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U.S. auto sales rose in February to the fastest pace in four years, led by big gains for Chrysler Group LLC and General Motors Co., Bloomberg reported Friday.

Most truck makers said they will make important announcements of new products this year at the Mid-America Trucking Show, including Peterbilt Motors Co.’s introduction of a new model.

American Trucking Associations has petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to narrow its definition of tank trucks to eliminate the need for many truck drivers to receive costly and unnecessary training and tank vehicle endorsements.

Transportation advocates last week said Congress probably will have to approve another temporary extension of transportation spending legislation, as a new highway bill appeared unlikely to be passed by the time the current extension runs out March 31.

YRC Worldwide Inc.’s efforts to reduce ongoing losses stalled in the fourth quarter, despite higher tonnage and higher rates as costs rose more than revenue.

Efforts to overcome the effect of defective brake valves supplied by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems are progressing, with Navistar Inc. reporting that all its trucks delayed for repairs have now been shipped.

North American truck makers installed 99,504 Cummins Inc. engines into new 2011 Class 8 trucks, slightly increasing the independent engine maker’s leading market share to 39.1% from 38.5% in 2010, WardsAuto.com reported.

Three advocacy groups filed a lawsuit last month to challenge the federal hours-of-service rule published in December, seeking to overturn the rule, which they say does not go far enough to prevent fatigue among truck drivers.

Because storage limitations, concerns about theft and supply problems have altered the way trucking companies purchase tires, carriers, manufacturers and experts said the tool of choice for economically managing this valuable commodity is a contract that allows fleets to get what they need when they need it — at a preset price.