Sharply higher fuel prices put a significant dent in first-quarter earnings for truckload fleets, but seven of the eight companies that have reported thus far still managed to top year-earlier results.

USA Truck reported a first-quarter loss of $2.7 million, or 26 cents per share, compared with a loss of $3 million, or 24 cents, a year ago.

Class 8 retail truck sales in the United States soared 44.2% in March from a year earlier to the highest level in nearly four years, with all original equipment manufacturers posting volume gains of at least 10%.

The U.S. used Class 8 market, beset by a widespread scarcity of low-mileage vehicles and spiraling prices, is expected to receive a huge infusion of fresh supply, according to industry executives and analysts.

The Transportation Department said its recently unveiled three-year pilot program to allow Mexican trucks to enter the United States combines multiple safety-related steps with a new approach to determine the level of participation.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Activity in the U.S. truck market is accelerating as the nation’s economy grows and manufacturers ramp up production to meet growing demand, several truck maker and supplier officials said.

The 40th edition of the Mid-America Trucking Show was the most joyful trucking event in recent years, as smiling truckers were greeted by even happier equipment suppliers in frigid Louisville, Ky., last week.

American Truck Dealers said it will focus on how to mitigate the possible negative effects of regulatory and legislative actions during its annual convention April 15-18 in Phoenix.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Reconfigured drum and air disc brakes that meet the new federal stopping-distance rule for commercial vehicles that takes effect in August made their debut here, and one truck maker said air discs will be standard on all its Class 8 trucks.

Truckload carrier USA Truck said its chairman, Robert Powell, will retire in May and be succeeded by Terry Elliott, who has been a director at the company since 2003.