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WASHINGTON — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne Ferro said she is committed to launching the agency’s new truck safety rating system in July, although she expects there will be problems at the start.

Over the past decade, a growing number of fleets have begun outsourcing more of their tire maintenance needs as a way to save on machinery, equipment and training costs.

Express package carrier Velocity Express, Westport, Conn., said it has appointed John McAlpin as president and chief operating officer.

A winter storm that caused multiple traffic collisions in Texas on Tuesday is heading toward the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, where it could dump a half-foot of snow on the already snow-drenched region, news services reported.

U.S. Class 8 retail truck sales eked out their first year-over-year gain in 13 months in January, inching up 0.2% compared with January 2009, WardsAuto.com reported.

Truck components maker ArvinMeritor Inc. said Wednesday that its fiscal first quarter earnings and revenues will be flat compared with the first quarter.

TAMPA, Fla. — Jerry Thrift of Ryder System, Miami, was installed as chairman of the Technology & Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations during the group’s meeting here Feb. 11.

John Ruan, founder of Ruan Transportation Management Systems, died Saturday, the company said. He was 96.

Two manufacturers that supply parts to international truck makers reported improved results for the fourth quarter, with engine maker Cummins Inc. increasing profits and component maker ArvinMeritor Inc. eliminating a large loss and breaking even.

SAN DIEGO — CSA 2010, the new federal safety monitoring and rating system for motor carriers, is likely to be the most important and potentially disruptive federal policy development for trucking to come out of Washington this year, fleet executives and industry watchers said last week.