FTR

FTR reported that preliminary June North American Class 8 orders—at 26,700 units—were up 13% compared to May. And it added that orders increased 71% annually, with total Class 8 orders coming in at 431,000 units for the 12-month period through June. ACT Research reported that June preliminary North American Class 8 net orders came in at 25,700 units, for an 11% increase over May and a 61% annual gain.

For April, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI came in at -11.9, following March’s record-low reading of -17.8.

The April TCI, which is the most recent month for which data is available, came in at 16.82, topping March’s 16.17, the previous all-time high.

Avery Vise, Vice President of Trucking, for Bloomington, Ind.-based freight transportation consultancy FTR Transportation Intelligence, provided LM's Jeff Berman with updates on the he current state of the truckload and LTL markets; the current state of trucking rates/pricing; the 2020 Peak Season outlook, and the state of transportation infrastructure, among others.

3月SCI, which is the most recent month for which data is available, came in at -17.8, six points below February’s -11.8 and also preceded by January’s -9.8 and December’s -10.9.

The March 2021 TCI, which is the most recent month for which data is available, was 16.27, topping February’s 11.23 by slightly more than five points. This reading tops the previous record, of 16.17, which was set in October 2020.

FTR reported that preliminary April North American Class 8 orders—at 34,600 units—were down 15% compared to March (snapping a six-month streak of monthly orders topping the 40,000 mark), while remaining above typical seasonal trends. April preliminary North American Class 8 net orders came in at 33,500 units, its lowest level since September 2020, ACT noted.

The February SCI, which is the most recent month for which data is available, came in at -11.8, below January’s -9.8. January’s reading marked an improvement over December’s -10.9. FTR said that the fourth quarter of 2020 presented the most difficult market conditions for shippers going back to early 2018.

The February 2021 TCI, which is the most recent month for which data is available, came in at 11.23, ahead of January’s 10.37 and December’s 8.51 readings.

FTR reported that preliminary March North American Class 8 orders came in at 40,800 units, and ACT Research reported that March orders came in at 40,000 units.

The January SCI, which is the most recent month for which data is available, was -9.8, which was an improvement over December’s -10.9. FTR said that the fourth quarter of 2020 presented the most difficult market conditions for shippers going back to early 2018.

It’s starting to affect the trucking industry’s Class 8 sales, which were off to a torrid start in 2021. Even with the driver shortage affecting overall capacity, trucking companies are seeking to modernize their fleets to take advantage of fuel savings, reduced maintenance and newer amenities.

The January 2021 TCI, which is the most recent month for which data is available, came in at 10.37, topping December’s 8.51 reading, nearly matching November 2020’s 10.46 reading.

FTR reported that preliminary February North American Class 8 orders—at 44,000 units—was up 3% compared to January and up 209% annually, and ACT Research reported that February preliminary North American Class 8 net orders came in at 43,800 units, for a 4% increase compared to January’s 42,200 units and a 212% annual gain.

The December SCI, which is the most recent month for which data is available, came in a -10.9, with the firm observing that the fourth quarter of 2020 presented the most difficult market conditions for shippers going back to early 2018. And FTR added that while freight volumes are still solid, fuel prices are seeing steady gains.