WESTLUND DIRT WORKS

DOT Enforcement Tightens Capacity as Spot Rates Climb in Q1

First-quarter enforcement activity pulled carriers off the road, shrinking available capacity and lifting spot rates — a supply-driven recovery that changes the math for small f…

Spot and Contract Rates Edge Higher in Q1 as Capacity Tightens

Both spot and contract rates moved up during the first quarter while carriers focused on internal efficiency and operational improvements.

Equipment & OEM

When Will Autonomous Trucks Scale Beyond Pilot Routes?

Driverless trucks are moving from test lanes to commercial launches — but hardware cost, sensor serviceability, and route constraints still gate wider deployment.

Bid Season Pricing Gains Signal Shift After Three-Quarter Downturn

Carriers report better pricing power in Q1 2026 contract negotiations as capacity exits and spot rates firm — the first sustained leverage shift since mid-2023.

Fuel & Energy

Brent Crude Dips to $105.44 as Iran War Drags On With No End in Sight

Oil fell 19 cents May 14 after a week of whipsaw moves — diesel still sits near $4.48, and small fleets are watching every penny.

General

Supreme Court rules against brokers in Montgomery liability case

Decision opens freight brokers to direct liability claims under federal law — legal and insurance costs expected to climb across the industry.

Equipment & OEM

Will IIHS start rating Class 8 ADAS? OEMs say yes at ACT Expo

Truck manufacturers at the 2026 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo welcomed the prospect of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ratings for heavy-duty collision-avoidance sys…

Equipment & OEM

Mack MP13 Gets 2027 EPA Nod — More Power, Better MPG, B20 Approved

The 2027-compliant MP13 adds horsepower and fuel economy while waiting on EPA warranty-rule clarity that could cut thousands off the sticker.

Fuel & Energy

Iran War Drives Base Oil Shortage — Oil Changes About to Cost More

Industrial lubricants used to make motor oil are in short supply with no relief in sight, pushing maintenance costs higher for fleets already squeezed by tight margins.

Fuel & Energy

Hormuz Oil Flows Down 6 Million Barrels a Day — Diesel Watch Begins

Strait of Hormuz crude and fuel flows fell nearly 30% in Q1, the Energy Information Administration reports. Small fleets face diesel price exposure if the drop holds.

Spot Rates Up 20% — But It's Tariff Panic, Not Recovery

National dry van spot rates are up more than 20% year over year as of mid-May, driven by importers front-loading inventory ahead of tariff escalation. The surge won't last.

Electric Vehicles

California Opens $1 Billion EV Truck Rebate — What Fleets Can Claim

State program cuts upfront cost on Class 8 EVs, drayage trucks, and delivery vans through authorized dealers. First-year allocation: $250 million.