CONGRESS OKS $200M FOR TRUCK PARKING; PACKAGE HEADS TO PRESIDENT
A historic, dedicated $200 million for truck parking made it into the final FY 2026 appropriations package, alongside directives on cargo theft, predatory towing, intoxication tech, and AV policy. ATA says the funding marks a turning point on safety and productivity for drivers.
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD SUSPENDS MOST OPERATIONS AMID FUNDING LAPSE
The STB announced that filings and case processing are paused during the partial federal shutdown, with deadlines tolled and only emergency functions proceeding—potentially impacting rail service oversight and shipper-carrier disputes tied to trucking intermodal moves.
EPA GIVES ENGINE MAKERS 30 DAYS TO SUBMIT DEF SYSTEM FAILURE DATA
EPA ordered major diesel engine manufacturers to provide detailed DEF/emissions control data for certain 2016, 2019 and 2023 models, saying it will independently evaluate failures and prior software guidance to prevent truck shutdowns.
HYUNDAI TAPS HENDRICKSON AS DEALER FOR XCIENT FUEL CELL CLASS 8 IN NY/NJ
Hyundai added Hendrickson Fleet Solutions to sell and support its hydrogen fuel cell tractor in New York and New Jersey, expanding regional availability and service infrastructure for zero-emission heavy-duty pilots and early adopters.
SBA: GREEN CARD HOLDERS TO BE INELIGIBLE FOR SBA LOANS STARTING MARCH 1
A new Small Business Administration policy tightens eligibility, barring lawful permanent residents from SBA loans. The shift could affect financing options for immigrant-owned small fleets and trucking startups across the U.S.
SENATE COMMERCE PANEL ADVANCES TRUMP TRANSPORTATION NOMINEES TO FULL SENATE
The committee advanced several administration nominees for DOT and related roles, setting up floor votes that could shape federal transportation policy affecting trucking, safety enforcement and infrastructure programs in 2026–27.
WALMART MARKET CAP TOPS $1 TRILLION AS VALUE FOCUS, AI LIFT STOCK
Walmart crossed the $1T threshold on strong discount retail momentum and tech investments, a signal for carriers and brokers of continued big-box leverage on rates, routing and inventory replenishment cadence in 2026.
TOYOTA INDUSTRIES POSTS PROFIT GROWTH EVEN AS U.S. TARIFF IMPACT BUILDS
The forklift and components supplier maintained guidance while noting tariff pressures, as a take-private push faces resistance—developments watched by fleets and warehouses eyeing 2026 capex and equipment costs.
OIL TANKER RATES SURGE ON IRAN TENSIONS, TIGHTER VESSEL SUPPLY
Benchmark Middle East–China tanker earnings hit a two‑month high, raising the risk of higher refined product and bunker costs that can ripple into diesel prices and freight budgets for U.S. carriers and shippers.
BANKS PREP $3.75B DEBT SALE TO BACK STONEPEAK’S CASTROL DEAL
Underwriters plan a mixed loan/bond package to support Stonepeak’s acquisition of a majority stake in BP’s Castrol, a lubricant brand central to fleet maintenance supply chains across North America.
PEPSICO TO CUT SNACK PRICES AFTER VOLUME SOFTNESS; Q4 SALES UP 5.6%
PepsiCo will trim prices and SKU counts to revive demand, moves that could shift beverage and CPG freight volumes and promotional flows for truckload and LTL carriers in early 2026.
CONTINENTAL’S CONTITECH CARVEOUT ENTERS BIDDING PHASE NEXT MONTH
Bankers are assembling financing for a potential €4–5B sale of ContiTech, which supplies conveyor belts and industrial hoses—key components across warehousing, parcel hubs and factory logistics operations.
EIA WEEKLY DIESEL PRICE UPDATE DUE TODAY; FLEETS WATCH PADDS FOR SIGNALS
EIA plans to publish national and regional on‑highway diesel averages today, a key input for fuel surcharges and bid strategies as winter weather, crude moves and refining outages sway costs.
UBER FACES RISING PRESSURE FROM GROWING AV RIVALS, ANALYSTS WARN
Wall Street is focused on autonomous vehicle threats from Waymo and Tesla ahead of Uber’s results, a development freight and last‑mile operators are tracking for long‑term labor and capacity dynamics.
WINTER STORMS FERN & GIANNA DROVE COLLISION HOTSPOTS, GEOFENCED DATA SHOWS
Geotab’s real-time weather intelligence flagged elevated crash zones during recent storms, underscoring the need for dynamic routing, speed management and driver coaching as winter hazards persist.
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