Equipment & Tech Archives

International SuperTruck II achieves 16 mpg, Navistar says

The Trucker News Staff - June 22, 2023

LISLE, Ill. — Navistar and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have announced that SuperTruck II has achieved 16 miles per gallon through a series of new technological advances. In a joint news release, Navistar and DOE said the truck was able to achieve the rating through hybridization and a 170% improvement in freight efficiency, among other advancements over the 2009 baseline vehicle, the International SuperTruck I. SuperTruck II also included new technical approaches to weight reduction from rolling resistance technologies, aerodynamic improvements and powertrain technologies — all designed to help reduce use of fossil fuels. With the shared goals of increasing Class 8 vehicle efficiency and reducing the U.S. dependence on fossil fuels, the International SuperTruck II resulted in a demonstration of 170% improvement in vehicle freight efficiency, 55% engine brake thermal efficiency, assessed total ownership costs for individual technologies and high-voltage electrification efforts modeling hybrid technologies that can be utilized for fully electric vehicles. “With co-funding by the DOE, Navistar engineers experimented with prospective technologies not currently available in the Class 8 truck market to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility,” said Russ Zukouski, chief engineer of global innovation and principal investigator for the Supertruck programs. “The team concentrated its design on high-voltage electrification, utilizing hybrid technology on a path toward full electrification that has the potential to be commercialized in fully electric vehicles and improve customers’ total cost of ownership (TCO) and business operations.” SuperTruck II was built as a hybrid vehicle that has a combustion engine with high-voltage accessories and technologies developed in partnership with Bosch. Engine improvements were made in critical areas such as combustion, friction, gas exchange and airflow through the engine. Compared to the International SuperTruck I, a redesigned cylinder head with a dual overhead cam engine and enhanced fuel system resulted in a 2% fuel economy improvement. After-treatment system improvements, including diesel exhausted fluid (DEF) dosing, improved mixing and lower restrictions, new selective catalytic reduction (SCR) formulations for high-NOx reduction, and reduced cold-start activation time. Dean Opperman, the chief engineer of Advanced Track, spoke on Navistar. “Navistar is the only OEM to build a trailer to provide the most accurate testing results possible,” he said. “It includes a 100% composite box designed for minimum aerodynamic drag with lightweight, integrated cross members, controlled underbody flow with composite aero treatments, next-generation solar panels with connectivity options, and ride height control.” Opperman said the company’s goal “is to continue to advance internal combustion engine technology as efficiently and sustainably as possible until there is parity with zero-emissions vehicles. “Development of both technologies concurrently ensures a smooth transition of technology to best serve customer needs,” he said. “We are focused on the entire product ecosystem — product development itself, as well as infrastructure charging, service and support of vehicle operation, end of life for batteries.”

Preliminary report notes drop in May trailer orders

The Trucker News Staff - June 21, 2023

COLUMBUS, Ind. — According to analysts at ACT Research, May’s preliminary net trailer orders decreased sequentially and were lower against longer-term comparisons. According to data released in mid-June, 9,100 units (11,950 seasonally adjusted) were projected to have been booked during the month. “Preliminary net orders were 10% lower compared to April’s intake, and down 54% versus the same month last year,” said Jennifer McNealy, director of commercial vehicle market research and publications for ACT Research. “Seasonal expectations call for orders to continue their pull back in the coming months, particularly given near record-level order backlogs, as trailer manufacturers normally spend mid-year working down the backlog ahead of the next year’s orderboard opening in the fall.” Demand for new trailers is softening, according to McNealy. “In addition to the seasonally anticipated slowing in orders, we’re starting to see increased and broad-based cancellations,” she said. It’s not all bad news, however. “That said, backlogs remain robust, so many fleets needing trailers remain in queue for orders already placed, with relative backlog measurements for most trailer categories still near the top of their target ranges,” she said. When asked about trailer build and backlog, McNealy predicted a decrease. “Using preliminary May orders and the corresponding OEM build plans from the May ‘State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers’ report (April data) for guidance, the trailer backlog should decrease by around 19,000 units to about 194,000 units when complete May data are released,” she said. “With orders being preliminary and the build number a projection, there will be some variability in reported backlogs when final data are collected.”

