The Official Blog for Penske Truck Leasing, Truck Rental and Logistics

Penske News

Summary Bullets

  • Penske delivers a new level of AI-powered fleet intelligence—unmatched in scope, scale, and actionable insights.
  • Developed in-house, Catalyst AI applies proprietary models that transform complexity into competitive advantage.
  • Catalyst AI advances from fleet-level visibility to granular insights—enabling real-time benchmarking and diagnostics now at the individual vehicle and hub level.
  • 93% of leaders believe AI can improve resiliency—but 84% say the industry is behind, signaling urgency for adoption.

Reading, Pa., May 12, 2025 – Today, Penske Truck Leasing introduced the new generation of fleet intelligence with the latest release of Catalyst AI™, its proprietary artificial intelligence engine and industry leading AI platform that redefined fleet management. Built specifically for commercial transportation, Catalyst AI applies machine learning in advanced methods—turning one of the industry’s richest vehicle data sets into faster, more strategic decision-making across operations.

Catalyst AI was built to meet a fundamental need in modern operations: how to take the right action, at the right time, from the right data. The update introduces four core enhancements designed to make that possible:

  • Fantasy Fleet – Offers a new comparison set made up of top-performing vehicles most similar to each vehicle in the user’s fleet—helping them find gaps and elevate performance.
  • Vehicle-level Comparison – Enables users to compare individual vehicles to pinpoint performance differences, helping identify where targeted adjustments can drive better results.
  • Hub-level Comparison Allows users to assess operations by location and uncover opportunities for improved efficiency at the local level.
  • Impacting Metrics Gives users the ability to focus on specific metrics that matter most to their business—fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, utilization, and more.

“The new release marks a next chapter for Catalyst AI—one that makes complex data more usable, more scalable, and more actionable,” said Art Vallely, president of Penske Truck Leasing. “We’ve enhanced the platform’s ability to surface trends, benchmark at the vehicle level, and identify meaningful outliers across fleets and facilities. Built in-house, the platform was designed to help our customers spend less time chasing data and more time improving performance."

Catalyst AI continues to evolve in step with the complexities of modern fleet operations, delivering faster insights, clearer benchmarks, and intelligence designed to keep businesses ahead. Developed by Penske, the platform reflects what today’s fleet professionals need: trusted insights that drive action.

That demand is reflected in Penske’s 2025 Transportation Leaders Survey: A Road to AI Adoption, which found that 93% of senior business decision makers in the transportation and logistics industry agree that AI will improve their organization’s resiliency and ability to adapt to sudden shifts. More than half (54%) said the ability to compare their fleet’s performance to others in the same market would improve both efficiency and operational decision-making. As they specifically plan for today’s continued economic uncertainty, fleet leaders cited their most critical data needs as: visibility into maintenance costs (44%), fuel price trends (41%), and fleet utilization (36%).

Organizations that have embraced AI are already reaping the benefits with 40% of respondents using AI tools saying they’ve seen improvements of at least 50% in fuel usage, cost reduction, or distance traveled through smarter routing and optimization. However, 84% of transportation leaders think the industry is lagging behind in AI adoption and 36% only feel somewhat prepared to respond to ongoing supply chain disruptions and economic volatility. This signals a growing urgency for tools that not only provide data but translate it into tangible actions that drive outcomes, such as lowering operating costs and increasing efficiency.

“We’ve designed Catalyst AI with our customers’ needs in mind,” said Sherry Sanger, executive vice president of strategy and marketing at Penske Transportation Solutions. “Catalyst AI represents a strategic leap forward in how fleets use data. It’s not just about visibility—it’s about empowering smarter decisions across the entire network with technology that works in the real world.”

Since Catalyst AI launched in 2024, the platform has grown to support thousands of users, helping fleet professionals move from lagging metrics to leading decisions. The platform is now a foundational part of how teams across Penske’s network report, benchmark, and plan—across vehicles, locations, and systems.

“Catalyst AI now analyzes over 100 billion data points annually,” said Tim Haynes, vice president of digital and customer data at Penske. “We’ve engineered a system that runs more than 300 models in real time—delivering comparison logic, trend detection, and scoring that is both scalable and immediate. This release reflects the technical backbone required to help fleets benchmark smarter and respond faster.”

Catalyst AI is embedded within Comparative Insights, a feature inside the Fleet Insight® digital platform. Comparative Insights, powered by Catalyst AI, at the fleet level remains available at no cost to Penske customers. The new Comparative Insights Premium Plan unlocks access to vehicle- and hub-level comparisons and the Fantasy Fleet feature, with a 30-day free trial available before subscription. To learn more, visit penskecatalyst.ai.

