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This afternoon's headlines: Volvo finalizes agreement to buy Renault truck division; Consolidated Freightways near break-even point for second quarter; British Columbia government stands to profit from Western Star sale; and more.

The Department of Transportation does not know exactly how many lives will be saved by proposed revisions to the federal hours of service regulations, a new report says.

In the news this morning: Western Star again focus of takeover talk; trade data shows import goods flow strong despite dip; third-party freight handler C.H. Robinson tops earnings estimates; and more.

An estate tax relief bill that would benefit family-owned businesses, including trucking companies, ran into a political dogfight in the Senate, which also featured an unsuccessful attempt to temporarily lift the federal tax on diesel fuel and gasoline.

After hearing from 700 witnesses at eight public hearings, federal officials say they are skeptical about trucking’s assessment of the effect proposed changes in the hours-of-service regulation will have on the industry.

J.B. Hunt Transportation estimated its costs will increase $250 million annually if the federal hours-of-service proposal is implemented.

Trucking companies have changed the way they handle waste products generated by their shops, not only giving new life to worn-out materials but also being good citizens, conscious of the environment and careful of its protection.

Investors in stocks of diesel engine manufacturers should worry more about how declining orders will affect stock prices rather than whether the companies can meet a federal government deadline that is two years away, said Wall Street analysts.

Amid some confusion over New Jersey’s prohibition against off-route interstate truck movements, state police handed out another 76 tickets to drivers, raising the of number of summonses above 150 since serious enforcement started May 20.

Schneider National, a $3 billion freight transportation company, plans to spin off its logistics business as a separate entity, making shares of it available to the public.