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LAS VEGAS — Terry Dotson never set out to be a truck salesman, but he was so good on the lot selling big rigs that he rose eventually to be chairman and CEO of Worldwide Equipment Enterprises Inc.

Officials of brake manufacturer Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems said they are wrestling with the challenge of manufacturing and distributing replacement parts for a defective valve that could cause braking problems, which prompted federal and heavy-duty truck manufacturer recalls.

Truckload carrier P.A.M. Transportation Services reported a fourth-quarter profit after posting a loss in the same quarter last year.

Forward Air Corp. said late Tuesday its fourth-quarter net income rose to $14.4 million, or 50 cents per share, from $11.8 million, or 41 cents, a year earlier.

Provisions that would have allowed states to permit larger, heavier trucks on interstate highways were voted down last week, just days after the highway reauthorization bill containing the measures was introduced in the House of Representatives.

January U.S. manufacturing activity rose to the highest level since June, the Institute for Supply Management said Wednesday.

Consumer confidence fell this month, the New York-based Conference Board said Tuesday.

Arkansas truckers will try again next year to persuade the legislature there to pass a bill to raise the state’s 22.8-cent diesel tax by 5 cents to pay for improved roads and bridges.