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The transportation industry is in a dangerous place, one where even well-known industry players such as Jevic Transportation, which closed its doors in May, and Jim Palmer Trucking, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July, can go under — taking their employees with them.

New home sales rose in July from a 17-year low the previous month, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

Consumer confidence rose in August, as fuel prices fell as gasoline prices fell, the New York-based Conference Board said Tuesday.

Oil prices rose early Tuesday on concerns that newly formed Hurricane Gustav may be on track to move into the Gulf of Mexico, the Associated Press reported.

Engine maker Detroit Diesel Corp. said Monday it has revamped its Web site, making it easier to find Detroit Diesel products, services and dealers.

Freightliner Trucks, part of Daimler Trucks North America, said it will offer Meritor WABCO’s new automatic forward-collision warning and braking system on its models Cascadia and Century Class S/T tractors.

The annual National Truck Driver Association Week began Sunday and will run through Saturday, American Trucking Associations said.

Dennis Shirar, a driver with Indianapolis-based Heritage Transport who has driven 3 million accident-free miles, was named the 2008 National Truck Driving Grand Champion, American Trucking Associations said.

UPS Inc.’s less-than-truckload unit UPS Freight said Monday it has improved transit times on more than 1,200 traffic lanes in the Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Existing homes sales rose 3.1% in July, the National Association of Realtors said Monday.