Driver Shortage Impact on Fleet Capacity is Widespread

Columbus, OH (May 5, 2011) More than seven in ten fleets surveyed for the Q2 2011 Fleet Sentiment Report indicate that the shortage of drivers is either impacting their fleet now or may in the future. 42% see a problem today with current seats empty, limits on the number of new units that can be added for new capacity or by the necessity to re-deploy their fleet to more short haul/regional routes. Another 32% that are unaffected now believe the shortage of this resource could impact their fleet in the future. 

The Fleet Sentiment Report Buying Index fell in Q2 2011 to a reading of 90.5.   However, the reading simply measures the number of survey respondents who plan to place orders in the next three months; supplemental information collected regarding the size of orders and fleets planning them point to continued strong demand for medium/heavy duty power units and trailers  

CKCVR regularly polls a group of small, medium and large for-hire, private and government fleet operators about their equipment purchasing plans and overall fleet environment.  The quarterly Fleet Sentiment survey includes questions about short and longer term equipment buying plans, preferred OEM, new specs, current fleet capacity vs. freight demand, equipment utilization rates including the percent of parked vehicles, 2010 emission engine choices, the impact of a driver shortage and a product discussion.  In April 2011, 52 fleets operating more than 77,000 medium and heavy duty power units and 132,000 trailers responded to the quarterly Fleet Sentiment questionnaire.    Complete survey results are reported in the Fleet Sentiment Report, a quarterly report of CK Commercial Vehicle Research.  For more information about the Fleet Sentiment Report, visit www.ckcvr.com/fleetsentiment or send an e-mail to chris@ckcvr.com.

CK Commercial Vehicle Research (CKCVR) is a business of CK Marketing & Communications located in Columbus, Ohio.  CKCVR surveys fleet advisors representing a mix of large, medium and small for-hire, private and government fleet operations.