Preliminary reports indicate trailer orders in January fell about 34 percent compared to December 2020 orders, according to ACT Research and FTR.
The fuel cost component of FTR's Trucking Conditions Index recorded the largest negative change in more than three years.
The number of new for-hire trucking companies getting authority soared in 2020, even as the pandemic hit some existing carriers hard.
North American Class 8 order numbers in January were between 42,200-42,800 units, down between 17% and 18% from December.
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index fell in November from the previous month’s record high, but the November reading of 10.26 is still strong, as rising freight rates continue to power robust trucking conditions.
As the COVID-19 vaccine helps return life to normal later in the year, the effect on trucking freight and rates will vary as consumer spending is expected to shift back toward services. That’s one takeaway from the transportation analysts at FTR in a recent webinar, “Preparing for 2021.”
U.S. trailer orders maintained a healthy, four-month long order trend as 2020 closed out.
Despite the record plunge in new-truck orders during the spring COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, orders of Class 5 through 8 trucks closed out 2020 in near-record territory.
FTR is reporting that its Trucking Conditions Index for October 2020 literally went off the charts to the highest reading the research firm has ever recorded.
November trailer orders were down from October but still double the same time last year. Find out what's driving this trend.