Supply of Class 8 trucks rising faster than demand, says ACT

by Truck West

COLUMBUS, Ind. – The most recent ACT Research For-Hire Trucking Index indicates that the supply of Class 8 trucks has continued to rise faster than demand.

“The capacity index [supply] rose faster than the freight index [demand] for the fourth consecutive month and the tenth time in the past twelve months in December,” said Steve Tam, ACT’s vice-president, commercial vehicle sector. “We have to go back to the second half of 2012 to find a comparable period of imbalance – a period marked by anemic economic growth and strong U.S. Class 8 retail sales. Truckers have caught on to the fact that there is excess freight hauling capacity in the market and have started curtailing their purchases accordingly. Sales are likely to continue on a downward trajectory until the oversupply of trucks is consumed.”

ACT publishes new and used commercial vehicle industry data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American Market, as well as U.S. tractor-trailer market and the China CV market.
CapacityIndexACT


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  • I give another reason why, the truck manufactures as well as engine manufactures have not yet been able to build a dependable truck. Three factors in poor sales, 1. High cost to purchase new equipment. 2. Dependability of the new equipment. 3. Lack of support and lack of parts in many areas.

  • Ken just said it all. I just priced a heavy spec tractor with a small 40 inch sleeper. $230,000!! How do you afford that with today’s rates?

    Then factor in the horrible fuel mileage and the fact that it will be down at least once a month with emissions related failures.