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ELYRIA, Ohio — Coming off the safest year in its nearly 90-year history, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has been honored with a major corporate award recognizing its pursuit of safe operations. The company was named to EHS Today’s 2019 list of America’s Safest Companies, an annual award recognizing the safest companies in the United States. Bendix joins 15 other companies to be selected by the publication’s editors. EHS Today, a magazine for environment, health and safety leaders, founded America’s Safest Companies in 2002. Since then, more than 250 companies have earned the distinction. At a ceremony that was part of its 2019 Safety Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas, EHS Today presented the award to Bendix and the other 2019 honorees. “From the operations floor to the executive suite, employees throughout the Bendix organization strive to maintain the highest possible standard of safety, a value deeply held in our company culture,” said Carlos Hungria, Bendix chief operating officer. “This is an important part of our journey to operational excellence, and we are truly honored to be named among America’s Safest Companies with our 15 fellow recipients. The award reflects our unwavering commitment to ensure the well-being of each and every individual who sets foot inside a Bendix facility.” To be considered one of America’s Safest Companies, companies must demonstrate transformational environmental, health and safety leadership in the form of support from management and employee involvement; innovative solutions to safety challenges; injury and illness rates significantly lower than the average for their industries; comprehensive training programs; evidence that prevention of incidents is the cornerstone of the safety process; excellent communication internally and externally about the value of safety; and a way to substantiate the benefits of the safety process. An attitude of no compromise best describes Bendix’s pursuit of safe operations, which is built around the goal of zero injuries, Hungria said. In 2018, that unified mindset helped the company achieve its safest year ever. Of Bendix’s 18 North American locations, nearly all achieved significant safety milestones, and cumulatively experienced a 30 percent reduction from 2017’s injury rate. At the heart of the results are preventive and corrective safety programs, as well as processes and rituals that empower employees to help improve safety. Bendix has implemented mature safety processes, which continue to drive noticeable improvement in year-over-year safety results, Hungria said, adding that part of the long-term strategy of the Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) team, these processes include a 24-hour incident notification and containment policy; Safety Shares, a practice begun in 2019 involving the sharing of a personal safety lesson at the start of each meeting; lessons learned from incident sharing across all of Bendix’s plants to identify and eliminate similar risks; among others. In addition, engagement opportunities through the Safety STARS (Safety Top Achievement Recognition System) program enable employees to take on a key role in identifying unsafe conditions, unsafe behaviors, and safety improvements. Key to the success of the safety program has been the integration with the Knorr Production System (KPS) quality, productivity, and continuous improvement culture. KPS is practiced worldwide throughout the Munich, Germany-based Knorr-Bremse Group, of which Bendix is a member. KPS tools and rituals have helped quantify improvement activities, increase visibility to safety losses, escalate safety concerns, and drive team-level ownership of safety. “We’re so proud of our team members in Bendix blue who come to work every day 110 percent committed to performing their jobs safely,” said Maria Gutierrez, Bendix director of corporate responsibility and sustainability. “Their dedication made the America’s Safest Companies recognition possible. We look forward to reaching more milestones as we continue on Bendix’s safety journey.”        

