August order rebound indicates July weakness an outlier
Preliminary NA Class 8 net orders in August were 21,600 units, while NA Classes 5-7 net orders were 18,400 units. Complete industry data for August, including final order numbers, will be published by ACT Research in mid-September. “Last month, we sounded a note of caution, with the caveat that there were a number of mitigating
Emission reduction equipment initiatives, trends keep on truckin’
According to the recently released N.A. Commercial Vehicle On-Highway Engine OUTLOOK, published by ACT Research and Rhein Associates, the commercial vehicle (CV) industry continues to invest in initiatives toward new powertrains and lower carbon emissions from CV fleets. Industry trends maintain minor movement, both up and down, but no skyrockets or plummets. “Vocational equipment continues to
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
ACT Research For-Hire Trucking Index: Volume and productivity looking up
The latest release of ACT’s For-Hire Trucking Index, showed volume and productivity up, with the Supply-Demand Balance in July rising as the increase in volumes outweighed the increased in capacity. “The Volume Index stabilization this month coincides with better retail activity in response to significant discounts and a considerable drop in fuel prices, relieving some of
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
ACT Research’s Class 8 Tractor Dashboard unchanged in June, remains downbeat
According to ACT Research’s recently released Transportation Digest, the top line on the Class 8 Tractor Dashboard was unchanged in June, the fourth month of moderately downbeat readings. “Our interpretation is a gradual erosion for Class 8 market demand in the second half, but no ‘spiral down’ and certainly not a ‘cliff event’,” said Kenny Vieth,
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
Used truck sales data in July ends in a twist
Preliminary used Class 8 retail volumes (same dealer sales) fell 8% month-over-month, and were 47% lower compared to July of 2021, according to the latest preliminary release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks published by ACT Research. Other data released in ACT’s preliminary report included month-over-month comparisons for July 2022,
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
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
Class 8 natural gas truck retail sales gained 11%
For the first five months of 2022, US and Canadian Class 8 natural gas truck retail sales rose 11% year-to-date against comparisons of the same time period in 2021, as published in the quarterly report (AFQ: Alternative Fuels Quarterly) recently released by ACT Research. “Sales of NG-powered vehicles as reported by the six major truck
Recession is now ACT Research’s base-case scenario for 2023 forecasts
In the release of its Commercial Vehicle Dealer Digest, ACT Research reported that its analysts have updated their forecast scenarios to include a recession in 2023. “We have revised our economic forecasts and are now modeling a recession in the first half of 2023, although flat (0.0%) for full-year 2023,” said Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst,
