Heavy Duty Vehicles

Prior to the White House’s proclamation being issued, Dan Moyer, senior analyst, commercial vehicles, at freight transportation consultancy FTR, said that this development had rattled fleets, OEMs, and suppliers coping with weak demand, rising costs, and fragile supply chains.

A new study by the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT) found that congressional proposals to allow heavier tractor trailers on highways would lead to major damages to the nation’s local bridges if enacted into law.

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

When a construction materials company realized that transporting a massive rock crusher for repairs would put them between a rock and a hard place, it knew who to call.

FTR reported that preliminary March net orders, at 18,200 units, were down 34% compared to February and off 4% annually. ACT reported that March preliminary North America Class 8 orders, at 17,300 units, were off 10,400 units, or roughly 40%, compared to February, and off 8.7% annually.

The trucking industry says new, tougher-than-expected emission standards for heavy-duty trucks recently announced by the Biden Administration have unachievable targets and will carry real consequences for the U.S. supply chain and movement of freight throughout the economy.

Landstar Executive Vice President of Specialized Freight Services Al Reisman

FTR reported that December preliminary orders, at 26,620 units, trailed November by 26% and were off 6% annually. CT reported that that preliminary North American Class 8 December orders, at 26,500 units, were off by 15,000 units compared to November.

With the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier today rolling out new proposed federal vehicle emissions standards, with a two-fold objective of spurring on the country’s transition to a clean vehicles future and combatting the climate crisis, there is a lot to monitor on that front, especially as it relates to the trucking market, and, by extension, over-the-road supply chain and logistics operations.

FTR reported that March preliminary net orders—at 19,000 units—were down 11% annually and down 18%, from February to March. ACT reported that March preliminary Class 8 net orders—at 19,200 units—were down 10% annually and down 19%,from February to March.

The Biden administration is allowing California to set rules phasing out diesel trucks. This has caused an uproar from regional and national trucking groups as well as the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA) on the expected impact of the rules.

Freight transportation and logistics services provider Ryder System said today it has acquired Hill Hire plc, a Bradford, England-based provider of commercial truck leasing, rental, and maintenance services, and an independently run and wholly owned subsidiary of Lloyds Banking Group.