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Truck tonnage in September continued to rise above year-ago levels, but at the slowest pace since December 2009, posting a 2.4% increase that illustrates continued economic weakness, American Trucking Associations reported.

Trailer orders inched up 1.8% in September from a year ago to 16,990, ACT Research reported, and manufacturers said they expect order intake to continue growing in the final months of the year.

The makers of aerodynamic add-ons for truck trailers are focused on more than just improving fuel economy. They also must cut down fleets’ maintenance costs so fuel savings are not eaten up in the repair shop, manufacturers and carrier executives have said.

American Trucking Associations said its “Natural Gas in Trucking” summit meeting has sold out, and there is a waiting list of 20% beyond capacity for the Nov. 28-30 event in Arlington, Va.

Parcel carrier UPS Inc. said its third-quarter net income fell 56.3% to $469 million from a year earlier due to a one-time charge on pension funding, but its upbeat forecast for the fourth quarter led its stock to jump 3% immediately following the company’s Oct. 23 report.

Navistar Inc. has completed a definitive agreement with Cummins Inc. for the engine maker to supply heavy-duty power plants and aftertreatment systems for its International brand trucks.

The first highway in the country to boast a speed limit of 85 miles an hour for cars and trucks opened last week in Texas.

Trucking profits showed signs of improvement last week, as reports of growing earnings came from the truckload and less-than-truckload sectors, as well as brokerage and leasing.

American Trucking Associations reiterated its objections to parts of the hours-of-service rule last week, rejecting claims federal regulators used to justify the restart provision and off-duty requirements.

President Obama signed a bill on Oct. 19 that makes it easier for military veterans to obtain commercial driver licenses.