Recent consumer confidence gauges are showing mixed messages. One CBS News Poll showed a growing number of Americans felt the economy was worsening, while the latest Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan monthly consumer index show improvements. The final index reading for August showed an increase, 68.9 up from 67.8 in July, which was the lowest since November. Consumer confidence is tied to more consumer spending, which accounts for Continue Reading

The latest numbers from the American Association of Railroads may bode well for te overall state of the economy. Considered an important economic indicator, railroad volume hit its second straight weekly high. Intermodal traffic was up more than 24 percent over the same week last year, while container traffic was up almost 3 percent compared to the same time period. U.S. railroad volume was up 6.2 percent from the same week last year, but 11 percent off the comparable week two years ago, AAR said in its weekly report. Intermodal traffic, which tends to be Continue Reading

Sharing what they learned from challenging economic times was the spirit of a panel discussion at the Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference last week in Dallas. Various fleet executives shared their strategies, which ultimately helped them survive, as well as what they’re preparing for in the future. One of the biggest lessons–and maybe even silver linings–from the recession is that it forced carriers and other businesses to trim all the fat from their operations. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t more challenges ahead. The executives agreed that the driver shortage would continue to Continue Reading

Trucking industry analysts have voiced repeated assurances that the economy is getting better. Even improvements, though slight, are regarded as the slow but steady trend to recovery. But a recent CBS News Poll indicates that not all Americans feel so optimistic. Their outlook, according to the data, shows 34 percent believe things are getting worse. The housing market has fallen into the summer months, and banks and lending institutions continue to be tight with credit. Such a picture has prompted financial analysts to predict another stimulus program by the Continue Reading

Near-term projections for the trucking industry indicate a slow, steady climb to reaching previous peak sales levels, but not without some new challenges along the way. Specifically, FTR Associates President Eric Starks told industry representatives at the Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference in Dallas that CSA 2010 could ultimately create a driver shortage. Fewer drivers will be able to be processed through the system, which will result in an unprecedented driver shortage by mid-2011. Overall, truck sales and freight volumes continue to improve, though at times at what appears to be Continue Reading

Like net trailer orders, Class 8 net orders fell 27 percent from June to July this year, but overall sales are trending upward, according to ACT Research’s State of the Industry: Classes 5-8 Vehicles report. Analysts attributed the month-to-month decline in part to seasonality. Medium-duty trucks showed the strongest improvement, up 100 percent from July 2009. As trucking company profitability continues to strengthen, Class 8 sales will Continue Reading

Though new trailer orders took a dip from June to July this year, industry analysts remain positive about the overall direction of the market. According to data from ACT Research, Co., last month’s numbers showed a 74 percent improvement over the same time last year. And the largest segment of commercial trailers, dry vans, saw something of a comeback with a 134 percent jump from July 2009. As far as the 9 percent decline in new orders from June to July, researchers say bear in mind the continued effects of a very weak 2009. Despite these tentative numbers, ACT Research showed the demand Continue Reading

Truck tonnage continues to rise, albeit slowly, in the United States, but one economist said even moderate gains will have a greater impact on the industry now than in the past. The latest figures from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) show that freight rose 1.5 percent for July, a 7.4 percent improvement from July 2009. This marked the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year increases. Moderate gains like these are expected through the Continue Reading

With federal funds for road repairs being sliced from state budgets, transportation and government officials are being forced to get creative in order to keep infrastructure viable and safe. Some states, like Pennsylvania, are angling to raise taxes on oil companies doing business there, as well as to increase a variety of license, registration and vehicle fees to raise the $1 billion to help repair the state’s 5,646 structurally deficient bridges and nearly 7,000 miles of highway in “poor” condition. Other states, like Arizona, are lobbying to open up rest areas to commercial businesses to help Continue Reading

For an early peek at the CSA 2010 safety screening program, join Fleet Owner for a webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 8 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. (CST), when executives from seven motor carriers will discuss their pilot experiences. They will cover why they were selected for an intervention, what type they experienced, changes they have made in their operations in response to the intervention, and their experience with shippers and brokers under Continue Reading