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Curtis Carr, vice president of safety and risk management for Estes Express Lines in Richmond, Va., has been appointed to that state’s Board of Transportation Safety by Gov. Bob McDonnell.

Truck manufacturers and their dealers sold 11,742 Class 8 trucks in the United States during December, the highest monthly total since December 2008, Wardsauto.com reported.

The global low-cost truck market will make less-expensive vehicles available in North America, which has seen prices rising steadily for more than a decade, said a new report from consulting firm Frost & Sullivan.

David Barefoot, American Trucking Associations senior vice president and chief operating officer, has retired after 12 years of service to the federation.

Transport Topics Online will be closed Monday for the New Year’s holiday. Please check back on Tuesday, Jan. 3, for the latest trucking and freight transportation news.

American Trucking Associations officials said 2010 was marked by shifting their policy focus to regulatory agencies from Capitol Hill, while also changing some of the key voices delivering the federation’s message.

Heavy-duty retail truck sales in the United States increased 8.5% in November from a year earlier to 9,614 units, the 11th consecutive monthly gain, according to Wardsauto.com.

American Trucking Associations has agreed to give step van drivers a permanent spot in the National Truck Driving Championships.

Orders for Class 8 trucks in North America soared to more than 26,000 in November, jumping at least 148% from a year ago and 38% from October, industry consultants said.

Truck manufacturers said they are prepared to boost production to meet increasing demand in 2011, although some experts warned shortages of key components could develop as suppliers struggle to keep up with what could be one of the strongest sales markets in years.