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Truck and engine maker Navistar Inc. proclaimed the economical operating efficiency of its products during a Webcast Monday concerning what the original equipment manufacturer called “fluid efficiency.”

With President Obama and the Democratic leadership in Congress pressing for new stimulus legislation — now called a jobs bill — it’s time to pose this question: If we are going to invest federal money in projects with the stated aim of creating jobs, where is it best spent?

North Carolina enacted a new rule last week that places limits on unnecessary idling of heavy vehicles.

Signs of an economic turnaround have buoyed hopes for a recovery in trucking, although many fleet executives said they remain cautious about adding freight hauling capacity until rates rise enough to cover expected fuel, equipment and regulatory compliance expenses.

Carrier earnings for the second quarter started off on a positive note last week, with truckload carrier Landstar System Inc. reporting a 37% increase in net income and J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. announcing a 52% rise in profit.

Of the drivers pulled over during last month’s Roadcheck 2010, only 4.4% were placed out of service, tying the driver compliance record set in 2009, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance reported.

American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves said he does not believe there will be any congressional action on a new long-term highway bill until at least 2011 — and possibly not until after the next presidential election.

Are carriers generally immune from exercising sound business practices? It’s really not that difficult to gather solid credit history and information on a broker, whereas getting accurate relevant information on a shipper is much more difficult.