Class 8 truck sales remain strong, may delay slowdown predictions

Cliff Abbott - June 20, 2023

Robust May sales of Class 8 trucks on the U.S. market pushed the 2023 year-to-date total to the highest mark since 2006, according to data received from Wards Intelligence. Manufacturers reported selling 24,111 trucks in May — 6% more than in April and 16.4% more than in May 2022. The production slowdown predicted for the second half of 2023 doesn’t show any sign of starting early. In fact, it may be delayed into the fourth quarter, or even into 2024. Orders for new tractors trailed sales by a wide margin, but that’s not unexpected this time of year. FTR Intel reported preliminary Class 8 orders for North America at 13,600, a 9% increase over April orders. In May 2022, orders were only 2% higher. May 2023 orders were still below replacement demand levels, according to FTR’s report. FTR noted that total North American Class 8 orders for the past 12 months were 298,700; that’s an average of 24,892 per month. The resulting backlog of orders filled every build slot at OEM manufacturers for the remainder of 2023. The 2024 order slots haven’t been opened yet, so low order totals are to be expected. Build slots for the following year usually opened in August or September. By then, the experts may have a better view of the predicted economic slowdown and carriers will adjust orders accordingly. “Fleet demand for equipment does not appear to be waning as they still want to take delivery of new equipment,” said Eric Starks chairman of the board for FTR. “Strong backlogs are keeping build demand strong, and FTR doesn’t anticipate any negative impact on build activity due to the recent order activity.” Despite slowdowns in freight availability and declining freight rates, carriers have been able to keep trucks rolling profitably. The low number of order cancellations would seem to indicate they will be needing the trucks still on order. ACT Research reported 15,500 Class 8 orders for May. The higher number than other reports may be due to differences in reporting process, but the result is the same. “Orders were expected to moderate into Q2 and remain at relatively soft levels into mid-Q3. May orders were in line with this view,” said Eric Crawford, vice president and senior analyst for ACT. In its “North American Commercial Vehicle Forecast,” ACT predicted new Class 8 sales will end 2023 slightly higher than 2022, reflecting stronger momentum going into the third quarter. Since new Class 8 sales in the U.S. are already more than 21,600 ahead of last year’s pace (nearly a whole month’s extra), there’s room for some declines in the remaining months of 2023. ACT President and Senior Analyst Kenny Vieth was positive. “We are encouraged by the economy’s resilience as evidence that the economy’s chances of dodging a recession accumulate,” Vieth said. “While the expectation is for tepid growth in the near term, it is an improvement from torpid.” ACT is no longer projecting a recession. There’s good news in that used trucks are becoming more available and prices are coming down — but that’s small consolation if freight levels don’t pick up. ACT reported a 31% decline in average pricing from April 2022, along with a 2% decline in age. “With inventory on the rise and, more importantly, not a limiting factor for sales, the logical conclusion is that demand is softening,” said Steve Tam, vice president of ACT. “This is a plausible explanation, especially given waning economic and freight conditions.” Freightliner reported sales of 9,368 for May, 9.2% ahead of April sales and 28.2% better than May 2022. For the first five months of the year, the company has sold 28.3% more trucks than in the same period of 2022, compared to the industry average of 24.2%. Freightliner-owned Western Star is at the other end of the market share spectrum but reported a relatively “outstanding” month with May sales of 737. That number was 50% higher than April and 44.2% higher than May 2022. For the year to date, however, the company is just 2.7% ahead of last year’s pace, the smallest increase of any of the OEMs reporting. Navistar is having the most-improved sales year of all the OEMs, reporting sales of 3,232 in May. That’s a 6.1% increase over April and 15.5% better than May 2022. So far for 2023, International sales are 49.5% better than at the same point last year, and the company’s share of the U.S. Class 8 market has grown from 11.7% to 14.1%. Kenworth sales of 3,200 were just 0.3% better than excellent April numbers and 14.2% higher than May 2002 sales. Peterbilt’s 3,501 sold in May represented a 5.5% increase from April but just 3.7% from May 2022. For the first five months of 2023, Peterbilt has sold 13.2% more trucks than in the same period of 2022. Volvo reported May sales of 2,471, a decline of 3.1% from April, making it the only OEM to show a decline in the month. Compared to May 2022, sales dropped 2.9%. For the year to date, however, Volvo sales have increased 8.9%. Sibling Mack Trucks has fared somewhat better, with sales of 1,572 in May — an increase of 2.3% over April sales and 14.6% ahead of May 2022 sales. For 2023 to date, Mack is 25.1% ahead of last year’s pace. Its share of the U.S. Class 8 market is 6.4%, right where it was at the same time last year. At some point, freight rates will bottom out and the economy will do the same, either by going through a small recession or narrowly avoiding one. Once the economy grows again, freight levels will pick up, rates will rise, and buyers will order more new trucks to take advantage. How soon it happens will be debated among competing analysts and economists.

