Paccar to build new $400M plant and tech hub

BELLEVUE, Wash.-- In an effort to become even more vertically integrated, the parent company of Peterbilt and Kenworth Trucks is planning to construct a $400 million powertrain manufacturing facility and Technology Center in the Southeast U.S.

ArvinMeritor to develop first diesel-electric drivetrain for Wal-Mart

TROY, Mich. -- Heavy truck component and systems supplier ArvinMeritor and retail giant Wal-Mart have agreed to development of a dual-mode, diesel-electric drivetrain for a Class 8 tractor.

Ford suing supplier Navistar over engine agreement

CHICAGO -- Auto giant Ford claims its Navistar International is in breach of contract and is suing its longtime diesel engine supplier in Michigan court, the Chicago Tribune reports today.

‘Geographic smoothing’ the path for major supplier

TROY, Mich. -- If late 2006 was underscored by anything, it was the rapidfire announcements of cutbacks. Freightliner, Volvo, Navistar --one OEM after the other told the world that they'd be curtailing manufacturing at plants around North America. The pre-buy was taking its toll, they said.

As the economy goes, so do heavy truck orders: Analyst

NEW YORK -- Preliminary numbers for December Class 8 orders in North America are modestly lower than expected now that last year's "pre-buy" is all but over, say market analysts Bear Stearns of New York.

MANITOBA SHIP-BY-TRUCK DIRECTORY

The new and improved 2007 Manitoba Ship By Truck Directory.

Mfg shipments rebound in most sectors after major low

OTTAWA -- A strong showing in the transportation equipment sector helped Canadian factory shipments bounced back in November after hitting their lowest level in nearly two years in the third quarter of 2006.

Freight tonnage increases at VanPort: Petroleum, breakbulk strong

VANCOUVER -- Trade through the Port of Vancouver grew four percent to 79.3 million tonnes in 2006, with container traffic reaching 2.2 million TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units).

U.S. trucking slow, but faces long-term grow: Trucking economist

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The trucking industry may be facing a slowdown this year, but the longer term outlook is still something to feel good about, according to Bob Costello, the American Trucking Associations' chief economist and vice president.

Bendix takes fight against fake parts up a gear

ELYRIA, Ohio -- One of North America's most vocal businesses against counterfeit vehicle parts continues to spread its message.

Canada must embrace China or risk falling behind: Economist

TORONTO -- Canada can benefit from China's rapid emergence as an economic powerhouse, but must do a better job of forging a Sino-Canadian economic relationship, says Dr. Sherry Cooper, chief economist of BMO Capital Markets.

MAN backs off Scania; Navistar may be ‘Plan B’

FRANKFURT -- German truckmaker MAN AG is throwing in the towel in its months-long quest to buy Swedish rival Scania AB -- adding it would instead pursue a friendly partnership with the growing company.

Schneider marks 34 straight years of growth

GREEN BAY -- Schneider National, one of the top 10 largest truckload carriers in North America, announced it has achieved consolidated revenue growth for a 34th consecutive year, ending 2006 with $3.7 billion in revenue, up from $3.4 billion in 2005.

GM may put Allison on the block; Analyst predicts trucks could be next

NEW YORK -- General Motors says it's looking to sell off its Indianapolis-based Allison Transmission commercial and military operations as part of a strategy to

Ont., Que. manufacturers drag ’07 outlook down

OTTAWA -- Like truckers, Canadian manufacturers overall don't have high hopes that 2007 will be a good year.