Latest News Updates From Joe Howard

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Joe Howard

Executive Editor

Joe Howard has served as Executive Editor of Transport Topics since 2017 and has served in a variety of newsroom leadership roles since joining the staff in 2008. During his more than 20 years in journalism, Joe has developed expertise in coverage of issues related to transportation, equipment, government, business and more.


Business, Equipment

Allison Plans Nine-Speed Transmission With Start-Stop Technology

ATLANTA – Allison Transmission announced plans to introduce a nine-speed automatic transmission for medium and heavy-duty vehicles that features start/stop technology, and which will be available globally by 2020.

September 27, 2017
Business, Equipment

Stoughton Returns to Reefer Market With PureBlue Trailer

ATLANTA — Stoughton Trailers has added a refrigerated model to its lineup, its first entry into the segment in years and a move that the company said completes its lineup.

September 26, 2017
Business, Equipment

Continental’s ContiConnect System Checks Tire Inflation From Monitoring Station

ATLANTA — Continental Tire has introduced a system that checks inflation levels in a truck’s tires as it passes an external monitoring station, with data transmitted from sensors integrated into the tires that require no electronics to be installed on the truck, the company said.

September 26, 2017
Business, Fuel

Daimler Shows Off Electric-Powered Fuso eCanter

ATLANTA — Daimler Trucks North America expanded the powertrain offerings of its medium-duty Fuso cabovers with the introduction of an electric-powered version of its Fuso Canter truck, and a gasoline option for its FE-Series model.

September 25, 2017
Business, Technology, Equipment, Fuel

Mack Launches New Highway Tractor, the Anthem

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Mack Trucks introduced the Mack Anthem, its long-awaited new highway tractor, to an arena packed with dealer representatives, who company executives thanked for their patience and who were promised a truck that boasts gains in fuel efficiency, driver comfort and technological innovation compared to previous models.

September 14, 2017
Business, Technology, Equipment

Putting Paccar’s New Automated Transmission to the Test

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Paccar’s new automated transmissions were put through testing and demonstrations during a daylong launch event at the company’s technical center here, as media were given the chance to experience the new units firsthand.

August 24, 2017
Business, Fuel

Paccar Introduces Automated Transmissions

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Paccar has introduced a line of proprietary automated transmissions that the company says completes its integrated powertrain offerings.

August 22, 2017
Business, Equipment

Volvo Trucks Opens Customer Center at Virginia Factory

Volvo Trucks North America has opened a new customer center here to educate visitors about its products, and it features proving grounds for testing its trucks.

July 13, 2017
Business, Equipment

Volvo Leaders Optimistic About Truck Market

The leaders of Volvo Trucks’ global and North American operations expressed optimism about the second half of this year and into 2018 during presentations for the launch of the company’s new VNL longhaul tractor.

July 13, 2017
Business, Equipment

Volvo Unveils Redesigned VNL Series

Volvo Trucks North America introduced a redesigned version of its VNL-series over-the-road tractor designed to improve the truck’s fuel efficiency and performance, as well as driver comfort.

July 12, 2017