trucks News Updates

Orders for new Class 8 trucks in North America shot up dramatically in April to around 38,000, about 160% higher than the year-ago level, lengthening delivery schedules, according to industry officials.

As the backlog of orders for heavy-duty trucks has grown to levels not seen since late 2006, at least three of the four major vehicle manufacturers have announced commodity surcharges, with the extra fees as much as $975 a truck.

The American Truck Dealers held its annual convention in Phoenix this month, with members cheerful over the economic rebound but increasingly leery of pending federal regulations.

Several tank-truck operators said freight volumes are increasing and rates are moving higher thanks to the combination of that higher level of demand and lower capacity on the carrier side.

Sharply higher fuel prices put a significant dent in first-quarter earnings for truckload fleets, but seven of the eight companies that have reported thus far still managed to top year-earlier results.

USA Truck reported a first-quarter loss of $2.7 million, or 26 cents per share, compared with a loss of $3 million, or 24 cents, a year ago.

Class 8 retail truck sales in the United States soared 44.2% in March from a year earlier to the highest level in nearly four years, with all original equipment manufacturers posting volume gains of at least 10%.

The U.S. used Class 8 market, beset by a widespread scarcity of low-mileage vehicles and spiraling prices, is expected to receive a huge infusion of fresh supply, according to industry executives and analysts.

The Transportation Department said its recently unveiled three-year pilot program to allow Mexican trucks to enter the United States combines multiple safety-related steps with a new approach to determine the level of participation.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Activity in the U.S. truck market is accelerating as the nation’s economy grows and manufacturers ramp up production to meet growing demand, several truck maker and supplier officials said.