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Lanehub, a collaborative transportation network that enables shippers or carriers to match recurring freight lanes based on long-term direct partnerships, has made what the company calls several significant enhancements to its software that will greatly improve collaboration for member companies. “With the new capabilities we’re introducing we’re addressing what our customers and our internal team identified as enhancements that will allow partners on the Lanehub network to collaborate more efficiently,” said Mark Hackl, CEO and founder of Lanehub. “Lanehub members will now have a better understanding of operational matches, requirements and constraints, more up-to-date and accurate data, and require less time and effort to use the software to greatly enhance collaboration.” New and enhanced capabilities of the Lanehub platform include: The addition of shipment level detail for reviewing matches with other companies by season, day of week, current cost and carrier allocation, and timing for round trip analysis The frequent automatic refreshing of up-to-date lane data to improve accuracy Ledger-like technology to track and allocate revenue sharing benefits Hackl said ongoing growth on the Lanehub collaborative transportation network is being driven by its ability to improve capacity utilization and reduce costs for logistics operations, and private and dedicated fleets. In the first half of 2019 the number of lane matches on the network rose by 262%, driven by increases in the number of fleets, lanes and shipments among Lanehub users. Lanehub is a cloud-based collaborative transportation network that enables shippers or carriers to match recurring freight lanes on a consistent basis to jointly source capacity or better utilize private or dedicated fleets. Among carriers using Lanehub are Anheuser-Busch, Pactiv, Unilever, Georgia-Pacific, Shaw Industries and Scotts Miracle-Grox. To learn more about Lanehub visit www.lanehub.com.      

PORTLAND, Ore. — Load posts on the spot truckload market closed the month of October on a high note, gaining 16% during the week ending November 3, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the industry’s largest electronic marketplace for spot truckload freight. Sustained higher volumes during October is a sign that holiday freight is starting to move. The number of truck posts fell 8%, which helped lift load-to-truck ratios and led to an increase in rates after several weeks of declines. National average spot rates for October included: Van: $1.80 per mile, 4 cents lower than the September average Flatbed: $2.17 per mile, 3 cents lower compared to September Reefer: $2.11 per mile, 5 cents lower than September Rates during the first three days of November were lower than October averages but were unchanged compared to the previous week: van, $1.79 per mile; flatbed, $2.12; and reefer, $2.09. Van Trends Spot van rates were higher on 59 of DAT’s Top 100 largest van lanes by volume. Two retail hubs for spot van freight — Los Angeles ($2.23 per mile, up 6 cents) and Columbus, Ohio ($2.14 per mile, up 7 cents) — paced rising markets. Rates increased on van lanes into the Northeast, including: Chicago to Buffalo, New York, $2.59 per mile, up 14 cents Charlotte to Buffalo, $2.06 per mile, up 10 cents Flatbed Trends Spot flatbed rates dipped as volumes declined for the fifth consecutive week. The flatbed load-to-truck ratio averaged 10.8 in October, down from 14.7 in October 2018 and 37.5 in October 2017. Christmas tree growers in North Carolina and Oregon, where six counties in the two states account for more than half of the 16 million trees harvested nationwide, are a big source of spot flatbed loads in November, but weakness from traditional sources—construction, oil and gas, machinery, agriculture—has caused the number of available loads to tumble. Where flatbed rates were up: Houston, which averaged $2.30 per mile (down 7 cents), and other Texas markets have been hurt by a slowdown in oil and gas production and development. Key outbound lanes were lower: Houston to Wichita, Kansas, $2.03 per mile, down 48 cents after a 38-cent gain the previous week Houston to New Orleans, $2.37 per mile, down 28 cents This weekly spot-rate snapshot is derived from DAT RateView, which provides real-time reports on spot market and contract rates, as well as historical rate and capacity trends. The RateView database is comprised of more than $65 billion in annualized freight payments. DAT load boards average 1.2 million load searches per business day. For more information visit dat.com/Trendlines.    

ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Transportation Research Institute said Monday that the average marginal cost per mile incurred by motor carriers in 2018 increased 7.7% to $1.82. The finding was a key data fact in ATRI’s 2019 update to “An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking.” Costs rose in every cost center except tires, with fuel costs experiencing the highest year-over-year growth of 17.7%. Not surprisingly, insurance costs saw the second fastest year-over-year growth at 12%. As a strategic response to the severe driver shortage that existed in 2018, driver wages and benefits increased 7.0 and 4.7%, respectively — representing 43 percent of all marginal costs in 2018. Repair & maintenance costs, at 17.1 cents per mile in 2018, have increased 24% since 2012, a counterintuitive increase given the record sales of new trucks and trailers. From 2012 to 2018, overall motor carrier operational costs have increased more than 11.6%, exceeding the 10.8 percent inflation rate for that same time period. “ATRI’s 2019 Operational Costs research highlights the extent of the cost increases our industry experienced in 2018. Savvy carriers will continue to use this cost data as a benchmarking tool, and to better educate our customers on the financial and operating pressures our industry faces,” said Jerry Sigmon, Executive vice president of Cargo Transporters. “The new 2019 report also gives us important explanations and hints on how to better manage the cost volatility we’ve been experiencing.” Since its original publication in 2008, ATRI has received over 16,000 requests for the Operational Costs reports. ATRI’s newest 2019 Ops Costs report documents the extremely robust economic environment that carriers and drivers experienced in 2018, but these same economic conditions put considerable upward pressure on nearly every line-item cost center experienced by carriers. Using detailed financial data provided directly by motor carriers of all sectors and fleet sizes, this “Ops Costs” research annually documents and analyzes trucking costs from 2008 through 2018. ATRI’s analysis provides industry stakeholders with an essential benchmarking tool, and government agencies with input on industry finances necessary for comprehensive transportation planning and infrastructure improvement analyses. A copy of this report is available from ATRI at www.TruckingResearch.org.     .    

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Mack Trucks Monday said that members of the United Auto Workers union ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement with the company that covers approximately 3,500 employees at six facilities in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida. “The new agreement allows us to continue providing our UAW-represented employees and their families with an attractive package of wages and benefits, while safeguarding the company’s competitiveness and supporting the success of our customers,” said Mack Trucks President Martin Weissburg. The union said the agreement was ratified by over 79% on Sunday. “Through the new four-year agreement, the UAW looks to further expand its long-term relationship with Mack Trucks,” said UAW Secretary-Treasurer and director of the UAW Heavy Truck Department, Ray Curry. “The solidarity of Mack Truck workers on the picket line achieved significant wage increases, bonuses, job security protections and held the line on health care costs,” said Curry. Our members look forward to returning to their jobs of designing and building Mack Trucks for the marketplace. Curry said strikes are never easy on members or their families. “We can’t thank enough the surrounding communities for the outpouring of support for our striking families.” Almost 3,600 United Auto Workers members walked off the job for the first time in 35 years on October 12. According to the official news release on the UAW’s website, the strike is to protest unfair pay, compensation and benefits for workers and their families. “UAW members get up every day and put in long, hard hours of work from designing to building Mack trucks,” said Ray Curry, secretary-treasurer of the UAW and director of the heavy truck department, in the official statement when the workers went on strike. “UAW members carry on their shoulders the profits of Mack and they are simply asking for dignity, fair pay and job protections.” At the time of the strike Weissburg said Mack was surprised and disappointed that the UAW decided to strike, rather than to allow Mack employees to keep building trucks and engines while the parties continued to negotiate. The positive working relationship between local UAW leadership and management at our facilities was clearly in evidence throughout the negotiations, and progress was being made, said. “Mack Trucks is part of the only heavy-truck manufacturing group that assembles all of its trucks and engines for the North American market here in the United States and continues to compete against products built in lower-cost countries. We have no plans to close any U.S. manufacturing; on the contrary, we’ve invested more than $400 million in our plants and logistics network over the last 10 years, and since 2015 have insourced work that has created more than 500 jobs in our U.S. factories. We have significant new investments in both facilities and products on the way. “We are committed to the collective bargaining process and remain confident that we will be able to arrive at an agreement that provides a competitive wage and benefit package for our employees and families and helps to ensure the company’s competitiveness.” Mack Trucks has facilities in Macungie, Pennsylvania; Middletown, Pennsylvania, Hagerstown, Maryland; and Jacksonville, Florida.  

