Indicators

Truck orders fall for fifth time in six months, sales pace 'unsustainable' in current freight environment

While recent orders have softened, fleets continue to request equipment, and quote activity has been in line with past seasonal behavior.

April 5, 2023

Mack RVO 5,000th MD Series

Trucking conditions improved in January, but downswing expected

FTR's Trucking Conditions Index improved from December to January, but the firm expects negative conditions into the third quarter of 2024. Also: Truck tonnage was up in February; R+L Carriers founder passes away; more.

March 22, 2023

truck backed to dock

Truck orders climb for the first time in five months

Order activity over the last six months has been strong and annualizes to 413,000 units.

March 7, 2023

parked semi-trucks

Carriers' conditions improved in December with falling diesel prices

FTR reported other indicators – including freight volume, capacity utilization, and rates – were negative. Also: ATRI wants carrier feedback on marijuana legalization's impact on recruiting; New SVP at Atlas Van Lines; more.

February 16, 2023

Recession likely still inbound in months ahead but freight outlook less pessimistic

Freight brokers near evenly spit on spot rate outlook but far less optimistic on contract rates.

February 13, 2023

Trucks at a dock

Truck orders skid for fourth month in a row

With backlogs already solidifying production slots, it's no surprise that orders have fallen off the torrential pace set late last year.

February 9, 2023

Kenworth truck assembly line

Trailer demand surges to record highs

Lower trailer build rates and a jump in end-of-year factory shipments caused inventory levels to drop by 18% month-over-month.

January 27, 2023

lineup of dry van trailers

Truck tonnage ticked up to close out 2022

ATA reported truck tonnage was up slightly in December, while tonnage for the year increased 3.4% over 2021. Also: Shippers' conditions on the rise; California fleet orders 15 Nikola hydrogen fuel cell trucks; Xcell Logistics opens new Texas warehouse.

January 26, 2023

ATA Truck Tonnage Index December 2022

Supply chain correction helps put the 'worst of the inflation crisis behind us'

The price of lumber is down by roughly two-thirds over the last year, not far from its five-year average. Brent crude too, has fallen by roughly one-third since last summer along with shipping costs. Why? The supply chain adapts and overcomes.

January 18, 2023

truck hauling a container

Trucking conditions, while improved, remained negative in November

FTR's Trucking Conditions Index showed slight improvement in November. Also: Schneider gets eCascadia in SoCal intermodal operations; FMCSA denies driver's HOS exemption request; Mack unveils refreshed Granite model; Estes opens new Texas terminal.

January 19, 2023

FTR Trucking Conditions Index November 2022

Report forecasts 'surprising' strength in LTL freight for early 2023

Carriers are competing for more limited demand while searching for ways to claw back revenue.

January 18, 2023

pallet jacks in a warehouse

Rates end 2022 on a high note, signaling 'bottoming process' underway

While market conditions remain broadly loose, there are increasingly signs of slowing supply – a key to the bottoming process, according to experts.

January 17, 2023

Trucks at the dock

FTR: Number of carriers will continue to fall as economy cools

“What is likely to happen is that we’re going to have some capacity loss,” Vise says. “As we lose drivers from these carriers that are failing, that is likely to be a driver population that we will lose.”

January 12, 2023

Truck orders end 2022 on sour note, but 'a solid end to a robust final four months of the year'

Large truck orders ended the year down 21% from November but up 25% from last December. Orders for the past 12 months total 302,000 units.

January 10, 2023

truck chassis spray paint

Trucking conditions fall to lowest point since April 2020

Sharp increases in fuel and financing costs in October drove FTR's Trucking Conditions Index to its lowest point since the beginning of COVID. Also: Wyoming propane haulers get HOS relief; Volvo, Daimler issue recalls

December 20, 2022

FTR October 2022 Trucking Conditions Index

Truck orders tumble off record highs but 'resilient'

OEMs having opened their orderboards for 2023 more broadly, and ongoing pent-up demand — with tailwinds from strong carrier profitability and elevated fleet age — is keeping truck orders stoked.

December 6, 2022

Trucking equipment demand high despite booming interest rates

Carrier profits are the critical element in vehicle demand, and while profits next year are anticipated to be lower truckload net margins are projected to be the fourth best on record.

December 6, 2022

red truck on the road

Tesla's Musk says Semi passes 500-mile, 81K test

With just days until initial deliveries begin, Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the electric Semi can do 500 miles at 81,000 pounds. Also: Averitt Express expands; ACT Research believes the rate bottoming process is underway; ATRI seeks input on predatory towing.

November 29, 2022

Tesla Semi truck

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Women in Trucking member Angelika Mangino is the group's Member of the Month for April. Though more women are entering the filed, a WIT survey showed that safety remains a top concern among female drivers.

Female trucker surveys divide proponents on pay and cab design

Industry leaders agree on safety and respect as top issues among surveyed female truck drivers but disagree on pay and cab design.

Pilot Flying J station

Pilot Company names new executives as part of Berkshire Hathaway ownership

Volvo truck with crashed headlight

How technology is working to prevent your yard from becoming a trucking graveyard

trucks parked

You don't know what you don't know

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State of Heavy Duty Repair

The 2023 State Of Heavy Duty Repair Report is here.