Translogistics

6/14/2012 
Freight Shipments Up 0.2% from March to April

The amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry rose 0.2% in April from March, rising after a one-month decline, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ Freight Transportation Services Index. The April 2012 level was 16.2% above the April 2009 low during the recession.

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the level of freight shipments measured by the Freight TSI, 109.6, declined from December 2011′s revised mark of 114 which was the all-time high since 1990 when BTS’ TSI records began.

The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments by mode of transportation in ton-miles, which are then combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.

The Freight TSI has shown little change since dropping in January from its December peak. The recent plateauing of the freight TSI since January appears to reflect slowing growth in the general economy. GDP growth slowed to 1.9% in 1Q 2012, from 3% in 4Q 2011, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Changes in employment and personal income suggest that the slower growth continued in April, which is consistent with the lack of change in the freight TSI. Personal income grew by only 0.2% in April after higher growth in the previous four months, according to BEA, and total nonfarm employment grew by only 77,000 jobs, down from 143,000 in March, and over 200,000 in each of the prior two months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Economy: Related News

6/14/2012 - Truckload Driver Turnover Pushes Higher in First Quarter

After a one quarter reprieve, the annualized turnover rate for large truckload fleets rose slightly in the first quarter of 2012 while small truckload fleets saw a tremendous surge in turnover, according to American Trucking Associations’ Chief Economist Bob Costello….
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6/14/2012 - Freight Shipments Up 0.2% from March to April

The amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry rose 0.2% in April from March, rising after a one-month decline, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ Freight Transportation Services Index….
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6/13/2012 - ACT Lowers 2012 Class 8 Build Forecast
ACT Research lowered its Class 8 build expectations for the second half of the year due to continuing softness in demand. Expectations for medium-duty build were unchanged….
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6/11/2012 - FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index Moves Upward

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for April moved significantly higher from the previous month, climbing 2.7 points to a favorable reading of 9.1….
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6/11/2012 - Polk: First Quarter Used Commercial Vehicle Registrations Fall

Used Class 3-8 commercial vehicle registrations fell 26.7% from the same period last year, to 164,024 units, according to a recent Polk report….
More > ⁵

6/7/2012 - Economist Offers Mixed News at Vision Conference
The economy is growing, albeit not enough to put a major dent in unemployment, says one economist, who also believes international events may have more influence on the U.S. economy than President Obama….
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6/6/2012 - Truck Orders up Moderately in May
After four months of decline, North American Class 8 truck orders took a modest upturn in May. Order activity is not where many hoped it would be at this point in the recovery, but analysts say the industry is still relatively healthy….
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6/4/2012 - Trucking Adds 7,300 Jobs in May, National Job Growth Stalls

The trucking industry added 7,300 for-hire trucking jobs in May, an increase from 1.3 million jobs in April and a 3.4% increase from a year ago….
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5/31/2012 - March Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Exceeds $85 Billion for First Time
Surface trade between the U.S. and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners, Canada and Mexico, was 6.2% higher in March 2012 than in March 2011, totaling $85.8 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation….
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5/30/2012 - Class 8 Used Truck Volumes Down, Pricing Up in April
April saw a turnaround in the trend of the prior two months in the used Class 8 truck market as volumes sank and pricing rose, according to State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, published by ACT Research Co….
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5/30/2012 - Canadian Government Legislates End to Canadian Pacific Strike
As the labor dispute at Canadian Pacific Railway enters its eighth day, Canadian federal labor minister, Lisa Raitt has tabled back-to-work legislation that could force striking workers back to their jobs as early as Thursday….
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5/30/2012 - New Vehicle Registrations Up 26% from 1Q 2011
New commercial vehicle registrations for Class 3-8 vehicles for the first quarter of 2012 were up 26.6% to 129,755 units from the 102,521 units registered during the first quarter of 2011….
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5/25/2012 - Housing, Manufacturing Numbers Good News for Trucking
Two key economic indicators that affect trucking freight, housing starts and industrial production, exceeded expectations in April….
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5/23/2012 - ACT Research: Fleets Return to Trailer Orderboard in April

