ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Spot rates surge, Class 8 orders dip but remain ‘exceptionally strong’

What’s rising faster, the cost of diesel or spot market rates? Both are increasing rapidly. And Class 8 orders pulled back in March from a record February but remained “exceptionally…

ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Trailer order strength sustained in January, spot market rates show resilience

Trailer orders saw December momentum carried into January, though total order season activity was lackluster. Shippers saw some fuel price relief translate into a positive environment in December, but expect…

ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Trucking sentiment improving, reflecting ‘cautious optimism’

The mood in trucking is improving, ever so slowly, based on the latest reports to cross our desks. ACT Research characterizes it as ‘cautious optimism’ as clarity around EPA27 emissions…

ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Truck buyers step up, spot market reaches multi-year highs

Class 8 truck orders surged in December, but analysts warn against reading too much into it, since freight fundamentals remain weak. Trucking conditions also improved, thanks to reduced capacity and…

ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Spot market flashes signs of possible recovery, but appetite for new trucks remains muted

There are few reasons for trucking companies to order new iron, with still-sluggish freight growth and depressed rates. But the U.S. spot market is solidifying and showing signs of a…

ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Peak shipping season ‘virtually non-existent’, but trailer orders get a lift

Trailer orders sprung to life in October, and cancellations fell. However, demand remains historically weak. ACT Research lists the headwinds facing Class 8 truck demand – and there are a…

ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Class 8 orders remain weak, capacity contraction quickens

It’s 2025, when bad news is good news, and carrier bankruptcies are welcomed as a needed precursor to healthier rates. There’s good news on that front this week as ACT…

ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Tonnage, spot market data and trailer orders send mixed messages

There’s a lot to digest in this weeks’ economic trucking news. For-hire truck tonnage in the U.S. gave back all of August’s gains in September. The news was better on…

ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Class 8 orders stumble out of the gate as OEMs begin taking ’26 orders

Class 8 order season has officially begun, with orders stumbling out of the gate. The latest 25% tariffs announced for complete heavy trucks only adds to fleet uncertainties and their…

ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Spot market reveals shifting trade patterns, ACT warns of tariff ‘air pockets’ ahead

The Canadian spot market was soft overall in July, but southbound loads spiked, creating some opportunities for cross-border carriers. ACT Research warns of more tariff-related air pockets ahead, and notes…

ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Truck buyers remain cautious, but orders bounced in July

Truck buyers remain cautious about adding new vehicles to their fleets, but preliminary data shows a solid bounce in July compared to June numbers. Still, they remain well off traditional…

ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: ‘Short and soft’ peak season in store due to impact of tariffs

There’s not a lot to like in this week’s freight data. Weak spot market rates continued to slide, truck sales are expected to slow as tariff-related price hikes take hold,…

ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Class 8 orders remain weak, but spot market sees signs of improvement

There continues to be weakness in the Class 8 market, as fleets weigh the impact of tariffs and the general economy. The Canadian spot market strengthened in May, and the…

ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Trailer orders plunge, freight recession to extend into ’26

There’s not a lot to like in this week’s economic update, with trailer orders plunging as a result of tariffs and economic uncertainty, and a forecast that the freight recession…

Truckload costs drop for shippers in U.S., carrier profitability hits 15-year low: Report

The cost for shippers via motor carrier declined 0.7% year over year between 2023 and 2024 in the U.S., driven by rate pressure and excess capacity, as trucking companies struggled…