TAMPA, Fla. — ChevronTexaco Inc. said new refining methods that turn natural gas into a no-sulfur diesel could lower the price of trucking’s primary fuel.

Heavy-duty truck maker International Truck and Engine Corp. said it would manufacture its own large diesel engines adding powerplants ranging from 11 to 13 liters, beginning in fall 2007.

TAMPA. Fla. — Corrosion prevention, higher under-hood temperatures and truck-tire technologies were among industry trends covered in technical sessions at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s annual meeting here Feb. 15-18.

Ten years after the federal government first explored the commercial applicability of performance-based brake testers, state safety in-spection agencies are evaluating technology that would replace time-consuming visual inspections currently in use to identify faulty brakes.

TAMPA, Fla. — A total of 96 task force sessions were held here during the Technology & Maintenance Council’s annual meeting, focusing on topics that included cleaning diesel particulate filters, documenting maintenance costs on a per-mile basis and benchmarking information-technology systems.

TAMPA, Fla. — The Technology & Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations said Feb. 15 that it named Dave Rehurek chairman and treasurer for 2005-2006. He is the transportation manager at Alcoa Inc.’s aluminum extrusion plant in Yankton, S.D.

Diversified manufacturer Eaton Corp. said Jan. 24 that last year's strong demand for Class 8 trucks should continue into 2006, and it was increasing capacity at existing plants that make its products and technologies.

While 2004 was the fourth-best year ever for total U.S. retail sales of Class 8 trucks, suppliers to truck makers said their sales in 2005 would be even better.

New greases are offering fleets more operational choices — including extended service intervals — that promise to keep trucks on the road for longer periods at a time, lubricant and equipment manufacturers said.

A large investment firm has fired the first flare signaling trucking’s strong financial run could be in jeopardy, and warned that overcapacity is beginning to appear in the less-than-truckload sector.