
Trends & Headlines
Trends & Headlines
ACT Research is featured regularly by major news outlets for our work covering Class 8 truck orders, sales, forecasting, used truck sales, freight rates, trailer sales, and much more.
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Impact of new truck orders on capacity in 2023 and beyond

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Will Fleets Pre-Buy Trucks Ahead of EPA 2027 Emissions Regs?

What's ahead for trucking market in 2023

Nightly Business Report – February 4, 2019

September 2023 Coverage
- ACT Research: Pent-Up Equipment Demand Likely to Fade into Year End
- Vocational market lone bright spot in newest 2024 build forecasts
- Pent-Up Equipment Demand Likely to Fade into Year End, Though Vocational Truck Demand Remains Strong
- California’s Zero-Emissions Rule Triggers a Run on Diesel Rigs
- ACT: Trailer orders up month-over-month in August
- Trailer orders showed little change in August
- ACT Research: Preliminary Net Trailer Orders Remain Seasonally Soft
- ACT Research: Preliminary Net Trailer Orders Remain Seasonally Soft
- Trailer orders climb in August: ACT Research
- ACT Research: Class 8 Truck Sales Surge 14% in August
- Used trucks cost 26% less in August than last year
- August sees high used truck sales, ACT reports
- 'Uncharacteristically large' boost to used truck sales in August
- Half of commercial vehicles sold in the U.S. will be zero emissions by 2040, ACT says
- Report: Half of commercial vehicles will be 'zero-emission' by 2040
- Podcast: ACT Research takes a look at what lies ahead for trucking
- August Class 8 truck orders reach highest level since February
- Truck orders in August highest since February
- Half of all Commercial Vehicles will be Zero Emissions by 2040
- ACT Research: Half of commercial vehicles to be zero emissions by 2040
- ACT Research: 50% of All Commercial Vehicles Will Be Zero Emission by 2040
- Half of U.S. commercial vehicles will be zero emissions by 2040: ACT Research
- ACT Research to launch new expanded forecast report in 2024
- New truck orders remain below replacement levels, used inventories climbing
- Class 8 Truck Orders Fall 12% in August
- Industry experts share thoughts on trucking’s future at ACT seminar
- ACT Research hires Teolis as chief economist
- ACT Research appoints chief economist
- ACT Research Names Teolis New Chief Economist
- July Used Class 8 Sales Decline 9.3% Year-Over-Year
- Truck orders in August highest since February
- Research firms: Class 8 orders up for February
- Preliminary Class 8 truck orders see solid August numbers
- August Class 8 Truck Orders the Best Month Since February at 19,000 Units
- Is the Largest Truck Prebuy Ever on the Horizon?
- Better days ahead for carriers that survive freight cycle’s bottom
- ACT Research: August Class 8 Truck Orders the Best Month Since February
- Less popular and less expensive used trucks in July
- U.S. Hiring Settles Into a Lower Gear
- Used truck sales volumes, prices trending down
- Equipment market braces for Yellow’s used tractor, trailer sales
Previous Month's Coverage
Equipment market braces for Yellow’s used tractor, trailer sales
July Used Retail Sales Decrease in Line with but Greater than Expected
Used truck sales slipped across the board in July
ACT: Used Class 8 Retail Sales Falter in July
ACT Research: July Used Retail Truck Sales Decrease Greater Than Expected
Used Truck Market Can Likely Handle Yellow Liquidation
Trucking industry forecasted to improve in 2023, 2024
Trailer forecasts increase, based on rising production: ACT Research
Analysts Forecast Higher Trailer Build in 2023 and 2024
U.S. trucking firms see freight downturn reversing after dour quarter
Wabash opens trailer manufacturing facility in Indiana
Higher Trailer Build Forecast, Class 8 Backorders Easing
Exploring EVs at ACT Research’s Market Vitals conference
Recession possible but less likely than before, experts say at ACT Research conference
ACT Research: Trucking industry ‘cautiously optimistic’ about trailer market
July Trailer Orders Show Sequential Turnaround
As rates still lag, trucking forecast is cloudy going into 2024
Efficient operation is key to surviving trucking downcycle
