Two truck makers offering incentives to buyers this summer are looking in opposite directions to increase sales. One company is intent on moving existing 2003 vehicles off dealer lots, while the other’s offer is linked to model year 2004 vehicles.

Although retail sales of heavy-duty trucks in July trailed year-earlier levels that were swollen by demand for older-model engines, Class 8 sales were sharply ahead of the same month two years ago.

A growing controversy over which electronic format motor carriers and shippers use for document exchange is set to be one of the major topics explored at the Information Technology & Logistics Forum next month.

With the U.S. trailer market showing signs of growth, a Chinese company that said it has built more than 3 million shipping containers over the past 20 years has announced creation of a U.S. subsidiary to make dry van trailers in Monon, Ind., as part of its global strategy to expand into new products and markets..

At a time when a recovering economy is expected to generate more business, the trucking industry and its shipper customers are seeing a number of innovations in the trailers and trailer floors that will carry the freight. br clear=all>

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said an estimated 4,000 trailers built by defunct Monon Corp. may break and separate from the tractor. The agency said it has located 40% of the trailers, leaving about 60% unaccounted for.

LAS VEGAS — There is still enough time to test and market new heavy-duty truck engines to meet the next round of federal emissions rules that begin in 2007, several industry suppliers said recently.

Freightliner LLC, the leading U.S. truck manufacturer, announced a major reorganization last week that is designed to consolidate its operations and, ultimately, reduce costs.

With U.S. retail sales of Class 8 trucks wobbling below last year’s already weak levels, original equipment manufacturers are gathering and sharing more information than ever before with customers and dealers in an effort to drive up revenues, streamline product development and strengthen customer loyalty.

LAS VEGAS — Suppliers at the International Trucking Show here said they could weather another boom-bust cycle in their industry if trucking fleets postpone buying model-year 2007 trucks with engines designed to meet tougher diesel emissions standards.