Entries for October 2017

Ray Martinez Receives Key Senate Backing for FMCSA Post

Ray Martinez, nominated for the top post at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, received a strong endorsement from Sen. John Thune, a key policymaker for the trucking industry.

Daimler Takes Steps to Separate Car, Truck Units

Daimler AG announced it is taking steps to separate its Daimler Trucks & Bus and Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans divisions into two legally independent and more entrepreneurial entities still under the “roof and the lead” of Daimler.

Dallas Fed: Harvey’s Economic Damage Temporary; Recovery Boosts Demand

It appears Hurricane Harvey will inflict little long-term disruption on the Texas regional economy, which continued to expand at a “moderate pace” over the past six weeks despite the giant storm, according to a report Oct. 18 from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

Omnitracs, Samsung Offer Integrated ELD Ahead of Mandate

FMCSA Grants UPS Several ELD Exemptions

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will grant UPS Inc. temporary exemption from parts of the upcoming electronic logging device mandate, according to a document scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on Oct. 20.

Alphabet Unit Leads $1 Billion Investment in Lyft

Alphabet Inc.’s investment arm, CapitalG, led a $1 billion investment in Lyft Inc. that values the ride-sharing startup at $11 billion, the ride-sharing startup said.

Navistar-GM Partnership Spurs Michigan Trucking Firm to Expand to Ohio, Hire 100

The Navistar-GM partnership in Springfield, Ohio has lead a Michigan trucking company to open a new terminal in Springfield, a move that could lead to a $5.2 million investment and more than 100 jobs over three years.

California GOP Rallies Around Measure to Repeal New State Gas Tax

Organizers of a campaign to qualify a ballot measure that would repeal the state’s gas tax and new vehicle fees unveiled their growing coalition Oct. 18 at the state Republican Party headquarters, where GOP gubernatorial candidate John Cox said he will make a “substantial” donation to the effort.

Economic Expectations Sour in October; Weekly Comfort Rises

Americans grew more pessimistic this month about the direction of the economy, though a measure of consumer sentiment rose in the most recent week, Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index figures showed Oct. 19.

Fewest Jobless Claims Since 1973 Show Firm Job Market

Filings for unemployment benefits plunged last week to the lowest level since 1973 as workers affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma continued to return to their jobs, Labor Department figures showed Oct. 19.