ACT Research

ACT, ATA indices for June show significant upturn in trucking activity

Two recently released indices show that June continued the trucking market’s climb from its low levels of April.

The ACT For-Hire Trucking Index in June climbed to 70.4, up from 50.2 in May. in April, it was 19.3.

Although the June number was more than three times that of April, that does not mean that volumes are three times that of April. Rather, ACT Research sets a base number of 50 and changes in the data are then expressed as an index, with 50 viewed as neutral to flat. For example, the...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/act-ata-indices-for-june-show-significant-upturn-in-trucking-activity

June Class 8 truck orders rebound to four-month high

Volvo VNR on highway

Preliminary new Class 8 truck orders in North America rose 139% in June over May, following rebounding freight rates to set a four-month high. But industry experts do not expect a sustained comeback until later this year.

The 16,000 orders more than doubled combined bookings in April and May. That’s when shelter-in-place regulations led to a near collapse of the economy. Orders exceeded the same month a year ago by 23%, according to ACT Research,

“North American Class 8 net orders were up against...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/june-class-8-truck-orders-rebound-to-four-month-high

Used truck prices firm but demand still slack

USed International Trucks

Demand remains slack but prices for used Class 8 trucks appear to be firming, according to industry watchers.

Used Class 8 same dealer sales volumes dropped 12% in May compared to April. Year-over-year sales were down 20% compared to May 2019. Sales are up 2% for the first five months of the year, according to ACT Research.

Average prices and mileage exceeded April by 2% and 1% respectively.

“Dealers are reporting that low used truck prices and high inventories were challenges before COVID-19...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/used-truck-prices-firm-but-demand-still-slack

May trailer orders improve — to second-weakest month on record

Fleets ordered 3,107 new trailers in May compared to a net of just 209 orders in April when an already softening market collided with the COVID-19 pandemic, ACT Research reported Monday.

The improvement was welcome, but orders still trailed year-ago bookings by 71%. In April,  almost all new orders were offset by cancellations of existing orders.

Total new orders in May were 7,400 before accounting for cancellations, 29% above April’s total of 5,700.

“Although up from April’s record low, May’s net...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/may-trailer-orders-improve-to-second-weakest-month-on-record

Class 8 truck orders stagnate in May

Freightliner production

Preliminary Class 8 truck orders totaled just 6,700 in May as heavy-duty truck manufacturers kept production suspensions in place while helping reduce an overhang of trucks in dealer inventories.

The inventory-to-sales ratio remained more than 50% higher than desired levels even as dealer stocks fell by 11,900 trucks, Kenny Vieth, ACT Research president and senior analyst, told FreightWaves.

“Restarting the manufacturing sector from a full stop was only partly successful, as Mexico’s lockdowns...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/class-8-truck-orders-stagnate-in-may

Break-even values dictate used truck trade-ins

Row of used trucks

Final numbers for Class 8 used truck sales in April dipped further even as prices continued to fall amid swelling inventories.

With practically no new trucks ordered or sold during the month, already slow-selling used equipment felt the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ACT Research said same-dealer sales fell 15% from March and 7% from April a year ago. Used trucks were older, sold for less and had fewer miles on the odometer than in March.  

“Most dealers are reporting used truck sales have slowed...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/break-even-values-dictate-used-truck-trade-ins

Depressed used truck prices fall lower in April

Used Trucks of Texas

Prices for Class 8 used trucks continued to fall in April, though some improvement in auction activity gave hope the bottom of the market is near.

Same-dealer sales were off 8% in April compared to March as the first full month of the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the overall economy. Volumes fell 5% compared to the same month a year ago, according to ACT Research.

Month-over-month used truck prices fell 8%, ACT said.

“Our first reaction to the unit sales data was one of surprise that the market held...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/depressed-used-truck-prices-fall-lower-in-april

April Class 8 truck orders hit 25-year low

Truck hauling other trucks

Preliminary orders for Class 8 trucks plummeted to a 25-year low in April, the first full month of the coronavirus pandemic that impacted wide swaths of the economy, including new truck production.

ACT Research reported 4,100 orders of new tractors for the month, 72% below the same month a year ago and down 46% from March. ACT said it was the lowest month since September 1995 when, after accounting for cancellations, net orders were negative.

FTR Transportation Intelligence reported a preliminary...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/april-class-8-truck-orders-hit-25-year-low

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