A picture says a thousand words—and FleetOwner's media galleries have a lot to say. This year brought countless feasts for the eyes: from the elegance and beauty of new equipment to informative infographics.
Here are the top 10 media galleries from FleetOwner in 2024, showing in picturesque fashion brand-new trucks, technologies, and trends.
10. Futuristic scenes from the fair: IAA truck gallery
The message from a record-setting international trade fair devoted to commercial vehicles and innovation in transportation was loud and clear: It’s time for policymakers to put their money where their ambitious, clean mobility goals are.
Featured in this slideshow are just a few of the trucks and tractors that were on display at IAA this year, including some very familiar names with vehicles unfamiliar to North America, along with some names and vehicles that, most likely, will never make it to these shores. Read more…
9. The major electric axles for commercial vehicles
E-axles are a developing electric powertrain technology that places electric motors and associated gears directly at the axle.
E-axles can replace a centralized motor/engine, freeing significant space where an engine and driveshaft would otherwise remain. That new space can accommodate extra batteries for enhanced range. Only a handful of e-axles today are designed for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Here are a few of the major e-axles around. Read more…
8. 70 years: A look back at the Chevy small-block V8 engine
This year, Chevrolet is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its small-block V8 truck engine. In late 1954, Chevrolet took the wraps off its 1955 line of Task Force pickup trucks, the first full redesign of Chevrolet pickups since 1947.
What made the V8 engine different was that the overhead-valve design optimized the flow of air and fuel into the combustion chamber, improving fuel efficiency and boosting horsepower. The engine became popular among everyday American car buyers and racers and hotrodders alike. This popularity prompted Chevy to create a larger, more powerful V8 engine variant for trucks and commercial vehicles, high-performance sport models, and large luxury cars. Over the past 70 years, approximately 100 million-plus small-block V8s were produced. Read more…
7. Future models: OEMs, startups show off new trucks and vans at ACT Expo
As thousands of trucking leaders and fleet managers gathered for the most significant industry gathering focused on future transportation solutions, several OEMs and startups rolled out new commercial vehicle models in Las Vegas in May.
Here is a look at some of the medium- and heavy-duty trucks and vans that drew attention during the 2024 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo. As the industry leans more into alternative fuel and decarbonization, fleets have more options than ever to cut tailpipe emissions, according to the annual State of Sustainable Fleets Report issued at the start of the annual conference. Read more…
6. Shell Rotella announces 2024 SuperRigs Truck Beauty Contest champions
Shell Rotella's annual truck beauty contest took center stage at the Texas Motor Speedway from May 30 to June 1. This year's pageant marks the 42nd year that Shell Rotella has celebrated and recognized the owner-operators that keep the North American economy rolling, and Kaleb Hammet received this year's top recognition, winning the Best in Show award for his 2019 Peterbilt 389.
The event brought together truckers from the U.S. and Canada to showcase their actively working rigs for a chance to win their piece of more than $25,000 in cash and prizes in a variety of categories. It's also at this event that Shell Rotella chooses 12 trucks to feature in its annual calendar. Additionally, online voting took place to select a People's Choice award, which Jeff Hoker from Dixon, Iowa, took home. Read more…
5. A look back at the Freightliner Cascadia evolution from 2007 to 2025
From its inception as a more aerodynamic, lightweight, and reliable heavy-duty truck, the Freightliner Cascadia has evolved over four generations to become the Class 8 commercial truck market leader.
Since its debut, the Cascadia has improved fuel economy by 35%. Its fifth generation will add to that, Daimler Truck North America engineers said. Along with its integrated technology, Freightliner leaders said the next Cascadia will offer fleets even better total cost of ownership, thanks to better fuel efficiency and safety technology. Read more…
4. Ram 1500 Tradesman: A work truck with unexpected perks
Climbing into the seat of the new Ram 1500 Tradesman might feel familiar—after all, it looks just like the next work truck out on the road—but it’s what’s under the hood of this truck that will surprise any driver, passenger, and likely, anyone in a sports car stopped beside you at a red light.
The new Ram 1500 Tradesman's powertrain ensures its capability. The extra perks and creature comforts make drivers and crewmembers more comfortable and will also ensure you won’t be embarrassed when taking a client out to lunch. While the technology comes with a couple of frustrations, this truck was one that I was genuinely disappointed to hand back over after my time driving was done. Read more…
3. Freightliner’s next Cascadia packed with more safety tech and efficiency gains
The most popular on-highway tractor in the U.S. will get a refresh next year, packed with more advanced safety technology, increased aerodynamics, and built-in business tools for fleets.
During its annual customer appreciation bash here in Music City, which featured a surprise concert performances by Def Leppard, the Daimler Truck North America OEM gave lucky fleet leaders a first glimpse of the fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia. The Class 8 truck brand name debuted in 2007 and was most recently remodeled in 2019, continuing to build on Daimler Truck technology and Freightliner loyalty across North America. Read more…
2. Trucking By the Numbers 2024
More than 1.1 million U.S. companies operated a fleet of at least five commercial vehicles in 2024, a reminder that transportation is one of the most important aspects of the U.S. economy. You'll find this among the dozens of other facts and figures in the 2024 FleetOwner Trucking by the Numbers gallery.
However, concerns about the economy were the overarching theme of transportation in 2024 as trucking operations continued to battle supply chain and regulatory headwinds throughout the year. Despite the uphill climb, trucking is the most popular—and efficient—way to move goods around the corner or across the country. Read more…
1. 2025 new models: Heavy-duty vehicles
The 2025 model year is shaping up to be pivotal as commercial vehicles roll out more efficiency, sustainability, and driver comfort features. While leading over-the-road Class 8 OEMs offer alternative-powered versions of their legacy trucks and tractors, this entry of the FleetOwner 2025 vehicle guide focuses on traditional equipment.
Volvo Trucks North America, for example, has nearly completely redesigned its flagship VNL long-haul tractor for 2025. The market leader, Freightliner, is rolling out the fifth generation of its flagship Cascadia truck in the second half of 2025. While others, such as Kenworth and Peterbilt, offer powertrains that meet California’s more stringent vehicle operations. This non-comprehensive look at 2025 Class 8 fleet vehicles is the first of a six-part series highlighting new and updated commercial and fleet vehicles of all sizes. Read more…
Along with these articles, FleetOwner publishes several popular annual features that garner attention throughout the trucking and transportation industries. These include our annual looks at the largest commercial transportation systems in the U.S., the FleetOwner 500: For-Hire and FleetOwner 500: Private Fleets.
Our annual profiles of women in the industry, Women in Transportation 2024, was published this summer. Each year, FleetOwner recognizes the transportation operations of private fleets with the FleetOwner Private Fleet of the Year award. This fall, we expanded and rebranded our annual New Models to the 2025 FleetOwner vehicle guide, our largest ever look at the next generation of heavy-duty, medium-duty, light-duty, and alternative-powered trucks and vans.
To view what's ahead for FleetOwner in the new year, please checkout our 2025 Media Kit.
