The index contracted a total of 6.3 percent from June through October. In November, the seasonally adjusted tonnage index equaled 110.7 (2000 = 100). In October, the index was at the lowest level in five years.

Despite the increase in the seasonally adjusted measure, the freight outlook remains bleak. Specifically, the not seasonally adjusted index, which measures the change in actual tonnage volumes reported by the fleets before any seasonal adjustments, fell 15.4 percent to 101.3 in November.

The seasonally adjusted index declined 1.8 percent compared with November 2007, which was the second straight year-over-year decrease.

ATA chief economist Bob Costello cautioned against misinterpreting the slight increase in freight tonnage as indicative of the beginnings of an economic turnaround. Freight volumes remain weak, he said. Tonnage was also off from year-over levels showing the weakness in freight. Costello said he expects freight to further weaken as the economy contracts through the first half of 2009.

Source: Truckinginfo.com, Dec. 29, 2008


12/9/08

EPA Finalizes Rule Requiring Availability of Heavy Duty Service Information

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule on Dec. 4 that will require on-board diagnostic systems (OBD) on heavy-duty vehicles, those weighing more than 14,000 pounds. The computer systems will be mandated to monitor all major emissions control systems and that any malfunctions be detected prior to emissions exceeding specified thresholds. Engine manufacturers are required to certify at least one engine family to the OBD requirements in the 2010 through 2012 model years. Beginning 2013, all highway engines for all manufacturers would have to be certified to the OBD requirements. 

The new rule further requires that engine manufacturers make available all emission-related service information available to independent repair facilities over Web sites. In addition, beginning in 2013, all tools must be made available and that the manufacturers provide equipment and tool companies with access to all generic and enhanced information including bi-direction control and data stream information. The engine manufacturers will not be required to make available tools with reconfiguration capabilities if they can demonstrate to the agency that the tools are not essential to the completion of emission-related repairs. In addition, as a condition of purchase, manufacturers may request that the purchaser take all necessary training offered by the engine manufacturer prior to purchasing reconfiguration tools as long as the training meets certain conditions regarding availability.

The service information requirements take effect for the 2010 model year, while the scan tool availability does not take effect until the 2013 model year. The final rule will likely not be published in the Federal Register for about two weeks, but can be viewed by visiting www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/im/obd/regtech/heavy.htm.



11/25/08


Truck Tonnage Index Drops 3 Percent

The American Trucking Associations' (ATA) advanced seasonally adjusted for-hire truck tonnage index plunged 3 percent in October, marking the fourth consecutive month-to-month drop.

The index fell 0.8 percent in September and 1.9 percent in August. In October, the seasonally adjusted tonnage index equaled 108.9 (2000 = 100), its lowest level since October 2003. The seasonally adjusted index declined 1.8 percent compared with October 2007.

Bob Costello, chief economist, ATA, said that truck tonnage is down a total of 6.3 percent of the last four months, highlighting how bad the U.S. economy is currently.

Costello noted that there has been a leveling off of the traditional fall freight season for trucking companies in recent years, where more freight is delivered in November and December, but that this October was particularly weak due to the economic recession.

Source: Truckinginfo.com, Nov. 25, 2008

October Truck Sales Fall 17.4 Percent

Sales of medium- and heavy-duty trucks dropped 17.4 percent last month from October 2007, to 26,705.

Sales of Class 4-8 trucks have decreased every month since February 2007. The latest drop brings sales of Class 4-8 trucks in the first 10 months of 2008 to 274,163, down 19.7 percent from a year earlier.

In October, sales of Class 8 big trucks were up 2.6 percent to 12,073. But sales in all other classes plummeted by double-digit percentages.

Class 4 sales fell 24.3 percent to 4,650, Class 5 skidded 10.8 percent to 2,925, Class 6 flopped 43.9 percent to 2,702, and Class 7 fell 30.9 percent to 4,355.

Among truck makers, International dropped 7.7 percent to 6,690 units to take first place in sales last month. Sales at Ford, which had been No. 1 a year earlier, slipped 27.9 percent to 5,524. No. 3 Freightliner sold 4,536, down 18.4 percent.

Peterbilt was a distant fourth with sales of 1,835, dipping 3.4 percent.

Through October, Ford remained No. 1 with sales of 58,493, down 28.1 percent. That gave Ford a 1,130-truck lead over International, whose sales fell 4.3 percent to 57,363.