US Class 8 truck sales still strong despite losing steam in July
Trailer build rates remain strong in the face of economic headwinds
Outlook for trailer builds in 2024 more bullish, ACT says
Truck, trailer backlogs likely to keep shrinking until 2024 order boards open
ACT Research: Freight Market is a Slow Balance Act
ACT Research: Trucking Industry Forecasts Move Higher Following Rising Economic Expectations
Preliminary Net Trailer Orders Rise as 2024 Books Begin to Open
With 2023 Overbooked, Class 8 Orders Will now set the Tone for 2024
Used Truck Market Declined in July
Economic Trucking Trends: Flatdeckers weigh on spot market rates, private fleets adding trucks
Trailer orders rise as 2024 order books open: ACT Research
With 2023 Overbooked, Class 8 Orders Will Now Set the Tone for 2024
ACT Research Says With 2023 Overbooked, Class 8 Orders Will Now Set the Tone for 2024
Trailer orders fall to 2023 low in July
ACT Research: A Slow Rebalancing in the U.S. Freight Market
Preliminary net trailer orders rise as ’24 books open
Medium-Duty Truck Sales Jump 10.9% in July
Trucking industry forecasts move higher following rising economic expectations
Trucking Industry Forecasts Move Higher on Rising Economic Expectations, ACT Research
Freight market begins rebalancing, ACT reports
Trucking industry forecasts move higher following rising economic expectations
Used truck volumes dip in July
ACT's industry forecast rises following heightening economic expectations
Trucking Industry Forecasts Move Higher on Rising Economic Expectations, ACT Research
Truckload linehaul rates have fallen an average of -1.1% a month for the past 12 months
Trucking Industry Forecasts Move Higher Following Rising Economic Expectations
Used Class 8 rigs see solid June sales
Fleet failures playing role in fueling used-truck market surge
ACT Research: Increasingly Tough Conditions for Trailer Customers and Dealers in June
ACT Research Reports Increasingly Tough Conditions for Trailer Customers and Dealers in June
Freight rates, volumes poised to rise as fears of recession fade
Economic Trucking Trends: A ‘meh’ week for trucking economic indicators
Fleet Churn and More Inventory Created Better-than-Expected Used Class 8 Sales Volumes in June
Used truck sales post monthly growth
Truck orders rise slightly in June
June Used Class 8 Sales Little Changed From Last Year
Challenges ahead for US trailer market
ACT: ‘Clouds’ on trailer-market horizon ‘bear watching’
Clouds on horizon for trailer market?
Prelim report shows trailer orders slip, cancellations rise: ACT Research
ACT Research: Preliminary Net Trailer Orders Fall, Cancellations Elevated but ’24 Books Opening
Seasonally Weak Orders, Recovering Supply Chains Enable Elevated Class 8 Production in June
Trailer bookings hit seasonal low in June awaiting ’24 orders
Preliminary net trailer orders fall, according to ACT Research
Trailer orders 75% lower in June than last year
Economic Trucking Trends: Freight recession lingers, but economic growth to improve
June Trailer Orders Drop 59% Year-Over-Year
Preliminary Net Trailer Orders Fall, Cancellations Elevated but ’24 Books Opening
Analysts Rate Freight Cycle at Or Near Bottom
Trailer orders hit year-low in June
Used same dealer sales on the rise
US declining freight rates’ silver lining
In June, used trucks sold 24% more in number and 27% less than last year
June Used Truck Market Enjoys Historically Expected Sales Gains
ACT Research: June used truck market enjoys ‘historically expected’ sales gains
US Freight Market Bouncing Along the Cycle Bottom
ACT Research: US freight market ‘bouncing along the cycle bottom’
US trailer industry demand dynamic is shifting
ACT Research: U.S. Freight Market Bouncing Along the Cycle Bottom
ACT Research: US Freight Market Bouncing Along the Cycle Bottom
Monthly Cass report suggests freight market bottom may be near
Freight Rates Down 21%; Truckload Cycle Nears Bottom
June Class 8 Orders Continue Rebound
Freight Market Trends 2nd Half 2023: Key Insights and Expectations
Lifelong engineer keeps eyes on the future
ACT Research: Retail sales, production forecasts follow economic expectations higher
CARB Deal With OEMs to Benefit Trucking Companies Too
ACT updates 2024 equipment forecast
