DTNA Pres., CEO Roger Nielsen talks truck market changes, electric trucks on the horizon
The trucking industry continues to roll large through the pandemic. While April and May brought drastic changes in operations and even applications, the so-called “whiplash” market recovery is starting to manifest. “Every one of our businesses, from school buses to heavy-duty trucks, has gone through this pandemic and come out of it really strong,” Daimler
Final July net trailer orders climb to highest level in 2020
FTR reports final net trailer orders continued to climb in July, reaching 19,300 units, the highest level for the year. ACT Research reports July net U.S. trailer orders of 18,851 units. July order activity was up 33% from June and +84% y/y, FTR says. Trailer orders now total 173,000 for the past twelve months. Dry
N.A. Class 8 net orders hit nine-month high in July, ACT says
According to ACT Research’s latest State of the Industry: NA Classes 5-8 Report, the U.S. economy continued to post good numbers in July, including a 1.2% month-over-month increase in retail sales, indicating that consumers’ wallets remain open for spending. Along with an increase in industrial production and strong housing activity, demand for commercial vehicles is
ACT: Used truck sales up in July
Preliminary used Class 8 volumes (same dealer sales) grew 16% month-over-month in July, according to the latest numbers from ACT Research. Longer-term, volumes rose 48% compared to July 2019, and were up 7% when measured against the first seven months of last year. Other data released in ACT’s preliminary report included month-over-month comparisons for July
FTR June Trucking Conditions Index reflects freight rebound
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index reading of 11.35 for June is the highest in a decade and comes just two months after a record-low April reading of -28.66. However, FTR says it is unclear how long the positive factors affecting the June reading—a combination of higher utilization and strong growth in freight demand and rates—will remain
July truck orders strongest in 2020
According to the latest numbers from both ACT Research and FTR, truck orders in July hit their highest point of 2020. FTR reports that preliminary North American Class 8 net orders rebounded in July to 20,000 units, up 28% from June, and double the orders that we had in July of 2019. Class 8 net
FTR’s May Shippers Conditions Index falls sharply in May but remains high
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for May fell sharply to 24.8 from the extraordinarily high pandemic-impacted 41.3 April reading. While not nearly as positive as April, FTR says, May’s SCI was still the second-highest on record. All inputs to the measure were weaker in May than in April, but all remained positive, especially capacity utilization
New COVID cases threaten commercial vehicle recovery, ACT Research says
According to ACT Research’s recently-released Transportation Digest, the tug of war between positive and negative influences on the business environment and trucking reached a pivotal juncture at the end of June, but an escalation in new COVID-19 cases since mid-June threatens to abort this nascent recovery. “The sudden shock of the COVID-19 recession pushed the
June trailer orders rise after several weak months
Final U.S. trailer orders rebounded in June after two sluggish months, according to FTR. Trailer orders for June rose significantly to 14,400 units, 10,000 above May. The June increase was boosted by a recovery in the dry van market supplemented by decent refrigerated van orders, FTR says, adding that flatbed orders remain lethargic. Even though
Rebounds continue in ACT Research’s June For-Hire Trucking Index
The latest release of ACT Research’s For-Hire Trucking Index, with June data, showed continued improvement in the diffusion index measures tracked. June’s Volume Index rose to 70.4 in June, from 19.3 in April and 50.2 in May, with pricing and productivity at 65.2 and 69.9, respectively. Capacity remained stuck in neutral, hovering near the 50
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
Preliminary used Class 8 data shows YTD sales flat
Preliminary used Class 8 volumes (same dealer sales) grew 54% month-over-month in June, according to the latest preliminary numbers from ACT Research. Longer-term, volumes rose 6% compared to June 2019, but were flat when measured against the first six months of last year. Other data released in ACT’s preliminary report included month-over-month comparisons for June