READING, Pa. —  The Penske Logistics Premier Driver Recognition Program has welcomed eight of its safest truck drivers into its 2019 Driver Wall of Fame. These Diamond Class members are being celebrated for 20 years of consecutive safe driving. The Premier Driver Recognition Program has three levels to honor consecutive safe driving without an accident: Diamond (20 years), Platinum (15 years) and Gold (10 years). The Platinum and Gold classes, with 44 names, were previously announced. Now in its third year, the Penske Logistics Driver Wall of Fame has 49 all-time members on display at the company’s global headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Penske Logistics 2019 Driver Wall of Fame inductees: Athern Archer Jr., Michigan Melvin Bartsoff Jr., Michigan David Jones, Kansas Harold Legge, Ontario David Pearson, Ontario Charles Van Winkle, Indiana James Weiss, Indiana Jerry Wood, Indiana “It is my distinct honor to welcome these 2019 Driver Wall of Fame inductees,” said Marc Althen, Penske Logistics president: “Their names, and their stories, will become a permanent part of our company’s history of valuing safety while providing world-class customer service.” Penske Logistics is a Penske Transportation Solutions company with operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Penske Logistics provides supply chain management and logistics services to leading companies around the world. Penske Logistics delivers value through its design, planning and execution in transportation, warehousing and freight management. To learn more visit www.penskelogistics.com.      

PORTLAND, Ore. — Echoing previous weeks, load postings increased in a handful of key markets and are generally solid but fell 5% nationwide during the week ending October 27, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the industry’s largest electronic marketplace for spot truckload freight. Plentiful capacity pushed load-to-truck ratios lower and held rates in check. National Average Spot Rates for October (through October 27) included: Van: $1.80 per mile, 4 cents lower than the September average Flatbed: $2.18 per mile, 2 cents lower compared to September Reefer: $2.11 per mile, 5 cents lower than September Van Trends Spot van rates were higher on just 32 of DAT’s Top 100 largest van lanes by volume. While most markets were softer in terms of shipper demand for trucks, the number of van loads out of Los Angeles increased 8% and the outbound rate gained 2 cents to an average of $2.18 per mile. The load-to-truck ratio there touched 5.2 last Friday, a positive turn for carriers and perhaps a sign of better days ahead for fourth quarter imports. Where rates were up: After Los Angeles, it’s a short list of markets where rates increased last week. Seattle, up 1 cent to $1.61 per mile, improved on last week’s modest gain, and Denver rose a penny to $1.19 per mile. While truckers would welcome higher rates, Seattle and Denver are perennial low-priced markets with sub-national-average outbound rates. On the downside, Columbus, Ohio, fell 1 cent to $2.08 per mile and is down 5% over the past four weeks. Lanes to watch: Los Angeles to Dallas, up 5 cents to $1.82 per mile Seattle to Spokane, Washington, up 17 cents to $3.09 per mile Philadelphia to Boston, down 14 cents to $3.26 per mile Flatbed Trends Spot flatbed rates have been slipping all month and the national average load-to-truck ratio has declined from nearly 15:1 during the first week of October to 9:1 last week. Where rates were up: Phoenix, Tampa, Florida, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, may be on different sections of the map but they all had one thing in common: higher spot flatbed volumes. Loads from Harrisburg increased 6% compared to the previous week while Tampa and Phoenix gained roughly 4%. Lanes to watch: Houston to Wichita, Kansas, up 38 cents to $2.51 per mile Memphis, Tennessee, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, up 36 cents to $3.11 per mile – Reno, Nevada, to Watsonville, California, up 39 cents to $3.53 per mile This weekly spot-rate snapshot is derived from DAT RateView, which provides real-time reports on spot market and contract rates, as well as historical rate and capacity trends. The RateView database is comprised of more than $65 billion in annualized freight payments. DAT load boards average 1.2 million load searches per business day. For information go to www.dat.com/Trendlines.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — U.S. and Canadian Class 8 Natural Gas truck retail sales for the first eight months of 2019 gained 27% year-to-date, according to the recent quarterly report “AFQ: Alternative Fuels Quarterly” released by ACT Research. Year-to-date sales at this point in 2018 were down 26%, following a 13% full-year increase in 2017. The ACT Alternative Fuels Quarterly provides insight, analysis and trends about alternative fuel/power adoption for the U.S. heavy and medium duty commercial vehicle markets. It is designed to give quick insights to anyone with an interest in the evolution of power and alternative fuel use for heavy duty, on-highway applications, detailing such adoption considerations as fuel prices, fuel/charging infrastructure development, equipment prices/products/technological developments