Fleets started ordering more trailers in April, following recent lackluster performance, although the gains were not universal across all trailer categories, according to ACT Research Co.’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers. …
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5/23/2012 - ATA Truck Tonnage Falls 1.1%

The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 1.1% in April after rising 0.6% in March….
More > ¹⁵

5/22/2012 - Class 8 Backlog Falls in April; Economic Activity Will Expand Moderately

Softer orders and a continuation of strong build caused the Class 8 backlog to fall nearly 8,000 units to 106,407 in April, according to ACT Research. …
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5/21/2012 - Spot Freight Index Sets Record in April
In April, the TransCore DAT North American Freight Index achieved the highest volume in a single month since the Index was established in 1996. On a year-over-year basis, volume increased 17% and rose 3.5% compared to March volume….
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5/18/2012 - Raw Materials, Volatile Demand Hurt Supplier Outlook

The cost of raw materials, weak sales and increasing international competition are among the major concerns of heavy-duty suppliers, according to a quarterly “Supplier Barometer” survey conducted by the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association….
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5/16/2012 - FTR: Trucking Industry Seeing Relatively Good Recovery

The trucking industry, at least for the short term, is experiencing good recovery, according to FTR Associates Senior Consultant Noel Perry. The recovery has maybe a year and a half or two years to go, he said during FTR’s “State of Freight” webinar….
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5/15/2012 - FTR Shippers Conditions Index Steadies in March
FTR Associates’ Shippers Conditions Index for March did not show much change from the previous month. The index currently stands at -5.3, representing a moderately unfavorable condition for shippers that is expected to persist until the onset of the busy fall shipping season….
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5/10/2012 - Economic Growth to Continue Throughout 2012

Economic growth is expected to continue in the United States throughout the remainder of 2012, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in their spring 2012 Semiannual Economic Forecast….
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5/10/2012 - Freight Shipments Fell 0.8% in March from February

After a one-month increase, the amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry fell 0.8% in March from February, reports the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ Freight Transportation Services Index. The March level was 16% above the April 2009 low during the recession….
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5/9/2012 - Increases in Retail Container Traffic Expected Through Back-to-School Season

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports will be flat in May compared with the same month last year, but is expected to see solid year-over-year increases through this summer and the back-to-school season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker…
More > ²³

5/9/2012 - Freight Volumes Show Slow But Continued Growth
The freight market continued to grow in April at the slow pace we have experienced for most of the recovery, with North American freight volumes rising 1.9% from March to April, according to the Cass Freight Index….
More > ²⁴

5/9/2012 - Trucking Jobs Grow by 1,800 in April
For-hire trucking companies added 1,800 payroll jobs in April, according to the latest estimates released from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This comes after a loss of 2,500 in jobs in March, which the BLS adjusted after initially estimating a loss of 1,900 jobs….
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5/4/2012 - Commercial Vehicle Orders Soft in April

Orders for Class 6 through 8 trucks dropped from March to April….
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5/4/2012 - FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index Begins Steady Climb in March

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for March improved to a reading of 6.4, a half point higher than the previous month, according to the May 2012 Trucking Update.

FTR forecasts the index to continue a steady climb throughout 2012, reaching a double-digit positive reading by early 2013. …
More > ²⁷

5/3/2012 - Containerized Exports Rebound in March

Driven by a surge in furniture and auto parts shipments to the U.S., containerized imports in March rose 7.3% over 2011. This increase to 1.37 million 20-foot-equivalent units came on the heels of a 5.9% decline in February….
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5/2/2012 - Feb. Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Rose 17.4% Year-Over-Year

Trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and its North American neighbors, Canada and Mexico, was 17.4% higher in February 2012 than in February 2011, totaling $78.1 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation….
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4/27/2012 - Pricing for Used Class 8 Slips Again in March
March saw Class 8 used-truck pricing slip for the second consecutive month….
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4/26/2012 - March Net Orders Signal Healthy Trailer Industry

Net orders for trailers fell 11% month-over-month in March, but for the quarter, were almost identical to orders in the first quarter of 2011, according to State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers published by ACT Research Co….
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4/25/2012 - Truck Tonnage Inches up in March
Don’t expect the rate of growth this year to mirror the last couple of years, said American Trucking Associations’ Chief Economist Bob Costello, referring to the 5.8% growth in both 2010 and 2011….
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4/23/2012 - Truck Makers Report Choppy Order Volume in First Quarter
Demand for Class 8 trucks “has hit a soft patch,” but at least one industry analyst expects that to be temporary.

