Economy

Continued capacity tightness, higher rates expected in ’21

It’s a tale of two economies in 2021. The good news for trucking is that the goods economy will outpace the overall economy, and with no quick end to capacity…

Cargo thieves stepping up activity during pandemic

Cargo thieves are seizing on the Covid-19 pandemic and disrupted supply chains to ramp up their efforts, according to 2020 data from CargoNet. CargoNet reported 1,676 supply chain risk events…

Navistar to shut down Melrose Park facility

Navistar International is selling its Melrose Park, Ill., facility to a developer, who will turn it into an industrial busines park. The truck maker says half its employees at the…

Trailer market finishes 2020 on strong note

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 net trailer orders finished the year 40% stronger than in 2019, according to industry analyst ACT Research. U.S. trailer manufacturers took 42,500 net orders in…

Canada’s commercial vehicle market to recover slower than U.S.

The market for commercial vehicles is beginning to climb back from the steep downturn seen in 2020. But an association representing the work truck industry doesn’t expect a return to…

Freight TSI stable in November

The Freight Transportation Services Index (Freight TSI) fell 0.1% in November, dropping slightly after two consecutive monthly increases, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS) said Wednesday.

ACT projects record trucking profits, increased truck demand in ’21

ACT Research is upping its outlook for commercial vehicle demand, as strong freight markets have driven higher-than-expected commercial vehicle build rates. “If you don’t work in a consumer-facing economic sector,…

Used truck prices on the rise in Canada, U.S.

Used equipment prices are on the rise, with some of the biggest increases seen in vocational trucks, Ritchie Bros. reports. Canadian equipment and truck tractor prices were up 2% in…

Ayr invests in new Winnipeg facility

WINNIPEG, Man. — Ayr Motor Express plans to open a new, company-owned facility in Winnipeg, Man., by the end of this year. With several terminals and yards in Canada, Ayr’s…

Canada Cartage expands Ottawa presence, eyes Final Mile growth

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Canada Cartage has expanded by 50 trucks through its acquisition of City Transfer. But the deal announced this week also represents just the latest step in a…

Transborder truck freight up 6.9%

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Trucks moved freight valued at US$67.8 billion between the U.S., Canada and Mexico in October, the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) said Thursday. That was up…

Quebec to enact strict lockdown, curfew

MONTREAL, Que. – The province of Quebec has announced a series of new measures that will be in effect from Jan. 9 to Feb. 8, which aim to break the…

Commercial truck orders end 2020 in ‘near-record’ territory: ACT Research

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Classes 5-8 truck orders closed 2020 in “near-record” territory, according to preliminary December data from ACT Research. Class 8 orders totaled 50,900 units, down 2% from November…

Titanium expands U.S. operations with Chicago brokerage

BOLTON, Ont. – Titanium Transportation Group has opened its third U.S. location, establishing a brokerage services location in Chicago, Ill. Chicago marks Titanium’s third U.S. location opened in the past…

Canada Cartage acquires Ottawa-based City Transfer

OTTAWA, Ont. – Canada Cartage has acquired Ottawa-based City Transfer, a fleet that provides same-day transportation, dedicated transportation, third-party logistics, warehousing, and call cartage work in Canada and the U.S.