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WASHINGTON — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officials said they are planning to release at least five new proposed or final rules in 2013, including a supplemental proposed electronic logging device rule and a proposed drug and alcohol clearinghouse rule by the end of March.

Two trucking industry component suppliers disclosed their preliminary 2012 results this week.

Michelin North America announced a C$73 million expansion to its truck tire plant in Waterville, Nova Scotia.

Both ATA and TCA support mandating devices that simply record hours-of-service status, but they do not support requiring fleets to purchase multifunction fleet management systems, which typically cost far more.

Cummins Inc. on Friday announced the appointment of two longtime leaders of its engine unit to run key business operations within that division.

Pressure from federal safety regulations and the latest transportation bill is pushing more carriers to make the switch from paper driver logs to electronic logging through in-cab systems, according to fleets and vendors.

Given today’s growing equipment demand and ongoing economic uncertainty, many businesses are finding noncash equipment financing to be a key acquisition strategy.

Despite challenges accompanying the use of wide-base tires on Class 8 trucks, experts, carriers and manufacturers said they expect to see substantial growth in their use in 2013.

Sales of Class 8 used trucks and orders for new trailers fell in November from the previous month, according to ACT Research.

Over the past several years, government regulation that should be directed at every link of the supply chain has become increasingly focused on the trucking industry’s portion. If this continues, it quickly will become toxic to our industry and the economy as a whole.