Class 8 tractor market sees September dip

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Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022:

Class 8 tractor dashboard dipped in September

ACT Research Class 8 Tractor Dashboard September 2022ACT Research reported in its recently released Transportation Digest that its Class 8 Tractor Dashboard slipped in September to a -4 reading, the sixth moderately downbeat reading in seven months.

Despite the drop, the reading is not as far negative as seen in recent downturns.

“We think the Dashboard readings suggest a better outcome for Class 8 than was the case in the last two downturns (COVID 2020 and the popping of the global commodity bubble in late 2014),” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s President and Senior Analyst. “In those events, the negative readings reached double-digit levels. While we suspect more negative readings are inbound, they are not here yet.”

Vieth added that the trucking stock index fell into negative territory in the most recent reading, but “Class 8 cancellations moved from negative to neutral territory. Of the 15 variables in the Dashboard, three were at ‘positive’ levels, in line with August, while the number in ‘negative’ territory increased from six to seven.”

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree delivered to D.C.

Hardy Bros. Trucking U.S. Capitol Christmas TreeNorth Carolina-based Hardy Bros. Trucking transported the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina to Washington, D.C.James Edward MillsThe U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on Nov. 18 completed its journey from the National Forests in North Carolina to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building.

Siloam, North Carolina-based Hardy Brothers Trucking and husband-wife team drivers Harold “Ed” Kingdon Jr. and Deborah Z. Kingdon transported the 78-foot Red Spruce. 

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in D.C. at nightA Kenworth T680 Next Gen equipped with a 76-inch mid-roof sleeper and the Paccar Powertrain was used to transport the tree to its destination at the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building.James Edward Mills

Ed and Deborah KingdonU.S. Capitol Christmas Tree drivers Deborah and Ed Kingdon Jr., from Hardy Brothers Trucking.James Edward Mills

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C.The 78-foot Red Spruce made it to its destination on Nov. 18. The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 30.Paul Feenstra