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The national average price of retail diesel slipped 2.6 cents to $2.851 a gallon last week, its first decline after three straight increases.

A coalition of groups filed a federal lawsuit last week aimed at stopping the Bush administration’s plan to open the U.S. border to Mexican trucks.

Shipper-owned fleets are growing in size and importance where companies see value in controlling transportation capacity and service levels.

Truck and engine makers said they were pleased with new guidelines on selective catalytic reduction technology issued by the U.S. EPA, despite some concerns.

Auto and truck parts supplier Commercial Vehicle Group said its first-quarter profit fell by 78% to $3 million or 14 cents a share, from $13.4 million or 62 cents last year.

Universal Truckload Services's first-quarter profit fell $3.2 million or 20 cents a share, down from $4.6 million or 28 cents last year.

Truckload carrier Celadon Group's net income fell to $3.9 million or 17 cents a share in its fiscal third quarter, down from $4.7 million or 20 cents a year ago.

The U.S. economy grew at its slowest pace in four years in the first quarter, as the housing slump continued and the trade deficit expanded, the Commerce Department said Friday.

Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. earned $143 million or $1.42 a share in the first quarter, up from $135 million or $1.35 a year earlier.