LAS VEGAS. The U.S. has entered a period of sustained but slow economic growth that bodes well for trucking, according to economists at the 2012 Heavy Duty Dialogue. Representing a consensus opinion among the speakers at this one-day conference for truck manufacturers and suppliers, Dr. Jeff Rosensweig of Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, said the country will “most likely” experience GDP growth of 2 to 2.5% this year, although the potential remains that it could reach 3 to 4%. While a double dip recession still remains a possibility, he put the likelihood of a return to negative growth at just 25%. Continue Reading

A soon-to-be released study by global research firm Frost & Sullivan predicts major change for the U.S. engine oil market for Class 4-8 trucks by 2018, driven heavily by the need to boost fuel efficiency ahead of new federal greenhouse gas (GHG) mandates for commercial trucks along with increased use of smaller engine blocks and hybrid propulsion systems. Continue Reading

FTR Associates on Thursday, Jan. 5, released preliminary data showing December Class 8 truck total net orders for all major North American OEMs reaching the second-highest level in three years at 29,777 units. December orders were up 46 percent month over month, with a year-over-year increase from December 2011 of 11 percent, reversing the decline of disappointing November order activity. Class 8 orders for the final three months of 2011 annualize to 312,000 units. Continue Reading

Though sales of used trucks slowed at the end of 2011, inventory is expected to continue tightening in 2012 and beyond – with mileage on used truck odometers predicted to keep climbing as well. Continue Reading

Several trends, not the least of which are ever-growing equipment costs to keep pace with emissions mandates and safety systems, may contribute sooner rather than later to the development of “low-cost” trucks. Supporters are quick to note that this does not mean cheap, but rather a means for carriers to reap a return on their investments. Already, some carriers are opting for smaller engines and manual transmissions to Continue Reading

Though the recent resurgence in Class 8 truck sales is positive, many fleets remain cautiously optimistic about the economy. That’s why many of the new truck orders are driven by the desire to replace aging equipment, not to add capacity. Still, there is more than enough equipment in most fleets to replace, as this marks the oldest the U.S. trucking fleet has ever been, according to FTR Associates. Though availability of credit and volatile fuel prices have an effect, the age factor alone is what’s driving much of the surge in Continue Reading

While the American Trucking Associations and the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association are calling for crashworthiness standards for cars and light trucks to be applied to heavy-duty Class 7 and 8 vehicles, some OEMs are already saying their final products independently meets even higher standards. Volvo’s trucks feature a three-point seat belt, a driver’s side airbag, and technologies that reconfigure the steering wheel and Continue Reading

The good news is that truck and trailer orders are on the rise. The better news, perhaps, is that they are growing at such a pace, many OEMs and industry analysts are adjusting their sales forecast numbers as a result. Most major truck manufacturers told Fleet Owner they had upped their anticipated production numbers, while some even wondered if they might reach their peak of what they could physically produce in a year. For trailers, the order backlog continues to grow, even despite a 30 percent decline in net orders from March to April. ACT Research Co. analysts aren’t too concerned Continue Reading

Class 8 truck orders are posting double- and triple-digit increases, and while that’s good news, it’s creating another challenge, according to analysts. Order levels up 31 percent from March to April and up 157 percent in year-over-year numbers have created a backlog that’s nearing a five-year high. A senior analysts with ACT Research Co., is even predicting all the build slots for this year could be filled by July. The “good problem to have” will be Continue Reading

Preliminary data released by FTR Associates for net Class 8 truck orders for April show another strong month for the industry. Last month’s numbers rose 32 percent over March, which posted a 20 percent increase over February’s numbers. The annualized rate for the past three months is at 362,700 units, and includes the United States, Canada, Mexico and exports. The concern being expressed now is whether manufacturers and suppliers are well-stocked enough to meet this growing demand. This is affecting how FTR Associates may develop forecast numbers, as the research firm has Continue Reading