Class 8 net orders recovered in December
FTR reports North American Class 8 net orders recovered to 23,100 units in December. The December total orders were back in the same range as September and October, following the previous trend of orders being slightly above expected production levels. December order activity was +139% m/m but still down y/y at -55% from December 2021.
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index falls sharply
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for October, as reported in the December Shippers Update, fell sharply to a -12.38 reading. October was the lowest reading since the all-time low was reached in March of this year reflecting worsening market conditions for shippers. The primary cause of the severe decline was the surge in diesel prices
FTR’s latest Shippers Conditions Index reflects little change
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for September, as reported in the November Shippers Update, at -6.5 improved only slightly from the August reading of -6.8 with market conditions stalled at a level unfavorable for shippers. The slight movement in the September SCI reflects market conditions that have barely budged as tougher freight rates and higher
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index in double digits as freight rates strengthen
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) reading for September increased marginally to 11.79 from 11.63 in August. Freight rates continued to strengthen in September, but freight volume and capacity utilization were not as beneficial to carriers as they were in July and August. FTR’s forecast remains for strong positive TCI readings well into 2022. “The market
Final trailer orders fall to 16,800 units as OEMs remain cautious about overbooking
FTR reports final trailer orders dipped in October to 16,800 units amid continuing caution by OEMs about overbooking the first half of 2022. October orders were -41% m/m. The y/y comparison of -70% is against the all-time record high in October 2020. Trailer orders for the past twelve months now total 277,000. A few OEMs had
Class 8 truck net orders remain in tight range due to OEM production issues
FTR reports that preliminary North American Class 8 net orders for October were 24,500 units, down 12% from September and down 39% year-over-year. Class 8 orders have stayed within the 23,000 to 28,000-unit range for five of the last six months as OEMs deal with production issues. Class 8 orders now total 437,000 units for
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index ‘as good as it gets for 2021’ in August
FTR reports that its Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for August continued to gradually improve to the best reading since September 2020 at -6.8, slightly better than the -8.1 July index. A minor loosening of capacity utilization and marginally lower fuel costs contributed to the improvement in the August SCI measure. Market conditions for shippers are technically
FTR Trucking Conditions Index remains strong
After easing modestly but steadily since April’s record level, FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) in August rose slightly to a reading of 11.63. Freight volume and capacity utilization were not quite as favorable for carriers in August as they were in July, but more robust freight rates resulted in stronger overall market conditions. FTR says
FTR Shippers Conditions Index hits 2021 high point
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for July, while still in negative territory at -8.07, was the best reading for the index since Q4 2020. The July SCI improved significantly from the June reading of -12.0 with shipper market conditions less negative. However, the only technically positive index factor in the month was an insignificant softening
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index eased in July, remain robust for carriers
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) for July declined to 10.78 from 12.61 in June. Market conditions are still robust for carriers despite some modest easing over the past three months from the record TCI posted in April. In July, a softer rate and utilization environment along with a slightly higher cost of capital was offset
Preliminary trailer orders bounce back, some OEMs take limited 2022 orders
FTR reports that preliminary trailer orders bounced back in August to 15,100 units, which is up 79% from July, but still down 47% year-over-year. Trailers orders for the past twelve months now total 341,000 units. During August, a few OEMs began limited bookings for 2022. Fleets are eager to lock up prime 2022 build slots;
FTR’s latest Shippers Conditions Index reflects tough conditions for shippers
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for June fell back to a reading of -12.0, reflecting a continuing tough environment for shippers. Shipper market conditions remain highly negative. Freight rates improved slightly during June, but it was not enough to offset tighter capacity utilization and little change in other components—volume and fuel costs—to hold off the