Trucking Enters Late Down Cycle
Midyear Class 8 orders stabilize, allowing OEMs to focus on backlogs
Focus on used trucks: Class 8 sales trend up, costs to run them keep rising
Class 8 orders quiet again in June as backlogs fall
ACT Research: June Class 8 Truck Orders Increase 5% Y/Y
Class 8 orders quiet again in June as backlogs fall
June Class 8 Truck Orders Increase 5% Y/Y at 16,200 Units
Little movement for truck orders in June
Economic Trucking Trends: Class 8 orders soft, decreasing backlogs
Loaded and Rolling: Yellow stares down the precipice
Focus on used trucks: Class 8 sales trend up, costs to run them keep rising
May Trailer Orders Decrease 54% Year-Over-Year
Analysts forecast slight increases in Class 8 retail sales, production volumes
Spot Market Struggles With Prolonged Bottom
May Used Class 8 Sales Down 4.9% Year-Over-Year
ACT: U.S. trailer demand dynamic is shifting
ACT Research: Used Class 8 Sales Uncharacteristically High in May
ACT Research: Used Class 8 tractor sales ‘uncharacteristically high’
ACT confirms boost in used volumes; price still down
US Trailer Industry Demand Dynamic is Shifting
ACT: U.S. trailer demand dynamic is shifting
ACT: Trailer industry demand shifts
US Trailer Industry Demand Dynamic is Shifting
ACT Research: U.S. Trailer Industry Demand Dynamic Is Shifting
ACT Research: US trailer industry demand dynamic is shifting
Freight Market Rebalances as Cycle Nears Turning Point
ACT Research: Freight Market Rebalances as Cycle Nears Turning Point
Depressed freight sector “rebalances” in May as it nears a turning point
Analysts project industry conditions are at or near bottom, poised to rebound
Indicators keep pointing to bottoming freight cycle
Trucking spot rates should be on the rise: ACT Research
Rebound in used truck sales in May
Fall in May trailer orders in the United States
Trailer orders spin five months of falls in the US
Class 8 truck orders bounce back in May
Class 8 Backlog on a Downward Trajectory until 2024 Orderboards Open
Class 8 Backlog on a Downward Trajectory until 2024 Orderboards Open
North American Freight Market Insights
Backlog keeps shrinking as OEMs wait to open 2024 orderboards
ACT Research: Preliminary net trailer orders fall, cancellations rise; backlogs still elevated
Economic Trucking Trends: Stabilization the theme of the week
Trailer orders down again as cancellations rise
Used truck volumes trend upward in May
ACT Research: May Net Trailer Orders Fall 54% Y/Y
Spot market should improve from here, ACT Research suggests
ACT Research: US Freight Cycle Near Bottom
US net trailer orders fall in May, cancellations rise
Medium-Duty Truck Sales Rise 28.6% in May
Clearer road or more bumps ahead for US trucking: depends who you ask
ACT Research predicts higher sales and production of Class 8 trucks
Analysts Forecast Slight Increases in Class 8 Retail Sales and Production Volumes in 2023
ACT Research Forecasts Slights Increases in Class 8 Retail Sales for Rest of 2023
Analysts forecast slight increases in Class 8 retail sales, production volumes in ’23
US heavy duty industry nears downward tipping point: ACT
Medium-Duty Segment Offers Entrée to Fleet Electrification
May Class 8 Orders Show Year-Over-Year Rebound
Trucking conditions continue to weaken
Higher trailer build in 2023 to reduce backlog for 2024: ACT Research
Class 8 truck orders in North America rise in May after declining for two months
ACT Research: Class 8 truck orders at 15,500 units in May
May equipment orders rise as build slots dwindle
Class 8 Truck Orders at 15,500 Units in May, up 10% Y/Y
Long-distance trucking jobs to shrink by 50K this year: ACT
Rising May Class 8 truck orders less telling than backlog burn
Loaded and Rolling: Back-office jobs still in demand; EPA electric truck plan draws concern
Class 8 Truck Orders Bounce Back in May with 10% Y/Y Increase
Analysts agree trucking conditions, rates are bottoming, but when will the uptick start?
Used Class 8 Truck Retail Sales Pulled Back 23% in April, Suggesting Softening Demand
Used Class 8 Truck Retail Sales Fell 23% in April, Suggesting Softening Demand
Used Class 8 tractor retail sales show 23% drop in April
Analysts agree trucking conditions, rates are bottoming, but when will the uptick start?
