Utley is the vice president of government services for Bennett Family of Companies and vice chairman of ATA’s Government Freight Conference. Before trucking, he dedicated nearly 30 years to the U.S. Army, where he learned the kind of discipline and teamwork that later carried over into his work at Bennett.

“Jim served in the Army for nearly three decades, and following his extraordinary service to our nation, he brought his skill, dedication, and fortitude to trucking,” said Ed Gilroy, ATA chief advocacy and public affairs officer. “Jim leads by example, encouraging his colleagues and inspiring the next generation of truckers. His contributions to our advocacy efforts have been indispensable to achieving results that benefit our entire industry.”

At Bennett, Utley’s work centers on improving how carriers interact with the Department of Defense, especially around base access for drivers. He’s also focused on policies that treat drivers with respect and make the movement of sensitive freight safer for everyone on the road.

The ATA noted that Utley played a key role in helping move forward the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act, which aims to fix the outdated credentialing system that has frustrated truckers for years.

Beyond policy, Utley has been a strong voice for the independent contractor model, and he supports programs that bring new people into the industry through ATA’s Women In Motion and LEAD ATA initiatives.

The Cathy Evans Highway to Victory Award is named after longtime ATA lobbyist Cathy Evans and is presented annually to a member who’s made a lasting mark on the Federation’s advocacy work at both state and federal levels.

Previous honorees include well-known industry leaders such as Stormie Janzen of Total Transportation of Mississippi, John Chipman Jr. of Chipman Relocation & Logistics, Mike Card of Combined Transport Inc., Robert Low of Prime Inc., Randy Guillot of Triple G Express, Robert Haag of Perfect Transportation, Greer Woodruff of JB Hunt, Derek Leathers of Werner Enterprises, and Brian Parke of Maine Motor Transport Association.

For Utley, the award reflects not just personal achievement but a reminder of what keeps the industry strong: people who care enough to push for better roads, smarter policies, and more respect for professional drivers.

Image Source: ATA

Other Source: The Trucker

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According to FMCSA, the study will officially start early next year, with full details to be published in the Federal Register on Thursday, August 28. Its stated goal is “to monitor crash trends and identify causes and contributing factors and develop effective safety improvement policies and programs.”

The agency plans to collect detailed data from 3,333 fatal crashes across 30 state jurisdictions. “This effort is aimed at identifying key driver, vehicle, motor carrier, and environmental factors that may contribute to fatal crashes involving heavy-duty trucks,” FMCSA explained.

Data collection is expected to take a minimum of two years to complete. During this time, the public will have opportunities to submit comments to help shape the findings and recommendations.

This study represents one of the most extensive federal efforts in recent years to better understand the dynamics of commercial truck crashes and to develop actionable solutions that enhance safety for everyone on the road.

Source: Marcus Wrinkler (Unsplash)

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“This event is a celebration of the incredible people at Cummins whose craftsmanship and commitment bring our trucks to life,” said Kyle Kimball, Kenworth’s director of marketing. “We were honored to bring the W900 Legacy Edition to Jamestown to recognize the team that helps power these iconic trucks that are beloved by generations of drivers.”

While the W900 Legacy Edition represents Kenworth’s lasting impact on the trucking industry, another type of legacy was just as clear as the dedication and pride of the employees whose work keeps that legacy alive.

A Special Build for an Iconic Model

Cummins partnered with Kenworth to produce X15 engines painted in the classic Cummins beige, exclusively for the W900 Legacy Edition. This will be the final special edition of the W900, making it a significant milestone for both brands.

“The classic engine color is just one special vintage touch on each Legacy Edition,” Kenworth said. “To complement the engine, a curated selection of iconic paint schemes – including the classic VIT ’63 paint scheme featured at the Cummins Jamestown event – is available with the W900 Legacy. Kenworth is producing just 1,000 of these models, which are available in Extended Day Cab, 72-inch Flat Top, and 86-inch Studio Sleeper configurations.”