and regulatory changes, as well as new NG truck sales data and a forecast for new natural gas adoption. “Bucking the early decline pattern of the past few years, cumulative sales for the first eight months of 2019 appear to be gaining ground, with sales of natural-gas powered vehicles on an overall upward trajectory,” said Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research. “That said and based on news released in the popular press, natural gas vehicle purchases continued to be dominated by refuse fleets, as well as transit and school bus operators. Among truckers, it appears as though the majority of incremental volume came from current natural gas vehicle users replacing units or increasing their number.” Tam said besides sales, the Alternative Fuels Quarterly analyzes the change in existing and planned alternative fuel/power infrastructure and equipment developments. “We’re seeing an overall increase in operational station/charging stations, with the exception of natural gas which overall is contracting but seems to be expanding specifically in the number of existing and planned private heavy-duty CNG stations,” Tam said. “Regarding electric commercial vehicles, right now we’re witnessing a tug-of-war between fuel-cell and battery technology investment in the Class 8 over-the-road market, and it’s way too early for us to call a winner.” ACT Research is a publisher of commercial vehicle truck, trailer and bus industry data, market analysis and forecasts for the North America and China markets. ACT’s analytical services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as banking and investment companies. For more information, visit www.actresearch.net.          

WASHINGTON — The average on-highway price of a gallon of diesel rose 1.4 cents to $3.064 for the week ending October 28, according to the Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy. All but reporting region posted an increase led by an 8.9 cents a gallon increase on the West Coast minus California (Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington). The second largest increase was 4.9 cents a gallon in the West Coast region including California. The lone decrease (1.7 cents a gallon) was in the New England states (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island). The price for the week ending October 28 was 29.1 cents a gallon lower than the comparable week in 2019. Click here for a complete list of prices by region for the past three weeks.  

CAMDEN, N.J. — NFI, a supply chain solutions provider, recently inducted 21 company drivers into its inaugural Haul of Fame. The award reception, which took place on October 22 at the company’s new headquarters in Camden, honored NFI drivers from around North America for over 20 years of safe driving. Founded in 1932, NFI is a privately-held and family-owned company with more than 300 locations throughout North America. Today, NFI employs over 11,300 individuals, with 2,700 being drivers operating its dedicated fleet. NFI serves a variety of diverse industries, in which NFI’s drivers play a significant role in delivering transportation solutions and ensuring an unparalleled level of customer experience. “Our Haul of Fame drivers exemplify who NFI is and what we stand for,” said Sid Brown, CEO of NFI. “We are proud to have them represent the company and call them part of the NFI family as we celebrate this impressive milestone. The well-being of our employees and communities drives all that we do at NFI and we recognize and appreciate the contributions these individuals have made in creating a safer environment.” Safety is a core value at NFI across its operations, which is reinforced throughout the entire employee experience, Brown said, adding that NFI’s dedicated model also lends to increased safety due to greater consistency and familiarity for drivers. Additionally, NFI’s dedicated fleets are outfitted with latest technology and undergo regular maintenance utilizing predictive analytics, he said. With an emphasis on creating a safe environment conducive to diversity, collaboration and development, NFI has been recognized by numerous publications as a top workplace, most recently named a Top Company for Women to Work for in Transportation by Redefining the Road magazine and the Women In Trucking Association. NFI was also named a Delaware Valley Top Workplace by The Philadelphia Inquirer earlier this year. Learn more about working for NFI and explore NFI’s variety of driver jobs for company drivers, owner operators, and new and returning drivers here. NFI is a fully integrated North American supply chain solutions provider headquartered in Camden, N.J. Privately held by the Brown family since its inception in 1932, NFI generates more than $2 billion in annual revenue and employs more than 11,300 associates. NFI owns facilities globally and operates approximately 50 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space. Its dedicated and drayage fleet consists of over 4,000 tractors and 9,700 trailers. Its business lines include dedicated transportation, distribution, transportation management, port drayage, intermodal, brokerage, global logistics, and commercial real estate. For more information about NFI, visit www.nfiindustries.com or call 877-NFI-3777.    