Decline in sales and prices of used trucks in the United States
Higher trailer build in 2023 to reduce backlog for 2024: ACT Research
Trucking conditions still loose, but rebalancing is underway
For-Hire Trucking Index Shows Continued Declines in April
Higher trailer build rate forecasted for 2023, ACT Research says
For-Hire Trucking Index shows continued declines in April, ACT Research reports
Used truck prices: What was up has come down, way down
Trailer orderboards 'fully committed' for 2023: ACT Research
Trailer OEMs voice concern about 2024 demand
Trailer orderboards 'fully committed' for 2023: ACT Research
Are We Near the Bottom of the Freight Cycle?
ACT Research: US trailer industry orderboards for 2023 almost fully committed
US Freight Cycle Near Bottom as Capacity Begins to Tighten
Economic Trucking Trends: What are equipment orders saying about trucking conditions?
Class 8 backlog continues to subside
Classes 5-8 Production Exceeded Build Plans Again; Retail Sales Remain Robust
ACT: Classes 5-8 Production Exceeded Build Plans Again; Retail Sales Remain Robust
Class 8 tractor production exceeds build plans as retail sales remain robust
April Trailer Orders Down 49% Year-Over-Year
ACT Research: Preliminary net trailer orders decline
Freight rates near the bottom; trailer sales down
ACT Research: U.S. Freight Cycle Near Bottom as Capacity Begins to Tighten
Preliminary trailer orders show another dip in April
US Freight Cycle Near Bottom as Capacity Begins to Tighten
April Medium-Duty Sales See 16.2% Rebound
US freight cycle near bottom as capacity begins to tighten
A balanced look at the used truck market
Used Truck Same Dealer Retail Sales Shrank 22% M/M in April
Trailer orders decline on seasonal, cyclical 'headwinds': ACT Research
Preliminary used Class 8 truck same dealer retail sales shrank in April
Used same dealer sales fall again in April
Economic Trucking Trends: Pent-up truck demand remains, why May matters to spot market
ACT Research: Analysts Forecast Strong Class 8 Production, Sales to Exhaust Pent-up Demand
Analysts Forecast Strong Class 8 Production and Sales to Exhaust Pent-up Demand in 2023
ACT Research Expects Strong Class 8 Production and Sales Will Exhaust Pent-Up Demand in 2023
ACT Research: Analysts forecast strong Class 8 production, sales
April Class 8 Orders Continue Year-Over-Year Declines
A “Good” Recession for Hydraulics and Pneumatics
Class 8 orders plummeted in April
For-Hire Trucking Index Freight Rates Lowest Since April 2020
Truck orders fall for sixth time in seven months
ACT Research: Class 8 truck orders down 27% in April
April truck orders plummet, two industry data firms report
March Used Class 8 Sales Down 20% Year-Over-Year
ACT Research: Class 8 Truck Orders at 11,600 Units in April, down 27% Y/Y
Freight rates skidded in March to lowest level since April 2020, ACT says
ACT Research: For-Hire Trucking Index freight rates lowest since April 2020
ACT Research’s Pricing Index Hits Lowest Point Since April 2020
Strong trailer demand, lingering supply chain challenges push backlog up
Used truck sales in March exceed seasonal expectations
Natural gas sales 'fickle,' but will hold their own in the face of zero emission alternatives
March Trailer Orders Down 55.7% Year-Over-Year
Rebalancing act: Hard times are in store for the trucking industry as shipment numbers continue to fall, analysts say
US Trailer Industry Committed Nearly Through 2023
ACT: Trailer demand, supply chain constraints eat up 2023 supply
Strong trailer demand, lingering supply-chain challenges push backlog up
Classes 5-8 Production Exceeds Build Plans in March as Interest Rates Increase
Natural gas truck sales ‘fickle’ so far this year
Economic Trucking Trends: Q1 earnings paint grim picture as freight conditions deteriorate
ACT Research: Net trailer order demand remains healthy
March trailer orders dip, backlog eases
Lower rates beginning to impact freight capacity as ‘pendulum of pricing power’ sits with shippers
Despite a Drop in Preliminary Net Trailer Orders, Demand Remains Healthy
Trailer orders slip back in March
Despite a Drop in Preliminary Net Trailer Orders, Demand Remains Healthy
Several reports, experts sound trucking economy red alerts
March Class 8 Sales Up 21.9% to 24,823
ACT: Classes 5-8 production exceeded build plans in March
Used truck market sees retail boost in March
Preliminary used truck same dealer sales ballooned in March