About Penske Truck Leasing

Penske Truck Leasing is a Penske Transportation Solutions company headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. A leading provider of innovative transportation solutions, Penske operates and maintains more than 419,000 vehicles and serves its customers from more than 990 maintenance facilities and more than 2,200 rental locations across North America. Solutions from Penske include full-service truck leasing, fleet maintenance, truck rentals, used trucks, and a comprehensive array of technologies to keep the world moving forward. Visit PenskeTruckLeasing.com to learn more.

Survey Methodology – The second edition of The Transportation Leaders Survey: A Road to AI Adoption was conducted online by Big Village among a sample of 255 U.S. adults 18 years of age and older who are owners, founders, or executive leaders or decision makers of a Transportations or Logistics businesses. This survey was live April 16-23, 2025.

READING, Pa., (May 1, 2025) – Marking the start of National Moving Month and peak moving season, Penske Truck Rental has released its 15th annual Top Moving Destinations list, identifying the top 10 U.S. cities that recorded the highest volume of one-way consumer truck rentals in 2024.

In addition, Penske published findings from its national Settling In: A Consumer Moving Trends Survey, which examines consumer sentiment and trends around relocation.

The list shows where people are moving, while the survey offers insight into why. This year 82% of respondents viewed moving as a fresh start, and more than half moved to find a greater sense of community.

Top 10 Moving Destinations in 2024 (previous year ranking):

  1. Houston, Texas (No.1 four consecutive years)
  2. Atlanta, Ga. (4)
  3. San Antonio, Texas (2)
  4. Dallas, Texas (6)
  5. Orlando, Fla. (7)
  6. Charlotte, N.C. (3)
  7. Las Vegas, Nev. (5)
  8. Chicago, Ill. (Returning – last ranked in 2021)
  9. Austin, Texas (8)
  10. Tampa, Fla. (9)

The 2024 data reflects continued migration to the Sun Belt, with multiple Texas and Florida cities appearing in the top 10. Houston retained the top position for the fourth consecutive year, followed by Atlanta, which rose to No. 2. Chicago reentered the ranking for the first time since 2021.

“Each year, the Top Moving Destinations list helps track relocation trends and guide how we support customers across the country,” said Kevin Malloy, senior vice president of Penske Truck Rental. “In 2024, we saw people moving with clear intent—driven by lifestyle fit, space, or location. As we look ahead, Penske continues to provide the tools and resources they need to move confidently—and we’re here to support those planning their next move, wherever they’re headed.”

What Drives Moves

According to the survey, the top reasons for moving in 2024 were:

  • Closer proximity to loved ones (28%)
  • Better job opportunities (27%)
  • Lower cost of living (23%)
  • Needing more space (23%)

Overall, 67% of respondents reported that moving had a positive impact on their overall well-being, and 56% viewed the process itself positively. When coordinating a move, 69% preferred to rent and drive their own truck. Among those who rented 57% found that packing and organizing overtime helped reduce stress, and 49% relied on family and friends for support.

Penske Truck Rental offers support across North America. The Penske Truck Rental app enables customers to make and modify rental reservations, access loading guides and how-to videos, connect with Penske's 24/7 roadside assistance, and cancel reservations without fees.

About Penske Truck Rental
Penske Truck Rental is a business unit of Penske Truck Leasing. With one of the newest moving truck rental fleets, Penske Truck Rental provides do-it-yourself movers with clean, well-maintained and reliable rental trucks as well as moving equipment, packing supplies and accessories. Call 1-800-GO-PENSKE for questions about moving.

About Penske Truck Leasing
Penske Truck Leasing is a Penske Transportation Solutions company headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. A leading provider of innovative transportation solutions, Penske operates and maintains more than 428,000 vehicles and serves its customers from more than 990 maintenance facilities and more than 2,200 truck rental locations across North America. Solutions from Penske include full-service truck leasing, fleet maintenance, truck rentals, used trucks, and a comprehensive array of technologies to keep the world moving forward. Visit pensketruckleasing.com for more information.

Top Moving Destinations Methodology
For the past 15 years, Penske Truck Rental has been compiling this list using analysis of one-way consumer truck rental reservations made via the company's website, calls to its 1-800-GO-PENSKE call center and through one-way reservations made at Penske's over 2,200 truck rental locations.

Settling In: A Consumer Moving Trends Survey Methodology
The Moving Trends Survey was conducted via a survey fielded online by Big Village among a sample of 279 U.S. adults 18 years of age and older who have moved to a new city or town in the past five years.

More Moving Resources

To explore moving tips, tools and previous Top Moving Destination lists, visit www.pensketruckrental.com.

