Used truck buying patterns are changing to adapt to what essentially has become a new marketplace. While lower mileage vehicles are typically prized by buyers, the strategy du jour–in light of recent economic struggles especially–has been to hang on to equipment even longer, thereby withholding inventory that in better days would have already found its way to market. Considering this, it comes as no surprise that Continue Reading

Trailer orders continued their healthy rebound, according to the latest report from ACT Research Co. In August, commercial net trailer orders rose 55 percent from the same month last year, “one of the worst years in the commercial trailer industry,” the research firm said. Orders improved across the board in eight of nine categories ACT tracks, with the only drop being in dump trailers. August’s net orders of 10,946 were 2% over July’s level and trailer makers boosted Continue Reading

Canada’s exports continued to drop, while imports rose, according to the latest numbers from Statistics Canada. For July, exports declined 0.7 percent, or from $33 billion in June to $32.8 billion in July, marking the fourth decrease in six months. Leading the decrease was industrial machinery such as aircraft, engines and parts. Other export drops included consumer products and forestry products, which fell after 10 straight months of growth. Exports to Continue Reading

Though they only account for one-fourth of total business stockpiles, wholesale inventories saw a promising increase, the biggest in two years, according to the Commerce Department. The most recent jump of 1.3 percent was more than three times what economists predicted. Wholesale sales rose more than one-half percent, as well, the most since April. Of total business stockpiles, wholesale inventories comprise a small slice, with retailers and 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

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 Continue Reading

Buoyed by declining unemployment and increased consumer spending, freight and freight revenue should expect brighter days ahead, according to a new forecast released by the American Trucking Associations (ATA). The report, titled “The ATA U.S. Freight Transportation Forecast to 2021,” anticipates a 25 percent growth in total freight tonnage in the next Continue Reading

February’s seasonally-adjusted for-hire truck tonnage numbers indicated the third consecutive year-over-year gain, and for the first two months of 2010, freight was up 3.5 percent over the same period last year. But American Trucking Associations (ATA) economists aren’t ready to declare a full economic recovery. They agree it will take time for the industry Continue Reading

Though freight has hit bottom for most transportation modes, recovery for the less-than-truckload market is likely still distant. In part, carriers who are still hanging on because banks and lenders don’t want to be burdened with the equipment are practically giving their business away. And in today’s economic climate, it’s hard to turn down a deal despite the risk Continue Reading