A New Newsletter

By Jack Roberts

We know you're busy.

Hell -- you run a trucking company, after all!

But you still need to stay informed.

So HDT has created this quick-and-easy monthly newsletter to give you the top news and stories in the North American Trucking industry and do just that.

So, let's jump right in, shall we?

BREAKING NEWS: Nasty Port Strike LIKELY Averted

Yep. It looks like that port strike that's been hanging over the country like a hangover you know is going to be miserable in the morning has been headed off.

At least that's what it looks like at the moment.

Keep your fingers crossed!

HDT Takes the New Freightliner Cascadia for Spin!

We know it's not a full-blown test drive on public roads.

We're working on that.

But we did get to take the new @Freightliner Cascadia out for a spin on the historic Willow Run airport track outside of Motown late last year.

And Speaking of Test-Drives...

Check out our roundup of every new truck and engine that was introduced last year.

We didn't get to test-drive all of them, of course.

(@Kenworth isn't just going to toss you the keys to a $2 million SuperTruck, after all!)

But there's some really cool stuff here. And some really good indications about where truck design is headed as we close in on 2027.

Trucking's Emissions Cold War Turns Hot

2024 was notable in that the long-simmering cold war between the North American trucking industry and environmental regulatory agencies suddenly heated up in a BIG way.

Here's my look back at what happened -- and why I think it sets the stage for the next three years heading into 2027.

Do You Need Technicians?

Of course you do.

Everyone in this industry needs technicians.

And maybe you need to start looking in new places to find them.

So, here's a really cool story about 20-year Kaitlynn Aikin.

You may have noticed that "Kaitlynn" is usually a male name.

And you're right!

Kaitlynn is a 20-year-old female who also happens to be a fully qualified diesel technician!

She works for Southeastern Freight Lines at its Fort Worth, Texas, customer center.

And she is proof-positive that whole new generation of technicians is out there.

Three Great American Trucks

Before I show myself to the door, I've got three pretty cool HDT Great American Truck profiles I thought I'd share with you.

I'm a history geek. (I actually have a BA in History from the The University of Alabama . You may have heard of the football that we have. They're kind of a big deal.)

So, I really enjoy blending my love of history and American trucking with this series.

First up is the kick-ass Willys Jeep of World War II fame.

The cool thing about this one is that one of my Tuscaloosa County High School Class of 1984 classmates owns an INCREDIBLE 1942 Ford Jeep.

Mike Newman was kind enough to loan me photos and let me tell the story of his Jeep.

Then I did another Great American Truck profile of the iconic @Kenworth W900.

The W900 is probably THE truck that pops into people's heads when you say, "big rig."

There's no doubt it's an American icon. And a celebrity in its own right, as well.

Next, I turned my attention to the @Volvo Trucks North America VN Model.

Fun fact -- the VN launch, way back in 1996, was my first-ever truck press conference/model launch.

I was a wet-behind-the-ears rookie truck editor -- who clearly had no idea what he was getting himself into.

Volvo wanted a gamer-changer for its first American designed and built Class 8 truck. And it ended up breaking the mold with a truck that transformed an entire industry.

Until next month -- Hold 'em in the road!

-- Jack