The benefits of electrification in last-mile applications
If your trucks are operating in the long-haul segment carrying goods from New York to California, well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but EV range capabilities and infrastructure can’t practically support that yet. However, last-mile fleets that stay in the general vicinity and don’t require substantial range just may be ready
October Class 8 orders continue at robust levels
Preliminary NA Class 8 net orders in October were 42,500 units, while NA Classes 5-7 net orders were 23,400 units. Complete industry data for October, including final order numbers, will be published by ACT Research in mid-November. “The strength in orders reflects, one, OEMs having opened their orderboards for 2023 more broadly, and, two, ongoing
Slightly lowered forecasts, impact on freight economy deepens
In the release of its Commercial Vehicle Dealer Digest, ACT Research reported slightly lowered forecasts due to the Fed’s continued action toward inflation, disproportionally impacting the freight economy. According to Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst, ACT, “ACT’s forecasts into the medium term move incrementally lower this month on the continued deterioration of economic expectations: Inflation
Downturn forecasts fine-tuned, anticipating inbound recession
In the release of its Commercial Vehicle Dealer Digest, ACT Research reported shifts—both higher and lower adjustments (but in aggregate, lower still)—in forecasts last month to incorporate an inbound recession. According to Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst, ACT, “We have tweaked our economic forecasts slightly lower. 2023 GDP remains unchanged at 0.0%, but our expectations
Used Class 8 retail sales volumes, average price, miles, age are down
According to the latest release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, published by ACT Research, used Class 8 retail volumes (same dealer sales) were down 10% month-over-month. Average price and miles were down 1% and 0.4%, respectively, compared to July, with average age down as well 7% m/m. Longer term, average
Persistent inflation, interest rate hikes and potential for recession
According to ACT Research’s (ACT) latest State of the Industry: NA Classes 5-8 Report, surging inflation, the Fed hiking interest rates into a potential recession, and supply-chain disruptions remain overarching themes. “The prospect of a US recession has grown materially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and as of the July issue of ACT’s NA OUTLOOK report, a 2023
Trailer demand remains strong; manufacturer’s endure supply-chain issues
July net US trailer orders of 16,997 units were 33% lower compared to last month, but more than 103% above the year-ago July level, according to this month’s issue of ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report. “OEMS continue to negotiate with fleets, but with some 2023 orderboards opened in June, those efforts quickly moved
Amid changing regulations, mobile fueling can simplify adoption of sustainable fuels
The need for decarbonization in the transportation sector is clear. According to the EPA, transportation is now responsible for nearly one-third of U.S. GHG emissions, the majority of which (83%) are created by light-duty vehicles and medium- and heavy-duty trucks. In 2019, FedEx attributed 92% of the company’s carbon emissions footprint to its fleet. Less
Persistent inflation, interest rate hikes indicates potential for recession
According to ACT Research’s (ACT) latest State of the Industry: NA Classes 5-8 Report, surging inflation, the Fed hiking interest rates into a potential recession, and supply-chain disruptions remain overarching themes. “The prospect of a US recession has grown materially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and as of the July issue of ACT’s NA OUTLOOK report, a 2023
Innovative technology to improve mobility, highway nets $49M in grants
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) together awarded $49.2 million in innovative technology grants to improve mobility and multimodal connections for millions of Americans who travel on our nation’s highway and transit systems. Grants can be applied to technologies ranging from systems that detect and prevent wrong-way
