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The heavy-duty U.S. truck fleet contracted slightly in the third quarter, shrinking back to its size in the first quarter of 2009, but used-truck sales volumes strengthened in the quarter, according to a Nov. 17 report by R.L. Polk.

U.S. Class 8 truck sales in October were 29.6% lower than year-ago levels, marking the 10th straight month this year that sales have trailed 2008’s results, according to data from WardsAuto.com.

North American Class 8 truck orders shot up sharply in October to about 22,000 vehicles, double the previous month’s total and more than twice the year-ago total, according to data from two research firms.

For more than a decade, the trucking industry has called for an overhaul of the Department of Transportation’s safety fitness measurement and rating systems. Fortunately, DOT heard these calls and soon will implement its new system — Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010. CSA 2010’s measurement component will be rolled out in July 2010; the rating component will be implemented after a future rulemaking process is completed.

Trailer maker Wabash National Corp. said Tuesday that it will sell its Anna, Ill., plant and consolidate operations into its Cadiz, Ky., plant.

Navistar Inc. said that it has acquired certain assets of Continental Diesel Systems US.

Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. said Friday its third-quarter profit fell 59% due to sharply lower demand for its engines and other products.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s third-quarter profit more than doubled, though the company forecast an operating loss for its North American market this year.