The Daily Dash: Getting to an electric future; Mack layoffs; and kidnapping

The Daily Dash is a quick look at what is happening in the freight ecosystem. In today’s edition, experts discuss what trucking will look like for the foreseeable future as it transitions to electric power. Plus, Mack Trucks lays off 450, Comcar’s prepackaged bankruptcy hits a snag and a trucker allegedly kidnaps his wife, leading police on a wild chase.

If the future is electric, what about the now?

Most experts believe electric will be the power of the future, but what about now? And the time in between? Diesel will continue to play a major role, but so will other alternative fuels.

Linda Baker has more on what to expect in the near term: The ‘messy middle’: How trucking will get to an electric future

Mack layoffs hit Greensboro

Mack Trucks has announced 450 layoffs, most at its Greensboro, North Carolina, headquarters. The company laid off 305 hourly workers in February, but it says this time no layoffs are planned for production workers. It is also delaying production of its new medium-duty trucks.

Alan Adler looks at the impact: Mack Trucks cutting 450 salaried jobs

Let’s slow down that sale process

A prepackaged bankruptcy is exactly that — prepackaged to eliminate the messy fights between creditors. In the case of Comcar, though, prepackaged is anything but. The sale of two of its business units is facing resistance, and it’s all about the trailers.

Todd Maiden explains: Comcar bankruptcy sale hits snag on trailer title dispute

This is not the way to solve the situation

A truck driver who suspected his wife of cheating allegedly took her hostage in his tractor-trailer and then led police on an hours-long chase through the Cincinnati area before finally being stopped and arrested.

John Kingston has details of the harrowing ordeal: Truck driver faces kidnapping charge after wild chase

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Did you miss this?

The co-founders of a hemp products manufacturer says more federal regulation is needed to unlock the value of the product. Brett Goldman and Steve Bevan, who founded GenCanna Global, asked the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Motor Carrier Advisory Committee to consider defining standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all compliant hemp, as well as develop guidelines for transporting noncompliant “work in process” hemp materials across state lines.

John Gallagher dives into why the co-founders believe more guidance is needed: Hemp growers urge FMCSA to issue hauling guidelines

Hammer down, everyone,

Brian Straight

Managing Editor

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