The merger of Sweden’s Volvo and Scania could be the catalyst for new consolidations among truck-makers – in the United States as well as abroad – some analysts believe.

Cummins Engine Co. says a brand of extended-life coolant is causing problems for its engines, and has formed a task force with the suppliers of the coolant to seek “long- and short-term solutions.”

The price of fuel shot up nearly 6 cents in California last week, prompting the California Trucking Association to ask the state government to order a price rollback.

Con-Way Transportation Services, the nation’s fourth-largest less-than-truckload carrier, announced a new base for its fuel surcharge formula Aug. 2, as the national average price for diesel rose again, to $1.146 a gallon.

The new president of Navistar International’s Truck Group would like to change the truck-buying culture by reducing — or even eliminating — the customization that is an accepted part of the purchasing and manufacturing markets.

J. Steven Keate’s plan to reduce customization in Navistar International’s Truck Group generated a mixed reaction among the other truck manufacturers.

Volvo will buy longtime rival Scania in a $7.4 billion deal, creating the world’s second-largest manufacturer of heavy trucks and buses.

Con-Way Transportation Services, the nation’s fourth-largest LTL carrier, announced a new base for its surcharge formula Aug. 2, as the national average price for diesel rose to $1.146 a gallon.

Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation ended their second month as owners of a split-up Conrail with reports of weaker earnings. Many shippers say despite some service improvements “normal” operations have not yet been achieved.

Analysts were divided on whether fleet managers should “lock in” at current prices as the national average cost of diesel fuel rose to $1.137 a gallon last week.