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Leslie Doggett Industries, through its Doggett Truck Group, announced it acquired privately held Truck Enterprises Inc., an authorized Western Star, Detroit Diesel and extreme heavy-duty trailer dealer with locations in El Paso, Texas, and Carlsbad, N.M.

Automotive supplier and tire manufacturer Continental announced it renamed its longhaul tire for improved clarity among fleets and dealers.

Creating a clear path for career advancement to help attract and retain diesel technicians is key to growing trucking's pool of future leaders, industry experts said.

Some industry representatives suggest that electric-powered vehicles will not only reduce diesel pollutants, but also ­attract a new generation of recruits to the field of heavy truck maintenance.

Former Army mechanic Lindsay Dunham says the “unpredictable nature” of her job and being able to work with her hands are among the things she enjoys most about being a big-truck technician.

Bonnie Greenwood, the first female TMC FutureTech champion, is a shop technician with FedEx Freight.

The diesel technician shortage is a concern within the trucking industry, and technical schools said they’re reaching out to students as early as seventh grade and connecting with adults who want to work with their hands.

U.S. Class 8 retail sales in June improved to climb above 23,000 units, WardsAuto.com reported. They landed against the backdrop of a freight environment that is weakening this year and already is served by too many trucks, other analysts said.

Preliminary net U.S. trailer orders for June dropped to the lowest point in nearly a decade, just surpassing 6,000, following heavy cancellations amid concerns over the 2020 freight environment, experts said.

Trailer makers intending to sell their products in California beginning Jan. 1 must certify beforehand that the equipment meets the state’s Phase 2 greenhouse gas rule and receive an executive order, according to the California Air Resources Board.