The improving quality of trucks may mean that truckload carriers extend their trade cycles, according to executives at the Heavy Duty Dialogue conference for truck and component manufacturers. But, though some fleets may delay their truck-buying for a few additional years, there are others who pursue “MegaTruck” specs that would Continue Reading

The boost in Class 8 truck orders to close out 2009 is being attributed to pre-buys before 2010 federal emissions standards take effect, as well as higher volumes from Mexico and other export markets. Net orders for December posted a 37 percent year-over-year increase, though numbers for the year were 33 percent Continue Reading

A “major breakthrough” in battery technology is a must to boost the demand for all-electric and hybrid electric vehicles, according to a study recently released by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Without it, the high-tech vehicles will never have a mass market appeal. The study indicated that if they higher prices had a quicker Continue Reading

Four of the Federal Reserve’s 12 districts, including Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas an Richmond, reported improved transportation activity for the period between mid-November and early January. Though its latest “beige book” reports that though the transportation sector is improving, economic activity remained low. Compiled eight times a year, beige book reports are based Continue Reading

With fuel economy, weight and cost being ever-important concerns, truck OEMs stay hard at work in developing fuel-efficient solutions while complying with the latest regulations. The new SCR, or selective catalytic reduction, technology to meet 2010 federal emissions standards will do just that. And, though it carries Continue Reading

The economy will pick up in 2010, but not until late next year, according to the top leaders at a national truck dealership chain. Even then, Rush Enterprises executives say the recovery will be slow but steady. A number of things are preventing the economy to improve, including restricted access to credit, over-capacity Continue Reading

Despite the encouraging looks of trailer order increases, analysts say overall production is still down. October indicated an 80 percent jump in commercial trailer orders from September and a 124 percent increase from October last year. According to ATR Research Co., 70,000 semi trailers are expected to be built in 2009, increasing only to Continue Reading

Preliminary data on Class 8 truck orders for October from FTR Associates indicates a resurgence of purchasing activity. Net orders totalled more than 21,000 last month, a 104 percent increase over September and a 117 percent year-over-year gain. FTR analysts surmise that the growth comes from filling Continue Reading

A boost in Class 8 truck orders in October unfortunately doesn’t translate into fleets’ intentions to purchase new trailers, according to the latest FSR Equipment Buying Index produced by CK Commercial Vehicle Research. The 4th quarter survey indicated a double-digit drop in purchasing intentions from the previous quarter, mostly due to Continue Reading

Boosted by the government’s “cash for clunkers” automobile program, the U.S. economy expanded 3.5 percent for the first increase in a year, according to the Commerce Department. Durable goods purchases, which include autos, jumped 22 percent. Excluding auto sales, production and inventories, the economy expanded Continue Reading