A.M. Executive Briefing - Aug. 18

Volvo Sales Drop 5% In First Half, North American Sales Plunge

While the Eastern European and Asian markets remain healthy, North American sales fell 30% to 13,739, Volvo said.

This is yet another indicator that the North American truck market is suffering, mostly due to higher fuel costs and other expenses being incurred by trucking companies.

Los Angeles, Long Beach Ports Booming As Peak Shipping Season Starts

Containerized imports involve lots of reigonal and local truck hauls. These two ports handle more than 64% of Asian trade coming into the West Coast.

Their July totals surpassed the records set last September and October, the article said.

The Port of Los Angeles handled 232,730 loaded import 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), 31.9% more than in July 1999. The Port of Long Beach handled 19.2% more TEUs, for 224,865.

The booming port business is good news for the region's trucking industry, which handles land delivery. Transport Topics

Overnite Transportation Launches Expanded Canadian Coverage

Advantage Canada offers full-province coverage to Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. With this, Overnite now provides service to almost 100% of Canada's population. Transport Topics

Vitran Corp. Unveils AccuTrak System To Boost E-Commerce System

The new AccuTrak provides several new features for Vitran customers, including e-mail alerts and customized shipment management reports.

Vitran's services include less-than-truckload, truckload, intermodal marketing, truck brokerage and logistics. Transport Topics

Western Star Calls Shareholder Meeting To Approve Freighliner Deal

The company said shareholders will be asked to approve the deal for, DaimlerChrysler's truck making division, Freightliner, to acquire all outstanding and issued shares of Western Star stock.

The transaction must also meet the required regulatory requirements approved by the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the company said. Transport Topics

Cahners Business Information To Sell Its Automotive & Trucking Group

Cahners, a subsidiary of Reed Elsevier plc, will sell the publication groups, directories and related Internet properties in order to focus growth in other markets, the company said. Cahners' Automotive and Trucking Group publishes Commercial Carriers Journal, a monthly magazine aimed at fleet-management professionals. Transport Topics

ACE Hardware Will Use Eaton Fleet Advisor For Fleet Management

Fleet Advisor uses on-board computing, global positioning technology, and mobile communications for data collection from users' fleets. The system also provides electronic DOT logs and IFTA reports.

Eaton Corp. also makes electrical power distribution and control equipment, truck drivetrain systems, engine components for several industries, including trucking. Transport Topics

Eskew Fills UPS Vice Chairman Slot

Named executive vice president last fall, Eskew manages strategic planning, information services, corporate development and the UPS Logistics Group and will retain those duties, the company said.

A Wall Street Journal article Friday said analysts are heralding Eskew's promotion as a sign he has become the leading candidate to eventually become UPS chief executive officer.

UPS also said it has named Symantec Corp. CEO John W. Thompson to its board of directors. Transport Topics

Menlo Logistics Selected To Manage HomeLife Supply Chain

Menlo will completely manage HomeLife's supply chain, including design, integration, transportation and warehousing. The agreement is for five years and will service HomeLife's 135 stores in 28 states. Transport Topics