Penske Truck Leasing recently held a dedication ceremony at the Lincoln Tech campus in East Windsor, Connecticut, as the company branded a diesel training lab and adjacent corridor. The lab will be utilized for hands-on diesel technology training, which introduces students to various topics such as vehicle and engine system maintenance and repair, industry certifications and career opportunities in the industry.

[Read more...]Show less

Penske Truck Leasing today announced it has reached an agreement to acquire the assets of Rochester, N.Y.-based DeCarolis Truck Rental Inc. Financial terms were not disclosed.

[Read more...]Show less

Retailers are expecting a record number of holiday shoppers on Thanksgiving weekend placing parcel delivery companies in the spotlight to meet consumers' holiday expectations.

[Read more...]Show less

Penske Logistics was recently recognized with a North America Supplier award from Novelis, the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling. As a leading provider of dedicated transportation to Novelis North America, Penske is an essential component of its closed-loop aluminum supply chain serving top automakers.

[Read more...]Show less

Catalytic converter theft has skyrocketed in recent months as organized groups of thieves continue to illegally cut these devices out of cars, SUVs, and rental trucks at an increasingly alarming rate.

[Read more...]Show less

Penske Logistics is proud to recognize and welcome 22 drivers into its 2020 and 2021 Diamond Classes, the highest level of safety recognition at the company. The inductees have achieved 20 consecutive years of preventable incident- and injury-free driving, an accomplishment that less than 1 percent of Penske drivers achieve.

[Read more...]Show less

A pair of Penske Logistics professional truck drivers are finalists for the 2022-2023 American Trucking Associations (ATA) America's Road Team. PJ Singh and Scott Wood are among the 36 finalists announced this week by the ATA. Singh and Wood have a combined 50 years of industry-leading safe driving experience.

[Read more...]Show less

As a child, Michael Kegerise marveled as adults recalled his family's legacy of military service, which predated the Civil War.

"I always knew I would regret not serving in the military, so I enlisted while in college," said Kegerise, enterprise facility services project engineer at Penske's corporate office in Reading, Pennsylvania.

[Read more...]Show less

Penske Logistics customer Cardinal Health has been employing a pair of Kalmar T2E electric truck yard tractors at its Riverside, California, facility for the last year. The overarching goal is to assess how implementation of electric vehicles can establish more efficient and sustainable operations.

[Read more...]Show less

From the time he was four years old, Joe Dezotell knew he wanted to grow up to become a soldier and serve his country.

Now, the retired U.S. Army veteran helps military families navigate the challenges of military moves as a Rental Support Coordinator with Penske Truck Rental's specialized Military Call Center.

[Read more...]Show less

Penske Logistics celebrated 22 winners virtually today during its second annual Freight Management Carrier Awards program. Category winners were selected from among Penske's expansive base of trucking carriers operating within its freight management operations. There are several award qualifications: A Penske Logistics enterprise scorecard combined with customer, operations and sourcing feedback.

[Read more...]Show less

Penske Truck Leasing is adding to its industry-leading electric truck fleet by piloting the new light-duty preproduction Ford E-Transit truck. Penske is currently operating an E-Transit in its home market of Reading, Pennsylvania.

[Read more...]Show less

Penske Transportation Solutions is proud to once again be a Diamond Sponsor of the Women In Trucking Association's (WIT) Accelerate! Conference & Expo. The conference will take place Nov. 7-9 in Dallas, Texas.

[Read more...]Show less

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has honored Penske Logistics with a 2021 SmartWay Excellence Award in the Mixed Carrier category, marking the fifth consecutive time the Reading, Pennsylvania-based company has been accorded with this sustainability distinction.

[Read more...]Show less

Paving the way in innovative transportation and logistics solutions, Penske Logistics has been selected as a 2021 Top Trucker by Inbound Logistics.

[Read more...]Show less

For the third consecutive year, Penske Transportation Solutions is once again featured on the Women in Trucking (WIT) association's list of "Top Companies for Women to Work for in Transportation."

[Read more...]Show less

Breast cancer awareness and early detection will take center stage today at Penske locations across the globe as more than 25,000 associates take part in the seventh annual Penske Pink Out.

The associate-led event, which began in 2015 in the U.S. with 200 associates, has grown to locations across Penske's international footprint. Associates in Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, and The Netherlands are taking part.

[Read more...]Show less

Earlier this year, Hino announced their intent to produce medium- and heavy-duty Hino trucks with Cummins engines for sale in North America by the end of 2021. This month, Hino delivered the first of these vehicles to Penske Truck Leasing at a ceremony in their plant in Mineral Wells, WV as start of production ramps up.

[Read more...]Show less