Details That Honor the Past

Each W900 Legacy Edition will be individually serialized, counting down from 1,000 to 0001, with a special limited-edition badge mounted on the glovebox. Inside, the truck features a black Diamond VIT interior with platinum accents, Ravenwood door and dash trims, and platinum accent stitching. Vintage Kenworth logos appear on the trim and headrests, while hood badges use a design that became popular in 1966.

Shawn Hricko, plant manager at the Jamestown Engine Plant, also got behind the wheel during the event, adding his own memory to the day’s legacy.

For more information about the Kenworth W900 Legacy Edition, click here.

Image Source: Kenworth
Source: The Trucker

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In a nod to a long-standing business relationship, the newly built 47X went to Alamo Group. Based in Seguin, Texas, Alamo Group is a trusted DTNA partner and a leading producer of snow and ice removal equipment. The new Western Star will join their Snow & Ice Team.

“Alamo Group has been a valued partner for many years, and we’re proud to support their mission with our most advanced vocational trucks,” said David Carson, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing at DTNA. “The Western Star 47X is purpose-built for demanding applications like snow and ice management.”

Cleveland Plant: Where Heavy Duty Meets Heritage

Founded in 1989, DTNA’s Cleveland Truck Manufacturing Plant now serves as the company’s biggest U.S. facility for building heavy-duty trucks. It sits on 178 acres, covers 1.2 million square feet, and employs about 2,000 people. The plant produces the Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadia, along with the Western Star 47X and 49X models.

The Western Star brand, described as the fastest-growing division at DTNA, centers on performance, strength, and dependability. The featured 47X is designed specifically for tough jobs—its Detroit DD13 engine helps it plow through harsh snow and ice, meeting the high standards DTNA sets for its customers.

Driven by People and Progress

The assembly of over 850,000 trucks at the Cleveland site highlights the dedication and skill of its workforce. Senior vice president Jeff Allen stated, “Reaching 850,000 trucks is a testament to the dedication of our Cleveland team and the strength of our manufacturing processes.”

Image Source: Daimler Truck North America
Source: Truckers News

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Details of the Recall

The recall affects certain 2025 Mack Anthem and Granite trucks. The issue stems from power cables that may have been improperly routed, which could potentially lead to an electrical short.

According to the recall notice, Mack Trucks, Inc. will re-route the power cables at no cost to the owners. Notification letters were sent to affected owners on June 16, 2025. For more information, owners can contact Mack’s customer service at 1-800-866-1177, referencing recall number SC0480.

Additionally, Mack is recalling specific 2024-2026 Mack MD models. The issue with these vehicles involves the Controller Area Network (CAN) system. If CAN communications are interrupted, the throttle signal from the electro mobility control unit may retain the last known throttle setting, preventing the engine from returning to idle as required. This defect violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 124, “Accelerator Control Systems.”

To address this, Mack dealers will update the control unit software free of charge. Notification letters for this recall are scheduled to be mailed on August 19, 2025.

For further assistance, affected owners are encouraged to contact Mack’s customer service at the number provided above.

Source: The Trucker

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“When most people hear design, they think of automotive or fashion, not heavy-duty trucks. However, for our team, design plays a critical role in everything from fuel efficiency to driver comfort,” shared Brian Balicki, head of design at Volvo Trucks North America. “With the all-new Volvo VNL, we started with a blank sheet of paper and reimagined the truck from the ground up. The streamlined, wedge-shaped cab and dramatically sloped windshield are not just visually striking, they reduce aerodynamic drag and help deliver up to 10% better fuel efficiency compared to the legacy model. Inside, we transformed the driving environment and sleeper into a space that feels more like a home away from home.”

Cutting-edge redesign and features

Revealed in January 2024, the all-new Volvo VNL represents six years of intensive research and represents a complete rethinking of the long-haul truck. With a nearly 90% redesign from its predecessors, the truck offers enhanced productivity, safety, profitability, and sustainability, addressing the demands of the North American freight transport sector.

The Volvo VNL is visually distinguished by its dynamic lines, aerodynamic efficiency, and innovative wedge-shaped profile. Its curved windshield reduces drag, while the angled front grille, headlights, and intakes enhance both form and function. Volvo described this design as “a significant industry shift” that exemplifies its brand strengths.