March Class 8 new and net orders of 22,038 and 20,025 units, respectively, were the lowest order volume since last July, reports ACT Research Co….
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4/19/2012 - Shippers Conditions Index Tumbles in February

FTR Associates’ Shippers Conditions Index for February dropped by a full point from the previous month to a reading of -5.6, spelling good news for tracking as demand for trucking services grew strongly in what is normally a slack month….
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4/18/2012 - Spot Market Freight Availability and Rates Up in March
Freight availability and rates on the spot market increased month-over-month and declined slightly year-over-year, according to TransCore’s DAT North American Freight index. The index rose 40% from February to March but was down 6.1% compared to March 2011…
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4/12/2012 - Fourth-Quarter Driver Turnover Makes Surprise Drop
After a year of quarterly increases, the turnover rate for truck drivers at large truckload fleets unexpectedly dipped one percentage point to an annualized rate of 88%, according to American Trucking AssociationsChief Economist Bob Costello….
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4/12/2012 - Freight Shipments up 0.5% in February

The amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry rose 0.5% in February from January, rising after a one-month decline, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics‘ Freight Transportation Services Index….
More > ³⁸³⁹⁴⁰

4/11/2012 - Sluggish Growth in Freight Volumes; Rates Remain Flat

Freight shipment volumes continued their sluggish pace upward in March, increasing 2.1% from February, according to the Cass Freight Index. Freight spending, meanwhile, increased 1%. This is the second month in a row that shipment growth exceeded cost growth, signifying that rates have remained relatively flat. …
More > ⁴¹⁴²

4/11/2012 - Retail Container Traffic Predicted to Increase 3.2% in April

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.2% in April compared with the same month last year. Year-over-year gains should continue through the end of summer, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker…
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4/9/2012 - 2011 Driver Numbers, Wages Increase; March 2012 Sees Drop in Drivers
The number of heavy-duty truck drivers in 2011 rose 2.8% to 1.51 million from 1.46 million in 2010. It’s the first yearly increase in the number of heavy truck drivers since 2008, when the number was 1.67 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. …
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4/6/2012 - Higher Rates on Spot Market Affect Broker Use
Carriers are continuing to move away from the use of brokers, although not as much as in 2011, according to Transport Capital Partners….
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4/5/2012 - FTR: Preliminary Class 8 Orders for March 11% Below February
March Class 8 truck orders were 11% below February, according to FTR Associates’ preliminary data, and below the trucking forecasting firm’s expectations. One explanation could be higher fuel prices….
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4/5/2012 - Jefferies: Mild Weather Offsets Mild Freight Volumes, Driver Shortage Ups Pay in 1Q
Strong productivity from an unseasonably warm winter should generally offset moderating year-over-year volume growth, the transportation analysts at Jefferies and Company say in their 1Q preview….
More > ⁴⁸⁴⁹

4/4/2012 - ACT Research: Class 8 Preliminary Net Orders Soft in March
The final numbers for March net orders, which will be released mid-April, will approach 20,000 units for heavy-duty Class 8 trucks and 13,500 for medium-duty Classes 5-7 vehicles, reports ACT Research….
More > ⁵⁰⁵¹

4/3/2012 - Trucking Conditions Index Holds Steady in February
FTR‘s Trucking Conditions Index for February eased very slightly to a reading of 5.9. FTR forecasts the February reading to be the low point for 2012…
More > ⁵²⁵³

3/29/2012 - Carriers Slightly Less Hesitant to Add Capacity

The Transport Capital Partners‘ 1Q 2012 Business Expectations Survey found that while carriers still seem hesitant to add capacity, they are less hesitant than last quarter….
More > ⁵⁴⁵⁵

