Class 8, Trailer Orders Forecast to Spike in Q2: Fleet Survey

A fleet survey conducted in mid-April by CK Commercial Vehicle Research (CKCVR) predicts that both Class 8 and trailer orders will improve in the second quarter from the January-March period. 
 
Calculated units for orders planned in the next three months by the group reporting for the Q2 2015 Fleet Sentiment Report shows an increase from Q1 activity.  The CKCVR Buying Index which measures the number of fleets planning orders for power units and trailers as well as weighted volume estimates rose 19% Q/Q to a current reading of 112.0.  Fleets that participated in the survey represent a mix of fleet profiles operating 42,000 power units and 105,000 trailers. 
 
Driver shortage issues are still paramount with fleets reporting, especially as it impacts their ability to add capacity. Freight is plentiful and many indicate they would certainly buy more trucks in the current environment if they had good drivers to fill the seats. Overall “how’s business” rating in Q2 averaged 4.17 on a scale of 1-5. 
 
Other survey questions included in the Q2 Fleet Sentiment inquiry queried participants about equipment utilization, average age of Class 8 trucks versus target, replacement cycle adjustments, their preferences for near-shoring of components, and a snapshot view of consumed preventive maintenance parts. 
 
CK Commercial Vehicle Research has been surveying fleets for more than a decade and data reported in the Fleet Sentiment Report tracks activity from 2006. For more information about the Fleet Sentiment Report and other CK Commercial Vehicle reporting visit www.ckcvr.com or call Chris Kemmer at 614-459-9369.