ATA SAYS AUGUST TRUCK FREIGHT TONNAGE HITS HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE DECEMBER 2023
ATA’s For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose in August, marking back-to-back monthly gains even as economists warn of downside risk from tariff and housing headwinds. The report offers cautious optimism heading into Q4.
NHTSA PROBES RIVIAN DELIVERY VANS OVER DRIVER SEAT BELT FAILURES
Regulators opened a preliminary evaluation after reports that a steel-braided cable in the driver’s seat belt anchorage frayed or broke on Amazon’s Rivian-built vans. The probe covers roughly 17,200 units from 2022–2023 production years.
U.S. LOWERS TARIFFS ON EU AUTO IMPORTS TO 15%, CEMENTING TRADE DEAL TERMS
The move, retroactive to Aug. 1, eases duties on a range of goods including vehicles and could reshape import flows for auto OEMs and finished-vehicle logistics providers serving U.S. dealers and ports.
MCLEOD UNVEILS NEW AI TOOLS AND REVAMPED TMS INTERFACE AT USER CONFERENCE
The software provider showcased AI that speeds customer and driver communications and a redesigned UI for LoadMaster and PowerBroker. McLeod also highlighted integration work to manage autonomous truck operations within its TMS.
DAT: TRUCKLOAD VOLUMES COOLED IN AUGUST AS TARIFF-DRIVEN FRONTLOADING EASED
DAT’s Truckload Volume Index shows August declines across van, reefer and flatbed after July’s pull-forward surge. Analysts say normal seasonal patterns were disrupted by import timing tied to tariff uncertainty.
AMAZON FACES FTC JURY OVER PRIME SIGN‑UP AND CANCELLATION PRACTICES IN SEATTLE TRIAL
A four-week jury trial opened with claims the company misled customers into enrolling in Prime and made cancellation difficult. A verdict could carry billions in penalties and implications for e-commerce logistics programs.
NLRB CASE ALLEGES AMAZON EXERTED ‘OVERWHELMING CONTROL’ OVER DSP DRIVERS
Labor board attorneys argued Amazon functioned as a joint employer over subcontracted delivery drivers; Amazon denies wrongdoing. The outcome could affect last‑mile labor models and cost structures across parcel networks.
FEDEX FREIGHT BEEFS UP SALES TEAM AS LTL SPINOFF PLANS ADVANCE
FedEx is adding hundreds of sales and support specialists and investing in tech ahead of a planned June 2026 spinoff of its LTL unit. The carrier also booked spinoff-related costs in its latest quarter.
GATIK TO DEPLOY UP TO 50 AUTONOMOUS BOX TRUCKS IN GREATER TORONTO UNDER 5‑YEAR DEAL
Middle‑mile AV provider Gatik and Loblaw will expand their partnership, with 20 vehicles this year and 30 more by end‑2026. The cross‑border AV momentum bears watching for U.S. grocery and retail logistics models.
PERFORMANCE FOOD ADDS ACTIVIST INVESTOR TO BOARD AMID TALKS WITH US FOODS
Sachem Head’s Scott Ferguson joined PFG’s board as the distributor evaluates a potential combination with US Foods. Any deal would ripple through private fleet operations and foodservice outbound networks.
MAZDA, TOYOTA SHIFT MORE VEHICLE FLOWS THROUGH JAXPORT WITH NEW ENSTRUCTURE DEALS
Enstructure Auto Logistics will process Mazda imports and Toyota shipments to Puerto Rico at Jaxport’s Talleyrand terminal starting in December, boosting Southeast ro/ro and drayage volumes tied to auto logistics.
FMCSA DATA SHOWS SURGE IN ROADSIDE INSPECTIONS AS ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ENFORCEMENT TIGHTENS
Year‑to‑date, thousands of drivers have been placed out of service for language violations amid a federal push to standardize English‑proficiency enforcement. Carriers should review training and compliance protocols accordingly.
EIA: U.S. ON‑HIGHWAY DIESEL AVERAGE TICKS UP TO $3.749/GAL IN WEEKLY UPDATE
National diesel rose 1 cent to $3.749 per gallon for the week of Sept. 23, with modest regional moves. The small uptick keeps fuel a watch item for fleets as peak shipping season nears.
DOT AUDIT TARGETS STATE CDL TESTING COMPLIANCE ON ENGLISH‑LANGUAGE STANDARDS
DOT’s Surface Transportation Audits office launched a review of how states administer English‑only CDL knowledge and skills tests. Findings could affect licensing oversight and carrier hiring pipelines nationwide.
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