Bendix’s treasure hunt leads to saving, reducing energy costs and carbon emissions

The Trucker News Staff - June 19, 2023

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The North American facilities of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC in May gathered a employees for a “treasure hunt” at its Bowling Green, Kentucky, manufacturing operation. The treasure? Energy — but more so, sources of wasted energy in the plant. The three-day, in-plant training, officially dubbed an Energy Treasure Hunt, was held in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge. A pair of DOE energy experts facilitated the hunt, training employees to conduct assessments using DOE tools, developing energy management systems, and implementing and replicating energy projects. The DOE aims to empower plant personnel to discover energy-saving opportunities with a goal of building a culture of continuous improvement. Luis Quiñones, Bendix’s corporate sustainability engineer, helped secure the opportunity by leading the DOE application process. Bendix is among the few select companies to be awarded the training. “Our core sustainability goals at Bendix include reducing energy use and improving energy efficiency,” said Bill Schubert, director of environmental and sustainability for Bendix. “The Energy Treasure Hunt gave us a unique opportunity to make further progress toward those goals – in this case, by rolling up our sleeves and tackling issues at the plant level. This investment in time, people, and resources was made all the more successful by the participation of team members from all Bendix locations, and it helps position us for even more success in the future.” They’re on the hunt! Activities unfolded Sunday, May 21, through Tuesday, May 23. Throughout the three days, the 19 participants chosen for the training were given a tour of the facility, where they gathered the necessary data; identified, evaluated, and quantified energy-saving opportunities; and interviewed the plant personnel. On the last day, they reported key findings to Bowling Green plant management. “By design, the hunt started on a Sunday, when plants typically are not operating,” Quiñones said. “You can start questioning things you hear: Does this piece of equipment need to run? Should that unit have air going to it? The hunt revealed a large air leak up in the ceiling — during any other time, you wouldn’t know that was a problem, because the sounds of a plant under production mask the noise of the leak.” Two rooftop units were discovered to have no working compressors, but the blower fans were still running and compressed air was being directed to inactive machines were also among the findings. “We didn’t expect to find zero air leaks or other issues,” Schubert said. “As well-maintained as this plant is, we knew we’d find problems, just like all industrial facilities. But one of the most powerful takeaways for me was that, when we’re done making repairs and taking care of the major air leaks, we’ll be able to take an entire air compressor offline. The demand of the equipment was a small percentage of the overall air demand. A big chunk of the demand was tied to leaks or unnecessary usage.” As part of the presentation, plant management received included a summary of all annual utility use and cost savings that could be realized if problems found in the hunt were addressed. This summary included a combined electricity and natural gas cost savings of $263,224.09 — a 21% yearly reduction. Implementation costs would be made up in less than nine months, according to the DOE. Carbon emission savings would total 1,519.36 tons, also a 21% reduction. What happens next? “Now that we have this list of opportunities, the idea is for the Bowling Green plant to redigest them, prioritize them, figure out which ones can be implemented and which ones go on a to-do list, and start taking care of them,” Schubert said. “The consensus was that a very large percentage of these were short-term implementable — to the point that some of them were started on the day after the hunt ended. And the items identified — except for one or two — are issues that can be corrected at minimal cost but with long-term impact.” This treasure hunt was only the start for Bendix. “We are taking what we learned from the DOE facilitators and from our experiences to schedule treasure hunts at other Bendix facilities, which we will lead,” Schubert continued. “We’ll go from site to site, starting with our Huntington, Indiana, location in June.” Reg Mabey, facilities manager at the Bowling Green plant, participated in the hunt. He says he was taken by the camaraderie he experienced among the people from different Bendix sites who, in many cases, hadn’t worked with each other before. “On Sunday, when we all came together, everybody was kind of apart from each other,” Mabey said. “But by Tuesday morning, everybody was elbow to elbow in tight groups, collaborating even beyond the scope of the treasure hunt — sharing strategies and best practices from each of their facilities. It’s the bonding that occurred as part of the process. From that, as we conduct this training at other sites, it becomes a team effect for Bendix — not just Bendix Bowling Green but Bendix as a whole.”

