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North American Class 8 orders in April fell below 20,000 units for the fourth consecutive month, FTR reported.

Paccar Parts has made available new chrome options for the Kenworth W990 model.

Meritor Inc. reported fiscal-year, second-quarter gains in net income and revenue.

Power management company Eaton Corp. reported higher first-quarter net income and modest revenue gains.

Cummins Inc. reported higher net income and revenue in the first quarter reflecting the strength in the North American truck production and power generation markets, plus global construction demand.

Suppliers, service providers and truck makers unveiled alternative fuel-related initiatives in conjunction with the recent Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Long Beach, Calif.

Improvements to truck tire technology in recent years have created a collection of products that man­ufacturers often tout as their most ­advanced, longest-wearing and most fuel-efficient tires ever. But many motor carriers choose to analyze those factory-­tested claims in their own real-life settings before committing to adding the products to their entire fleet.

The advent of modern truck telematics has changed how fleets determine when filter or other services are needed — and when quick action is necessary to prevent potential engine damage or failure, a fleet maintenance executive said.

Remote diagnostics systems available on modern trucks are helping fleets avoid costly repairs and reduce vehicle downtime, and this technology is rapidly advancing toward offering better predictions of when problems might occur.

The Technology & Maintenance Council is evolving to contend with the necessary maintenance and specification issues that are arising as a result of two advanced technologies that are fast becoming part of today’s trucking scene.