July net US trailer orders of 18,851 units were a significant improvement (up 40%) from June’s uptick and well above July 2019’s level (up 80%). Before accounting for cancellations, new orders of 20k units were up 26% versus June and 44% better year-over-year, according to this month’s issue of ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailer Report.

Topics: logistics, Trailers, Press Releases, supply chain, commercial vehicle sales data, truck market, truck freight, north american trucking, class 8 truck, american truck and trailer, commercial truck and trailer, transportation industry news, trucking, commercial trailer, us trailer, trailer production, north american trailer, class8

According to ACT Research’s (ACT) latest State of the Industry: NA Classes 5-8 Report, the US economy continued to post good numbers in July, including a 1.2% month-over-month increase in retail sales, indicating that consumers’ wallets remain open for spending. Along with an increase in industrial production and strong housing activity, demand for commercial vehicles is also on the upswing.

Topics: freight rate, logistics, Classes 5-8, Press Releases, class 5-8 trucks, supply chain, medium duty truck, commercial vehicle sales data, truck market, truck freight, north american trucking, class 8 truck, american truck and trailer, commercial truck and trailer, transportation industry news, trucking, heavy duty truck, class8

The final day of ACT Research’s three-day virtual Seminar 63 was held on August 13. The day’s first panel featured trucker and commercial vehicle dealer representatives, who shared insights into the challenges facing the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the key aspects of equipment trends, prospects for the industry, the road to recovery, effects on used truck values, a carrier’s ability to acquire new trucks, and trends in freight rates. The second panel discussion focused on alternative power in the commercial vehicle industry, including advances in technology, customer interest in sustainability targets, and governmental green regulations.

Topics: freight rate, logistics, Alternative Fuels, Press Releases, supply chain, medium duty truck, commercial vehicle sales data, truck market, truck freight, north american trucking, class 8 truck, american truck and trailer, commercial truck and trailer, transportation industry news, trucking, heavy duty truck, commercial vehicle electrification, class8, commercial electric vehicle

The second day of ACT Research’s three-day virtual Seminar 63 was held on August 12. Alternative fuels, including hydrogen and electric, to power commercial vehicles were on the agenda, as was consideration of the future for diesel engines. Industry experts’ opinions about efficiency, emissions, safety, connectivity, and regulations were some of the myriad of topics heard by the virtual audience. Additionally, ACT announced upgrades to its free, online total cost of ownership calculator, which now includes the societal costs in metric tons of CO2 per year. The calculator can be accessed by clicking here.

Topics: freight rate, logistics, Press Releases, Used Trucks, supply chain, medium duty truck, commercial vehicle sales data, truck market, truck freight, north american trucking, class 8 truck, american truck and trailer, commercial truck and trailer, transportation industry news, used commercial truck, trucking, used truck values commercial, heavy duty truck, class8

According to ACT’s latest release of the North American Commercial Vehicle OUTLOOK, forecasts for 2020 were marked up across the board in August. The report cites the uptick as a result of a robust “perfect storm” of positives in late spring and summer, many set in motion by the federal government’s and the Federal Reserve’s massive stimulus responses, as well as the trucking industry’s jettisoning of drivers in April.

Topics: freight rate, logistics, Press Releases, supply chain, medium duty truck, commercial vehicle sales data, truck market, truck freight, north american trucking, class 8 truck, american truck and trailer, commercial truck and trailer, transportation industry news, trucking, heavy duty truck, class8

Moving from an in-person to a virtual platform, ACT Research began its 63rd Seminar on August 11, with a panel discussion about the current state and future of US economics. Panelists included Patrick Manzi, Senior Economist for NADA, as well as ACT’s Principal, Industry Analyst, Jim Meil, and Chief Economist, Sam Kahan.

Topics: freight rate, logistics, Classes 5-8, NA CV OUTLOOK, Press Releases, supply chain, medium duty truck, commercial vehicle sales data, truck market, truck freight, north american trucking, class 8 truck, american truck and trailer, commercial truck and trailer, transportation industry news, trucking, us freight, last mile delivery, heavy duty truck, north american trailer

ACT Research released the August installment of the ACT Freight Forecast, U.S. Rate and Volume OUTLOOK report. This monthly 56-page ACT Freight Forecast report provides three-year forecasts for volumes and contract rates for the truckload, less-than-truckload and intermodal sectors of the transportation industry. For the truckload spot market, the report forecasts rates for the next 12-15 months, and this month introduced a forecast for Q3’21. The Freight Forecast provides unmatched detail on the freight rate outlook, helping companies across the supply chain plan their business with greater visibility and less uncertainty.

Topics: freight, freight forecast, logistics, Press Releases, supply chain, truck freight, north american trucking, commercial truck and trailer, transportation industry news, trucking, intermodal, truck freight rates, demand planning, us freight, commercial freight shipping, last mile delivery, freight rates

Preliminary NA Class 8 net orders in July were 20,300 units, rising 27% from June, and up 98% from a very easy year-ago comparison. The NA Classes 5-7 market saw orders slip to 16,700 units, down 6% month-over-month and 3% below their year-ago July volume. Complete industry data for July, including final order numbers, will be published by ACT Research in mid-August.

Topics: logistics, Press Releases, supply chain, medium duty truck, commercial vehicle sales data, truck market, truck freight, north american trucking, class 8 truck, american truck and trailer, commercial truck and trailer, transportation industry news, trucking, heavy duty truck, class8

The latest release of ACT’s For-Hire Trucking Index, with June data, showed continued and significant improvement in the diffusion index measures tracked. June’s Volume Index rose to 70.4 in June, from 19.3 in April and 50.2 in May, with pricing and productivity at 65.2 and 69.9, respectively. Capacity remained stuck in neutral, hovering near the 50 mark.

Topics: freight, freight forecast, logistics, ACT For-Hire Trucking Index, Press Releases, supply chain, truck freight, north american trucking, commercial truck and trailer, transportation industry news, trucking, intermodal, truck freight rates, demand planning, us freight, commercial freight shipping, last mile delivery, freight rates

June net US trailer orders of 13,441 units were a significant improvement (333%) from May’s very low comparison, arriving dramatically above June 2019’s level, up 112%. Before accounting for cancellations, new orders of 16k units were up 117% versus May and 41% better year-over-year, according to this month’s issue of ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailer Report.

Topics: logistics, Press Releases, supply chain, commercial vehicle sales data, truck market, truck freight, class 8 truck, american truck and trailer, commercial truck and trailer, transportation industry news, trucking, commercial trailer, us trailer, trailer production, north american trailer, class8