Biden admin proposes stricter emissions regs for passenger, commercial vehicles
Experts anticipate another rate hike in 2023
Class 8 truck orders see March decline
Sales of Used Class 8 Trucks Drop 8 Percent
Class 8 Truck Orders at 19.2K Units in March, Down 10% Y/Y
Class 8 orders slip back in March
ACT Research: Class 8 Truck Orders at 19,200 Units in March, down 10% Y/Y
Economists say mild recession feels more damaging due to recent highs
Battery electric truck production expected to triple in 2023
Trailer builds increase, pushing backlogs down—a little
Used truck volumes see larger than anticipated slip
Used Class 8 truck sales retreated in February
Trailer OEMs slashed month off backlog in February
US trailer industry increases build rate in February
For-hire trucking capacity growth seeing sharp slowdown
US Trailer Industry Increases Build Rate in February, Demand Could Be Softening
For-Hire Trucking Capacity Growth Rate on Path to Recovery
Used Class 8 Truck Sales Retreated in February, 8% Lower M/M
February Used Class 8 Sales Down 20% Year-Over-Year
ACT Research: Sharp Slowdown in For-Hire Trucking Capacity Growth
Market update: ACT Research volume data suggests freight cycle bottoming out
Trailer backlog falls, chatter on softening demand
Will Fleets Pre-Buy Trucks Ahead of EPA 2027 Emissions Regs?
Electric Truck Market Considers Infrastructure Reality
Used Class 8 sales retreat, 8% lower in February
Strong trailer demand continues but backlog remains
ACT: Freight cycle likely nearing bottom
Freight downcycle is closer to the end than the start, ACT says
Battery Electric Truck Production Expected to Triple This Year
ACT Research: Preliminary net trailer orders indicate strong demand
Trailer buyers need to ‘maintain their patience’, ACT Research says
ACT Research: Refrigerated Market to Lead Us Out of the Downcycle?
Truckload Spot Market Decreases
Classes 5-8 Production Relative to Build Plan Fell Short in February
ACT Research offers update on backlog to build ratios
Preliminary Net Trailer Orders Indicate Strong Demand Continues
Strong demand continues: US net trailer orders
Preliminary Net Trailer Orders Indicate Strong Demand Continues
Trailer buyers need to 'maintain their patience,' ACT Research says
Trailer orders creep upward; below 2022 pace
Preliminary Used Truck Same Dealer Retail Sales Increased 2% M/M in February
Class 8 Used Truck Retail Sales Increase 2% Month to Month in February
ACT Research says used truck pricing falls despite steady volume
Used truck prices drop in U.S.: ACT Research
With new trucks scarce, fleets alter course to address tractor needs
Class 8 Orders Rebound in February
Electric truck production expected to triple in 2023
Battery Electric Truck Production Expected to Triple This Year
Truck orders climb for the first time in five months
Class 8 orders rise for first time in months
ACT: Battery electric truck production will triple in 2023
Battery electric truck manufacturing ramps up
Class 8 tractor orders see modest jump in February
Class 8 Truck Orders at 23,600 Units in February, up 13% Y/Y
Manufacturers expect trailer demand to top capacity through 2023: ACT Research
Truck orders stabilizing at healthy levels
Preliminary February Class 8 truck net orders see gains
ACT Research Focuses on Decarbonization at Latest Seminar
Used Class 8 truck sales increase in January
Truck orders reverse trend, rise slightly in February
Why Class 8 truck orders are outperforming shaky economy
Class 8 orders rise for first time in months
Class 8 Truck Orders at 23.6K Units in February, Up 13% Y/Y
DOE Outlines Higher Upfront Costs for Green Heavy Trucks
Used Class 8 Truck Sales Increased 12% Month to Month in January
Trailer demand remains high as used big rig sales see gains
Used Class 8 Truck Sales Increased 12% M/M in January
Manufacturers expect trailer demand to top capacity through 2023: ACT Research
Used truck sales climb, prices dip in January: ACT Research
Trailer demand to outstrip production all year: ACT Research
ACT Research: US trailer backlog-to-build ratio reaches 9.9 months in January
Despite economic headwinds, January saw increased sales of Class 8 trucks
US Trailer Industry Committed Through Most of 2023
Retail used truck volumes recovering?
Wabash to Speak on Dynamic Changes in Logistics at ACT Research Seminar

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