3/28/2012 - Pricing for Used Class 8 Slips, Trailer Van Orders Down in February
February numbers from ACT Research show strong numbers for trailer orders but softness in used truck prices….
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3/28/2012 - ATA Truck Tonnage Increased 0.5% in February
The American Trucking Associations‘ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 0.5% in February after falling 4.6% in January. January’s decrease was more than the preliminary 4% drop ATA reported Feb. 28….
More > ⁵⁷⁵⁸

3/28/2012 - January 2012 Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Rose 11.5% 
from 2011
Trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and its North American neighbors, Canada and Mexico, was 11.5% higher in January 2012 than in January 2011, totaling $75.5 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation….
More > ⁵⁹

3/22/2012 - Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Rose 14.3% in 2011
Surface transportation trade between the U.S. and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners, Canada and Mexico, in 2011 is valued at $904 billion, a 14.3% increase compared to 2010….
More > ⁶⁰

3/21/2012 - Carriers Optimistic for 2012
The Transport Capital Partners 1Q 2012 Business Expectations Survey found that carriers continue to be optimistic for the year ahead, with 77% of the carriers surveyed expecting volumes to increase in the year ahead and only 2.6% expecting volumes to decrease….
More > ⁶¹⁶²

3/20/2012 - Spot Freight Index up Over January, Not Year Over Year
TransCore’s DAT North American Freight index was up 24% in February compared to January, but down 5.2% compared to February 2011, when the spot market recorded unseasonably strong freight volumes….
More > ⁶³

3/20/2012 - January Container Import Volumes Up 4.1% Year-Over-Year
Steady sales growth in both automobiles and existing homes during the past few months drove January U.S. container import volumes up 4.1% from January 2011 to 1,475,608 million twenty-foot-equivalent units….
More > ⁶⁴

3/16/2012 - DOT Says Freight Shipments Fell 3.6% in January from Record December
The amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry fell 3.6% in January from December, declining after five consecutive monthly increases, according to the DOT’s Freight Transportation Services Index….
More > ⁶⁵⁶⁶

3/16/2012 - Truckable Economic Activity Reaches New High in 4Q 2011
Truckable Economic Activity, a trucking-specific economic indicator developed by MacKay & Company. reached a new record high of $8.8 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2011….
More > ⁶⁷⁶⁸⁶⁹

3/15/2012 - Pulse of Commerce Index Increased 0.7% in February
The Ceridian-UCLA Pulse of Commerce Index rose 0.7% in February, but it was not enough to offset the 1.7% decline in the previous month….
More > ⁷⁰⁷¹

3/15/2012 - Retail Trends and What They Mean for Trucking
Changes in the retail supply chain could spell benefits for some kinds of trucking, according to experts at the 2012 Stifel Nicolaus Consumer Conference last week in New York….
More > ⁷²

3/13/2012 - ACT: Truck Buying Cycle Peak Moved to 2014
ACT Research has shifted its long-term forecast for the commercial vehicle industry. The cycle peak in 2013 has been adjusted, with stronger demand now stretching through 2014,…
More > ⁷³⁷⁴

3/13/2012 - FTR Shippers Conditions Index Relatively Flat Month-Over-Month
FTR Associates‘ Shippers Conditions Index for January remained basically unchanged from the previous month with a reading of negative 4.8….
More > ⁷⁵⁷⁶

3/13/2012 - Retail Container Traffic Expected to Increase 10% in March


Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 10% in March compared with the same month last year. Year-over-year gains should continue through mid-summer, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates….
More > ⁷⁷⁷⁸

3/12/2012 - FTR: Trucking Industry to Fare Adequately in 2012, Oil Prices Will Fall
FTR Associates says the outlook for the 2012 trucking industry is fair. In FTR’s “State of Freight” webinar late last week, analysts addressed the overall economy as well as specifics about trucking and oil, a particularly hot topic because of climbing prices….
More > ⁷⁹⁸⁰

3/7/2012 - Cass Freight Index Report: Shipping Picks Up Post Holiday Season
In a reversal of a very long trend, the month-to-month change in freight movements in February was greater than that of expenditures, reports the February 2012 Cass Freight Index Report….
More > ⁸¹⁸²

