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Your front-page article April 7 about auxiliary power units possibly saving on fuel quoted an APU maker’s spokesman who stated (like many others I have seen) that idling truck engines use up to 1.8 gallons of fuel an hour.

Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. said Tuesday it opened its first fuel systems manufacturing site outside of North America, the Cummins Fuel Systems Wuhan plant, in China.

Accuride Corp., a maker of wheels, chassis parts and seat assemblies for commercial trucks and trailers, said it will form a joint venture with Benecor Inc. to distribute diesel exhaust fluid, or urea, at truck stops, fuel stations and fleet locations.

Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. Wednesday unveiled two new auxiliary power unit systems that are compliant with new California Air Resources Board idle-reduction regulations.

The Opinion column by John Hausladen, “Be Ready to Explain Your SAFER Scores,” is an excellent reminder to fleets about how important the Safety and Fitness Electronic Record System score is — and, how it can be misinterpreted by those uninformed about the industry.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Uncertainty about the life cycle of key emission control components and higher maintenance costs have emerged as the top concerns fleets have with 2007 heavy-duty diesel engines, maintenance and equipment heads at several major carriers said here.

Westport Innovations said Tuesday that Wal-Mart Stores will introduce four liquefied natural gas-fueled Peterbilt 386 trucks at its distribution center in Apple Valley, Calif.

Volvo Trucks North America said Monday it will offer a heavy-duty engine made by Cummins Inc. that is certified for 2010 emissions standards for its Volvo VN Class 8 trucks, extending an existing agreement between the two.

The commission charged with examining the future of the national transportation system is set to recommend a significant increase in federal fuel taxes to Congress, according to wire service reports and other sources.