The Daily Dash is a quick look at what is happening in the freight ecosystem. In today’s edition, a startup believes it has a solution for fleets with equipment and freight but no drivers. Plus, ArcBest continues the trend of less-than-truckload carriers reporting improving results, Roadcheck kicks off, and the inside story of how General Motors and Nikola Corp. became partners.
No driver, no problem
Tech startup Haul has a solution for fleets with trucks but no drivers: It will provide them. The startup, founded by two alums from Uber Freight, believes an on-demand-driver business model can help fleets quickly scale capacity.
Linda Baker explains how their approach works: Uber Freight alumni launch an Uber for freight
So far, so good
It’s not just truckload carriers that are benefiting from the current freight environment — less-than-truckload fleets are outperforming as well. ArcBest Corp. (NASDAQ: ARCB), in a midquarter update, said tonnage per day is up 3.5% year-over-year, which tracks with updates from other LTL carriers last week.
Todd Maiden has details on how good the quarter has been so far: ArcBest continues trend of positive midquarter reports
Drivers beware
After a delay at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s International Roadcheck kicked off on Wednesday. It is estimated that 17 trucks or buses will be inspected every minute during the 72-hour inspection blitz, which concludes on Friday.
Clarissa Hawes details what drivers need to know: Are you ready? CVSA’s International Roadcheck gets rolling
Why GM and Nikola make sense
Every corporate partnership has a backstory of how it came to be. The Nikola Corp. and General Motors tie-up announced Tuesday is no different. From electric pickups to fuel cells, the deal made sense if the parties could agree.
Alan Adler has the inside story of how the partnership came to be: Behind the scenes: How the GM-Nikola tie-up came together
Stories we think you’ll like:
UPS hikes SurePost rates to match USPS peak surcharges
Walmart pilots drones to fly items to consumers’ doorsteps
TFI International acquires CCC Transportation from Comcar
New USMCA trade deal could increase demand for nearshoring in Mexico
Volvo, Mack Trucks announce deal with Samsara
Breaking News: Omnitracs acquiring SmartDrive
Did you miss this?
Trucking awaits a decision from a court hearing last week that could overturn its exemption from California’s AB5 regulation. If it does, independent truckers in the state could lose their status and be forced onto company payrolls.
John Kingston explains: Judicial panel hears why AB5 should be kept out of California trucking sector
Hammer down, everyone,
Brian Straight
Managing Editor
Click for more FreightWaves articles by Brian Straight.
You may also like:
Here’s where electric trucks make sense
Technology is changing the way freight brokerages operate
Trucking companies caught in Trump’s payroll tax deferment order
