The used truck conundrum
How long are you keeping your trucks? Are you looking for used trucks and having a hard time finding them? If so, you’re not alone. Fleet Advantage recently conducted a survey designed to take the pulse of truck fleet managers on topics that included equipment acquisition and disposition. The survey produced puzzling outcomes. While 70%
FTR shows Class 8 orders at the lowest since September 2012
FTR has released preliminary data showing November 2015 North American Class 8 truck net orders at 16,475, 59% below a year ago and the lowest level since September 2012. This was the weakest November order activity since 2009 and came significantly below expectations. All of the OEMs but one experienced unusually low orders for the month. FTR
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index reflects benign conditions for shippers
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for September, at a near neutral reading of -0.5, reflects benign conditions for shippers. The index will start a steady downward trajectory during 2015 Q4 through 2016, reflecting the current expectations for freight haulers to institute increased pricing toward the end of next year. A portion of the index is
Trailer orders exceed expectations again in October
FTR reports that October 2015 U.S. Trailer net orders came in at 32,200 units. The order total for the month was down 7% month-over-month, and 30% below a year ago, but still beat expectations. Trailer orders have now totaled 324,000 for the past 12 months. According to FTR’s report, refrigerated van orders were spectacular in October,
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index falls in September, improvement expected in 2016
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) measure for September declined from the previous month to a reading of 8.46 (as seen in the graph above). The Trucking Conditions Index has been uneven through 2015 and is expected to decline further by the end of the year. The trucking environment remains in a fragile equilibrium between decent
Preliminary October truck order numbers lower than last year
For the month of October, 47,200 Classes 5-8 vehicle orders were booked, up 14% from September but down 30% compared to the robust net orders in October 2014, according to ACT Research Co.
FTR reports that preliminary Class 8 orders for October are below expectations
FTR has released preliminary data showing October 2015 North American Class 8 truck net orders at 25,000, 30% above September. While the October orders came in significantly higher than the previous month, they were below expectations. As fleets finalize their equipment budgets for the coming year, October orders typically rise considerably; and although orders were
The sky isn’t falling if truck sales decrease
As the end of the year approaches, the trucking industry remains strong. 2015 has generally been slightly lower order-wise than 2014 was, and unless this fall matches the historic boom we saw last year, it will end up as a down year. Despite that, it has still been a respectable year on the whole. Reports
Fleet Sentiment Report indicates solid equipment ordering from fleets into 2016
The quarterly Fleet Sentiment survey conducted in early October by CK Commercial Vehicle Research (CKCVR) indicates that fleet equipment ordering activity could be similar in 2016 to what it has been for 2015. A majority (76%) expect their heavy-duty truck orders to match what was purchased in 2015, with a few more even planning an
FTR Shippers Conditions Index remains moderate, likely to decrease for foreseeable future
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for August, at a reading of -0.8, continues to reflect the moratorium in TL rate growth over the summer. However, the current soft level in the SCI is still below equilibrium, with the slightly negative reading. Shippers should expect a more challenging environment in 2016 in anticipation of the increasing
ACT Research releases September ‘State of the Industry’ report
Used Class 8 truck metrics were mixed in September, with same dealer sales inching closer to the six-month moving average, according to ACT Research. Volumes gained 8% month-over-month, but were up just 1% year-over-year, while average mileage remained flat month-over-month, dropping 8% year-over-year. The average age of U.S. Class 8 used trucks climbed to 93
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index improves again in August
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) measure for August, at a reading of 9.53, reflects healthy freight growth projections. Positive revisions to Q1 and Q2 economic data have improved FTR’s freight growth forecast to +4.4% for full year 2015. The Trucking Conditions Index, as shown in the graph above, has been steadily rising over the past
