Merchandise imports rise, exports fall in April

OTTAWA -- For the third time in the first four months of 2006, Canada's merchandise exports fell while imports continued to gain ground. As a result, the nation's merchandise trade surplus with the rest of the world dropped to its lowest level -- $4.0 billion -- in six months, says Stats Canada.

OEMs gear down for ’07 slump; Next spike will ‘dwarf’ this pre-buy, analysts predict

NEW YORK -- After a string of record months for 2006 class 8 orders, market forecasters are predicting sub-10,000 orders beginning in July.

Volvo testing new mobile anti-idling technology

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Volvo Trucks North America and North Carolina State University (NCSU) have announced that two supplier and fleet partners have been chosen for their mobile idle reduction technology (MIRT) field operational test.

Trucking gave Canadian economy another boost in ’05

OTTAWA -- Economic activity among the three major transport modes increased substantially for the second year in a row.

Volvo pumps $150M into Mack flagship engine plant

HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- Mack Trucks has been building engines and transmissions at its Hagerstown, MD powertrain facility since 1961, and there's every indication that production will continue under that 45-year-old roof for some time to come.

Delphi, UAW reach buyout agreements; Strike still pending

NEW YORK -- A bankruptcy judge has extended by six months the deadline for autoparts giant Delphi Corp. to exclusively file its reorganization plan.

Spring chills, as manufacturers lose March gains: Stats Can

OTTAWA -- Even with a sharp spike in petroleum products prices, manufacturing shipments took a step back in April, losing most of March's gains.

Upcoming EPA regs drive chassis, component aftermarket: Analysts

WASHINGTON -- As replacement opportunities increase with the age of trucks brought during current and future pre-buy surges, unit shipments for class 6-8 truck chassis systems and components in the short to medium term will increase, says Market research firm Frost & Sullivan.

Economy stays level thanks to retail-wholesale trade and transportation

OTTAWA -- Sustained mainly by growth in retail and wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, the Canadian economy advanced slightly by 0.1 percent in April, matching the pace of the previous month.

Cummins-built engines to be exclusive on Paccar MD trucks

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Cummins' six and eight liter diesels will soon be the exclusive spec for Peterbilt and Kenworth medium-duty conventional trucks.

PacLease offers new lease programs for vocational trucks

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- PacLease has now completed a roll-out of a new full-service truck leasing program for vocational trucks. The move is already benefiting many vocational companies that were quick to transition toward leasing when PacLease began offering vocational leasing and maintenance services, the company says.

Stats Can updates Canadian trucking pool; Ontario home to third of small carriers

OTTAWA -- There were 44,400 firms active in the truck transportation industry in 2003. Overall, 35,000 firms identified themselves as owner-operators, followed by 5,900 small for-hire carriers, or those with less than $1 million in revenue, and 3,500 for-hire carriers above that threshold, Stats Canada reports.

International T&E hires car engineering guru

MELROSE PARK, Ill. -- One of North America's largest truckmakers has hired former Volkswagen chief engineer to be vice-president of engineering of its own engine group.

Detroit Diesel steps up with engine overhaul options

DETROIT -- Enginemaker Detroit Diesel Corp. is making it easier for fleet managers and owner/operators to understand the options available to overhaul their heavy-duty Series 60 engine through a program called StepUP.

Three’s a Charm: TransX buys fleet trifecta

WINNIPEG -- One of Canada's biggest for-hire carriers has acquired three for-hire carriers in an attempt to expand Western operations and create additional capacity.