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Truckload carriers Swift Transportation Inc. and M.S. Carriers announced a merger late Monday. The $384 million deal will make M.S. Carriers a wholly-owned subsidiary of Swift, the companies said.

Lower oil prices, moderate economic growth and a drop in interest rates should bode well for trucking in 2001 — at least for companies that survive the bankruptcies and consolidations predicted to sweep the industry, according to the experts at this year's Management Outlook Forum.

The Department of Defense announced the creation of a joint military-industry fuel price board in a step toward payment of a fuel surcharge by the Pentagon for the transport of goods by commercial motor carriers.

While the Canadian trucking industry is hopeful that the recently elected government will put transportation policies on the agenda, their pre-election report card suggests that will not necessarily be the case.

In the news this morning: U.S. national diesel average lowest since August; blizzard leaves Chicago-area interstates slippery; Delphi component plant expansion hinges on tax break; and more.

Today's technology headlines: Mobile Web remains promising; e-commerce speeds business at U.S. ports; British government announces safety precautions for cell-phones; and more.

This afternoon's headlines: American Freightways hit with race discrimination suit; energy shortages hit factory production in Canada, Mexico; shareholders sue American Freightways over FedEx deal; and more.

While many companies have taken a beating on Wall Street this year, one financial analyst predicts that truckload stocks will rebound in 2001 and outperform the S&P 500.

Marc Gustafson believes it is time for some changes in the way truck manufacturers operate, and as chief executive officer of Volvo Trucks North America, he has begun to implement new practices at his own company to bring spec'ing to an end.

Though a Nafta panel has ruled against U.S. restrictions on Mexican trucks, it is just the beginning of a long journey down the path of arbitration.