Equipment

Iteris Inc., which makes safety systems for trucks, said Wednesday that flatbed carrier Melton Truck Lines will make Iteris’ lane departure warning systems standard equipment on about 1,000 new trucks over the next three years.

Hybrid drivetrains, combining diesel and electric power and developed by Eaton Corp., will be available in 2008 on medium-duty truck chassis made by Freightliner Corp., International Truck and Engine Corp. and Paccar’s DAF, Kenworth Truck Co. and Peterbilt Motors Co., according to several announcements by the manufacturers involved.

U.S. retail Class 8 truck sales continued their 2007 free fall in August, plunging 58.9% from last year, the fourth straight month sales have dropped more than 50%, Ward’s Communications said.

Truck maker Freightliner LLC is studying relocating some of the operations in its aftermarket division from Oregon to the East Coast, the Oregonian newspaper reported Friday.

Transportation technology provider TMW Systems said Monday it acquired Integrated Support Decision Corporation, for an undisclosed sum.

Global Positioning System equipment has not yet become standard for all motor carriers, but more fleets are showing interest in the technology to meet the demands of shippers, and those who use it already rate their systems highly, a recent survey showed.

Tire wear and tear is inevitable, but carriers can minimize its effects by choosing high-quality materials and being rigorous about maintenance and checking correct air pressures, several fleet maintenance chiefs and tire manufacturers say.

Trucking and auto component maker ArvinMeritor said late Friday it will close two shock-absorber factories and cut 700 jobs.

Expansion of the U.S. Class 8 truck fleet is slowing as carriers continue to put off new truck purchases and demand for freight hauling remains soft, according to a new report by research firm R.L. Polk & Co.