Why Class 8 Tractor Data Is the Missing Link in Freight Forecasting

To see where rates are going, you need to see where capacity is headed.

Why Class 8 Data Matters

Class 8 tractors are the engines of American freight.
From coast to coast, these vehicles are the backbone of on-highway transportation and the primary movers of goods across the supply chain.

But for shippers, carriers, and brokers, there's been a longstanding gap in how they view and plan for the freight market.

Most rely on demand-side indicators like:

• Cass Freight Index® – Shipments

• DAT and Truckstop load boards

• Port, rail, and intermodal volume data

• FreightWaves and other sentiment trackers

While valuable, these datasets are all rear-view mirrors — lagging indicators that reflect what’s already happened. What they don’t show is capacity — the supply side of the freight equation.

If you want to understand where freight rates are headed, you need visibility into the Class 8 tractor population — the very trucks that move the freight.

🔹 The Power of Actionable Intelligence

ACT Research closes the gap with a complete, data-driven view of both supply and demand. Here’s how:

1. Data: Know the Fleet. Know the Market.

Since 1986, ACT has been collecting monthly production and sales data directly from North America’s Class 5–8 truck manufacturers.

This data enables us to size the U.S. Class 8 tractor fleet, helping answer the questions freight professionals care most about:

• Are there too many trucks on the road for current demand?

• Is a capacity shortage on the horizon?

• What will the fleet look like 6, 12, or 36 months from now?

By combining this supply data with established demand indicators like Cass and DAT, ACT provides a more accurate, complete picture of market dynamics — and where they’re headed.

2. Analysis: See Around the Corner

Data alone doesn’t drive decisions — insight does.

ACT doesn’t just record production data. We forecast Class 8 tractor sales and builds over a 1–5 year horizon. That means your business can plan for the future with confidence — whether you're budgeting for next quarter or preparing for multi-year capacity strategies.

Our quarterly forecasts help you:

• Time your spot and contract rate negotiations

• Allocate capital with greater confidence

• Manage operational risk

• Optimize transportation budgets

• Stay ahead of capacity shifts

Our forecasting accuracy is trusted by Fortune 500 OEMs and suppliers and has been recognized with top honors, including:

• The Lawrence R. Klein Blue Chip Award for Forecast Accuracy

• Top 10 Economic Forecaster recognitions from The Wall Street Journal and USA Today

3. Insights: It’s More Than Just Truck Builds

ACT doesn’t stop at Class 8.

We apply our methodology across multiple transportation indices to give you a 360-degree view of the freight market. This includes:

• Cass Shipments Index Forecasts

• Cass Truckload Linehaul Index® Forecasts

• DAT Spot Rate Forecasts (Dry Van, Reefer, Flatbed)

• LTL Tonnage and Yield Forecasts

• Intermodal Load and Rate Forecasts

• U.S. Economic Outlooks

In 2021, we partnered with Cass Information Systems to develop the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index® Forecast — combining our expertise to forecast rate movements with industry-leading accuracy.

All in One Place: ACT’s Freight Forecast

With the ACT Freight Forecast, your business gains monthly access to this entire suite of data, forecasts, and analysis — all in one platform.

From capacity planning to rate strategy, we provide the visibility you need to prepare for what’s next.

Data. Analysis. Insights.
Delivered monthly. Trusted industry-wide.
This is actionable intelligence — and it’s only from ACT Research.