Industry News

• LNG Exporter Venture Global Files for IPO December 20, 2024
  Venture Global Inc., one of the biggest suppliers of liquefied natural gas in the U.S., filed for what could be one of the largest initial public offerings of 2025.
• NHTSA Issues Final Rule Authorizing Whistleblowers December 20, 2024
  Any current or former employee or contractor of a vehicle manufacturer, part supplier or dealership may be a whistleblower, NHTSA said.
• Chris Purcell Wins Grand Champion Title at Rush Skills Rodeo December 20, 2024
  SAN ANTONIO — For the second time, Chris Purcell was named Grand Champion at the Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo. He also captured the annual competition’s top prize in 2021.
• VW Deal for 120,000 Workers Avoids Layoffs, Plant Closures December 20, 2024
  FRANKFURT, Germany — Volkswagen and its employee representatives said they reached a wage deal for 120,000 German workers that avoids plant closings and bars involuntary layoffs through 2030.
• FMCSA Panel Calls for Solutions to Truck Parking Crisis December 20, 2024
  A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration advisory committee met for five hours Dec. 17 to recommend best practices to increase safe parking for truck drivers seeking rest.
• Hyzon to Begin Layoffs in February Without More Funds, Buyer December 20, 2024
  Hyzon expects to start laying off U.S. employees in February if the hydrogen fuel cell electric truck maker cannot raise more funds or find a buyer, the company said Dec. 20.
• Inflation Slows, Boosting Hopes for Deeper Rate Cuts in 2025 December 20, 2024
  The so-called core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes food and energy items, increased 0.1% from October and 2.8% from a year earlier.
• Consumer Sentiment Up for Fifth Straight Month in December December 20, 2024
  The final December sentiment index increased to 74 from 71.8 last month, according to the University of Michigan. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey called for a reading of 74.2.
• House Passes Spending Plan Hours Before Shutdown Deadline December 20, 2024
  The spending bill would keep the government open through March 14, provide disaster relief and give billions of dollars in economic aid to farmers. It will not suspend the national debt limit.
• China Races to Ship Batteries to US Before Tax Changes December 20, 2024
  Shipments of lithium-ion batteries to the U.S. jumped by 27% to $1.9 billion in November from a year earlier. The export tax rebate for batteries was cut to 9% from 13%.
• Walmart Joins Growing List of Firms Scaling Back Climate Goals December 20, 2024
  Prior pledges to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030 and 35% by 2025 are probably not achievable, and the company will consider reviewing its climate targets in 2025.
• Trump to EU: Buy More US Gas or Prepare for Tariffs December 20, 2024
  Trump said on Truth Social that if the European Union does not up its imports, "it is TARIFFS all the way!!!" The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with the EU was $131.3 billion in 2022.
• FedEx Details Planned Changes During Q2 2025 Earnings December 20, 2024
  The Memphis, Tenn.-based transportation services company on Dec. 19 reported net income of $740 million, or $3.03 a diluted share, for the three months ending Nov. 30.
• Congress Passes National Defense Authorization Act December 19, 2024
  Congress recently cleared for President Joe Biden’s desk its annual defense policy bill, which includes trucking-centric provisions.
• Trump Faces Setback as House Nixes Spending Plan December 19, 2024
  The bill failed by a vote of 235 to 174, with 38 Republicans voting against it in defiance of both Trump and Musk. Nearly all Democrats voted against the spending package.