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There is every reason to believe that 2012 will be a good year for the trucking industry, based on what’s happened so far this year and on reasonably strong U.S. economic growth projections.

Your Oct. 31 “Analysis” from The Associated Press, which was headlined “Small Business Tax Deduction to Shrink, Showing Importance of Year-End Planning” (p. 7), stated: “The maximum that can be deducted under the two deductions combined is $2 million.”

Southern California Gas Co. plans to add about 1,000 new natural-gas-powered trucks to its fleet over the next five years.

ATLANTA — Shippers and brokers say they anticipate freight perils ahead in 2012, with a looming lack of truck capacity that could be exacerbated by a possible reduction in drivers’ allowable hours, according to comments during a recent industry event here.

Fleets today are running their trailers longer than they ever have, and they expect trailer suppliers to make products that can meet higher standards.

Truck and component manufacturers who also build military products say they are confident they will be able to hold on to much of that business even as the U.S. armed forces face potential slashes in their future budgets.

WASHINGTON — Natural gas holds a great deal of promise for the trucking industry as an alternative to diesel, but with the hurdles of infrastructure and costs, it’s rarely a viable option currently, trucking stakeholders said.

WASHINGTON — American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves applauded the trucking industry for its steps toward environmental sustainability, paying special attention to the SmartWay program and the fuel economy and greenhouse-gas emissions regulations published this year.

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Daimler Trucks North America wants a bigger piece of the aftermarket and is using stock car racing as a means to boost sales for its Alliance Truck Parts unit.

New orders for commercial trailers dipped 0.8% in October from the year-ago level after a rise in cancellations, but manufacturers and retail sellers reported strong late October and early November activity.