Tom Quimby, CCJ senior editor

Quimby Mug Bayou Florida
Tom Quimby is senior editor of trucking at Commercial Carrier Journal, Truck Parts Service and Hard Working Trucks. In addition to tractor-trailers, he keeps a close eye on the latest pickups, vans and news impacting Class 1 – 8 fleets. When he's not working, he enjoys fishing, gardening, photography and spending time with family and friends. Reach him at tomquimby@randallreilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @tom_quimby.
Economic trends
Masks are back and more freight could be coming
Citing concern with COVID breakthrough cases, the CDC recommended indoor mask-wearing Tuesday regardless of vaccination status. Trucking experts say volumes should remain 'strong' amid surging cases and may even grow stronger.
July 28, 2021
Growing concern over COVID breakthrough cases led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend indoor mask-wearing today regardless of vaccination status. Trucking experts advise that freight volumes should remain strong and may even grow stronger amid a COVID resurgence.
Outlook and Benchmarking
Surge in COVID prompts Walmart to close stores for deep-cleaning
With COVID cases rising, Walmart is shutting down some stores for deep-cleaning. This is not necessarily an indicator of pending "major economic damage" according to ACT Research.
July 26, 2021
The halt to in-person spending at some Walmarts during COVID cleansing is lasting for roughly a day-and-a-half. 'Any retrenchment away from experiential spending would be likely to extend that on-going strong trend of consumer spending on goods,' said ACT Research President and Senior Analyst Kenny Vieth.
Workforce
To wear a mask, or not to wear a mask?
As COVID Delta cases rise, some experts are pushing for mask wearing regardless of vaccination status while others say masks should only apply to the unvaccinated.
July 23, 2021
truck driver wearing mask
Trucks
Chip shortage, ecommerce driving leasing interest
Tight new truck inventories are driving more leasing business, but equipment could dry up fast amid "unprecedented demand."
July 20, 2021
penske truck driving on bridge
Alternative power
Wrenches down, laptops up for electric truck repairs
All-electric trucks of tomorrow are here today with maintenance requiring fewer tools, parts and technicians.
July 13, 2021
A battery-powered Ford F-550 chassis cab electrified by Dana-Spicer and Motiv on display at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Long Beach, Calif. in 2019.
CCJ Innovators
CCJ Innovators: UniGroup Logistics Platform provides 20% efficiency gain
Determined to hone a more competitive edge, UniGroup dumped its antiquated TMS software in favor of a new logistics platform that it created alongside Rose Rocket.
July 1, 2021
The UniGroup Logistics Platform, which rolled out in April, has won over plenty of stakeholders, including drivers. “The driver app is a huge upgrade from what drivers had previously which was a home grown household goods, oriented app,” said UniGroup Executive Vice President Scott Kluesner. “Now they've got something that represents the business that they work in.”
Alternative power
EV tech shortage concern looms as zero-emission mandates draw near
As more commercial and consumer EVs hit the road, industry experts say fleets need to plan ahead and consider how these high-tech wonders just might attract a broader pool of technicians, particularly women, which could help alleviate a tech shortage.
June 29, 2021
Volvo VNR Electric Albertsons On the Road
Perspectives
Solid-state worth the wait?
Depending on use cases, fleets thinking of investing heavily into electric trucks and vans may want to consider holding out for solid-state batteries.
June 26, 2021
Freightliner eCascadia
Regulations
Disney, other stakeholders say SoCal warehouse emissions rule imposes costly, unfair burden
Warehouse owners and operators in Southern California that do not own trucks would be expected to lower particulate matter and NOx from diesel trucks by being strategic with the fleets with which they choose to do business.
June 16, 2021
Volvo all-electric VNR
Regulations
Renewable natural gas gaining momentum with fleets
Renewable natural gas use among fleets is "expanding exponentially" with both its negative carbon value and adoption cost besting electric.
June 15, 2021
UPS is acquiring thousands of compressed natural gas trucks that will run on renewable natural gas.
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Top Stories
The charges, levied by the Securities and Exchange Commission, accuse Trevor Milton of 'repeatedly disseminating false and misleading information – typically by speaking directly to investors through social media.'
Companies
Nikola founder and former CEO charged with fraud
Trevor Milton is accused of "repeatedly disseminating false and misleading information."
driverless truck cab
Equipment controls
Will driver shortage lead to full-scale autonomy by 2024?
President Joe Biden at Mack Trucks
Companies
President Biden touts Buy American reform during Mack Trucks plant tour
trimac semi
Business
Trimac Transportation acquires 3PL business
Growing concern over COVID breakthrough cases led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend indoor mask-wearing today regardless of vaccination status. Trucking experts advise that freight volumes should remain strong and may even grow stronger amid a COVID resurgence.
Economic trends
Masks are back and more freight could be coming