Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, June 3, 2025:
J.B. Hunt expands rail partnerships into Mexico
J.B. Hunt Transport Services (CCJ Top 250, No. 3), along with BNSF Railway (BNSF) and GMXT, the largest rail provider in Mexico, have announced the launch of a new intermodal offering for Mexico businesses with service-sensitive freight delivery.
The new offering – Quantum de México, a J.B. Hunt, BNSF and GMXT service – will follow the service model of its U.S. counterpart launched by J.B. Hunt and BNSF in November 2023.
According to J.B. Hunt, Quantum provides the consistency, agility and speed needed to transport sensitive highway freight using rail, meeting businesses’ “just in time” freight needs. The service is optimized for efficiency, offering a 95+% on-time delivery rate that’s up to one day faster than traditional intermodal service.
The new service utilizes the latest advancements in tracking and monitoring systems, providing real-time visibility and control over shipments, minimizing delays and optimizing performance. Designated J.B. Hunt, BNSF and GMXT support teams will provide 24/7 oversight, delivering consistent and reliable transit times, including features like priority drayage as well as railcar loading and unloading.
“Mode conversion is one of the leading opportunities businesses can leverage in today’s economic environment to drive efficiency and cost savings,” said Spencer Frazier, executive vice president of sales and marketing at J.B. Hunt. “The collaboration we’re announcing today brings the full suite of our industry-leading intermodal service and its unmatched service excellence, scale and capacity to Mexico, building on the innovative success of a 35-year relationship.”
Quantum de México will operate on key routes connecting major cities and industrial hubs in both countries. Some of the primary markets served include:
- U.S.: Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, the U.S. West Coast, and U.S. eastern destinations
- Mexico: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey
In 2024, J.B. Hunt, BNSF and GMXT launched intermodal service to and from Mexico through the Eagle Pass Gateway.
The collaboration looks to capitalize on the untapped potential of intermodal service for businesses moving freight in and out of Mexico, including converting OTR highway freight to rail intermodal and optimizing container efficiency. Intermodal conversion is the most widely available ground transportation solution for cutting carbon emissions, reducing a shipment’s carbon footprint by an average of 65% compared to OTR truck transportation.
[Related: J.B. Hunt, BNSF seek to shift millions of loads from highway to rail]
Maverick raises pay for glass division drivers
Maverick Transportation (CCJ Top 250, No. 70) announced Monday a company-wide pay increase for drivers in its glass-hauling over-the-road driving division, effective June 1.
Drivers in Maverick’s OTR glass division will see an increase between 2 and 7 cents per mile, depending on tenure and experience.
This will bring starting pay for student glass drivers to 62 cents per mile ($70,000-$85,000 first year average) and experienced drivers will earn between 64 and 74.5 cents per mile ($85,000-$100,000 first year average).
"Our drivers are essential to both our company and the nation's economy,” said Brad Vaughn, Maverick’s Vice President of Recruiting. “We are pleased to increase their pay to recognize their hard work and dedication on the road. We deeply value their commitment and are proud to support them in every way we can."
In addition to the mileage pay, Maverick drivers receive performance-based bonuses, paid pre-employment evaluation, flexible home time options, paid vacation and holidays and more.
Battery issue prompts recall of 21K Western Star trucks
More than 21,000 Western Star 49X and 47X trucks are being recalled because a stud connecting the battery to the starter at the frame rail may have been incorrectly installed, which can cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents.
Recalled trucks include model year 2020-’26 Western Star 49X models and 2021-26 Western Star 47X units produced from start of production to May 19, 2025. The trucks are configured with a positive junction point stud that connects the battery and/or auxiliary power distribution to the starter at the frame rail that may have been installed incorrectly. Vehicles outside the recall population have different design configurations that do not have the suspect junction point stud subject to the same installation process.
DTNA said that drivers may experience a slow or no crank when starting their vehicle and may visually observe corrosion present around the stud and/or cable lug.
The company said between March 2023 and March 2024, it received five reports of corrosion at the battery jump stud, and in December 2023, DTNA was notified of a fire located at the junction stud. An additional report of melted cables at the junction stud was received in February 2024. Then in early March 2024, DTNA received two reports of incorrect cable lug orientation.
Based on these reports, DTNA began an investigation of the incidents. In August 2024, an analysis of the topic concluded that a field action was not warranted at that time due to a low rate of frequency in conjunction with sufficient detectability of the condition, including during a pre- or post-trip inspection.
Then, between February and March this year, DTNA received several additional field reports across the North American market of localized fires and/or melted/burnt studs, prompting another investigation. Following this review, an increased number of thermal events was identified with units built at certain manufacturing facilities, ranging from melted or burnt components to isolated vehicle fires.
Based on this information, DTNA decided to issue a recall to address the issue. DTNA is aware of approximately 36 potentially related warranty claims and 15 potentially related field reports (dated between March 2023 through March 2025). There have been no reports of death or injury related to this issue.
The remedy is currently under development, and the manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners can contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with recall number F1020. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-326.
Volvo VNLs recalled for potential battery issue
Volvo Trucks North America is recalling approximately 224 model year 2025-‘26 Volvo VNL trucks in which the power cables may have been improperly routed, which can cause an electrical short.
Volvo said certain units may have been built with a specific arrangement of power cables where the 12-volt positive can encounter the 48-volt negative terminal and potentially cause chaffing and, potentially, a short. If the battery cables rub on the terminal, there is the risk of an electrical short that can disable power to the engine or create a risk of a fire.
Dealers will re-route the power cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 18. Owners can contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586 with recall number RVXX2505. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-332.
Mack recalls MD units for improperly routed seat belts
Mack Trucks has recalled 42 model year 2026 Mack MD trucks because the center bench seat belt assembly may be routed incorrectly, which may cause the seat belts to not function properly.
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 18.
Owners can contact Mack's customer service at 1-800- 866-1177 with recall number SC0478. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-333.
