Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Oct. 31, 2025:
Mack unveils breast cancer awareness Pioneer
In support of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mack Trucks has unveiled a specially wrapped Mack Pioneer to go along with the company’s “Pink Lady” Mack Anthem.
Mack Trucks' specially wrapped all-new Mack Pioneer (right) alongside the iconic “Pink Lady” Mack Anthem (left).Mack Trucks
The striking pink vehicles demonstrate Mack’s ongoing commitment to raising awareness for breast cancer research and supporting those affected by the disease, the company said.
The Pink Lady Anthem, which features a pink painted Mack wordmark across its grille, is prominently displayed at Mack’s World Headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, and has become a beloved symbol among employees. Now joined by the all-new pink-wrapped Pioneer, the duo represents both Mack’s heritage and its future in the fight against breast cancer.
Together with the Pink Lady Anthem, these special pink trucks celebrate the strength and resilience of breast cancer survivors, patients and their families while highlighting the importance of early detection and continued research, Mack noted.
Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers, with approximately 1 in 8 women in the United States diagnosed during their lifetime. Early detection through regular screenings significantly improves survival rates.
As part of its ongoing commitment to employee health and wellness, Volvo Group North America, Mack’s parent company, hosts a mobile mammography unit on its campus several times a year, providing convenient access to vital screening services for employees.
FTR: Shippers’ conditions improved in August, but weaker conditions ahead
Market conditions for shippers in August improved into positive territory following a negative reading in July, according to FTR Transportation Intelligence.
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for August improved to 1.3 from -2.0 in July. Stable fuel prices and softer freight rates were the biggest factors in the most favorable market conditions for shippers since last fall, the firm noted.
Aside from volatility related to fuel price swings, FTR anticipates SCI readings consistently weaker than August’s level over the forecast horizon due to modestly tighter capacity and firmer freight rates.
“As we suggested last month, the crackdown on truck drivers with inadequate English skills and on foreign nationals holding non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses will tighten freight capacity to some degree,” said Avery Vise, FTR’s vice president of trucking. “However, lots of questions remain over the scope of that impact, and we are adjusting our assumptions only slightly until we see signs of a market impact. For now, we do not see a major shift in the market, but stronger freight demand could trigger a change.”
Mack hands over new Pioneer for ATA’s Share the Road drivers
In an effort to reinforce its commitment to highway safety, Mack Trucks this week turned over keys to an all-new Mack Pioneer model to the American Trucking Associations Share the Road drivers and announced Mack will again support the program, marking its 25th consecutive year of sponsorship.
Mack made the announcement during the ATA Management Conference & Exhibition this week in San Diego.
Mack also announced that it will again sponsor the Workforce Heroes program in 2026. Mack has sponsored Workforce Heroes since its inception in 2018.
“Mack is excited to be handing over a new Mack Pioneer to the Share the Road drivers and to again sponsor the program for the 25th consecutive year,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “The Pioneer is Mack’s most advanced truck to-date, featuring cutting-edge safety features, innovative new technologies, unmatched driver comfort and excellent fuel efficiency. We are proud to be able to offer a new Pioneer to the Share the Road team so that they can bring important safety messages about traveling the roadways with heavy-duty trucks.”
The Pioneer introduces a suite of cutting-edge safety features, including front and side curtain airbags, an innovative digital mirror system and a high-strength steel cab designed to exceed rigorous safety standards. It comes standard with Mack’s E-Call 911, an automatic emergency response system. If triggered by an event such as an airbag deployment or rollover, it unlocks doors, turns on interior lights and contacts emergency services with the vehicle's location
The Mack Pioneer for the Share the Road program is a 76-inch Stand-Up sleeper model. It has all of the most advanced safety technologies, which is helpful when the professional drivers are educating the general public about how to safely drive around heavy trucks. Many of the professional Share the Road drivers have driven more than one million accident-free miles.
A camouflaged Mack Anthem is used in the Workforce Heroes program, created to help recruit veterans into a career within the trucking industry. Driven by the Share the Road professional drivers, the Anthem travels to military bases, career fairs and schools.
ATA’s President’s Leadership Award presented to Mississippi Trucking Association president
The American Trucking Associations this week recognized Hal Miller, president of the Mississippi Trucking Association, with the ATA Trucking Association Executives Council (TAEC) President’s Leadership Award.
Mississippi Trucking Association President Hal Miller was presented with ATA's Trucking Association Executives Council (TAEC) President’s Leadership Award.ATA
Prior to becoming president of the Mississippi Trucking Association in 2014, Miller was a fleet manager with 31 years of experience. Miller served as the executive vice president of Miller Transportation Services, the corporation that owns tank truck carrier Miller Transporters. During this period, Miller also served on the Mississippi Trucking Association Board of Directors for nearly two decades, including a term as chair.
“Hal grew up in a trucking family, and upon graduating college, he worked to grow the family business. The ATA Federation was fortunate that, after 30 very successful years, Hal decided to embark on a second career as president of the Mississippi Trucking Association,” said ATA President & CEO Chris Spear. “Hal devoted his trucking expertise, political acumen, and consensus building skills to help advance our priorities, from cracking down on predatory towing to facilitating the passage of credentialing reform. In recognition of his leadership role in achieving multiple landmark victories, it is an honor to present him with the 2025 TAEC President’s Leadership Award.”
Accomplishments during his tenure at the Mississippi Trucking Association include leading a state legislative effort to rein in predatory towers and taking pivotal advocacy actions to move the Transportation Security Screening Authorization Act through Congress and to the President’s desk.
The President's TAEC Leadership Award was created in 2002 by ATA to honor a state trucking association leader and to create an enduring legacy for that leader and for the industry. The award comes with a $10,000 grant for a trucking scholarship, education program, or research cause to be chosen by Miller.
