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Automakers saw their U.S. sales plunge in September as credit tightened and the economy remained sluggish, Bloomberg reported.

U.S. payrolls fell by 159,000 in September and the unemployment rate held at 6.1%, the Labor Department said Friday.

The average price of retail diesel fuel rose 0.1 cent last week to $3.959, following 10 straight weeks of declines, according to the De-partment of Energy.

The investment group that sought to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike has withdrawn its bid, citing political opposition and uncertain financial markets, and leaving the state without a solution to its infrastructure funding problems.

The California ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach formally launched their clean-trucks programs last week without any apparent major glitches, although activity at some terminals was initially reported to be lighter than usual, with fewer trucks showing up at the gates.

Trucking industry leaders gathering in New Orleans this week at American Trucking Associations’ annual Management Conference & Exhibition will hear from experts on topics including the current financial turmoil, the upcoming elections, and preparations for next year’s highway bill and the 2010 engine emissions rules.

Factory orders fell 4% in August, the most in almost two years, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Initial jobless claims rose to the highest level in seven years last week and the total number of people collecting benefits was the highest number in five years, the Labor Department said Thursday.

The Bush administration has nominated David Kelly to head the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Associated Press reported.

Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners will acquire a 47.5% interest in Pilot Travel Centers forming an equal governance partnership with parent company Pilot Corp., the companies said.