3/6/2012 - FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index Expected to Climb in 2012
In spite of a reading of 6.1 for January’s Trucking Conditions Index, FTR Associates forecasts a slow climb to strongly positive territory for trucking throughout 2012, with volumes and profits sufficient for investment for growth by year’s end….
More > ⁸³⁸⁴

3/5/2012 - Commercial Vehicle Orders Still Healthy in February
Two companies that track commercial vehicle sales say truck orders were down in February, but they’re still continuing at a relatively healthy level….
More > ⁸⁵

3/2/2012 - CV Parts Aftermarket Leading Indicator Increases in January
A new industry index that tracks aftermarket parts rose slightly in January. Commercial Motor Vehicle Consulting’s new CV Aftermarket Parts Leading Indicator increased 0.03% in January to 104.70 (January 2001=100) following a 0.01% decrease in December (104.67) and a 0.61% increase in November (104.68)….
More > ⁸⁶

2/29/2012 - ATA Truck Tonnage Retreats 4% in January
The American Trucking Associations‘ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 4% in January after surging 6.4% in December 2011. The latest contraction put the index at 119.4 (2000=100), down from December’s record level of 124.4. …
More > ⁸⁷⁸⁸

2/29/2012 - December Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico up 11.6% Year Over Year
Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American neighbors, Canada and Mexico, was 11.6% higher in December 2011 than in December 2010, totaling $74.2 billion,…
More > ⁸⁹

2/28/2012 - Used Truck Prices Up in January as Volumes Slip
Used Class 8 truck price appreciation was prevalent in January sales in the retail and wholesale channels, according to ACT Research….
More > ⁹⁰⁹¹

2/27/2012 - ACT Research: Trailer Orders Strong in January
January trailer net orders dropped from December to 26,000 units, but they were the strongest orders for the first month of the year since 2006, according to ACT Research.…
More > ⁹²⁹³

2/22/2012 - 2011 New Truck Registrations up 23% from 2010
New commercial vehicle registrations for Class 3-8 vehicles for 2011 numbered 460,948 units, an 23.3% increase 373,975 units in 2010, according to Polk‘s Quarterly Commercial Vehicle Report….
More > ⁹⁴⁹⁵

2/21/2012 - TransCore’s January North American Freight Index Up 5%
TransCore’s North American Freight Index was up 5% in January compared to the same month in 2011. This is the third consecutive year of increases in same-month spot market freight volume and marks a record high for the month of January….
More > ⁹⁶⁹⁷

2/20/2012 - Vieth: Economy Improving, Driver Shortage Looming
The good news is, there’s a capacity shortage in the industry, so you should be making money. The bad news is, finding drivers is going to cost you some of that money….
More > ⁹⁸

2/17/2012 - ACT Research Confident About Class 8 Demand
ACT Research Co. remains bullish on Class 8 in the medium to longer term, according to the February issue of the ACT North American Commercial Vehicle Outlook, published by ACT Research….
More > ⁹⁹¹⁰⁰

2/15/2012 - December Shippers Conditions Index Improves Month-Over-Month
FTR Associates‘ Shippers Conditions Index for December edged up roughly 1.5 points from November to a reading of -4.6, which still reflects a somewhat adverse environment for shippers….
More > ¹⁰¹¹⁰²

2/14/2012 - TransCore Index Shows Strength in Freight Volume and Rates
TransCore‘s North American Freight index marked a record high for the month of January, up 5% compared to January 2011. Month-over-month, January’s spot market freight volume slipped 8% compared to December….
More > ¹⁰³¹⁰⁴

2/10/2012 - Mexico Cargo Theft Increased 13% Year-Over-Year, Lower Than Normal
Total cargo thefts in Mexico rose 13% for the year, according to the FreightWatch International 2011 Mexico Cargo Theft Report….
More > ¹⁰⁵¹⁰⁶

