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Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. said it named Tom Linebarger to replace Joe Loughrey as the company’s president and chief operating officer, effective Aug. 1.

Ford Motor Co. plans to lay off up to 12% of its salaried employees by August as part of a restructuring in the face of slumping sales and high fuel prices, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

Auto parts supplier American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings said Friday it expects production to resume next week after union workers overwhelmingly approved a new contract that contains steep pay cuts and other concessions, the Associated Press reported.

As fuel prices have skyrocketed, trucking companies have been forced to look closer at other parts of their businesses to trim costs.

Tire maker Bridgestone Corp. will take an 8.7% in Japan’s Toyo Tire, which will in turn purchase 0.5% of Bridgestone, the two said in a statement, Bloomberg reported.

Continental Tire North America said it will boost prices up to 8% on all Continental and General Tire Brand truck tires in North America, effective Aug. 1.

Several General Motors Corp. plants idled by an 11-week strike at supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings are set to begin operations soon, following a tentative settlement to the work stoppage, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

Auto and truck component maker ArvinMeritor Inc. said late Tuesday it will institute a monthly surcharge for components due to rising materials prices.

Ryder System said late Monday it has completed its acquisition of Gator Leasing, privately held company based in Miami.