CBO SAYS FEDERAL SHUTDOWN HAS ALREADY COST U.S. ECONOMY $18B
The Congressional Budget Office estimated $18 billion in losses so far from the ongoing shutdown, warning that up to $14 billion in GDP may never be recovered if it drags on, a headwind for freight demand and public projects.
FED CUTS BENCHMARK RATE TO 3.75%-4% AND ENDS BALANCE SHEET RUNOFF
Policymakers delivered a quarter-point cut and will halt quantitative tightening Dec. 1, citing a softer labor market and still-elevated inflation—moves that could ease borrowing costs for fleets and shippers heading into peak season.
GM LAYS OFF ABOUT 5,500 AS EV INCENTIVES ROLLBACK HITS OUTPUT PLANS
General Motors cut EV staffing at plants in Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee after federal tax credits were pulled back, signaling slower near‑term EV production and potential ripple effects across auto parts and transport networks.
UBER TO PILOT LUCID/NURO ROBOTAXIS IN SAN FRANCISCO, TAKING ON WAYMO
Uber plans driverless rides using Lucid vehicles equipped with Nuro tech starting next year, expanding autonomous activity in a key logistics hub and raising questions about urban curb space and mixed traffic interactions with trucks.
BOSTON WEIGHS ORDINANCE REQUIRING HUMAN SAFETY OPERATORS IN ROBOTAXIS
City councilors proposed rules to pause autonomous ride services pending study and permitting, and to require an in‑vehicle operator—signaling tighter oversight in dense urban areas where trucks share streets with AVs.
RIVIAN SAYS IT WILL DRAW $6.6B DOE LOAN ONLY AFTER NEW GEORGIA PLANT BUILT
The EV maker plans to begin construction in 2026 and tap funds before production starts in 2028, clarifying timelines that affect future inbound/outbound freight and supplier networks in the Southeast auto corridor.
U.S. AND SOUTH KOREA FINALIZE TRADE DEAL; SEOUL PLEDGES $150B FOR SHIPBUILDING
The agreement, reached alongside APEC meetings, includes major maritime investment—implications for U.S. ports, container flows and domestic drayage as ship orders and yard activity scale up.
CHINA BOOKS FIRST U.S. SOYBEAN CARGOES OF THE SEASON AHEAD OF TRADE TALKS
Fresh purchases signal a potential revival in ag exports, bolstering near‑term demand for bulk trucking from Midwest elevators to Gulf and PNW ports if additional orders follow a broader trade détente.
TRUCKER PATH, WEX INK FUEL-DISCOUNT INTEGRATION FOR 2,600+ LOCATIONS
The 10‑4 by Wex savings program will be embedded in the Trucker Path app, with users averaging $313 in monthly fuel savings—another tool for cost‑pressed owner‑operators and small fleets.
VISIONWISE UNVEILS AI-DRIVEN DIGITAL VISION SYSTEM; ROEHL ORDERS 1,800 UNITS
Debuting at ATA MCE, the mirror‑replacement platform pairs cameras with in‑cab displays and edge AI for 360° visibility, with large‑scale deployments slated to start in early 2026 to boost safety and uptime.
ATA LEADERS TOUT PRACTICAL AI USES WHILE CUTTING THROUGH THE HYPE
At MCE, ATA’s new chairman Greg Hodgen and President Chris Spear emphasized AI’s near‑term impact on safety, productivity and back‑office efficiency as fleets navigate a prolonged freight downturn.
HOUSE BILL WOULD REQUIRE A STANDARDIZED NATIONAL ENGLISH TEST FOR CDL HOLDERS
The SAFE Drivers Act aims to harmonize English‑language proficiency standards across states for new and renewing CDLs, with supporters framing it as a safety measure and critics warning of new barriers to entry.
HOUSE SPENDING BILL EARMARKS $200M FOR TRUCK PARKING, LIMITS SPEED LIMITER RULE
The FY2025 transportation bill funds FMCSA operations and urges anti‑predatory towing guidance, while pausing speed‑limiter rulemaking and blocking ELD enforcement for livestock and insect haulers.
VOLVO GROUP TRIMS 2025 NORTH AMERICA HEAVY-TRUCK OUTLOOK BY 10,000 UNITS
Citing tariffs and cautious customers, Volvo cut its NA forecast to 265,000 trucks, signaling continued equipment demand softness and potential relief on 2026 prebuy timing if policy clarity improves.
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