Business

Trade organizations representing motor carriers and freight brokers generally backed a federal move to streamline the federal registration process, but complained that the registration form is too long and complicated for many in the industry.

While heavy-duty truck makers said last week that they do not share Navistar International’s assessment that engine castings are in short supply, foundry executives said the recession eliminated industry capacity and problems could become more noticeable if demand for metal parts continues to rise.

Diesel refineries must produce 1 billion gallons of biodiesel in 2012, a 25% increase from last year, the Environmental Protection Agency said last month, but the agency decided to delay its planned 2013 mandate.

At least some trucking industry analysts said they expect the latest version of the hours-of-service rule to land back in federal court because the rule seems to satisfy no one.

While many trucking fleets and the companies that make in-cab data devices to support carriers’ operations back moves to restrict cellphone use by drivers, a number of them strongly oppose the recent National Transportation Safety Board recommendation that calls for a total ban on their use — including hands-free devices — while driving.

A federal advisory committee studying electronic onboard recorders did not reach a consensus on the best way to transmit hours-of-service data from the truck cab to roadside inspectors, but did offer recommendations on items including safeguarding carrier and driver privacy.

Many truckers started the new year digging deeper into pockets as 10 states imposed higher tolls.

Manufacturers and sellers of components, parts and systems for heavy-duty trucks will examine the state of their industry, the economy at large and issues of corporate culture at two meetings in Las Vegas, Jan. 23-26.

Wholesale diesel prices spiked last week as tensions in the Middle East rose and temperatures in the eastern United States fell, signaling the likely end of the current run of declining retail prices.

The top Republican on the House Transportation Committee said Friday he is “concerned” that the federal government may lack adequate data to support the new hours-of-service rule it published last month.