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Class 8 tractors have long been the standard for U.S. for-hire carriers, yet for certain service lines, even the most venerable of heavy-duty fleets are now buying Class 6 and 7 trucks and sometimes even smaller cargo vans.

President Obama has included $330 million for programs to combat distracted driving in his six-year transportation spending plan, as part of the administration’s proposed 2013 budget.

Maersk Inc., owner of the largest ocean carrier, has agreed to sell its chassis rental unit to private investment firm Littlejohn & Co., marking the latest step in the ownership of the chassis that drayage truckers use to deliver containerized cargo.

Household goods movers have more leeway in putting military service members’ goods into storage if the shipments arrive early, thanks to a federal rule change last month that the industry said will save money and increase available capacity in the moving industry.

Officials of brake manufacturer Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems said they are wrestling with the challenge of manufacturing and distributing replacement parts for a defective valve that could cause braking problems, which prompted federal and heavy-duty truck manufacturer recalls.

LAS VEGAS — Terry Dotson never set out to be a truck salesman, but he was so good on the lot selling big rigs that he rose eventually to be chairman and CEO of Worldwide Equipment Enterprises Inc.

American Trucking Associations installed a batch of 15 rooftop deck pavers at its Capitol Hill office last month, the latest of 46 pavers to be placed at the Washington, D.C., building, the group announced last week.

Truckload carrier P.A.M. Transportation Services reported a fourth-quarter profit after posting a loss in the same quarter last year.