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The latest release of ACT’s For-Hire Trucking Index with September data showed an even stronger surge than July with the Volume Index up to 59.6 (seasonally-adjusted) from 47.6 in August. The September Pricing Index rebounded as well, if to a lesser degree, rising to 52.2 (SA), from 47.1 in August. The ACT For-Hire Trucking Index is a monthly survey of for-hire trucking service providers. ACT Research converts responses into diffusion indexes, where the neutral or flat level is 50. In return, participants receive a detailed monthly analysis of the survey data, including volumes, freight rates, capacity, productivity and purchasing intentions, plus a complimentary copy of ACT’s Transportation Digest report. “We remain mindful of shippers’ duty to manage tariff risk, but this surge is likely also being driven by strong consumer trends,” said Tim Denoyer, ACT Research’s vice president and senior analyst. “With still-aggressive private fleet growth and a weak U.S. manufacturing sector, choppy results will likely continue, but the past few months suggest a bottoming process is underway. It won’t be linear, as record U.S. Class 8 tractor retail sales in September tell us capacity is still being added rather quickly, but capacity rebalancing will unfold over the course of next year.” Buying intentions pulled back materially in September, falling to 48.3% of respondents planning to buy trucks in the next three months, from 53.9% in August (SA). Regarding purchase intentions, Denoyer said, “The unsustainable pattern of low orders with long backlogs supporting record purchasing is set to end right around the new year, and notably it’s the private fleets, not the for-hire carriers, that are still adding capacity.” The ACT Freight Forecast provides forecasts for the direction of volumes and contract rates quarterly through 2020 with three years of annual forecasts for the truckload, less-than-truckload and intermodal segments of the transportation industry. For the truckload spot market, the report provides forecasts for the next twelve months. The ACT Research Freight Forecast uses equipment capacity modeling and the firm’s economics expertise to provide unprecedented visibility for the future of freight rates, helping businesses in transportation and logistics management plan for the future with confidence. ACT Research is a publisher of commercial vehicle truck, trailer, and bus industry data, market analysis and forecasts for the North America and China markets. For-hire trucking executives interested in participating in the For-Hire Trucking Index should email [email protected].      

