Indicators

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

Trucking conditions tumbled in September

Rising fuel prices, weak rates and rising inflation led to a drop in trucking conditions in September, according to FTR. Also: Autonomous trucking firm Waabi unveils self-driving tech; Atlas Van Lines names new president and COO.

November 18, 2022

FTR Trucking Conditions Index September 2022

Trucking in 2023: Recession uncertain, driver shortage shows balance

A recent CCJ webinar, sponsored by Bestpass, discussed the market forces, business conditions and supply chain issues that will impact carrier operations in 2023.

November 11, 2022

CCJ webinar participants

Truck orders continue to reflect fleets' thirst for newer trucks

Pent-up replacement demand remains in the market thanks to a complicated new truck production cycle that has limited many fleets from replacing aged equipment for the past two years.

November 4, 2022

Kenworth truck assembly line

Diesel fuel supply 'vulnerably stable,' widespread shortage unlikely

The Energy Information Administration announced last week that distillate levels are at their lowest point since 2008, but that was coming out of peak demand, and we're currently headed into increased demand.

November 1, 2022

trucks at a fuel island

U.S. economy going into a recession 'early next year'

Experts agree the likelihood of a recession early next year is high but they expect it to be short and mild, and underlying indicators suggest it might not be that bad for trucking.

October 27, 2022

Pictured are Andrew Boyle, co-president of Boyle Transportation and American Trucking Associations Vice Chairman; Bob Costello American Trucking Associations chief economist and senior vice president; and MUFG Securities Americas Managing Director, Global Head of Investment Banking Capital Markets Strategy, Tom Joyce.

FTR's Eric Starks offers positive outlook for trailer sector at NTDA Convention

Business might not feel as great today as it did 12 months ago, but that doesn’t mean a recession is underway. And even one does arrive in 2023, Starks said FTR data indicates the trailer market should still be healthy in the months and years to come.

October 13, 2022

FTR Chairman and CEO Eric Starks

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Freightliner SuperTruck II

Freightliner debuts second SuperTruck

SuperTruck II achieved an aerodynamic drag reduction of more than 12% over SuperTruck I and its prototype 13-liter engine reduced fuel consumption by 5.7%.

FirstFleet trailers

FirstFleet creates nextgen in-cab driver experience

Mechanic tearing down an engine

Trucksmiths embracing change

door sticker drivers wanted

Pay a top factor for driver turnover but 'not always an amount issue'

electronic log

House bill offers recruiting and retention incentives, grants to truck drivers

Get all the info on the top 250 trucking companies in America

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2023 Fleet Technology Trends Report

The 2023 Fleet Technology Trends Report reveals key data showing how GPS solutions are helping fleets overcome challenges, promote safety and streamline operations. Download the report to learn more.