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As truck stops become more consolidated into a few large national networks, tire manufacturers are finding that they can provide fleets with a full range of tire services — not simply emergency repairs and replacements — while trucks are on the road.

The U.S. national average retail diesel fuel price fell 5.6 cents a gallon last week to $3.27, while gasoline dipped 5.1 cents to $3.017, the Department of Energy said.

A federal court rejected a request that it overturn the driver hours-of-service rule retaining controversial longer driving times that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued last month.

Congress, President Bush and the Federal Reserve agreed last week to several dramatic moves aimed at stimulating the U.S. economy, and trucking industry officials said they hoped the actions would boost the fortunes of freight haulers.

Con-way Inc. said late Monday its fourth-quarter net income fell to $34.5 million, or 73 cents a share, from $82.4 million, or $1.66 per share, a year earlier.

Johnson Refrigerated Truck Bodies said that it has developed an automatic defrost option for its fiberglass truck bodies that is “100% automatic, requires zero man-hours [and] no water.”

Corporate Express US said Monday it is now fueling the majority of its 45-truck delivery fleets in Colorado and Kansas with a 20% blend of biodiesel fuel.

Drivers around the country will see big hikes in toll fees this year for roads, bridges and tunnels, USA Today reported Monday.

The U.S. trucking industry hauled more goods than ever before in 2006, the American Trucking Associations said Friday.