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FTR Reports Preliminary U.S. Net Trailer Orders for August Provide Positive Momentum with a Jump to 28,700 Units
FTR reports that preliminary U.S. net trailer orders for August jumped 49% m/m to 28,700 units, the strongest activity since last October. August orders were 174% above the same month during the previous year, with trailer orders for the last twelve months now totaling 191,000 units.
Dry van orders were particularly robust, with refrigerated vans also displaying strength. Flatbed orders improved from July but remain sluggish, as industrial freight continues to lag consumer freight. Backlogs are expected to rise to near pre-pandemic levels.
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for July Remained Positive Due to Stronger Freight Rates
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for July at 2.84 was down from the previous month’s 11.35 reading, but trucking conditions remain favorable for carriers as the recovery continues. Carriers took advantage of stronger freight rates while the freight demand and capacity utilization that set the stage for those rates settled somewhat during the month. FTR expects the TCI to stay in positive territory through the balance of the year and into 2021.Details of the July TCI are found in the September issue of FTR’s Trucking Update, published August 31. Additional commentary analyzes the risks to the freight market from inventories-to-sales ratio disparities in the supply chain resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond the TCI and the commentary, the Trucking Update includes data and analysis on load volumes, the capacity environment, and rates. FTR also publishes ongoing publicly available analysis on the impact of COVID-19 on freight transportation at FTR’s COVID-19 intelligence.
FTR Reports Preliminary North American Class 8 Net Orders for August Continue to Climb - Reaching 20,500 Units
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index Falls Sharply Again in June to Near Neutral Reading
FTR Reports Final Net Trailer Orders Continue to Climb in July to Highest Level in 2020
FTR reports final net trailer orders continued to climb in July, reaching 19,300 units, their highest level for the year. July order activity was up 33% from June and +84% y/y. Trailer orders now total 173,000 for the past twelve months.
Dry van orders sustained their momentum after diving perspicuously during the pandemic. Refrigerated van orders were solid for the second straight month. However, flatbed orders remained soft, as the manufacturing sector struggles to regain its footing. Backlogs should begin to stabilize, providing a base for higher 2021 production.
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for June Reflects Freight Rebound, Tight Capacity
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index reading of 11.35 for June is the highest in a decade and comes just two months after a record-low April reading of -28.66. However, it is unclear how long the positive factors affecting the June reading - a combination of higher utilization and strong growth in freight demand and rates - will remain in place.Details of the June TCI are found in the August issue of FTR’s Trucking Update, published July 31. Additional commentary looks at some barriers, especially driver supply, to restoring trucking capacity. Beyond the TCI and FTR’s COVID-19 intelligence, the Trucking Update includes data and analysis on load volumes, the capacity environment, rates, costs, and the truck driver situation.
FTR Reports Preliminary North American Class 8 Net Orders for July strongest since October 2019 at 20,000 Units
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index for May Falls Sharply M/M but Remains Historically High
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