NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Silver Eagle Manufacturing Co. released an automated dolly for connected vehicles that it said can help boost fuel savings by shortening distances between trailers.

USA Truck Inc. reported its highest quarterly earnings per share in more than nine years and announced it had its first full year of positive earnings per share since 2008.

The Department of Energy lowered its 2015 forecast for U.S. retail diesel prices by 2 cents to $2.83 a gallon but boosted its crude-oil price forecast slightly.

Maxwell Technologies announced that it has signed an agreement with Purkeys, an electrical systems provider for the trucking industry, for distribution of Maxwell’s ultracapacitor-based engine start module product line.

Diesel’s national average retail price rose 0.4 cent to $2.835 a gallon, the first increase since November, while gasoline jumped 12.3 cents to $2.191, the Department of Energy reported.

Navistar International Corp. and UAW announced Feb. 9 that the truck maker’s UAW-represented workers ratified a new four-year labor agreement. It replaces the contract that expired Oct. 1.

Penske Automotive Group said Feb. 9 it has hired trucking executive Richard Shearing to be president of its newly formed Penske Commercial Vehicles US business.

Ryder System said it will offer customers a female-friendly vehicle package for lease, which it described as the first of its kind in the trucking industry.

Truck-Lite Co., which makes LED lighting systems, said Feb. 5 it acquired LED lighting manufacturer Rigid Industries, based in Phoenix. Terms were not disclosed.