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Net orders for U.S. trailers in November fell 56% to just below 20,000, ACT Research reported — putting excess production capacity in the spotlight.

DETROIT — The U.S. government’s highway safety agency has launched an investigation into four automakers that have a potentially deadly type of Takata air bag inflator in their vehicles but have yet to recall them.

The Amazon.com vans parked outside apartment buildings and along suburban cul-de-sacs aren’t just bearing gifts to online shoppers this holiday season. The e-commerce giant’s home-delivery push has been a boon to automakers, too.

Just when will heavy-duty electric trucks be ready for prime time, and when will motor carriers purchase them?

SAN ANTONIO — Rebecca Chewning’s bid for recognition at last year’s Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo sputtered in the first round, but her experience was not at all the same this year in her second time in the competition.

Volvo Group agreed to sell its UD Trucks unit to Isuzu Motors Ltd. for about $2.3 billion and announced plans to forge a strategic alliance with its Japanese rival, the latest sign of consolidation in the global automotive industry.

U.S. sales of medium-duty trucks in November made the typical slide toward the end of the year, falling 7.4% from the 2018 period, WardsAuto .com reported.

DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. is adding 3,000 jobs at two factories in the Detroit area and investing $1.45 billion to build new pickup trucks, SUVs, and electric and autonomous vehicles.

Toyota Motor Corp. is forecasting sales of 10.77 million vehicles worldwide during 2020, nudging it closer to No. 1 automaker Volkswagen AG.

Navistar International Corp. reported lower net income and revenue in its fiscal year fourth quarter as the industry’s falling demand for heavy-duty trucks was amplified by other corporate factors, including very strong year-earlier chargeouts.