Volvo's Monterrey Plant Builds First Test Trucks for U.S. Market
New Mexico facility will produce both Volvo VNL and Mack Anthem models, adding capacity to U.S. output as nearshoring accelerates.
Hank Rivers
Equipment, OEM & Electric Vehicles
Hank Rivers covers truck hardware, tractors, trailers, engines, drivetrains, emissions aftertreatment, battery-electric and hydrogen trucks, charging infrastructure, telematics hardware, ADAS, tires, APUs, recalls, and the maintenance economics that decide what a fleet actually spends per mile. Former fleet manager. He treats OEM press releases like used-truck listings until proven otherwise.
Volvo's 2027 D13 engine cuts NOx, adds engine brake power
New electrical architecture and aftertreatment design hit EPA27 NOx targets while maintaining fuel economy and boosting retarder performance.
Inflation hits 4.2% in May as energy costs squeeze shop budgets
Real hourly earnings fell 0.7% in the biggest single-month drop in three years. What the May CPI spike means for parts, labor, and truck operating costs.
Volvo Targets 300 Autonomous Trucks on U.S. Roads by End of 2027
Swedish OEM projects $3 billion autonomous-truck revenue within five years as first commercial deployments begin in coming months.
Retread Shops Consolidate as Import Tires and Labor Costs Squeeze Margins
U.S. retreaders face rising operating costs and sustained pricing pressure from low-cost imported new tires. Fleets still buying retreads, but shops are…
Stellantis doubles Mopar staff, cuts warranty backlog 17% with Pro One
New uptime command center monitors connected vans and pickups in real time, schedules service before breakdowns. Unified ordering platform cuts upfit lead time…
Tesla Semi Costs $146,000 Less Than Volvo VNR EV After Incentives
Long Beach drayage operator running 26 EVs says Tesla Semi at $290,000 undercuts Volvo VNR by half before rebates, charges in 30 minutes, delivers 500-mile…
What the 1897 Semi-Truck Invention Means for Today's Fleet Specs
FleetOwner podcast traces 250 years of American freight infrastructure, from colonial trade routes to alternative powertrains and the Right to Repair fight.
Class 8 Orders Double Year Over Year in May 2026
Preliminary data from ACT Research and FTR Transportation Intelligence show May orders up 103% to 124% compared to May 2025, signaling fleet confidence ahead…
Michelin Launches X Line Grip D Retread to Match New-Tire Traction
Pre-mold retread uses same tread design and compound as original tire, adds new size to drive-axle lineup for mixed-application fleets.
Mexican Heavy-Duty Truck Production Jumps 18% in May
14,543 units built in May, up from April. Most are exported to U.S. fleets as OEMs shift Class 8 assembly south of the border.
Ransomware and Phishing Hit Fleets Where It Hurts: Dispatch Systems
Cyberattacks can shut down TMS platforms, strand drivers, and spoil loads. Here's what fleets face and how to harden systems before the next breach.