If the economy is in fact improving, then the trucking industry seems slow to realize it. Freight volumes are slowing, banks are hesitant to lend and carriers aren’t replacing equipment. Despite the dip in orders and a sluggishly improving economy, analysts say the general upward trend will continue. For now, business seems stuck in a holding pattern of sorts. The manufacturing sector continued to grow in July, for example, though at a slower rate than the previous month.

Motor carriers shouldn’t feel too much of an impact from a dip in freight volumes of late as trucking capacity still remains well below demand – and all indications are that fleets are not planning to expand their fleets anytime soon.

According to Jon Langenfeld, transportation analyst with investment firm Robert W. Baird & Co., the outsized freight demand that occurred in the first half of this year is starting to moderate to what he terms “more sustainable growth trends.”

The Institute for Supply Management noted that its new orders index decreased five percentage points in July to 53.5% from June’s 58.5%.

Click here to visit Fleet Owner and read the complete story.