Widespread layoffs are coming

Should English be the standard? We're taking a look at the new White House executive order on English proficiency for truck drivers and what national and state trucking groups think of the mandate. 

Meanwhile, tariffs are making tire prices go up and Volvo truck sales go down—and one research group is issuing a warning about the consequences for the trucking industry. Widespread layoffs may be in the cards. 

What the states think: Trucking groups in Texas and Arkansas are weighing in on the new executive order mandating English proficiency among drivers (keep reading for more on that story ⬇️)

Cause for celebration: Tuesday was National Supply Chain Day, celebrating the leaders and professionals working behind the scenes to keep freight flowing. 

Tired of trucks? This company went to some pretty extreme measures to avoid using trucks. For starters, it built a new rail terminal just for itself.

Birds of a feather: This truck driver had a feathery friend stop by to pay a visit. 

13%

The year-over-year drop in Volvo's North America truck sales. The reason: a lack of clarity related to tariffs, leading truck buyers to take a wait-and-see approach. 

Source: Supply Chain Dive

Beyond the physical: How cargo theft, cyber crime are evolving

Reported cargo thefts rose 27% in 2024 compared to the previous year. But theft isn't just about physical break-ins anymore, writes Joe Ohr of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association.

"The transportation industry is now squarely in the crosshairs of cyber-enabled organized crime."

Yikes. As if fleet executives needed something else to keep them up at night. Is there a way to reverse this troubling trend? Ohr says coordination across departments, like cyber experts with fleet dispatch, is critical. And tech systems need to be safeguarded to stop fraud or bad actors from detecting freight's location. 

Why this matters: Cargo theft has moved beyond just a financial hit to being a business and reputation risk as well. Fleet managers must stay up to date on the latest ways to keep their systems and cargo safe as criminals target valuable freight. 

Get more details at CCJ Digital. 

FREE CHECK: TA conducts free inspections to prep for Roadcheck 

FREIGHT CHANGE: UPS to lay off 20k, reduce deliveries for Amazon

PAY UP: Truck tire replacement prices set to rise due to tariffs

NEW MODEL: Peterbilt launches battery-electric truck

Trump executive order mandates English for truck drivers

A new executive order from the White House directs the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to once again make English proficiency an out-of-service criterion. The order would also review CDLs issued to foreign citizens. Trucking groups, including the American Trucking Associations and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, have praised the executive order. 

Why this matters: Trucking advocates say drivers must be proficient in English for safe truck operation, so they can clearly understand road signs and communicate with law enforcement if needed. In the short term, fleets could face disruptions if a vehicle is taken out of service due to renewed enforcement of the rule. (Overdrive)

Forecast: Widespread layoffs coming to trucking industry

Apollo Global Management is predicting a chain reaction that could have negative consequences for the trucking industry. The forecast: tariffs will trigger an economic recession, which will create lower freight demand and economic uncertainty, both of which will lead to layoffs in trucking. 

Why this matters: Trucking managers will have to keep a close eye on their business and operations as tariffs take effect and freight volumes potentially decline. Leaders may be faced with tough decisions when it comes to their workforce. (Yahoo Finance)

DOT publishes framework for autonomous vehicles

The Department of Transportation is looking to standardize regulations that govern autonomous vehicles. The framework focuses on safety on public roads while also lowering regulatory barriers to encourage innovation. 

Why this matters: The framework comes as AV tech companies like Aurora are testing driverless trucks on public roads. Many regulatory questions surround AVs, such as who is responsible in a crash or how insurance works in a driverless vehicle. A standardized set of rules would help ensure safe operations and enforcement as AVs take to the roads. (Land Line)

Uber Freight speeds TMS integration times

Uber Freight is embracing data, technology and AI to benefit its own operations and those of its shipper and carrier customers. The freight brokerage cut down the time needed to integrate a transportation management system from nine months to a few weeks. Plus, the use of generative AI resulted in 90% accuracy for natural language queries on TMS data. 

Why this matters: Logistics companies are demonstrating that AI can provide fast and accurate results. It's a win-win for the industry, with more seamless tech onboarding for shippers and easier access to freight for carriers. (FreightWaves)

Thanks for reading today's edition! You can reach the newsletter team at editor@theinsidelane.co. We enjoy hearing from you.

Interested in advertising? Email us at newslettersales@mvfglobal.com

The Inside Lane is curated and written by Shefali Kapadia and edited by Bianca Prieto.