The Q1 2012 FSR Buying Index, as reported in the Fleet Sentiment Report published by CK Commercial Vehicle Research, rose 4.6 points from Q4 2011 to a reading of 93.9.
According to CKCVR, it surveys for-hire, private and government fleet representatives quarterly to determine their short range order plans for both power units and trailers. The FSR Index is derived from that information and is calculated by combining the estimated size of the planned truck and trailer orders for the group reporting along with the percentage of report participants who indicate they will likely place orders, CKCVR says.
The improved Q1 2012 FSR Buying Index is primarily a reflection of increased activity in trailer planned purchases, CKCVR says. While the percentage of fleets planning to place orders for power units rose marginally, the actual size of those combined orders fell below Q4 2011. For trailers, 45 percent of respondents planned orders and the volume of those orders more than doubled from Q4 2011 data, CKCVR says. One in four respondents plan capacity increases with power unit orders, while 40 percent planned to use some trailer purchases to add capacity. The report also says participants continue to be effected negatively by a shortage of drivers with 38 percent needing drivers now to fill current seats or to help them add capacity.
For more information about the Fleet Sentiment Report and how to subscribe can be found at http://www.ck-marketing-communications.com/FleetResearch.pdf.
