Equipment

FTR reported that preliminary August Class 8 truck net orders, at 13,000 units, were up 4% compared to July and fell 14% annually, and ACT reported that preliminary August Class 8 orders, at 13,200 units, decreased 19% annually.

FTR reported that preliminary April Class 8 truck net orders, at 15,700 units, fell 14% sequentially and 22%. ACT reported that its tally of preliminary March Class 8 truck net orders, at 16,000 units, fell 8.3% annually.

FTR reported that preliminary January Class 8 net orders, at 24,000 units, fell 28% compared to December and were off 15% annually. ACT reported that preliminary January net orders, at 25,800 units, were off 30% compared to December and down 5% annually.

Landstar Executive Vice President of Specialized Freight Services Al Reisman

In this year’s annual survey, the disruption of the past year certainly influenced some short-term trends, but respondents are optimistic going forward. Results reflect more than a bump in the road, however. Companies are deeply concerned about issues like labor availability, workload planning and tighter cycle times, prompting interest in technology and software solutions, better metrics and further automation.

Higher rates, tight capacity, and a lack of empty container availability are major factors the current state of the global ocean container market.

The good economic times may not last forever.