PORTLAND, Ore. — Despite higher freight volumes in several key markets, load postings fell 5% nationwide and truck posts dipped 1% during the week ending October 22, said DAT Solutions, which operates the industry’s largest electronic marketplace for spot truckload freight. National average spot van, refrigerated, and flatbed rates were mostly unchanged compared to the previous week. National Average Spot Rates for October (through October 22) include: Van: $1.81 per mile, 3 cents lower than the September average Flatbed: $2.20 per mile, unchanged compared to September Reefer: $2.12 per mile, 4 cents lower than September Van Trends Spot van rates were higher on just 33 of DAT’s Top 100 largest van lanes by volume. Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles, three of the most important van markets, all showed higher volumes last week, although average outbound rates declined in each. The Los Angeles load-truck ratio hit 4.1 last Friday after starting the week at 2.5 (neutral) and dipping as low as 1.8 on Tuesday. It’s a sign that import traffic is moving eastbound. Where rates were up: Volume from Seattle increased slightly and outbound rate gained 5 cents to $1.58 per mile. Key lanes included: Seattle to Salt Lake City, up 7 cents to $1.94 per mile Seattle to Los Angeles, up 6 cents to $1.36 per mile Seattle is the only major van market where rates are higher over the past four weeks. Reefer Trends A combination of produce from Mexico and strong domestic agricultural shipments from California, Florida, Texas, and the Upper Midwest has pushed spot reefer volumes 9% higher over the past four weeks yet the national average rate has declined 3% at the same time. Where rates were up: Reefer volumes from Nogales, Arizona, increased 68% compared to the previous week and the average outbound rate rose 7 cents to $1.75 per mile. McAllen, Texas, volume jumped 38% although the average outbound rate held at $1.95 per mile. Other high-volume markets last week also had plenty of trucks, which helped tame any changes in rates. This weekly spot-rate snapshot is derived from DAT RateView, which provides real-time reports on spot market and contract rates, as well as historical rate and capacity trends. The RateView database is comprised of more than $65 billion in annualized freight payments. DAT load boards average 1.2 million load searches per business day. For more information, visit www.dat.com/Trendlines.  

ARLINGTON, Va. — American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 0.2% in September after falling 4% in August. In September, the index equaled 117.6 (2015=100) compared with 117.3 in August. “This was the first month in 2019 that we did not see a significant increase or decrease in tonnage,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “For the entire third quarter, the index was up 1.2% over the previous quarter and 4.5% from a year earlier, both are nice gains.” It is important to note that ATA’s tonnage data is dominated by contract freight, which is performing significantly better than the plunge in spot market freight this year. August’s reading was revised down compared with our September press release. Compared with September 2018, the SA index increased 3.5%. The index is up 4.1% year-to-date compared with the same period last year. The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 114.8 in August, 7.5% below the August level (124). In calculating the index, 100 represents 2015. Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 70.2% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 10.77 billion tons of freight in 2017. Motor carriers collected $700.1 billion, or 79.3% of total revenue earned by all transport modes. ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the 5th day of each month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Preliminary used Class 8 volumes (same dealer sales) fell 5% month-over-month in September, according to the latest preliminary release of the “State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks” published by ACT Research. Additionally, the report indicated that longer-term comparisons yielded a 17% decline compared to September 2018, as well as a year-to-date drop of 19%, the 11th consecutive contraction for both time period comparisons. Other data released in ACT’s preliminary report included sequential comparisons for September 2019, which showed that average prices and average age fell 3% each, while average miles climbed 5%. ACT’s Classes 3-8 Used Truck Report provides data on the average selling price, miles, and age based on a sample of industry data. In addition, the report provides the average selling price for top-selling Class 8 models for each of the major truck OEMs – Freightliner (Daimler); Kenworth and Peterbilt (Paccar); International (Navistar); and Volvo and Mack (Volvo). This report is utilized by those throughout the industry, including commercial vehicle dealers to gain a better understanding of the used truck market, especially as it relates to changes in near-term performance. “September marks the first time since the fall of 2012 that the used truck industry has seen average prices fall month-over-month for three straight months,” said Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research. “September also has the distinction of being the first time since mid-2017 that prices have fallen year-over-year for two consecutive months. From our perspective, there are two factors at work. Demand is falling, as evidenced by lower sales volumes, and supply is on the rise.” ACT Research is a publisher of commercial vehicle truck, trailer, and bus industry data, market analysis and forecasts for the North America and China markets. ACT’s analytical services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as banking and investment companies. ACT has scheduled its 62nd seminar for February 11-13, 2020. It will feature trucker, electrification and economic panels, as well as discussions on near-term demand of North American commercial vehicle markets and the pending impact of electrification on the market in the near future. A commercial vehicle database workshop is also being planned in conjunction with this semi-annual event. For information about other ACT Research products and services, visit www.actresearch.net.