COLUMBUS, Ohio — The FSR Equipment Buying Index improved 18% in the second quarter of 2010 to a reading of 64.6. 

The index measures planned buying behaviour of for-hire, private and government fleets responding to CK Commercial Vehicle Research ‘s (CKCVR) Fleet Sentiment quarterly questionnaire. 

One-third of participants taking part in the second quarter study plan to place orders for power units in the next three months with 29.8% planning trailer orders in the same time frame. Fleets responding to the Q2 questionnaire operate in excess of 60,000 medium- and heavy-duty power units and 120,000 trailers. 

 “The responses we received in April to all our questions were generally more positive than in January,” said Chris Kemmer of CKCVR. “In addition to better equipment purchasing plans, we saw a reduction in the number of parked vehicles reported, improved stated utilization rates and a closer alignment of available freight to haul and fleet capacity. Even the responses to a general ‘how’s business’ question averaged higher than in January. However, there is still much caution being shown especially as it relates to the purchase of new power equipment with 2010 emissions engines.”

A complete analysis of responses is available to subscribers at www.ckcvr.com/fleetsentiment.