MARTEN TRANSPORT LTD. Mondavi, Wisconsin; Trucking Firm Maintains Its Speed Despite Obstacles.(THE NEW AMERICA)

Byline: ALAN R. ELLIOTT

A handful of topics made the rounds late last month at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas. Topping the list: rising fuel prices and the industry's shortage of qualified, experienced drivers.

Another hot topic was federal requirements to improve diesel motor efficiency through redesigned engines. The rules are set to take effect late next year.

Truckers and companies say the rules, aimed at decreasing sulfur emissions, will drive up fuel consumption. They also note the redesigned motors will increase prices for new trucks.

No surprise, then, that the regulations have seen little support inside the industry.

"Well, that's an understatement," said Larry Daniels, president of America's Independent Truckers' Association, shouting into his cell phone from Dallas. "When they increase the efficiency of the engine, it is going to decrease the power output of that engine, which then causes fuel costs to go up."

Further north, in Mondovi, Wis., Randy Marten was well aware of the implications. He's chief executive of Marten Transport, which typically adds 100 to 200 new tractors to its fleet each year.