The Fleet Lead

This week in trucking: Appalachian CDLs, STG Logistics bankruptcy

Here are the headlines from this week in the U.S. trucking industry, as on January 15:
Tennessee is asking CDL holders for proof of legal residence
FMCSA targeted North Carolina’s non-domiciled CDLs
STG Logistics filed for bankruptcy
Mack Anthem began production

This week in trucking: California loses funding, USPS cuts non-dom CDLs

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of January 8:
DOT cut more of California's funding
USPS is trimming its use of non-domiciled CDLs
Autonomous trucking announcements at the Consumer Electronics Show
Truck orders reached a three-year high

What to expect from PC-12 engine oils with Shell's Karin Haumann

As the transportation industry continues to meet ever more stringent emissions rules from the EPA, especially the latest low NOx rule, new heavy-duty engines and heavy-duty engine oils are on the way as well. Set for rollout at the start of 2027, the American Petroleum Institute's (API) recently approved three key actions to vote on to establish the new heavy-duty engine oil specification, Proposed Category 12 (PC-12): Acceptance of PC-12 technical requirements, PC-12 user language, and Jan. 1, 2027, as the first license date for API Service Category CL-4 and API FB-4.
According to the organization, this new category is supposed to provide more reliability and durability for engines by enhancing oxidative and thermal resistance, wear performance, and compatibility with aftertreatment systems. But don't only take our word for it: In this episode of The Fleet Lead, John Hitch sat down with Karin Haumann, OEM Technical Manager for Shell Rotella and chair of the API New Category development team, to discuss the new category, how it was developed, and how it will impact the trucking industry.
Chapters:
1:00 - Haumann's role
1:42 - What are proposed categories?
3:50 - Oil category differences
5:47 - The process to upgrade oil categories
10:14 - Where are we in the upgrade process? What's next?
12:15 - Upcoming changes
16:54 - Can you use different oils in one truck?
19:00 - Biggest reminders for PC-12

Nuclear verdicts cost the entire U.S. economy

Lawsuit abuse is the second-highest concern among fleet executives in 2025, second only to the economy. When thermonuclear verdicts against carriers are stretching beyond $100 million, they may be getting out of hand.
According to new research form the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), those lawsuits against carriers are hindering the U.S. economy. If states reduced commercial auto tort costs over 10 years, it could increase annual GDP by $52.3 billion and create 5.7 million additional jobs.
John Hitch, editor-in-chief of Fleet Maintenance, shines a light on the study with help from Nick Lucas, executive director for research and data analytics at the ILR.
Timestamps: 
5:11 - Overview of the commercial auto tort cost study
7:00 - How litigation impacts everyday prices
18:45 - Reducing tort costs have economic benefits
24:00 - Third-party litigation funding and transparency
30:15 - The need for systemic safeguards

This week in trucking: Colorado CDL scrutiny, LTL closure

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of December 30:
DOT targeting Colorado over non-domiciled CDLs
Standard Forwarding Freight ceased operations
Advocacy group sues California's CDL cancellation
Spot rates up, fuel prices down
Have a happy new year!

This week in trucking: Rail merger targets trucking, 17k CDLs on pause

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of the holiday week of December 23:
California paused its plans to reissue 17,000 CDLs
Major rail merger wants to take market share from trucks
Spot rates made big holiday gains

This week in trucking: Prime's nuclear verdict, non-domiciled CDL disputes

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of December 18:
California is suing DOT over terminated transportation funding
DOT is also threatening New York's funding over non-domiciled CDL practices
Oregon is ending the Trusted Carrier Partner program
Prime Inc. faces part of a $44M nuclear verdict
Legislators launch trucking caucus
Trailer orders fell sharply
Diesel dropped 6 cents

New ATA chairman on drivers, tankers, regs, and trucking's future

ATA's latest chairman and Groendyke Transport's CEO, Greg Hodgen, thinks of himself as an optimist, while others call him a realist. But both perspectives are on display in this episode of The Fleet Lead, where Hodgen and Bulk Transporter Editor Jason McDaniel sat down for a frank conversation about the transportation industry, with a special focus on tank trailers. From discussing the shortage of drivers versus qualified drivers to tort reform and beyond, McDaniel and Hodgen cover the spectrum of realism to optimism in trucking while looking ahead for 2026.
Catch this episode of The Fleet Lead podcast here or search for The Fleet Lead on your favorite podcast app.
Chapter index:
1:04 - Hodgen's road to the industry and ATA leadership
5:00 - Drivers vs qualified drivers
11:53 - The importance of innovation in tank trucking
14:01 - Government and regulations
23:58 - Tort reform and cybersecurity
31:19 - Looking ahead for 2026
37:31 - Appreciating the trucking industry

This week in trucking: Fleets downsizing, autonomous expands

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of December 11:
For-hire fleets getting acquired or downsizing
Aurora expands autonomous truck operations
Wreaths Across America Day is here
Diesel prices dropped by 9 cents

Dean Croke's' connection to Wreaths Across America, U.S. truck drivers

Analyst Dean Croke talks about his plans for this year’s Wreaths Across America, his bustling social media, and the trucking community's dedication to honoring service members.
Dean Croke will be attending the Escort to Arlington with RadioNemo. Croke is a senior analyst for DAT Freight & Analytics, but he’s also a longtime truck driver with an industry social media presence. Croke shares his plans for this year’s Wreaths Across America, his own connection to honoring service members, and some of the reasons why many truck drivers are so passionate about the event.
Timestamps:
0:29 - Origins and the convoy
9:52 - Connection, supporting truckers' lonely work
12:42 - Dean's social media and "rollers"
16:02 - How to get involved, where to listen