Inside the cabin, driver-focused features fuel innovation. An all-new 24-volt electrical system hosts technologies like dynamic displays, a Camera Monitor System, inductive charging, and task/ambient lighting. Comfort is redefined with customizable cab configurations, upgraded materials, and amenities like versatile bunk setups and airline-inspired window shades designed to meet drivers’ needs.

Revolutionizing the driver experience

“The all-new Volvo VNL was designed to change everything for heavy-duty trucks, and we evaluated every detail of the driver experience from selecting materials that provide a premium look and feel to incorporating innovative safety features that help protect drivers in case of an accident,” remarked Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “Winning this prestigious design award validates the six years of dedication that went into transforming our flagship VNL model. We created a vehicle that not only connects with customers but also delivers exceptional performance and comfort.”

The design innovations are aimed at creating a driver experience that reflects their needs on the road, earning praise from drivers and the broader trucking industry along the way.

About the Red Dot Award

The Red Dot Design Award is a globally celebrated mark of recognition, honoring exceptional design across industries. Originating in Essen, Germany over 70 years ago, it spans 51 categories, including vehicles, electronics, household goods, and more. Winning the Red Dot Award reflects not only design excellence but also innovation and functionality.

The official award announcement will occur on July 8 at the Designers’ Night hosted at the Red Dot Design Museum in Essen.

Volvo Trucks continues to push industry boundaries, setting a new standard for functionality, comfort, and design with the Volvo VNL.

Source: The Trucker
Source: Volvo Trucks

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A Mixer Truck with a Mission

The Kenworth T880S 11-yard Con-Tech BridgeKing Mixer, designed for efficiency and compliance with federal bridge regulations, played a pivotal role in this charitable initiative. Displayed at the World of Concrete event in Las Vegas, this specialized mixer truck became the centerpiece of a live auction aimed at making a positive social impact.

During the auction, Minnesota’s Crow River Construction acquired the T880S mixer for an impressive $260,000. All proceeds were donated to Con-Tech-selected charities, such as Ronald McDonald House® of Rochester, Minnesota, Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Minnesota, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and the Child Liberation Foundation, among others.

A Perfect Match for Crow River Construction

Crow River Construction, a company based in New London, Minnesota, launched its ready-mix division just a few years ago in 2021. Their growing fleet—already consisting exclusively of Kenworth T880 and W900 mixers—quickly expanded to include the auctioned truck.

“The timing was perfect. We were looking to add another T880 mixer to our fleet when our contacts at Rihm Kenworth and Con-Tech reached out about the auction,” reported Kraig Hanson, owner of Crow River Construction. “It was awesome to purchase a new truck that’s a good fit for our operation while seeing that money donated to some incredible charity organizations that are making a difference in our local communities in Minnesota and beyond.”

Con-Tech and Kenworth’s Dedication to Giving Back

For Con-Tech Manufacturing, the auction was a significant event. “This auction is a significant fundraising initiative that resulted in a remarkable donation to charity organizations that all of us at Con-Tech deeply value. We greatly appreciate Crow River Construction for purchasing this truck to help make this happen,” shared Dan Welsh, president of Con-Tech Manufacturing, located in Dodge Center, Minnesota.

Kenworth also recognized the meaningful collaboration behind this initiative. Kyle Kimball, director of marketing at Kenworth, stated, “It was great to team up with Con-Tech, Rihm Kenworth, and other contributing suppliers to build this truck and help raise money for some incredible charity organizations.”

Building Strong Community and Industry Bonds

Founded in 2013, Crow River Construction specializes in sewer, water, and utility construction, along with their ready-mix and aggregate material services. Today, the company operates 28 Kenworth trucks, including models like the T880, W900, and W990.

“Kenworth trucks make up the majority of our fleet, and they are very reliable for us,” said Hanson. “We have a great relationship with Rihm. They’ve done a great job supporting our company by equipping us with trucks that match our operational needs.”

Source: The Trucker

Image: Kenworth

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