Volvo debuts new regional haul tractor

Volvo Trucks North America has unveiled the VNR regional haul tractor, targeting what the manufacturer sees as an increasing focus on regional runs. "The regional haul segment is changing and growing, and we are going to be part of the solution," said Goran Nyberg, president Volvo Trucks North America, during the truck's world reveal at the Expocam trade show in Montreal. Last year, 21% of the Class 8 trucks sold in Canada had sleepers smaller than 48 inches; day cabs represented 38% of Class 8 sales. Volvo expects those shares to increase because of factors such as an intensifying driver shortage, as fleets look for ways to attract a new generation of employees.

International unveils regional-hauling RH

International Trucks has unveiled the new RH Series Class 8 truck for regional haulers, in a model that will be powered by the recently unveiled A26 12.4-liter engine. The truck made its world debut at the ExpoCam trade show in Montreal. "We are confident this truck will continue to build on our momentum and be successful in the regional haul market," said Bill Kozek, Navistar president - truck and parts.

Ontario extends 407 toll route

TORONTO, ON - Ontario has added 9.6 kilometers to Highway 407, a toll route stretching across the Toronto area, opening a segment between Oshawa's Harmony Road and Clarington's Taunton Road.

PMTC opens award season

MILTON, ON - The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada is officially opening its annual awards program for entries. Honors are presented during the group's annual conference, held this year on June 14 and 15 at the Crowne Plaza - Fallsview Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

TransForce acquires job board

ALEXANDRIA, VA – TransForce, a business that specializes in placing commercial truck drivers, has acquired Trucking Unlimited, which operates the truckdrivingjobs.com job board. “Trucking Unlimited’s portfolio of services is a…

Canada unveils plans to mandate ELDs, mirror U.S.

BRAMPTON, ON - Canada's federal government has unveiled plans to mandate Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) in trucks, largely echoing rules that officially take hold today in the U.S. Draft versions of the rules have been published in Canada Gazette Part 1, and once finalized are to roll out within two years.

Chinese firm buys stake in Volvo Trucks

A busy year in trucking refuses to go out with a whimper, as new reports broke Wednesday that China's Geely Holding is buying an 8.2% stake in Volvo Trucks. The shares will be purchased from the Cevian Capital investor group for approximately $3.3 billion, according to published reports.

2017 Newsmakers of the Year

TORONTO, ON – It has been the Year of the Electric Truck. Few of the vehicles have hit the road, of course, at least in any measurable quantities. But throughout…

Daimler names Fleetboard GM

PORTLAND, OR -- Daimler has named Volker Hansen as the new general manager for Fleetboard GmbH where he will act as the head of digital solutions and services for commercial vehicles.

U.S. rates push higher on tight capacity

BLOOMINGTON, IN - Spot and truck rates pushed higher this fall as the U.S. truck market tightened, analysts at FTR have found. Some of the capacity should ease in the first quarter, after holiday shipments - but the fallout from mandated Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) will have a say in that.

Accuride reshaping distribution network

EVANSVILLE, IN - Accuride will extend its distribution network in the first quarter of 2018, adding five new North American distribution centers to support Accuride, KIC, and Gunite products.

American trucking head calls for infrastructure spending

ARLINGTON, VA - The head of the American Trucking Associations has called on the U.S. government to invest more in highway infrastructure to help the trucking industry keep up with growing demand for freight transportation services.

ATA applauds Electronic Logging Device mandate

ARLINGTON, VA - The American Trucking Associations is applauding the arrival of mandated Electronic Logging Devices in the U.S. "Electronic Logging Devices have been legislated, promulgated and litigated - with Congress voting three times in the past five years in favor of this requirement and a federal court rejecting a challenge to the rule. The time has finally come to retire decades-old, burdensome paper logs that consume countless hours and are susceptible to fraud and put the safety of all motorists first. The benefits of this rule exceed the costs by more than $1 billion, making it a rule the ATA can firmly support and easily adopt," said Chris Spear, the associations' president and Chief Executive Officer.

Volvo expands land for customer experience

DUBLIN, VA - Volvo Trucks has added 49 acres to a customer experience track next to its 36,000-square-foot Volvo Trucks Customer Center. The land builds on the 1.1-mile track that already features on-highway and off-road areas. Another 221 acres has also been secured under a lease-to-purchase agreement for future use.

Clark to head Michelin in North America

GREENVILLE, SC -- Michelin Group has named Scott Clark the new chairman and president of Michelin North America, effective January 1.