Economy

Feds preserve VanPort licence rule with legislation

OTTAWA -- A controversial truck licensing system enforced by the Vancouver Port Authority has officially been enshrined into law by the Conservative government.

No end to Goodyear strike in sight; Tire supply so far keeping steady

PITTSBURGH, Penn. -- Almost 10 weeks after union workers walked off the job, an end to the ongoing strike at over a dozen Goodyear Tire plants doesn't seem imminent.

Bridgestone buys Bandag for over $1B

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Bridgestone's acquisition wheel has turned its attention to tire retread company Bandag as the two companies announced a $1.05 billion purchase agreement.

Canadian Sterling workers to be idled; Navistar slashes jobs too

ST. THOMAS, Ont. -- Freightliner LLC says it will lay off about 800 workers at its Sterling Trucks assembly plant in St. Thomas, Ont.

For-hire operating ratio climbs slightly

OTTAWA -- Despite what some would call a softening of some trucking sectors in Canada, the top 91 for-hire motor carriers generated operating revenue of $2.4 billion in the third quarter of 2006 -- up 26.4 million or a per-carrier average of 5 percent from the same period last year.

Volvo invests in groundbreaking hybrid technology

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Semi-conductor material silicon carbide is one of the hottest substances today in the world of research into hybrid vehicles, says truckmaker Volvo.

Vancouver trailer firm goes for lion’s share of market

VANCOUVER -- Lions Gate Trailers of Vancouver has acquired Provincial Trailer Rentals (PTR) and its sister company Contor Terminals of Mississauga, in a move that PTR President Gord Box describes as a natural eastward evolution.

Dana names Canadian plants to be boarded up

TOLEDO, Ohio -- Struggling vehicle components and parts supplier Dana Corp. has disclosed the locations of previously announced plant closures, including two in Canada.

International export trade falls

OTTAWA -- It's the same story: because of weaker automotive and forestry exports, total Canadian exports dipped another 1.7 percent in October.

Hendrickson announces Ont. plant layoffs

STATFORD, Ont. -- A Hendrickson springs facility is the latest casualty of a series of heavy truck plant cutbacks in Ontario.

Factory shipments hit two-year low

OTTAWA -- Canadian manufacturers shipped goods worth an estimated $47.7 billion in October, down 0.1 percent from September and the lowest level since December 2004, mainly due to falling petroleum prices and a slowdown in the food and transportation equipment sectors.

Navistar boss suggests he’ll entertain buyout offers

CHICAGO -- Navistar International top exec hinted the truck and engine maker may be open to a buyout.

Freightliner to appeal record punitive judgment

PORTLAND -- Freightliner LLC says it will appeal an $850 million judgment against the Portland, Ore., based truck manufacturer and its parent company, DaimlerChrysler.

TransForce grows oil service assets with fleet buy

MONTREAL -- The feds' announcement to change the tax rules on income trusts hasn't put a roadblock in TransForce's acquisition streak.

Truckmaker to build Freightliner, Sterling trucks in Mexico

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Freightliner will open its second manufacturing plant in North America's southernmost nation.