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Increased competition is driving down insurance rates and forcing providers to offer broader coverage to transportation firms, according to in-terviews with industry specialists and new surveys.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Truck makers and their suppliers returned to marketing products here that intrigue drivers and appeal to fleet executives based on durability, comfort, ease of operation and even pizzazz, after years spent surviving the Great Recession and straining to meet government-imposed emissions requirements.

The U.S. retail diesel average increased 2.2 cents to $2.946 a gallon last week for its fifth straight increase, the Department of Energy reported. Diesel now has jumped 19 cents a gallon since Feb. 15, when it was at $2.756.

Truck tonnage rose 2.6% in February, the third consecutive year-over-year increase, as the industry continues a steady rebound, American Trucking Associations reported.

Sinotruk (Hong Kong) Ltd., China’s biggest heavy-truck maker, said its sales rose “significantly” this quarter after higher government spending on infrastructure spurred demand, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

Initial jobless claims fell by 14,000 last week, the Labor Department said Thursday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Daimler Trucks chief Andreas Renschler said Thursday that his company is readying the largest introduction of new vehicles in its history.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Navistar Inc. has introduced the ProStar Plus, a lighter, more fuel-efficient version of its ProStar Class 8 tractor.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Navistar Inc. has introduced the ProStar Plus, a lighter, more fuel-efficient version of its ProStar Class 8 tractor.