TuSimple claims 1st fully autonomous run on Chinese public roads

The Trucker News Staff - June 19, 2023

SHANGHAI — Autonomous truck driving company TuSimple claims it has successfully completed China’s first fully autonomous semi-truck runs on open public roads without a human in the vehicle and without human intervention. According to a news release, the Driver Out run was conducted on the designated public roads approved by the Shanghai government, including Yangshan Deep-water Port Logistics Park and Donghai Bridge. “Over the course of approximately 62 kilometers, TuSimple China’s autonomous truck demonstrated its capability to navigate complex road and weather conditions in both urban and highway environments within the port area,” the news release stated. “This included traffic signals, on-ramps, off-ramps, lane changes, emergency lane vehicles, partial lane closures, fog and crosswinds.” The Driver Out run was operated by TuSimple China’s Autonomous Driving System without a human on-board, without remote human control of the vehicle and without traffic intervention. In order to ensure public safety, the TuSimple China team worked closely with government regulators and law enforcement and implemented a safety vehicle to ensure safety during the run. The Driver Out program in China represents more than two years of intense development, company officials said. “Being the first to conduct a Driver Out run in China is a significant milestone,” said Cheng Lu, president and CEO of TuSimple. “Following on from our successful Driver Out run in the United States in 2021, this accomplishment marks another pivotal breakthrough for TuSimple and further underscores our leadership in the autonomous driving industry.” A video of the fully autonomous drive can be found here.

Livermore, California, to be site of new, multi-million dollar electric big rig charging facility

The Trucker News Staff - June 14, 2023

OAKLAND, Calif. — East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), the local energy provider for Alameda County, and the City of Tracy, California, have announced a new financing program to support building a new electric charging station for big rigs. The EBCE Board has approved providing $4.5 million in financing to Forum Mobility, a zero-emission truck solutions provider, to support the development of an electric truck charging depot in Livermore, California, a news release stated. This site is part of a new network of electric charging depots that Forum Mobility is building for drayage trucking carriers moving freight in and out of the Port of Oakland. “East Bay Community Energy provides clean electricity from Oakland to Tracy — and now Forum Mobility will provide clean trucking on the same route. We’re excited to help Forum Mobility charge electric trucks with 100% renewable energy and further reduce harmful emissions in our community,” said Nick Chaset, CEO of East Bay Community Energy. Livermore Councilmember Ben Barrientos, who also serves on EBCE’s Board of Directors, said his city has been a “longtime leader in climate action (and) is proud to help lead the transition to zero-emission goods movement. As the host of key, cutting-edge clean charging infrastructure, cleaning up the I-580 freight corridor starts with us.” The EBCE loan will support the development of Forum’s Greenville Community Charging Depot on a 4.4-acre site just off I-580 in Livermore, according to the news release. The depot will be capable of charging up to 96 trucks simultaneously. “Forum is building a network of charging depots for heavy-duty trucks to make the transition to electric. This partnership with EBCE will help Forum deliver fast-charging to trucking owners, operators, carriers and fleets,” said Matt LeDucq, CEO and co-founder of Forum Mobility. “With new rules from the California Air Resources Board requiring zero-emission trucks, Forum and EBCE are working to provide broad access to charging infrastructure and zero-emission trucks.” The California Air Resources Board recently approved rules requiring all of California’s in-state drayage fleet — approximately 33,000 trucks — to be zero-emission by 2035. The California Energy Commission estimates that to comply with these and other proposed vehicle regulations, California will need 157,000 medium-and heavy-duty chargers by 2030.