Freightliner was No. 3 through October, with sales dropping 22.6 percent to 51,814.

For the first 10 months, sales decreased in classes 4 through 8. Class 5's 7.8 percent drop, to 34,679, was the only single-digit percentage decline. The largest drop came in Class 7 sales: a 29.4 percent slide to 42,658.

Source: Truckinginfo.com, Nov. 24, 2008


11/18/08


Heavy Duty 2008 Technician/Machinist of the Year Nominations Sought

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, Dayton Parts, LLC (DP, LLC), Haldex, MAHLE Clevite and SKF are now accepting nominations for the 2008 Technician of the Year Award program. The program is designed to recognize a technician or HD machinist who exemplifies the best qualities of the profession, including his/her technical and mechanical experience, service specialties and overall contributions to the commercial vehicle industry.

Throughout the year (until Dec. 31, 2008), commercial vehicle fleet and HD machine shop managers may nominate a technician or shop machinist by completing the nomination form available at www.techoftheyear.com. A link to the nomination form is also available on each of the five participating sponsor company Web sites. Following the Dec. 31, 2008, nomination deadline, a panel of independent judges from various commercial vehicle industry organizations will chose a winner from the pool of applications.

The winning technician will be announced during Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) 2009. In addition, the winner and the nominator will receive a VIP trip to attend HDAW 2009, Feb. 16-19, 2009, at the Rosen Centre Hotel & Resort and Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. A reception will be held during HDAW to honor the 2008 Technician of the Year winner. The technician and his/her fleet also will receive national recognition from select commercial vehicle industry trade publications.

The Technician of the Year Award program is designed to recognize fleet technicians and shop machinists as valuable assets in the commercial vehicle marketplace. Bendix, DPI, Haldex and SKF created the program in 2005, and value the award as an industry standard, recognizing those who dedicate proper maintenance techniques to the profitability and quality of a fleet’s operations. MAHLE Clevite recently joined the four original sponsors for the 2008 season.

For more information on the Technician of the Year Program or to nominate a technician, visit www.techoftheyear.com. If you need a printed form, so you can submit a fax nomination, contact Doug Fike at 800-323-8024 ext. 4472.


10/30/08


September Truck Sales Down 7.4 Percent

Sales of medium- and heavy-duty trucks dropped 7.4 percent in September from the same month a year ago, to 25,716 units.

Sales of Class 4-8 trucks have been declining since February 2007, but the pace of decline slowed in September. In August, sales plunged 22.6 percent.

In the first nine months of the year, Class 4-8 sales fell 19.7 percent from the year-earlier period, to 248,009 trucks.

Sales of large trucks were mixed in September.

Sales of Class 8 trucks were up 12.5 percent to 10,891 units, but that was the only class to post a gain.

Class 7 trucks took the biggest hit, plummeting 26.5 percent to 3,535 units. Sales of Class 5 trucks skidded 22.9 percent to 2,403 units.

Class 6 sales fell 24.7 percent to 2,869 units.

Sales of Class 4 trucks dropped 5.2 percent to 6,018 units.

International sold 5,689 units, up 21.9 percent, to take first place among truck makers last month. International beat out Ford, which sold 5,659 units, down 23.8 percent. Freightliner's sales climbed 8.9 percent to 4,830 units for third place.

Source: Truckinginfo.com, Oct. 28, 2008



10/28/08


ATA Truck Tonnage Index Falls Again in September

The American Trucking Associations' (ATA) advanced seasonally adjusted for-hire truck tonnage index decreased 0.9 percent in September, marking the third consecutive month-to-month drop.

The index fell 1.6 percent in August and 0.9 percent in July. In September, the seasonally adjusted tonnage index equaled 112.6 (2000 = 100), its lowest level since October 2007. The not seasonally adjusted index increased 1.1 percent to 116.3 in September.

For the third quarter, the seasonally adjusted index contracted 1.2 percent compared with the second quarter, equating to a 4.8 percent annualized rate decrease.

The seasonally adjusted index was just 0.8 percent higher compared with September 2007. While the index rose year-over-year because of weak 2007 volumes, it is quickly falling toward negative territory.

Bob Costello, chief economist, ATA, said the recent decreases in truck tonnage are consistent with a recession. Costello forecasts a recession beginning in the 2008 third quarter and through the first quarter of 2009.