Fleet Survey Indicates Increased Activity for Class 8 Orders in Q3 2013

Columbus, OH (August 5, 2013) Sixty-five percent of the fleet executives that responded to the Q3 2013 Fleet Sentiment survey conducted by CK Commercial Vehicle Research (www.ckcvr.com) in late July indicated they planned to place orders for Class 8 trucks in the next three months.  This is an increase from the 53% that responded affirmatively during the Q2 survey in April.  The estimated size of those orders was down quarter/quarter but significantly higher year over year, 6.1% of participants' inventory in Q3 13 vs. 1.4% in Q3 12.  Expected trailer order activity was down in Q3 quarter/quarter and year/year.  Overall the CKCVR Buying Index, which combines both planned tractor and trailer orders, calculated to 95.2 for Q3 2013, a 2% decline from Q2 results but a 9% improvement over the Q3 2012 reading.  Details from the quarterly survey are published in the Fleet Sentiment Report www.ckcvr.com/fleet-sentiment

Other highlights from the Q3 2013 Fleet Sentiment survey:

·         The percentage of fleets that "need more equipment" to meet freight demand continues to grow. 

·         Average age for Class 8 vehicles for group responding is 5.2 years – trailers at 8.9 years. 

·         Overall environment at the fleets surveyed is good

·         Still few units are designated for added capacity although more individual fleets are adding some capacity

·         More than half of units operated by the group responding are reported to have an average length of haul of less than 500 miles. 

·         A Special Supplement to the Fleet Sentiment Report indicates

o    Few fleets expect equipment purchases to change because of new Hours of Service rules

o    Most are skeptical of OEM claims of a better truck due to more vertical integration of components

o    Some movement away from the International brand due to engine issue.  However price has lured some to the brand. 

Forty eight fleets participated in the Q3 2013 Fleet Sentiment and Special Supplemental Report Survey.  They operate in excess of 31,000 Class 8 trucks and 86,000 trailers. Responses were received between July 17 and July 26. 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. More information about the Fleet Sentiment Report and other CK Commercial Vehicle reporting can be found at www.ckcvr.com.

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.  Each quarter the survey participants report on their planned medium and heavy duty truck and trailer purchases including brand preferences,  and whether they are designated for replacement or added capacity.   Additional information is reported from the group including equipment utilization rates, parked vehicles, freight demand vs. fleet capacity, and the driver shortage impact on their fleet.  Complete survey results are reported in the Fleet Sentiment Report, a quarterly report published by CK Commercial Vehicle Research.  For more information about the Fleet Sentiment Report or other fleet studies conducted by CKCVR, visit www.ckcvr.com or send an e-mail to chris@ckcvr.com or call 614-459-9369.

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.