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Issues of highway safety, individual freedom and the government’s avowed intention to mandate some safety-related technology on future heavy-duty trucks dominated the discussion during a forum at the Society of Automotive Engineer’s annual Truck and Bus Conference.

Mexican trucks will not be rolling into the United States anytime soon and tax issues may be the reason, an expert on the North American Free Trade Agreement said.

What may have appeared as a Conestoga wagon to the undiscerning eye was actually the trailer bearing the Capitol Christmas tree, and Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) was behind the wheel.

In the news this morning: GM to cut 1Q production; DaimlerChrysler to ask auto suppliers to cut prices; EPA may ease cleaner diesel deadline; and more.

Today's technology headlines: FCC moves to keep U.S. from running out of phone numbers; telecoms' wireless hopes kept alive at ITU meeting; e-commerce firms turn to 'old-fashioned' distribution centers to fill holiday orders; and more.

This afternoon's headlines: ArvinMeritor to close plant, layoff workers; Landstar to buy back more shares; Fla. Supreme Court rules in favor of Gore; and more to come.

The Department of Defense - a big customer for the trucking industry - came in under budget on its transportation expenses in 2000, according to the general commanding the Military Traffic Management Command.

Truckers are increasingly finding themselves the targets of smuggling rings that use money and other enticements in attempts to get undocumented immigrants across the border between Mexico and the United States.

Two-and-a-half years ago, Dawn Capalbo’s 55-year-old husband and business partner, Sam, died suddenly of a heart attack, forcing her to take over an airfreight trucking business she knew little about.

In the news this morning: Big Three automakers to make "joint e-business" announcement; Texas to tighten truck tailpipe emissions standards; Eaton to provide medium-truck transmission parts to DaimlerChrysler in Brazil; and more.