For the first time in three weeks, average U.S. diesel and gas prices dropped, but only by less than a tenth of a cent for each. The current averages for diesel and gas are $3.848 and $3.389, respectively, down from last week’s $3.854 and $3.391. Continue Reading

The U.S. average diesel price declined for the second consecutive week after surpassing $4 a gallon, the first time it had hit that mark since mid-May, declining 3.3 cents to $3.931 for the week ending Monday, Dec. 5, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration. The latest price is 73.4 cents higher than the same week last year. 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

Prior to the recent unrest in Libya, the Middle Eastern country produced about 2 percent of the world’s supply of oil. An interruption, whether it ranges from the relatively short term to a much longer period, is projected to have little impact on diesel fuel prices for U.S. trucking fleets. If anything, an effect won’t trickle to the pump for as much as a year from now, according to an analyst from the Oil Price Information Service. And even then, the impact will be determined the global economic state at that time. For example, the recent dips in fuel prices are Continue Reading

While prices at the pump have only been slightly less painful, don’t expect them to improve by declining, according to experts. Diesel in the U.S. tumbled by more than 10 cents a gallon on average, but that’s expected to be something of the calm before the storm. For the short term, prices will range from about $3.65 to $3.90 a gallon, and longer term, diesel could fetch upwards of $4 a gallon, according to the Continue Reading

Fuel prices are taking an ever so slight plunge at the pump, albeit a short-lived one, according to seveal industry sources. A decline in demand is the main reason for the decrease in price, but continued uncertainty globally will prevent too significant of an improvement in price. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average cost of diesel in the U.S. is now $3.94 per gallon–a drop of just under 5 cents from last week– but a decline of 12 cents per gallon since the week of May 16. Declining fuel consumption can help reduce fuel prices, but many other factors affect Continue Reading

The trucking industry is getting strong enough to weather the effects of higher fuel prices, but not all small or medium-sized companies may make it. Research firm FTR Associates surmises that fuel prices have reached their peak, yet even despite the increases, it’s not slowing down fleets that are looking to replace older equipment. Orders for Class 8 vehicles have jumped by triple-digit percentage points–158 percent, according to ACT Research, which predicts those numbers could be even higher if fuel prices were lower. Not everyone will be able to survive the latest jump in fuel, but the Continue Reading

Used prices for heavy-duty Class 8 trucks continue to climb, according to the latest report from ACT Research Co. The average sales price rose 6 percent from February to March. The research firm is also reporting the average miles for vehicles in the used market also continued to increase. As inventory continues to be tight, the prediction is that used prices will continue to rise, particularly for late-model, lower-mileage vehicles. Data is based on the ACT Used Truck database participants, who report approximately 2,700 transactions per month. ACT estimates that approximately 10 percent of Continue Reading

For only the second time since November, gas prices took a tumble last week, though they’re still more than a dollar higher than when the current surge began. The national average of $4.098 a gallon is $1.02 more than the same week last year. Despite the slight decline, the strain of paying higher prices is being felt everywhere. Though in California, a gallon of diesel is the most expensive in the country at $4.438. On the Continue Reading

After taking multiple hits from the economic downturn, commercial truck dealers are encouraged by several indicators that bode well for the industry. Speaking at the American Truck Dealers annual convention and expo in Phoenix, ATD chairman Kyle Treadway outlined five reasons for the nation’s commercial truck dealers to be optimistic this year. Among those reasons are improvements in Continue Reading