is recalling 5,919 2027 Peterbilt and Kenworth heavy trucks after oil contamination may affect their power distribution centre boxes. Dealers will inspect serial numbers and replace defective units free of charge; no related field reports had been received by 27 July.