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For trucking fleets that operate different vehicles for an array of uses, an important challenge is to equip each one with the correct tires.

While sales of new Class 8 trucks continue to languish, several used truck dealers said they have noted recent “sporadic” increases in business that they believe could signal a market bottom. However, they added that financing problems were restricting sales.

Daimler Trucks North America said it will add a $9,000 surcharge to its 2010 trucks for customers who select independent manufacturer Cummins Inc.’s 2010 heavy-duty engine.

The heavy-duty aftermarket industry, which had passed through the previous two recessions relatively unscathed, has been hit hard this time, with one analyst saying revenue will be down 8% to 10% this year compared to 2008, which itself suffered a 4% drop from 2007.

Detroit Diesel Corp. said it will submit its first heavy-duty 2010 engine for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certification during September, joining Cummins Inc., Mack Trucks Inc. and Volvo Trucks North America, which already have submitted applications to the agency.

UPS Inc. said that all U.S.-based sellers on eBay now have a direct, free connection from within that site to the UPS WorldShip system.

The number of Class 8 vehicles operating in the United States totaled 3.641 million units in the second quarter, an increase of less than 1% over the same quarter in 2008, transportation research firm R.L. Polk & Co. said.

Truck component maker Eaton Corp. said that it would provide the electric power systems for 378 Class 5 electric hybrid plug-in vehicles under a federal grant, which it called the “largest commercial hybrid deployment” ever.

U.S. Class 8 retail sales fell for the seventh consecutive month — this time by 32.9%, WardsAuto.com reported, and a market forecaster predicted that no substantial change is likely until the second half of next year.