2/10/2012 - Cass Index: Linehaul Rates Highest since 2005
The rise in linehaul rates leveled off a bit during January, according to the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index, but nevertheless hit their highest point since the January 2005 date where the Cass Index data begins….
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2/9/2012 - DOT Freight Index Shows Largest Monthly Hike in 17 Years
The amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry rose 3.9% in December from November, the largest monthly rise in 17 years, bringing the level of freight shipments to an all-time high, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ Freight Transportation Services Index….
More > ¹⁰⁸

2/7/2012 - FTR Reports Preliminary Class 8 Orders for January
Preliminary data shows January Class 8 truck total net orders of 24,906 units for all major North American OEM’s, according to FTR Associates….
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2/7/2012 - Cass Freight Index: Slight Decline in Freight Shipments, Expenditures Flat in January
January saw a slight decline in freight shipments compared to December, with freight expenditures essentially flat, according to January’s Cass Freight Index Report. …
More > ¹¹⁰¹¹¹

2/6/2012 - January Commercial Vehicle Net Orders In Line with Expectations
North America medium and heavy-duty GVW Classes 5-7 and Class 8 commercial vehicle preliminary net orders for January were in line with expectations, reports ACT Research Co. …
More > ¹¹²¹¹³

2/3/2012 - FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index Continues Positive Trend
FTR‘s Trucking Conditions Index, as reported in the February 2012 Trucking Update, increased in December to a reading of 7.0….
More > ¹¹⁴¹¹⁵

2/3/2012 - Fleet Sentiment Report Buying Index Rises 4+ Points from Previous Quarter

More fleets are planning to buy trailers, driving the First Quarter Fleet Sentiment Report Buying Index from CK Commercial Vehicle Research up 4.6 points from the previous quarter to a reading of 93.9….
More > ¹¹⁶¹¹⁷

2/1/2012 - November Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico up 12.7% Year-over-year
Trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico was 12.7% higher in November 2011 than in November 2010, totaling $76.7 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation….
More > ¹¹⁸¹¹⁹

2/1/2012 - Brace for a Slowdown in 2012
While fears of a double-dip recession are easing, GDP and industrial production numbers suggest 2012 will not be as robust as 2011. As recently as June, economists were predicting growth of 3 to 3.5 percent for 2012, but new consensus forecasts are calling for growth of just 2 to 2.5 percent. That one percentage point drop means we may need about 20,000 fewer new trucks this year….
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1/30/2012 - Fourth Quarter Real GDP Increase Best Since 2Q 2010
The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that real gross domestic product, the output of goods and services produced in the United States, increased at an annual rate of 2.8% in the fourth quarter of 2011….
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1/27/2012 - Report: Interest in Full-size Pickups Bodes Well for Economy
Increased interest in full-size pickup trucks is a positive indication that the economy is on the mend, according to the January issue of the New Car Insights Report….
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1/27/2012 - Trailer Industry Strong in 2011; Good Forecast for 2012
The commercial trailer sector finished 2011 on solid footing and is well-situated for the third year of growth in the current cyclical recovery….
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1/27/2012 - December Used Truck Volumes Better than November, but Lag Year-over-Year
Reported volumes of used Classes 3-8 truck sales improved in December. Volumes were consistent among channels on a sequential basis….
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1/25/2012 - ATA Truck Tonnage Index Posts Largest Annual Gain in 13 Years
The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 5.9% over the previous year, the largest annual increase since 1998….
More > ¹²⁸¹²⁹

1/23/2012 - Spot Freight Index Hits Third Year of Year-Over-Year Increases
TransCore’s North American Freight Index was up 11% in December compared to the same month in 2010. This is the third consecutive year of increases in same-month spot market freight volume, which has reached the highest level since 2005….
More > ¹³⁰

1/23/2012 - December Class 8 Orders Second Best in Six Months
Class 8 orders for the month of December bounced back from November’s slump. Orders rose to 30,293 units, and, when seasonally adjusted, were the best since April, according to ACT Research….
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1/20/2012 - Cargo Theft Reaches Record High in 2011
Cargo theft rose nearly 9% last year compared to 2010, reaching a record high, according to FreightWatch International — but the average value per theft has fallen….
More > ¹³³¹³⁴

