ACT Research lowers truck production forecasts
ACT Research has trimmed its near-term commercial vehicle production forecasts amid continued supply-side constraints. “The setup for the entire industry remains unchanged: Despite rock-solid demand metrics across the spectrum of medium and heavy duty vehicle types, industry capacity remains range-bound across a broad front of supply-chain constraints,” said Steve Tam, ACT’s vice president. “Just like

Freight and heavy vehicle demand strong, ACT reports
New numbers from ACT Research show strength of both freight demand and heavy vehicle demand, the company shared. According to Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst, two charts seen above from ACT’s North American Commercial Vehicle Outlook show promising numbers. “The Total Business Inventory-to-Sales ratio bounced off the bottom in May, but remained well

Commercial vehicle market drives toward stability at high levels
According to ACT Research’s recently released Transportation Digest, forecast stability this year has been driven by three factors: 1. Major positive momentum carried over from 2020;2. The struggle of manufacturers to push production even higher in the face of record heavy organic truck demand; and 3. The benefit of vaccinations somewhat reversing the daunting upward

ACT Research For-Hire Trucking Index: Metrics moderating, but still healthy
The latest release of ACT Research’s For-Hire Trucking Index, with June data, showed a slowing in volumes, pricing moderating at a high level, and a still-strong supply-demand balance. “June’s Volume Index reading declined, but continues to represent a still-healthy level, following an upwardly revised May. The fundamentals of the freight cycle remain clearly positive,” said

Trailer orders up in June, but down year-over-year
June net U.S. trailer orders of 10,952 units grew nearly 18% from the previous month, but were almost 20% lower than June of 2020. Before accounting for cancellations, new orders of 13,100 units were up more than 7% versus May, but down 19% from the previous June, according to the latest numbers from ACT Research.

ACT Research: With demand high, truck market awaits opening of OEMs’ 2022 order books
According to ACT Research’s latest State of the Industry: N.A. Classes 5-8 Report, with demand for commercial vehicles surging, much depends on the opening of the OEMs’ 2022 order books. “There are times in the cycle where other variables supplant orders as the most critical in terms of industry understanding,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT Research’s president and

‘Prices are through the roof’ as used truck sales drop in June
According to the latest numbers from ACT Research, preliminary used Class 8 sales dropped 6% month-over-month and 12% year-over-year in June. Other data released in ACT’s preliminary report included month-over-month comparisons for June 2021, which showed that average prices increased 5%, as average miles fell 1% and average age was unchanged compared to May. Compared

Preliminary Class 5-8 vehicle orders moderated again
Complete industry data for May, including final order numbers, will be published by ACT Research in mid-June.

Production is trucking’s challenge in 2021
In the release of its Commercial Vehicle Dealer Digest, ACT Research reported that the question of commercial vehicle demand for 2021 has been answered, but the remaining question is the industry’s ability to meet that level of demand. “This year’s challenge is to ascertain the impact of supply constraints on 2021’s production potential, and the two

ACT Research: U.S. trailer net orders dip in February, but are strong Y/Y
February net U.S. trailer orders of 26,414 units fell nearly 16% from the previous month, but rose almost 88% compared to February of 2020, according to ACT Research. Before accounting for cancellations, new orders of 28,300 units were down 14% versus January, but 74% better than the previous February, ACT adds. “Although it seems many

ACT Research: Nov. U.S. trailer net orders down 28%, still solid
November net U.S. trailer orders of 39,645 units fell nearly 28% from the previous month, but that followed a two-month order surge and still indicates a solid month, ACT Research reports. Net orders were up 100% year-over-year and more than 30% YTD compared to the first 11 months of 2019. Before accounting for cancellations, new

ACT Research: June truck orders approach a return to normal
According to ACT Research’s latest numbers, May and June commercial vehicle orders have returned to something closer to life as usual, following the shutdowns of March and April. “A survey of the current business landscape shows a picture of intensifying cross-currents, with an uncertain outcome,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT Research’s president and senior analyst. “On
