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Truck manufacturers received more than 20,000 orders for new Class 8 vehicles in June in North America, the eighth consecutive month above that level and 33% higher than June 2010, two market research firms reported.

Owners of 2009 Class 8 trucks reported a drop in mechanical and technical problems from the previous year, including problems with engines, usually the largest source of complaints, J.D. Power and Associates said in a report.

Factory orders rose 0.8% in May, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago area rose in June, the Institute for Supply Management-Chicago said Thursday.

Nevada became the 34th state to ban texting while driving and the ninth to ban talking on handheld cell phones while driving.

Industrial production rose 0.1% in May as factory output rose but utility output declined, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.

Factory orders fell 1.2% in April, the largest drop in almost a year, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago area fell in May, the Institute for Supply Management-Chicago said Tuesday.  

Manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region slowed in May, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said Thursday.

Industrial production was unchanged in April, reflecting a drop in automobile output, the Federal Reserve said Tuesday.