Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025:
Mack opens order book for redesigned, regional Anthem
Mack Trucks has now opened and begun taking customer orders for the all-new Mack Anthem, a completely redesigned truck built for regional applications.
The new Anthem features a 113.5-inch bumper-to-back-of-cab length, making it ideal for navigating tight spaces and urban environments. The redesigned hood dramatically improves forward visibility, allowing drivers to see approximately 12 % closer to the front bumper.
“This week marks a pivotal moment as we officially opened our order book for the all-new Anthem,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “Since unveiling the truck in June, customer response has been tremendous. Fleet managers and owner-operators can now order this game-changing truck that truly represents the new standard in the industry.”
The Anthem is available in day cab, 44-inch sleeper, and 64-inch sleeper configurations, featuring premium interior cab space and a cab that’s nine inches wider than the previous model. Advanced safety features include Mack Protect, Mack’s new standard collision mitigation system, front airbag, optional Side Integrated Curtain Airbag (ICA) system and an optional digital mirror system.
“We’ve reimagined what a truck can be, and now our customers can finally experience these innovations firsthand,” said Fernando Couceiro, vice president of highway trucks at Mack Trucks. “The Anthem excels in maneuverability. In addition, the ability to save up to $5,000 annually in fuel costs per truck, combined with driver comfort, make the Anthem a compelling choice for fleets.”
The truck also incorporates Mack Connect telematics platform and GuardDog Connect integration, which has demonstrated a 37% reduction in overall downtime and 20% reduction in unplanned stops through predictive maintenance capabilities.
Target industries for the new Anthem include bulk haulers, dry bulk operations, food and beverage distribution, general freight operations and less-than-truckload (LTL) services.
Serial production on the all-new Anthem is scheduled to begin in January 2026.
[Related: ‘Brand new’ Anthem reintroduced as Mack’s regional haul truck]
ZM Trucks opens U.S. headquarters
Zero-emission commercial truck manufacturer ZM Trucks last week celebrated the grand opening of its U.S. headquarters and assembly facility in Fontana, Califonria.
The event included the U.S. debut of the company’s ZM8 commercial truck, underscoring its commitment to delivering sustainable, cost-effective solutions for American fleets, the company said.
The new facility spans 9.67 acres and includes a 210,000-square-foot factory floor, located approximately 49 miles from downtown Los Angeles. The event also marked the relocation of the company’s regional headquarters to Fontana.
“Despite policy uncertainty, we’re charging ahead,” said Joost de Vries, global chief executive officer of ZM Trucks. “Our investment in Fontana demonstrates that commercial EVs are not just viable, they’re a superior solution for urban truck operators, delivering lower costs, higher performance, and a smarter path toward total Cost of Ownership.”
The grand opening builds on a series of milestones for ZM Trucks in the U.S. this year, including the unveiling of the T75 terminal tractor, a fully electric vehicle designed to meet the demanding needs of logistics and port operations, and recently announced strategic partnerships with industry leaders, including Merlin Group, FleetNet, and more.
[Related: New electric terminal tractor available from ZM Trucks]
Six charged in Louisiana CDL bribery scheme
A restaurant owner, two Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) employees, two truck driver training business operators and a CDL skills test examiner have been charged in an indictment that alleges a bribery scheme enabled drivers to obtain CDLs without undergoing any of the required training or testing.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana announced the indictment alleges that a New Orleans restaurant owner, Mahmoud Alhattab, in exchange for payments from CDL applicants, bypassed each of the three main federally-mandated steps of the CDL qualification process — knowledge testing, entry-level driver training and skills testing.
To defeat the knowledge test requirement, Alhattab allegedly bribed two employees of a Donaldsonville, Louisiana OMV office. These two employees, Jenay Davis and Shakira Millien, are accused of completing knowledge tests for applicants in exchange for payments from Alhattab. The indictment also alleged that Davis and Millien, when taking the applicants’ tests, performed internet searches to find the answers.
To defeat the training requirement, Alhattab allegedly bribed two men who operated truck driver training businesses. These two business operators, Christopher Byran Burns and Jonathan Parsons, are accused of reporting in a federal database that the applicants successfully completed training when, in truth, the applicants did not train.
To defeat the skills test requirement, Alhattab allegedly bribed Burns and Parsons, who, in addition to being trainers, were certified to administer the skills test. Burns and Parsons were accused of falsely reporting to the state of Louisiana that applicants had passed the skills test when, in truth, the applicants did not take the test.
Additionally, according to the indictment, on some occasions, Parsons paid another skills test examiner to assist in the scheme. That examiner, Marline Roberts, is accused of creating phony score sheets to corroborate the false test reports.
All six defendants are jointly charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. Alhattab and Parsons are each charged with two counts of honest services wire fraud. Burns, Davis and Roberts are each charged with one count of honest services wire fraud. Alhattab, Millien and Parsons are each charged with four counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Burns, Davis and Roberts are each charged with one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.
The conspiracy and wire fraud counts are each punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The bribery counts are each punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Each count may also be punishable by a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment fee.
