Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, April 14, 2022:
Trailer orders surged 40% in March
March trailer orders reached its highest level since December 2020, according to preliminary data compiled by ACT Research, surging 40% month-over-month and 28% year-over-year.
The 37,900 units booked in March reveal a variation in order acceptance strategies across the industry, noted Frank Maly, director of commercial vehicle transportation analysis and research at ACT Research.
"Some OEMs noted that their extremely low order volume was the result of a 'sell-out' of their projected available production slots for the remainder of the year," he added. "Others, accepting higher order volumes, were in the process of filling their remaining production capacity for 2022.
Maly said there is also an unwillingness to officially open 2023 orderboards, with concerns about setting pricing the major challenge. "A positive development was indication that some supply-chain relief was beginning to be felt," he added. "Final figures for the month will likely reveal total industry backlog now stretching into December at current production rates, heavily influenced by dry van and reefer commitments that basically fill their year.”
Fleetrite expands locations, adds new product lines
Navistar’s all-makes and models aftermarket truck and bus parts brand, Fleetrite, has expanded its retail footprint to 31 locations through partnerships with Navistar’s International truck and IC Bus dealer networks.
The latest Fleetrite Truck Parts locations include:
- Kyrish Truck Center in Austin, Bryan, Houston, Pharr, San Antonio, Temple, and Victoria, Texas
- Dawson International Truck Centres in Kamloops and Vernon, British Columbia
- International Rive Nord in Dorvel and Laval, Quebec
- Arkel Motors in New Windsor, New York
- Summit Truck Group in Taber, Alberta
Navistar said it exceeded its goal of 20 store openings in 2021 and is on track to have 50 Fleetrite locations by 2025.
“Being front and center for our customers with over 100 product lines that cover around 90% of all vehicles on the road is vital to aiding in sufficient uptime,” said Chintan Sopariwala, group vice president, Parts.
Fleetrite also has 16 new product launches planned for 2022, including an expanded selection of radiators, grilles and bumpers.