CVSA’s Brake Safety Week scheduled for August

The Trucker News Staff - June 13, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has scheduled this year’s Brake Safety Week for Aug. 20-26 with a focus on brake lining/pad violations. During Brake Safety Week, commercial motor vehicle inspectors highlight the importance of brake systems by conducting inspections of their components and removing commercial motor vehicles found to have brake-related out-of-service violations from our roadways until those violations are corrected, according to the CVSA. Throughout Brake Safety Week, CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct their usual inspections; however, in addition, they will be reporting brake-related inspection and violation data to the Alliance. CVSA will compile that data and publish a press release this fall with the results. “The focus of this year’s Brake Safety Week is on the condition of the brake lining and pad,” said CVSA President Major Chris Nordloh with the Texas Department of Public Safety. “Brake lining and pad issues may result in vehicle violations and could affect a motor carrier’s safety rating.” When inspectors conduct the brake portion of a Level I or Level V Inspection, they will: Check for missing, non-functioning, loose or cracked parts. Check for contaminated, worn, cracked and missing linings or pads. Check for S-cam flipover. Listen for audible air leaks around brake components and lines. Check that slack adjusters are the same length (from center of S-cam to center of clevis pin) and the air chambers on each axle are the same size. Ensure the brake system maintains air pressure between 90-100 psi (620-690 kPa) and measure pushrod travel. Inspect for non-manufactured holes (e.g., rust holes, holes created by rubbing or friction, etc.) and broken springs in the spring brake housing section of the parking brake. Inspect required brake system warning devices, such as anti-lock braking system (ABS) malfunction lamp(s) and low air-pressure warning devices. Inspect the tractor protection system, including the bleedback system on the trailer. Ensure the breakaway system is operable on the trailer. Brake safety awareness, education and outreach are major elements of the Brake Safety Week campaign. CVSA has outlined the brake-system inspection procedure (noted above) so that drivers and motor carriers know exactly what inspectors will be checking during roadside inspections. This transparency aims to remind drivers and motor carriers to take proactive steps to ensure their commercial motor vehicles are safe and compliant with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Improperly installed or poorly maintained brake systems can reduce the braking capacity and stopping distance of trucks or buses, which poses a serious safety risk.

SOARR, Equiplinc partnership promises to streamline truck auctions

The Trucker News Staff - June 12, 2023

NEWARK, Ohio — In early June, SOARR, a provider of inventory management systems for truck retailers, and Equiplinc, an online auction platform for commercial vehicles and heavy equipment, announced a partnership the companies say will streamline truck auctions. Dealerships using both providers can now seamlessly transfer details from their inventory to the auction platform, including detailed specs, high-quality photos and reserved prices. A statement released by SOARR and Equiplinc promises the process will save dealerships time and effort. “We are thrilled to partner with Equiplinc to offer our customers an efficient and effective way to list their trucks on the auction platform,” said Ethan Nadolson, CEO of SOARR. “By combining the strengths of our inventory management system with Equiplinc’s trusted auction platform, we are empowering dealerships to reach a broader audience, increase visibility and maximize their sales potential.” According to the statement, the Equiplinc platform provides a robust marketplace for buyers and sellers, allowing SOARR users to tap into a wider audience and attract more potential bidders for vehicles and equipment. The platform offers a user-friendly interface, secure bidding processes and transparent transaction management, ensuring a seamless experience for all parties involved. “We are excited to integrate with SOARR’s inventory management system to further enhance the truck auction experience on Equiplinc,” said Jason Brinkley, CEO of Equiplinc. “By leveraging the combined expertise of both companies, we aim to provide dealerships with a powerful tool to efficiently list their trucks, reach a larger pool of interested buyers and achieve optimal results.” SOARR and Equiplinc stated that the partnership represents “a significant step forward in the digital transformation of the truck auction industry. Dealerships using the SOARR inventory management system will now enjoy a seamless, end-to-end solution for listing, managing, and selling their trucks through the Equiplinc auction platform.”

Schneider opens large-scale zero emissions electric charging depot in Southern California

