Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Jan. 22, 2024:
Fuel drives November improvement in carrier conditions
Falling diesel prices through much of the end of 2023 led to an improvement in market conditions for carriers in the fall.FTR
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for November improved to a reading of -1.35 from the previous month’s -6.07.
The gain resulted primarily from a sharp drop in fuel prices, FTR said, but all key factors contributing to the index were more favorable for carriers in November. The outlook remains modestly negative through late 2024, however.
“Unfortunately for carriers, November’s market conditions likely were the least unfavorable that they will be through at least the first half of this year barring another sustained slide in diesel prices,” Avery Vise, FTR’s vice president of trucking. “However, as we have noted frequently, lower fuel costs are complicated. Falling diesel prices tend to slow exits of very small carriers, which could further depress capacity utilization and deflate any upward pressure on rates.”
Vise added that freight demand doesn’t appear to be improving in the near future.
“Trucking should see incremental improvement throughout 2024 but not enough to create any real inflection in the market,” he said.
Love’s completes rollout of Freightliner ExpressPoint repair service
Drivers of Freightliner trucks can now utilize a new service at Love’s Travel Stops’ maintenance network with increased support and convenience for light mechanical repairs.
Love’s and Daimler Trucks North America on Thursday announced the rollout of Freightliner ExpressPoint at more than 400 Love’s Truck Care and Speedco locations, with additional location openings planned.
“We are excited to have Love’s Freightliner ExpressPoint network fully online, less than a year after announcing our partnership with DTNA," said Eric Daniels, vice president of total truck care for Love's. "Love's Truck Care and Speedco technicians have received comprehensive training from their local Freightliner dealer to provide quality customer service, maximizing uptime for the drivers who keep America running."
Through Freightliner ExpressPoint, participating Love's locations will provide light mechanical warranty repair work, roadside warranty emergency services and approved field service and recall campaigns for Freightliner trucks. Warranty repair services include HVAC, fuel systems, external engine components, brakes and suspension, among other services.
"We show full commitment to our customers’ uptime by expanding select service offerings with more than 400 Love’s Truck Care and Speedco locations to Freightliner customers," said Paul Romanaggi, chief customer experience officer and general manager of service for DTNA. “The strategic partnership with Love’s and our robust Freightliner Service network charts a course that ensures reliability and efficiency to increase customer profitability keeping their trucks running.”
Love’s locations work directly with their local Freightliner dealer to provide parts availability, quality repair work, and easy warranty claim filing to help Freightliner customers get back on the road quickly.
C.H. Robinson expands carrier scholarship program
Global logistics provider C.H. Robinson is expanding its support for the truck driving community and the more than 450,000 contract carriers on the company’s platform.
The C.H. Robinson Foundation is offering 25 scholarships and, new in 2024, will double its annual individual scholarship award from $2,500 to $5,000 each for a total of $125,000. Applications will be accepted Jan. 18 through Feb. 28.
Now in its 12th year, the global Contract Carrier Scholarship is open to employees or dependents of contract carriers that have been a C.H. Robinson carrier for a minimum of one year as of Feb. 28. Scholarships can be used at accredited college institutions across the globe to support tuition for undergraduate and vocational-technical education for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Applicants must also:
- Be age 16 to 26 or regular, full-time employees of the qualified carrier.
- Be high school seniors, high school graduates, or current post-secondary undergraduates. Students outside the United States must be in their final year of upper or higher secondary school or be current technical or university-level students.
- Enroll in full-time study if they’re a dependent, but can enroll in part-time study if they are employees of qualified carriers.
Since 2013, the C.H. Robinson Foundation has awarded 340 scholarships totaling $850,000. Scholarship recipients are selected based on academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience, and educational and career goals and objectives. Scholarship America, a neutral third party, manages the award selection process.
