December Commentaries
Looking into the New Year: What Will 2020 Bring? Looking into 2020, there are several factors that will affect the course of the economy. Some of the factors are economic and some are political in nature. How events unfold will determine the course of the economy through the new-year and into 2021. |
The 2019 Class 8 Market Was A Thriller You could make a movie out of the dramatic Class 8 market in 2019. And that is exactly what Don Ake does in this commentary taking you through what he describes as one of the most cyclical industries in the entire economy. |
2020 Economic Outlook & Risks A lot has happened in the economy since our mid-year review. The international economy has weakened, with a definite shove from U.S. trade policy. Domestically the expansion has slowed, with the manufacturing sector shifting into reverse. Adding in impeachment and election year politics, the question as we enter 2020 is whether the overall economy will follow manufacturing into recession. |
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Conditions Indices & Equipment Orders |
FTR September Trucking Conditions Index Improves for October |
FTR’s September Shippers Conditions Index Stays in Positive Territory |
FTR Reports 2020 Trailer Ordering Season Off to Vibrant Start with 31,800 Preliminary Orders |
FTR reports that preliminary trailer orders for October were in line with expectations at 31,800 units, up 71% from September. October activity was the highest since November 2018, pointing to a vibrant start for the 2020 trailer ordering season. Regardless, orders were down significantly (-42%) y/y from 2018 near-record volume. Trailer orders for the past 12 months now total 241,000 units. Interactive graph and article >
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FFTR Reports November North American Class 8 Orders at a Disappointing 17,300 Units |
FTR reports preliminary North American Class 8 orders for November at a disappointing 17,300 units, down 21% from October. This is was the lowest November total since 2015 and was 39% lower than the same month a year ago. Fleets remain extremely cautious heading into 2020, placing small orders and not extending orders much beyond the first quarter. A couple OEMs reported decent order activity, but total orders fell below expectations. Class 8 orders for the past 12 months have now totaled 180,000 units. |
Latest Industry News with Intelligence from FTR |