In this episode, we cover Toyota looking to get into the Class 8 electric truck market, border patrol sends a drug-smuggling attempt down the drain when they search a shipment of toilets and the public is asked to weigh in on several FMCSA petitions regarding broker transparency, plus the CAT Scale Rig of the Week.
Tucker Russ: Hey, truckers, I’m Tucker. Toyota’s looking to get into the Class eight electric truck market, and border patrol sends a drug smuggling attempt down the drain when they search a shipment of toilets. Plus, the public is asked to weigh in on several FMCSA petitions regarding broker transparency. That’s a quick look at the stories we’re covering along with our CAT Scale Rig of the Week on this edition of The Trucker News Channel!
Tucker Russ: With growing interest in heavy duty electric trucks, Toyota is looking to get in on the action. The company plans to collaborate with Hino to develop a Class eight fuel cell electric truck for the North American market. Toyota says the truck will be quiet, but powerful while emitting only water. Hino, A Toyota Group Company, already offers Class four through eight diesel commercial trucks in the United States. The company will team with the Hino XL series chassis with the Toyota’s fuel cell technology to deliver capability without harmful emissions. A demonstration vehicle is expected to arrive in the first half of 2021.
Tucker Russ: An unlucky smuggler watched his cargo goes down the drain when US Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 13,744 pounds of alleged marijuana into shipment of toilets. CBP officers stopped the 2015 Freightliner tractor trailer inbound from Mexico at the World Trade Bridge. An inspection revealed more than just commodes though. Officers found 1,017 packages containing narcotics with an estimated street value of more than $2.7 million. The shipment was seized by CBP and the case remains under investigation.
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Tucker Russ: Eva Knelson, a driver for West Coast Transportation draws more than a few second looks as she travels along the highway in Kenworth, a pink and white 2018 Kenworth W900 that’s powered by a Cummins engine [inaudible 00:03:01] with an 18 speed transmission. The tractor and trailer are emblazoned with breast cancer awareness ribbons, especially appropriate during October, breast cancer awareness month. Nice rig!
Eva says she had a little trouble convincing her boss to buy a pink truck, but he was eventually convinced to make the investment. The truck recently earned first place in the 2015 to 2020 combination category for Iowa 2020 Walcott Truckers Jamboree. Eva says her truck is perfect adding, “It’s pink! What more could I ask for?” That’s a nice pink rig! If you have a rig you’d like to profile here on the CAT Scale Rig of the Week, send us some video at [email protected]. Nice rig!
Tucker Russ: In May, truckers held protest in Washington, DC, calling for the FMCSA to increase broker transparency. Well, it appears those voices and air horns were heard as the FMCSA is holding a public listening session on October 28th. There are currently three petitions regarding this issue before the agency. Two from trucking groups looking to strengthen regulations on brokers, and one from a group representing the brokers that’s looking to remove unethical broker businesses. Want to share your opinion during the video conference session? You can register at www.FMCSA.dot.gov.
Tucker Russ: Well, that’s it for this edition. If you’re watching us on YouTube, make sure to click that little red subscribe button below. You can also go to thetrucker.com for all the latest news stories, just for truckers. On behalf of everyone here at The Trucker News Channel, thanks for watching, and we’ll see you next time!
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.