Five truck trend takeaways from March

Five truck trend takeaways from March

We know it’s not easy to keep up with everything that happens in the world of trucking. So here are the biggest stories from March focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place.

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We know it’s not easy to keep up with everything that happens in the world of trucking. So here are the biggest stories from March focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place.

5. Catch up with March’s many trade shows

Between the Work Truck Show, the TMC Annual Meeting, and the Mid-America Truck Show, March is quite a month for trade shows, and there’s a lot to see out on the road. Catch up with the news here on Fleet Equipment, and take a look at the TMC photo gallery here and the Work Truck Show photo gallery and news roundup here.

4. Watch: Test driving the Spicer Electrified Medium-Duty Vehicle

Join FE Editor Jason Morgan as he takes a tour of and drives the new Spicer Electrified Medium-Duty Vehicle.

3. Just because electric trucks have fewer components doesn’t make them simpler to build

As electric trucks roll off factory floors and into test applications, the business case picture begins to sharpen. Today, the conversations quickly turn to infrastructure demands, potential energy cost projections, and equipment leasing and ownership business model options. But let’s not lose sight of the equipment side of things—remember that the manufacturers themselves are still trying to answer electric vehicle manufacturing questions. Editor Jason Morgan goes over some of those questions here.

2. Fleets are using technology to get a leg up on the competition

Without definite knowledge, equipment operation can be based on guesswork. It’s no doubt educated guesswork, informed by years of experience, but why guess when you can know? Senior Editor Alex Crissey talks about how fleets are using technology to get a leg up on the competition here.

1. DTNA Pres., CEO Roger Nielsen stops talking about truck technology ‘What if’ and starts talking about ‘What is’

Had Roger Nielsen been holding a microphone, he might as well have dropped it at the end of his presentation. Instead, he’s wired up with one of those hands-free, barely-there microphones that live on a TED Talk stage, which is fitting because the bevy of announcements that Daimler Trucks North America’s (DTNA) president and chief executive officer just dropped were huge developments in truck technology.

Learn more about Nielsen and DTNA’s journey from ‘what if’ to ‘what is’ in our executive interview here.

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According to the latest numbers from ACT Research, preliminary North America Class 8 net orders were 27,700 units, up 600 units from January and 16% from a year ago. With the fourth-largest seasonal factor of the year at 8%, seasonal adjustment reduces February’s Class 8 intake to 25,600 units, up 5% from January.

“Weak freight and carrier profitability fundamentals, and large carriers guiding to lower capex in 2024, would imply pressure in U.S. tractor, the North American Class 8 market’s largest segment,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “While we do not yet have the underlying detail for February order volumes, Class 8 demand continuing at high levels again this month suggests that U.S. buyers continue as strong market participants.”

Freightliner M2, SD Plus Series launch updates its medium-duty truck offering

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Kenworth delivers 15-liter natural gas-powered truck to UPS

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Navistar progressing toward autonomous hub-to-hub transport

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FTR Trucking Conditions Index falls in December

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