Economic trends

Truck orders fall for sixth time in seven months

There still are indications that fleets are requesting equipment, and there has been no notable uptick in cancellations.

May 7, 2023

trucks sitting at a loading dock

Manufacturing slowdown, interest rates continue to squeeze freight market

Is trucking near the bottom of the soft freight cycle? Michigan State's transportation expert Jason Miller shares his thoughts on this month's episode of CCJ MarketPulse.

April 24, 2023

CCJ marketpulse april 2023

ATA: Truck tonnage in March saw biggest monthly decline since April 2020

A 5.4% decline in ATA's seasonally-adjusted Truck Tonnage Index was the largest since the beginning of the pandemic. Also: Recalls hit 45K International trucks, Volvo and Nikola electric trucks, and hundreds of Daimler trucks; Coca-Cola Canada adds EVs.

April 19, 2023

ATA Truck Tonnage Index March 2023

Trucking conditions fell in February with weak freight rates, volume

FTR's Trucking Conditions Index fell farther into negative territory in February. Also: TuSimple gets 'OK' from international autonomous safety auditor; Penske Truck Leasing opens new Alabama facility; Estes names two new VPs.

April 18, 2023

FTR Trucking Conditions Index February 2023

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

ACT: Freight cycle likely nearing bottom

ACT Research reported that freight volumes and rates declined in February, but the freight downcycle is closer to the end than the beginning. Also: Teamsters, ABF start work on new deal; Looser capacity decreased shippers' conditions in January; more

March 29, 2023

ACT Research For-Hire Trucking Index Volumes

'Get ready to compete': New rail behemoth sets sights on trucking

Canada Pacific's merger with Kansas City Southern promises to take 64,000 truckloads off the road each year, and the Biden admin will likely hold them to that. The new rail behemoth is very clearly coming for trucking, but can the industry take it?

March 23, 2023

cp train in the mountains

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

Truck tonnage opened 2023 with slight increase

ATA reported a 0.7% uptick in truck tonnage in January. Also: FMCSA denies truck driver's HOS exemption request; another driver seeks split-sleeper flexibility; Fleetforce expands training programs in Florida; Tradepoint Atlantic expanding to Tampa.

February 23, 2023

ATA Truck Tonnage Index January 2023

Trailer backlog increasing as production rate drops

Demand overall remains strong, and cancellations are low, but some orders are being made to replenish dealer stock, rather than going directly to fleet customers.

February 20, 2023

Trailer Doors Open

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

Experts expect M&A in the transportation and logistics industry to thrive in 2023

Despite choppy economic waters in 2022, many M&A deals got done, and that trend is expected to continue in 2023, though the size and structure of deals will differ, along with a shift in the types of company profiles targeted for acquisition.

February 5, 2023

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

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Unlike other trucks in ACT Expo's Ride and Drive, Walmart did not haul its truck to last week's event but instead was able to drive the truck with Cummins new X15N natural gas engine from Indiana to Anaheim, California thanks to access to compressed natural gas stations along the way. 'That says a lot,' said Cummins manager of global regulatory affairs Tom Swenson.

Walmart 'betting big' on Cummins new X15N natural gas engine

Walmart is pleased with a pilot it entered with Cummins to test its new X15N natural gas engine and sees it as an ideal fit for long haul where all-electric and fuel cell fall far short on range.

Truck driver smiling

2023 Best Fleets to Drive For: Key findings in compensation and benefits

Peterbilt Model 589

Test drive: The Model 589, Peterbilt's successor to the 389

Freightliner trucks in a lot

Cooling freight market, climbing interest rates throwing cold water on used truck values

Download the Heavy Duty Maintenance Checklist

Download the Heavy Duty Maintenance Checklist

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View, sort and download the trucking industry’s most comprehensive ranking of for-hire carriers in North America, based on a blend of metrics including fleet size, annual revenue and number of drivers.

Heavy-Duty Maintenance Checklist

Maintenance is a critical part of vehicle upkeep—we’re preaching to the choir here, but you know what? It doesn’t hurt to repeat it at times. Check out our latest downloadable maintenance checklist and give it a whirl!