Truck suppliers predict better times ahead

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- Heavy-duty manufacturers and suppliers are becoming more optimistic about business, according to a quarterly survey of members by the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association.

From the No Kidding File: Trucks bring money

ALBANY, N.Y. -- An organization called the Capitol Hill Research Center (CHRC) just released the results of a study designed to see what curtailing truck traffic would do to a community's wealth, and the answer is as plain as the nose on your Pete.

May manufacturing drops to lowest level in a decade

OTTAWA -- Manufacturing sales fell another 6 percent to $38.4 billion in May, the lowest level since November 1998, reports Stats Canada.

Siding Aluminum: Truck suppliers look for materials savings

ARLINGTON, Va. -- More aluminum on trucks increases fuel efficiency while at boosting payload capacity says the chairman of the Aluminum Association's Auto & Light Truck Group and marketing ground transportation director for Alcoa.

Volvo and Mack on schedule for 2010 production

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. -- Progress is continuing on schedule for the production start of customer EPA 2010 trucks from Mack and Volvo.

UAP signs deal to expand parts network

MONTREAL -- UAP has entered into a binding agreement with Uni-Select, and its subsidiary Palmar, to acquire a number of Palmar Truck Parts locations.

Wabash gets $35 million investment lifeline

LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- A private equity investment fund is investing $35 million in Wabash National.

Navistar, ArvinMeritor lock up axle agreement

WARRENVILLE, Ill.-- Navistar and ArvinMeritor have agreed to a new long-term supply deal that ensures Meritor axles are now standard on International medium-duty trucks and buses.

A Canadian comeback on the horizon?

OTTAWA -- The Bank of Canada's quarterly monetary report predicts economic growth to turn positive in the third quarter this year, after posting negative results since the last quarter of 2008.

Q2 sales growth trails off

COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Commercial trailer sales in the U.S. had a strong second quarter, but a slow June minimized the growth.

Arvin says drum brakes meet stop distance reg changes

TROY, Mich. -- Truck components and systems manufacturer ArvinMeritor is touting its Meritor Q Plus drum brakes to meet the stringent stop distance braking standard issued last week by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

B.C. makes plans for tax harmony

VICTORIA -- B.C. has made plans to harmonize its provincial sales tax with the federal GST next Canada Day.

Kenworth on top of JD Power survey; Freightliner highest in vocational

KIRKLAND, Wash.-- Kenworth Truck Company achieved the highest ranking in customer satisfaction among Class 8 truck owners in the Over the Road, Pickup and Delivery (P&D), and Dealer Service segments, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Heavy Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Study.

ArvinMeritor to sell light wheels biz; reports 3Q loss

TROY, Mich. -- Truck components maker ArvinMeritor continues to shed its light-vehicle businesses, this time with the sell off of its wheels division to Iochpe-Maxion S.A. of Brazil.

Pre-buy absent even as economy recovers: Survey

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif -- News that the worst of the recession is over doesn't seem to be translating into new truck sales.