DETROIT — Demand for heavy-duty truck engines may be strong enough by late this year to cause Detroit Diesel Corp. to increase production in the fourth quarter, the company’s new chief executive officer said recently. br clear=all>

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Mid-America Trucking Show opened here March 20 under the shadow of a truck and equipment market that vendors said was treading water in a slow national economy.

WASHINGTON —Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said last week he planned to recommend that President Bush move ahead to lift the U.S. moratorium against Mexican trucks operating in the United States beyond limited border commercial zones.

The Federal Reserve, in a surprise move spurred by the rapidly deteriorating economy, cut interest rates Wednesday, slashing the federal funds rate by half a percentage point to 6% and trimming the discount rate a quarter-point to 5.75%.