The Fleet Lead

Endeavor Business Media

The Fleet Lead podcast features journalists from EndeavorB2B's commercial vehicle brands, including FleetOwner, Fleet Maintenance, Bulk Transporter, and Trailer Body-Builders. It aims to help fleet managers, trucking professionals, and transportation industry leaders navigate the rapidly changing industry, covering topics like new technologies, efficiency, and regulatory shifts.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Ford Pro's take on tech shortage, work truck TCO, and journey to zero downtime

    Modern work trucks have become very advanced, and OEMs' strategies to manage those trucks even more advanced. Ford Pro's Eric Rice, general manager of U.S. fleet sales, details the industry's latest trends: driver assistance, predictive maintenance, the technician shortage, and more. Timestamps: 02:23 - Total cost of ownership 07:35 - Advanced safety tech 11:35 - The technician shortage 16:30 - Machine learning for actionable data 18:30 - Race to zero downtime

    25 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    This week in trucking: Sysco loses retaliation suit, $200 million for truck parking

    Here are the trucking industry's headlines this week, as of February 5: The latest highway funding bill includes truck parking Five employees won a $52 million verdict against food distributor Sysco EPA is looking to further weaken DEF derates Heavy-duty equipment demand in January was very strong Spot rates made a record-high jump Diesel prices increased 6 cents

    3 min

  3. 2 FEB

    An AV vs. EV horse race: ACT Expo 2026

    Erik Neandross, president of TRC’s Clean Transportation Solutions Group, previews ACT Expo 2026 in Las Vegas. As the industry pivots from clean fuel goals to "clean intelligence," Neandross shares an insider’s look at where OEM and fleet capital is actually flowing this year. Timestamps: 2:00 - Shift to economic sustainability 9:53 - ACT Expo's focus on continuing education 13:40 - The rise of virtual drivers 20:06 - Software-defined devicles 24:11 - ACT Expo's keynote speakers: Rivian and Mack Trucks 30:23 - The Expo's move to Las Vegas

    41 min

  4. 29 JAN

    This week in trucking: Werner acquired FirstFleet, autonomous milestones

    Here are the headlines from this week in trucking, as of January 29: Werner acquired FirstFleet Gatik completed 60,000 autonomous medium-duty hauls Traton gave $25 million to PlusAI for autonomous truck development Diesel deleting no longer risks jail time FMCSA issued HOS exemptions to most states Eaton is spinning off its commercial vehicle business Diesel prices increased 9 cents

    4 min

  5. 26 JAN

    2026's regulatory rodeo with David Heller, Truckload Carriers Association

    2025 had no shortage of regulatory changes for the trucking industry, vacillating between rapid crackdowns and sluggish rulemakings. David Heller, senior VP of Safety and Government Affairs for the Truckload Carriers Association, shares his outlook for the next year’s regulatory landscape—from English proficiency to CSA scores and beyond. Catch this episode of The Fleet Lead podcast here or search for The Fleet Lead on your favorite podcast app. Chapters: 1:59 - The 2026 regulatory space  2:30 - Regulation pacing 4:22 - English proficiency and CDL crackdowns 9:59 - How might lawsuits impact regulations? 11:09 - Rules to look out for 15:00 - Might CSA score calculations change?

    18 min

  6. 22 JAN

    This week in trucking: Spot rates down, California enforces English

    Here are the headlines this week in trucking, as on January 22: California started enforcing English language proficiency requirements United States Postal Service launched a bidding website for last-mile delivery A judge blocked New York’s truck tolling surcharge Spot rates decreased for dry van and refrigerated  Diesel prices jumped 7 cents

    3 min

  7. 21 JAN

    2026 Outlook: Rise of AI, dwindling EV focus, and brain-reading trucks

    The first 2026 roundtable of the Fleet Lead podcast brings together editors from Fleet Owner and Bulk Transporter to analyze a commercial vehicle market currently transitioning from a stagnant 2025 toward a cautiously optimistic 2026. Despite continued carrier bankruptcies and consolidations, there are signs that the market might turn later this year. FMCSA's continued crackdown on driver qualifications could help bring upward pressure on rates. On the technology side, appetite for EVs is shrinking while autonomous and AI deployment marches on—and a brainwave scanner could be the next driver safety tech tool. Featuring Jason McDaniel from Bulk Transporter and Josh Fisher, Jade Brasher, and Jeremy Wolfe from FleetOwner. Timestamps:  1:30 – FMCSA's driver crackdowns 3:55 – Fleet bankruptcies 8:33 – How are carriers feeling about the market? 10:00 – General Motors's new headquarters 11:15 – GM strategy for EVs 20:36 – Survey: Fleets don't want EVs 27:08 – Autonomous truck expectations 29:42 – Brain monitoring devices for driver fatigue. 34:55 – Heil Trailer military contracts and expansion. 36:39 – Global mergers, acquisition deal trends.

    41 min

  8. 15 JAN

    This week in trucking: Appalachian CDLs, STG Logistics bankruptcy

    Here are the headlines from this week in the U.S. trucking industry, as on January 15: Tennessee is asking CDL holders for proof of legal residence FMCSA targeted North Carolina’s non-domiciled CDLs STG Logistics filed for bankruptcy Mack Anthem began production

    3 min
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About

The Fleet Lead podcast features journalists from EndeavorB2B's commercial vehicle brands, including FleetOwner, Fleet Maintenance, Bulk Transporter, and Trailer Body-Builders. It aims to help fleet managers, trucking professionals, and transportation industry leaders navigate the rapidly changing industry, covering topics like new technologies, efficiency, and regulatory shifts.

Information

  • Creator
    Endeavor Business Media
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Fleet Lead