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THOMASVILLE, N.C. — But for the vagaries of history, Earl Congdon’s family business could have been Florida motels rather than less-than-truckload transportation.

Trucking’s difficulties are expected to continue this year, as many carriers struggle for survival while freight volumes fall, financial market turmoil continues and a new political landscape takes shape.

Consumer confidence fell to a record low in December, the Conference Board said Tuesday.

With fuel prices going down, including diesel, truckers are still shutting down and still saying they aren’t making money — proving my own view that the problem is other than fuel prices.

Cargo traffic at ports in China declined for the first time in at least seven years last month, Bloomberg reported.

Durable goods orders fell 1% in November, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

Consumer personal spending fell 0.6% in November, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

Rand McNally has introduced additions and updates to its IntelliRoute and MileMaker software.

Southern California port officials and state environmental regulators continued pressing their campaign to reduce heavy-truck diesel emissions, approving several controversial measures during 2008 that some truckers said will lead to severe economic hardships.

The Intermodal Association of North America’s board of directors has elected Greg Stefflre, CEO of Rail Delivery Services, Fontana, Calif., as its chairman for 2009.