Trailer orders: 2018 closes as best-ever year for sales; orders dip in December
According to preliminary numbers from both FTR and ACT Research, 2018 became the all-time best-selling year for trailer orders. Orders did dip in December after several successful months, both companies found. FTR reports preliminary trailer orders for December at 28,000 units, a 38% drop from November and 39% below a year ago. Trailer order activity
Used Class 8 truck sales fall in December
According to the latest numbers from ACT Research, preliminary used Class 8 volumes (same dealer sales) slipped for a second consecutive month in December (-7%), marking the first time since January 2016 that same dealer sales have fallen below 2,000 units. However, the report indicated that this is not particularly concerning, in and of itself.
Class 8 orders fall in December; orders totaled more than 480,000 units in 2018
Preliminary North America Class 8 net order data from ACT Research show that the industry booked 21,300 units in December, down 24% sequentially from November and 43% from year-ago December. “For all of 2018, Class 8 orders totaled 490,100 units, far outstripping the previous annual order tally set in 2004 at 390,000 units, with orders
Used truck prices, sales volumes rose 10% YTD in November
The average price of total used Class 8 trucks in November was up 10% year-to-date, when compared to the first 11 months of 2017, according to the latest release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, published by ACT Research. The report also indicated used Class 8 same dealer sales volumes
Trailer orders continue to set records in November
ACT Research’s final numbers for November 2018 net trailer orders is 45,000 units, up 101% year-over-year. “Trailer orders continued to set records in November. Led by dry vans, OEMs saw the highest November order volume in history. Dry van volume has been a consistent influence in the market; September, October, and November ranking as the
Used Class 8 truck sales continue wave-like pattern in November
Used Class 8 volumes (same dealer sales) reversed course again in November, falling month-over-month and more than offsetting October’s gain, according to the latest preliminary numbers from ACT Research. The report also indicated that used Class 8 same dealer sales volumes have dropped year-over-year, but remained stronger year-to-date. Average age was virtually unchanged, down just
FTR Trucking Conditions Index for October dips again
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for October fell to a reading of 3.17, more than a point lower than September, which had seen a significant dip from August, when the TCI measure was in plus double digits. Stabilizing truckload rates and a short-lived run up in diesel prices were largely responsible for a continued deterioration in
ACT Research’s U.S. tractor dashboard falls into negative territory
According to ACT Research’s latest release of the ACT North American Commercial Vehicle Outlook, signs continue to mount that the freight cycle is getting long in the tooth. “ACT’s U.S. Tractor Dashboard, an aggregation of 15 metrics designed to predict the direction of Class 8 net orders, went from neutral to negative in October, with
ACT Research predicts continued growth in 2019
According to the recently released N.A. Commercial Vehicle On-Highway Engine Outlook, published by ACT Research and Rhein Associates, Class 8 production is expected to continue its growth trend into 2019, but changes in demand for straight trucks and tractors will impact the type of diesel engines ordered. “Tractors represented 73% of total Class 8 production
Truck orders fall in November
As a record-setting year winds down, November truck orders fell to the lowest total this year as order backlogs catch up with the market, according to the latest data from both ACT Research Co. and FTR. FTR reports that preliminary North American Class 8 orders for November fell to 27,500, as the market winds down
ACT Research finds tough comparisons for transportation, but in a robust environment
ACT Research recently noted, in the release of its Commercial Vehicle Dealer Digest, that freight-related metrics are continuing the moderation that began in August. The report, which provides monthly analysis on transportation trends, equipment markets, and the economy, also explained why the market forecasting and analysis firm believes that this does not suggest that the
DTNA’s global equipment strategy rolls into Mexico, faces familiar challenges
While the language might be different and the truck offerings are specific to Mexican applications, the challenges fleets face south of the boarder are surprisingly familiar: the fight for greater fuel efficiency; a growing driver shortage; and looming regulations that will change the equipment landscape.
