Vocational trucks face an uncertain future in the age of AI
Good morning! National Wine & Cheese Day calls for a charcuterie board after work, don’t you think? 🍇🧀
The future of vocational trucks is hanging in the balance. The trucking industry is rushing to fill operational shortages with a vast array of technological updates to vehicles. The modern-day fleets are looking for something different.
Check out today’s featured article from Trucking Info to read all about the latest autonomous technology and what it could mean for “old-tech” trucks still in operation. ☕️
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Featured Article:
Low-Tech Trucks in a High-Tech World - TruckingInfo.com
“Back in April, HDT Editor in Chief Deborah Lockridge and I spent a day touring the Autocar manufacturing plant in Birmingham, Alabama.”
Water Cooler Topics
🪧 The owner-operator protests at the Port of Oakland are expected to continue for weeks. Picket lines have lined the employee parking lots of the Oakland International Container Terminal for days, forcing the ports to make full-day closures of their truck gates to avoid the crowding. The implementation of AB5 in the trucking industry has left owner-operators fuming and protestors have signaled that they are prepared to be there as long as it takes.
🔭 It’s time to send commercial vehicles into space - that’s what two major companies are saying, anyway. Space projects are in operation at Goodyear and Lockheed Martin; both on missions to launch lunar exploration campaigns. Goodyear senior vice-president – global operations and chief technology officer Chris Helsel has said that these commercial vehicles being built are also meant to be used on Earth. New tires to GPS tech are the latest rage in the new-age space race.
🚛 The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, HR2187, has officially cleared the full House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Representatives are now being encouraged to co-sponsor the bill by its advocates, but until it runs through Congress it won’t get much of anywhere. Truck parking is a major and consistent issue for America’s truck drivers, and this bill is meant to help expand parking availability.
Fleets increasingly interested in remote diagnosis of equipment repairs
Remote diagnostics tools are becoming increasingly important to fleet owners who are looking to keep their equipment in top shape. As many professionals are aware, downtime costs companies money, and the ability to diagnose issues needed for repair immediately can give fleets the advantage.
While remote work doesn’t allow a repair shop to “feel” the vehicle and physically manipulate any issues, it does the repair shop the ability to order parts right away and schedule services in a timely manner.
Memphis Animal Services adoption program aims to re-home pets with truckers
Memphis Animal Services in Memphis, Tennessee has launched a program meant to pair dogs with truckers looking for a companion on the road. The center is offering a 50% discount on adoption fees and a pet bed included with the animal to drivers.
Approximately 10-20 new animals are brought to the facility each day, and that number is increasing. Drivers often report an increase in happiness while on the road when they are able to bring an animal with them.
Manufacturing ⚙️
Guide to digital transformation in the manufacturing industry - Plant Engineering
“As technology becomes cheaper and easier to implement, more manufacturers are forced to go digital with their production processes.”
Sales 🧾
Airlines were too ambitious chasing the travel rebound. Now they’re scaling back - CNBC
“Delta, United and American all posted a profit thanks to strong travel demand and high fares.”
Fuel ⛽️
“Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was criticized earlier this week for suggesting that higher prices at the pump were actually beneficial for transitioning to electric vehicles.”
Getting It Right: Developing New Oil Standards - Transport Topics”
“The saying “Time flies when you’re having fun” could likely apply to developing new engine oils. And some time has passed since the last diesel engine oil category was introduced in 2017 when the American Petroleum Institute (API) announced CK-4 and FA-4.”
Electric Vehicles 🔋
Volkswagen-backed Northvolt to develop wood-based batteries for EVs - CNBC
“The attempt to develop battery materials from a range of sources comes as major European economies lay out plans to move away from road-based vehicles that use diesel and gasoline.”
Inflation 💸
You're not the only one who's confused about the economy. The experts are baffled, too - CNN
“The recovery wasn't supposed to go like this. Wall Street and Main Street alike are suffering from whiplash when it comes to the current state of the US economy.”
Covid-19 😷
New China Covid-19 Lockdowns Would Threaten U.S. Economic Recovery (Just Ask Tesla) - Forbes
“If there’s any indication that what happens next in China is a big deal for the U.S. economy, it’s that Federal Reserve officials mentioned the country’s Covid-related lockdowns eight times at their latest policy meeting on June 15.”
Biden’s COVID symptoms improve; WH says he’s staying busy - AP News
“COVID-19 symptoms left President Joe Biden with a raspy voice and cough as he met Friday via videoconference with his top economic team. But the president tried to strike a reassuring tone, declaring, “I feel much better than I sound.””
Quote of the Day:
“You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.”
― Oprah Winfrey, media proprietor
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for July 31, 2025, from iLevel Logistics Inc.