Industry analysts continue to point to mid-2010 as the point at which dramatic improvements needed to boost truck sales will take place. According to ACT Research Co. (ACT), the trucking industry will strengthen in the second half of the year, in turn boosting demand for commercial vehicles later in 2010 and into 2011. With used truck values increasing and finance firms less likely to extend credit to keep struggling carriers Continue Reading

Total net orders for Class 8 trucks have reached their lowest levels since July of 2002, giving some analysts hope that perhaps that number has hit bottom. While it may have reach the point at which it will post gains, market researchers tend to think it may have a lot more to do with the hefty price tags 2010-emission compliant equipment carries, not to mention the uncertainty Continue Reading

The outlook for growth in truck tonnage for 2010 is modest at best, according to trucking groups and research analysts, affected mostly by continued sluggish consumer spending and business investment. Still, they say, the trucking industry is headed in the right direction, albeit slowly. Anticipated modest increases will help move the 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

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

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

Analysts are predicting that medium- and heavy-duty truck sales are beginning a three-year period of slow, yet steady growth, which will improve as equipment overcapacity diminishes and lower used pricing increases. Record-low freight volumes have led to underused equipment, while tighter purse strings and reduced access to credit have pushed some operations to extend equipment life cycles. Trucks equipped Continue Reading

A decline in new orders for transportation equipment is partially responsible for the lower new order numbers for manufactured goods. Despite their lower numbers, new orders for manufactured goods rose 0.4 percent, the fourth increase in the last five months. Numbers for durable goods dropped more than 2 percent, a plunge credited to Continue Reading

The largest increase in eight years for new home sales could give a boost to the trucking industry, particularly flatbed and dry van carriers. According to numbers released by the Commerce Department, new home sales jumped 11 percent in June, growing to an annual rate of Continue Reading

A weak freight market coupled with high numbers of idled equipment is making it harder for analysts to determine when truck orders could gain strength. With that in mind, FTR Associates is adjusting its Class 8 sales projections for next year by a 12 percent decrease. In past cycles, the age of the equipment was a tell-tale sign of its Continue Reading