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

Based on the latest month-to-month and year-over-year numbers, analysts at ACT Research Co., are optimistic that the increases indicate a tightening of truck capacity, which will lead to increasing freight rates and profitability for fleets. That in turn will boost demand for new trucks and trailers. In February, commercial trailer net orders hit their highest mark in Continue Reading

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