December heavy-duty trailer orders at near record level
FTR reported that December U.S. trailer net orders were recorded at 45,500—the second highest month ever recorded. Trailer orders for 2014 totaled over 360,000, by far the best order year ever, according to the research firm. The company noted that dry van orders set an all-time record, as OEMs aggressively sought orders to book into
North American Class 8 orders again top 40,000 in December
FTR released preliminary data showing December 2014 North American Class 8 truck net orders at 43,620, the third consecutive month above the 40,000 level. According to the research firm, December’s order strength, unlike the previous two months, was broad based among OEMs, with almost all manufacturers showing healthy increases from the previous month indicating an
FTR hosts State of Freight webinar
On Thursday, Jan. 8 at 11 a.m. EDT, FTR macro-economy expert and senior consultant Bill Witte will review developments in the economy and discuss the economic outlook in 2015 during a complimentary State of Freight webinar. The 30-minute webinar, moderated by Eric Starks, president of FTR, will examine the major sectors of the economy and
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index remains in positive territory
At a reading of 8.53, FTR‘s Trucking Conditions Index fell only slightly from September’s level reflecting still strong fundamentals for trucking firms. According to FTR, underlying capacity utilization is retreating from the dangerous 99% level reached earlier in 2014, and the market is expected to remain tight. FTR forecasts capacity to ease very modestly in 2015
What the suspension of the 34-hour restart means to capacity utilization
According to FTR reports, it now looks like opponents of the FMCSA’s restart regulations have succeeded in attaching a provision to the current Federal funding bill that will suspend the recently changed 34-hour restart regulations pending a study of its effects. At issue is the requirement to have nighttime sleeping periods during the mandated rest
Persistent capacity shortages affect shippers conditions
FTR reported that its Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for September was -6.6, basically unchanged from the previous month. The index reflects continued capacity shortages that degrade service and push rates higher, said FTR. With sustained capacity tightness and fleets now announcing pay increases, FTR expects that the cost to ship goods will remain elevated. FTR
Trailer orders hit record high
For the month of October, FTR reported U.S. net trailer orders at 46,267, an all-time record high, beating the previous record by 9%. According to the research firm, trailer orders have now totaled 327,000 the past 12 months. FTR suggested that expected tight production capacity at trailer OEMs in 2015 encouraged early order activity. “While
FTR reports strong market trends
In its latest issue of FTR‘s Trucking Update, FTR reported that its September Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) for September was 9.07—a positive reading that reflects strong underlying market trends. According to FTR, the TCI has moved up in the last couple of months, due to increased rate gains, and will remain in very positive but
FTR reports strong September for Class 8 orders
FTR has released preliminary data showing September 2014 North American Class 8 truck net orders at 24,477 units—the best September since 2005 and 27% above a year ago, said FTR. September marks the 20th consecutive month to show year-over-year improvement. Class 8 orders for the latest six month period through September annualize to 310,000 units. September
Trailer orders remain strong in august
FTR, the Bloomington, Ind.-based leader in freight transportation forecasting, is reporting solid August net trailer orders at 23,135 units, a 27% increase from July and 45% above a year ago. According to data collected by FTR, orders were particularly strong in the refrigerated van, dry tank and dump trailer segments. FTR reports that much of
August Class 8 orders remain strong
FTR has released preliminary data showing August 2014 North American Class 8 truck net orders at 24,947 units, a year-over-year increase of 29%. FTR notes that Class 8 orders have now had 19 consecutive months with year-over-year increases. August orders, while helped somewhat by summer dealer incentive programs, were the strongest for the month since
Less-than-ideal environment for shippers conditions to continue
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for June improved a point from the previous month to a reading of -6.5. The improvement may be short lived; however, as FTR forecasts the index to fall back again in July and, moving forward through the end of the year, settling in a range similar to or lower than May.