Business

Fewer Americans than forecast filed applications for unemployment benefits last week, a sign persistent demand is fueling gains in the labor market.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Mercedes-Benz is ramping up efforts to become a bigger player in the competitive North American large van market, with the announcement of a 4x4 Sprinter option for 2015 and plans to shift some production from Germany.

Making transportation infrastructure more resilient to the symptoms of climate change is an increasingly significant aspect of planning at the U.S. Department of Transportation, according to a new DOT report.

Oregon Democrat Peter DeFazio will look to take over as the ranking member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the next Congress, a senior House aide told Transport Topics.

FedEx Freight CEO William Logue, who led the unit back to historical profitability levels, will retire for health reasons Dec. 31, to be succeeded by Michael Ducker, chief operating officer of FedEx Express.

Logistics service provider Transplace Inc. said it has acquired Logistics Management Solutions, a non-asset-based logistics firm in St. Louis, with strong ties to the chemical and industrial manufacturing industry sectors.

Caterpillar Inc. announced it has begun full production of its new Class 8 CT681 vocational truck.

Accuride Corp. reported a third-quarter income of $1.2 million and said sales increased on strength of the North American commercial vehicle industry.

New Class 8 truck orders skyrocketed in October to 46,200 units, the second-highest level in history, ACT Research reported.

Truck Fleet Management, a magazine run by Transport Topics Publishing Group to cover work trucks and other medium-duty vehicles, has been sold to Bobit Business Media.