1/13/2012 - Forecast Predicts Hybrid, Electric Truck Sales Will Nearly Double in 2012
A forecast from Pike Research says that sales of hybrid and electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks will nearly double in 2012, but one industry expert thinks some of the numbers might be overly optimistic….
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1/12/2012 - November Shippers Conditions Index Favors Truckers
FTR Associates’ Shippers Conditions Index for November dropped 2.5 points from the previous month to a reading of -6.1 reflecting the seasonal tightening of shipping capacity….
More > ¹³⁷

1/12/2012 - Freight Shipments Up 0.1% from October to November
From October to November, the amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry rose 0.1% following a one month decrease, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics‘ (BTS) Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI)….
More > ¹³⁸¹³⁹

1/12/2012 - ACT: Class 8 Demand Remains Strong Despite Lackluster Economic Forecasts
ACT Research expects the pace of U.S. economic activity to operate at a rate of around 2% in 2012, according to the January issue of the ACT North American Commercial Vehicle OUTLOOK, published by ACT….
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1/12/2012 - Ceridian-UCLA Trucking Index Points to Healthy First of 2012 for Trucking
The fuel-purchase-based Ceridian-UCLA Pulse of Commerce Index (PCI), rose 0.2% in December after a 0.1% increase in November and a 1.1% increase in October….
More > ¹⁴¹

1/11/2012 - TCP: Carriers Resist Adding Capacity on Poor ROI
The Transport Capital Partners (TCP) 4th Quarter 2011 Business Expectations Survey finds 73 percent of responding carriers will not be adding any significant capacity until rates improve, providing a better return on their investment….
More > ¹⁴²

1/9/2012 - Cass Freight Index: Rate Increases Hold Despite Lack of Imminent Capacity Threat
Motor carriers and railroads were successful in passing along rate increases in 2011. For the most part, the rate hikes stuck, but carriers didn’t gain any ground, they just kept pace with increasing costs….
More > ¹⁴³

1/6/2012 - December’s Class 8 Orders Higher Than Expected
December saw a slight rise in the number of net orders for Class 8 trucks in North America….
More > ¹⁴⁴

1/5/2012 - Manufacturing Ends Year on a Strong Note
Manufacturing grew in December at its fastest pace in six months, showing growth for the 29th consecutive month, according to the Institute for Supply Management, …
More > ¹⁴⁵

1/4/2012 - FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index Ticks Upward
The environment for truckers remains modestly favorable with decent growth, capacity and pricing conditions as we enter 2012 — but a severe capacity shortage that could significantly affect rates is less likely, thanks to a delay in new driver regulations, according to transportation forecasting firm FTR….
More > ¹⁴⁶

1/3/2012 - California Gasoline Consumption Down 2.0% in Q3, Diesel Up 6.6%
In California, gasoline consumption decreased 2.0 percent in the third quarter and declined 2.1 percent in September. Diesel fuel consumption increased 6.6 percent in the third quarter and rose 7.0 percent in September compared to last year….
More > ¹⁴⁷

1/3/2012 - Trailer Industry Expects Strong Start to 2012
Commercial trailer net orders surged in November, with 28,393 trailers added to the order board….
More > ¹⁴⁸

12/29/2011 - Trailer Industry Expects Strong Start to 2012
Commercial trailer net orders surged in November, with 28,393 trailers added to the order board….
More > ¹⁴⁹

12/28/2011 - Used Truck Volumes Continue Slide in November
Reported volumes of used Classe 3-8 truck sales continued their slide into negative territory in November….
More > ¹⁵⁰

12/22/2011 - ATA Truck Tonnage Index Edged 0.3% Higher in November

Truck tonnage rose 0.3% in November after rising a revised 0.4% in October, according to the American Trucking Associations’ advance seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index….
More > ¹⁵¹

12/21/2011 - Class 8 Demand Remains Favorable Despite Dip in November Orders
After rising to their third highest net order volume of the year in October, Class 8 orders fell below trend in November, falling to their second lowest volume in 2011….
More > ¹⁵²

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116. ^{^} CK Commercial Vehicle Research (www.ckcvr.com)
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