Business

Total operating costs for the trucking industry rose 9.3% in 2011 to an average of $1.706 a mile, the highest cost since the American Transportation Research Institute began tracking the figure in 2008.

Shippers and carriers are considering putting more freight directly on asset-based carriers — potentially hurting middlemen who do not own trucks — as the supply of vehicles and drivers dwindles.

PITTSBURGH — Facing the prospect of having to replace tens of thousands of technicians in the coming years, officials from the trucking and fleet maintenance industries have urged companies to work closely with educators as one way to attract new talent.

HANOVER, Germany — The brisk pace of North American truck sales is helping drive the results of the world’s largest commercial vehicles maker, according to its chief executive.

Management and labor negotiators in the East Coast and Gulf Coast contract talks have agreed to a 90-day extension of the pact that was due to expire on Sept. 30, ensuring there will not be a work stoppage during the peak holiday shipping season.

HANOVER, Germany — The new truck-making powerhouse in Europe headed by Volkswagen AG is unlikely to make a play to acquire U.S.-based Navistar International Corp., according to interviews with company officials and others.

With a new highway funding bill signed into law and the U.S. business community anxiously awaiting the outcome of the presidential election, American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves said the federation’s upcoming annual conference will take place during a “transitional moment” for the industry.

Trucking companies, associations, industry suppliers and other businesses took time out last week to recognize the 3.1 million men and women who drive trucks in the United States as part of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In-cab communications provider PeopleNet Inc. said it will continue integrating its products with enterprise software maker McLeod Software, despite the recent purchase by PeopleNet’s owner of McLeod’s primary competitor.

FedEx Corp. last week reported a lower fiscal first-quarter profit and reduced earnings forecasts, but said its less-than-truckload unit provided a bright spot by more than doubling its results.