Business

While the U.S. economy continues to look better and better in many ways, there are some pretty powerful reasons for truckers to remain cautious, or at least watchful in the coming months.

DHL said it is taking the first step toward establishing a delivery fleet in New York City that is powered entirely by alternative fuels, in a move that it said will reduce emissions by at least 50%.

Technology and logistics company Transplace, Frisco, Texas, said it acquired SCO Logistics, a Philadelphia-based third-party logistics company, for an undisclosed sum.

Truck orders soared in March to the highest total in nearly five years, as carriers snapped up new equipment to renew their fleets in advance of the fall freight season, two market research reports said last week.

The head of the National Private Truck Council said shippers are beginning to expand and upgrade their in-house fleets in response to improved business conditions and in anticipation of possible shortages of freight-hauling capacity and higher fuel costs in the year ahead.

Most trucking companies are expected to post a fifth consecutive quarter of better earnings because freight volumes and rates are rising, but sharply higher fuel prices likely will put a dent in the increases, analysts said.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The 40th Mid-America Trucking Show here grew by more than 7% from 2010 in terms of visitors and exhibitors, but fell short of establishing new records in either category.

Fueled by stronger manufacturing and demand for freight, the U.S. economy will grow at least at a 3.2% annual pace in 2011, and truck tonnage will rise 5%, according to several recent reports.

The number of people employed in trucking rose 3% in March, compared with a year ago, to a seasonally adjusted 1.27 million, the Department of Labor reported April 1.