RALEIGH, NC – Truck manufacturer Freightliner LLC said it would lay off up to 1,180 workers at its assembly plant north of Charlotte, N.C., due to falling orders, according to the Buffalo News. Freightliner, a unit of DaimlerChrysler AG, said the job eliminations were necessary because buyers have been hesitant to purchase trucks equipped with new and expensive technology to curb diesel exhaust emissions. New standards governing diesel emissions in the United States and Canada took effect Jan. 1.

Portland, Ore.-based Freightliner said in December there would be a series of production rate adjustments at its plants during the first quarter of 2007. It said those moves could affect more than 4,000 workers.

The layoffs will take place Apr. 1.