🎣 MATS 2025 Recap

Good Monday morning. Last week was the Mid-America Trucking Show: FMCSA talked fraud, students shared big dreams, and tech vendors drew in the crowds. We cover the highlights in today's feature.

Plus:

• 👨‍💼 When Politicians Talk Trucking
• 📈 Walmart's $6B Investment in Mexico
• 🚂 Railroad Cargo Theft Crisis
• & more...

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🐔 WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN FREIGHT

👨‍💼 When Poiticians Talk Trucking. U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn has introduced bipartisan legislation offering tax credits to truck drivers to address industry "shortages," even posting about it on his X profile. The bill proposes up to $7,500 for veteran drivers and $10,000 for apprentices or newcomers. Nunn, alongside Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan, argues that the initiative will strengthen supply chains and lower costs. However, truckers remain skeptical, accusing Nunn of echoing the American Trucking Associations (ATA). SuperTruck on X commented, “Dude’s just saying ATA talking points word for word. There is no person there, no ideas. An empty shell just saying whatever it’s paid to say.” Many argue that the real issue is low wages and an oversupply of trucks, not a driver shortage. Robert s Sanburg on X commented, “I live in Iowa. Trucking is in the worst financial situation I have seen in 28 years of business! The lowest rates I have [ever] seen! The highest number of trucks-to-loads ratio! So let’s be honest here—how much money did you take from ATA?”

📈 Walmart Expands in Mexico with $6B Investment. Walmart de Mexico (Walmex) is investing $6 billion this year to expand stores and logistics hubs, creating 5,500 jobs despite economic concerns. CEO Ignacio Caride announced the move at President Claudia Sheinbaum’s press conference, highlighting that 83% of Walmex’s products are locally made, thus limiting the impact of any tariffs on imported goods from the U.S. The expansion includes two AI-powered distribution centers and increased capital expenditures. Walmex, Mexico’s largest retailer, faces competition and regulatory scrutiny but continues its growth (shares of Walmex have grown 6.4% so far this year). The investment aligns with broader corporate expansion in Mexico, as Coke bottler Arca Continental also announced a record $895 million investment this year, with half going into its Mexican operation and a quarter being used for its U.S. business.

🚂 Rail Heists Surge: Cargo Theft Crisis in 2024. Overhaul has released its data for railroad theft in 2024, and it’s not good at all. Railroad cargo theft has soared, with over 65,000 incidents in 2024—a 40% increase from the previous year—costing the industry over $100 million, according to the in-transit supply chain risk management company. Criminals target trains, particularly BNSF routes in California and Arizona, using tactics like cutting air hoses or exploiting remote stops. High-value goods like Nike sneakers, gaming headsets, and smart vacuums are prime targets. Authorities are pushing for stronger enforcement, surveillance, and legal reforms to combat organized theft, but protecting 140,000 miles of track remains a daunting challenge... for now.

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MATS 2025 Recap

The Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) rolled into Louisville last week, bringing with it big booths, new tech, custom chrome, and a buzzy FMCSA session.

While the vibes were high across the expo floor, the regulatory updates were "vague" at best, according to Land Line Media.

Here are the key highlights from MATS 2025:

FMCSA’s Big Talk

During a fireside chat on Friday, FMCSA chief counsel Jesse Elison addressed the Trump administration’s new direction—but kept the details light.

• The agency promised a “renewed focus” on due process and fair enforcement.
• Elison hinted at a broader deregulatory push, in line with Trump’s 10-to-1 rollback order (for every new rule, 10 must go).
• On the rampant fraud in the industry, Elison said the issue is “criminal in nature” and resource-intensive, citing “some recent wins,” but no new enforcement plans.

The only moment that stirred the crowd? A brief mention of reviving enforcement of English-proficiency regs, which caused "uproar in the audience."

In an education session, the FMCSA gave more details on modernization efforts, including the new ID checks for new registrants to combat fraud.

The Truck Parking Club with Reed Loustalot

If you were anywhere near the Truck Parking Club booth, you probably saw RC trucks, QR-code demos, rattlesnake eggs, and what one attendee called “a full-blown circus.” Their presence doubled in size from last year, reflecting their rapid growth from 300 to over 1,600 locations.

But it wasn’t just swag and barbecue—CMO Reed and the team emphasized community-building:

“Every day I meet someone who goes, ‘I’m @joe69 on X.’ That’s what brought me to MATS in the first place—meeting the people behind the handles.”

Reed Becomes a Meme

In an unexpected viral moment, Reed became the ace of MATS meme culture when a photo of him (captured by Timothy Dooner) gesturing animatedly during a conversation made the rounds on X.

Next-Gen Trucking Takes the Spotlight

One of the most powerful moments came from the Next Generation Trucking Association, which brought high school students from California to experience the industry up close.

Seventeen-year-old Milton Gonzalez, a student in the program, lit up the stage when asked why he’s pursuing trucking:

“I want to explore, be free, and build a life on the road. One day, I’ll start local. Then I’ll go over the road. Then I’ll settle down and maybe start a family. But trucking will always be part of it.”

Inspiring!

MATS 2025 reminds us why this industry is both gritty and full of heart. While regulators offered more questions than answers, the energy on the show floor felt optimistic.

In a time of rising tension around policy, pricing, and compliance, it’s the people who keep trucking grounded.

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🌎 AROUND THE FREIGHT WEB

🚗 More Tariff Warnings. Economist Arthur Laffer warns that President Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on auto imports could add $4,711 to vehicle costs. Laffer adds to the growing list of critics warning of the potential ramifications of these tariffs.

🚢 China Reviews Sale. Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison is set to review the sale of its Panama Canal assets to BlackRock and ocean carrier MSC. This comes after billionaire Li Ka-shing said he wouldn’t sign off on the deal on April 2.

📃 Eliminating FET. Senators Todd Young and Ben Cardin introduced the Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act to eliminate the 12% federal excise tax (FET) on heavy-duty trucks and trailers. The FET was established in 1917 to aid the U.S. government in funding World War I—well over 100 years ago.

💰 Hyundai's Investment. Hyundai announced a $21 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing, including a $5.8 billion steel plant in Louisiana. “We are definitely trying to localize the production, which will minimize the potential impact from the tariffs,” said CEO José Muñoz.

🤖 Aurora's Safety Plan. Aurora unveiled a detailed Driverless Safety Report outlining protocols ahead of its launch of fully driverless trucks on Texas highways. The plan addresses the safety engineering of the trucks, cybersecurity (hack prevention), risk management, and more.

🎣 THE FREIGHT CAVIAR CORNER

• The FreightCaviar Podcast: In this week’s episode of the FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Michael Caney, Chief Commercial Officer at Highway. He shares his industry predictions for 2025, discusses strategies to combat freight fraud, and unveils Highway’s newest product. Catch the interview on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
• Freight Chronicles Podcast: Our Tom Stawinski-hosted podcast is now live, with the first episode featuring Brent Orsuga, an Elite leadership advisor who refuses to settle for "good enough." Catch the interview on YouTube or Spotify.
• ‼️ Now Hiring: Brokers, BLS Logistics is seeking a freight broker for a full-time position. Book of business preferred but not required. Learn more and apply here.
• TIA Capital Ideas Conference: FreightCaviar will be in attendance at this year's conference, held April 9-12 in San Antonio. We hope to see you there at the biggest event for brokers. Register now.

FREIGHT HUMOR