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LAS VEGAS — The dynamic heavy-duty truck market is becoming more closely connected globally, with manufacturers of parts, components and whole vehicles competing fiercely worldwide while more national governments impose significant regulations on carbon dioxide emissions, industry executives said.

A recent blog from U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has provoked truckers and other highway users to complain anew about an old issue — highway trust fund money paying for things other than highways.

What will happen to the cost of insurance for fleets following implementation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability program? The answer: It depends.

U.S. sales of medium-duty trucks totaled 30,578 in December, a 24.7% increase over the comparable month in 2009 and the highest amount since March 2008, WardsAuto.com reported.

Carrier acquisition announcements this month by three fleets provide a clear signal that the pace of trucking mergers will pick up in 2011, industry officials said.

U.S. retail fuel prices rose for the seventh consecutive week, as the average price of a gallon of diesel jumped by 7.4 cents a gallon to $3.407, the Department of Energy reported.

Covenant Transportation Group said it will report a fourth-quarter 2010 profit of 3 to 7 cents per share, topping its performance in the year-ago quarter.

Supply chain technology firm Intermec Inc. said it will acquire Vocollect Inc., a warehouse technology firm focused on voice-enabled products.

An index of leading economic indicators increased in December, the six consecutive monthly increase, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

Existing home sales rose 12% in December, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday.