Economic trends

CMVC's aftermarket sales indicator keeps slipping

Commercial Motor Vehicle Consulting (CMVC) reported Wednesday its Parts Aftermarket Sales Leading Indicator (PLI) fell for the 11th consecutive month in October, signaling lower parts aftermarket sales in the coming months.

November 29, 2023

CMVC November 2023

Business climate continues to benefit shippers

More stable fuel costs send the SCI into positive territory for September after going negative in August.

November 28, 2023

A chart showing 2022 and 2023 Shipping Conditions Index numbers from FTR.

Late-model depreciation gently slowing for used trucks

"One month is not a trend, but any relaxation of depreciation would logically show up first in newer trucks, so cautious optimism is not out of the question," J.D. Power reports.

November 27, 2023

Truck on interstate driving

Truck tonnage creeps upward

American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) announced this week its advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 1.1% in October after declining 1.1% in September.

November 23, 2023

ATA truck tonnage chart for October 2023

ACT provides update on October used sales

“The past three months’ less-than-expected declines present mounting evidence of pricing stability. We expect lower prices through the end of 2023, with a return to month over month growth toward the end of 2024,” says ACT Research's Steve Tam.

November 23, 2023

ACT Research used truck chart

Has freight cycle bottomed out?

With freight volumes, rates and tonnage all running below last year's peaks, many in the industry have begun questioning if, or when, the cycle will hit bottom.

November 21, 2023

Blue Class 8 tractor on the highway

FTR confirms October trailer order boost

“Trailer backlogs relative to production levels overall are in line with normal levels historically, but they vary notably by trailer type. The backlog-to-build ratios for van trailers are still elevated and should support current production levels.”

November 20, 2023

TRAILERS ON A LOT

Survey: Dealers, aftermarket operations react to bearish third quarter

Business conditions for dealer and aftermarket operations slipped again in the third quarter, reaching the lowest levels ever recorded in the Trucks, Parts, Service MarketPulse quarterly survey.

November 19, 2023

TPS industry survey image

Trailer orders rise in October

October was another good month for trailer orders. ACT Research announced Thursday preliminary net trailer orders last month increased nominally to 35,300 units.

November 16, 2023

ACT October 2023 trailer orders

Retail used truck market contracts in October

Early data shows October was another tough month for the retail used truck sector. ACT Research reported Wednesday preliminary Class 8 same dealer used truck retail sales volumes were down 10% month over month in October.

November 15, 2023

Line of trucks in row starting with blue truck

Outlook and Benchmarking

ACT Research offers truck, trailer forecast update

ACT Research in the latest release of its North American Commercial Vehicle Outlook report that expectations for Class 8 and trailers remain relatively the same in November.

November 14, 2023

Truck plant image

Used truck depreciation slowing but price unlikely to turn until 2024

The used truck market got more reassurance there is light at the end of the tunnel Friday, as J.D. Power Director of Specialty Vehicles Chris Visser offered his insights into the market for 2024 at the UTA Convention in San Antonio.

November 10, 2023

J.D. Power's Chris Visser speaking at UTA Convention

Truck orders slip a bit but mostly strong in October

Class 8 truck orders were down month over month in September but remained elevated above replacement demand thanks to seasonal order boom.

November 3, 2023

ACT October 2023 truck orders

Freight market likely to stay soft in final months of 2023

“We continue to expect the freight cycle to turn once capacity tightens, but early signs of 2024 equipment production suggest that may be a while,” says Tim Denoyer, ACT Research’s vice president and senior analyst.

October 30, 2023

A few trucks parked at a warehouse

Truck tonnage slips again in September

“While it is likely a bottom has been hit in truck freight tonnage, there could still be choppy waters ahead as the freight market remains volatile,” says ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello.

October 24, 2023

ATA September 2023 tonnage index

Outlook and Benchmarking

ACT Research sees some positives in September trailer data

Dark clouds have loomed over the trailer market in recent months. ACT Research reported Tuesday that while those clouds haven't gone away, there are some reasons to finally be positive about the market this month.

October 24, 2023

Truck with white trailer on highway

Freight market hits rougher patch in August

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index in August fell to -12.54, down significantly from July’s already negative reading of -5.34. FTR said the sharp decline in conditions for carriers was due to significantly higher fuel prices and weaker freight volume.

October 20, 2023

Three trucks parked against a fleet terminal

J.D. Power: Class 8 depreciation remains higher than normal

Four- to six-year-old trucks brought 5.6% less money in September than in August and 37.1% less money than in September 2022.

October 18, 2023

A chart showing dropping retail prices for 4- to 6-year-old Class 8 trucks.

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Truck on interstate driving

Late-model depreciation gently slowing for used trucks

"One month is not a trend, but any relaxation of depreciation would logically show up first in newer trucks, so cautious optimism is not out of the question," J.D. Power reports.

Kriete Group chargers

How electric trucks may transform dealer revenue streams

The image on the left shows a sign being taken down and the image on the right shows a new FleetPride sign in its place.

Rebranding demands strategy, communication

J.D. Power's Chris Visser speaking at UTA Convention

Used truck depreciation slowing but price unlikely to turn until 2024

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Used Truck Guide Cover

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