The Trucker News Staff - June 12, 2023

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Schneider National Inc. has completed an electric charging depot at its South El Monte Intermodal Operations Center in Southern California. According to a company news release, the depot will power its battery electric truck (BET) fleet, which will include nearly 100 Freightliner eCascadias by year’s end, making it one of North America’s largest zero emission fleets. The charging site is over half the size of a football field, featuring 16 350 kW dual-corded dispensers, allowing the carrier to charge 32 trucks simultaneously. The eCascadias will be able to achieve an 80% charge within 90 minutes. “Schneider decided to lead the way by building our own depot in South El Monte,” said Schneider President and CEO Mark Rourke. “It was important to develop onsite charging because it is the most efficient solution to power our growing electric fleet. With the infrastructure deficiency, we found that we needed to collaborate with a wide array of experts to see our vision come to fruition.” Schneider’s facility is centrally located within the metro Los Angeles area and adjacent to major highways with a high density of customers within a 50-mile radius. Already this year, Schneider has begun hauling deliveries for Frito-Lay North America and Goodyear using the new eCascadia fleet, supporting each companies’ supply chain sustainability goals. The eCascadias have a range of approximately 220 miles. The South El Monte site was funded through the Joint Electric Truck Scaling Initiative (JETSI), a project funded by state and local agencies to increase the number of zero emission heavy-duty trucks on the roads. Schneider collaborated with similar sustainably-minded companies, including clean transportation engineering and construction company, Black & Veatch, to build the site and create an operationally efficient layout. “This 4,900-square-foot state-of-the-art electric truck charging hub is a monumental testament to innovation and collaboration,” said Dave Hallowell, Black & Veatch president of the connectivity, commercial, and industrial sector. “The collaboration between Schneider and all the project partners will result in new employment opportunities for the area, along with a significant reduction in pollution.” Funding for 50 of Schneider’s 92 BETs was made possible by JETSI, the first battery electric truck project jointly funded by the California Air Resources Board and the California Energy Commission, which together awarded the project $27 million. Additional funding was provided by South Coast Air Quality Management District, Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee, the Port of Los Angeles and Southern California Edison. The JETSI project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment, particularly in disadvantaged communities. “We know the future of sustainable transportation includes electric. That is why we invested and collaborated with stakeholders along the supply chain to work together to create this infrastructure and ultimately lower carbon emissions. This would not be possible without our funding and grant agencies,” Rourke said. For the additional 42 trucks outside JETSI, five are jointly funded by the U.S. EPA FY18 Targeted Airshed Grant and Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP), seven are funded by the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, and 30 trucks are funded by HVIP, according to Schneider. Schneider worked alongside Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) as the eCascadia evolved, piloting a truck for six months in 2019-20 through Freightliner’s Customer Experience fleet. Feedback from Schneider drivers and the equipment team led to the production of the BET found in the company’s fleet today. “For decades, we’ve built a strong, deep relationship with Schneider, aligning on strategic priorities such as safety and efficiency,” said Daimler Truck North America Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing David Carson. “When initiating our electric vehicle development programs, we assisted Schneider as they started and later scaled their fleet of Freightliner eCascadias. They’ve provided our team with vital insight on the opportunities for battery electric trucks in the goods movement industry. Through the outreach and education being conducted as part of the JETSI project, other fleets can learn from Schneider’s experiences and apply them to future deployment of zero emission vehicles nationwide.” At present, the company has accepted delivery of approximately a third of its expected fleet. When fully operational, Schneider’s 92 BETs will have the potential to avoid more than 81,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per day, the equivalent of removing 2,400 gas-powered cars from the road. Each day these zero emission trucks will accelerate the company’s progress toward its goal of reducing CO2 emission by 7.5% per mile by 2025 and a 60% per mile reduction by 2035.

Volvo prepares for autonomous freight corridors in Texas as new office opens in Fort Worth

The Trucker News Staff - June 8, 2023

FORT WORTH, Texas — Volvo Autonomous Solutions (V.A.S.) has opened an office in Texas as the company begins manual operations in preparation for commercial autonomous hub-to-hub transport. According to a company statement, V.A.S. has opened an office in Fort Worth that’s “dedicated to driving activities to set up its first autonomous freight corridors that will run from Dallas Forth Worth to El Paso and from Dallas to Houston.” To prepare for commercial launch, V.A.S. has also started to haul loads with trucks using drivers for key customers like DHL and Uber Freight to test aspects of the transport solution and establish frameworks and procedures for safe and reliable operations. “At Volvo Autonomous Solutions, we believe the path to autonomy at scale is through reducing the friction and complications around ownership and operations for customers,” said Nils Jaeger, president of Volvo Autonomous Solutions. “This is why we have taken the decision to be the single interface to our customers and take full ownership of the elements required for commercial autonomous transport. With the opening of our office in Texas and start of operational activities, we are building the foundations for a transport solution that will change the way we move goods on highways.” Sasko Cuklev, head of on-road solutions at Volvo, said that the company’s ambition through V.A.S. “is to create a new source of industry capacity that will ease some of the burden of the increasing demand for freight while also enabling local drivers to shift into short-haul jobs that will keep them closer to home. This will unlock significant efficiencies in the entire supply chain and benefit everyone in the transportation industry.” The Autonomous Transport Solutions (ATS) offered by V.A.S. includes hardware, software and services required to run autonomous transport operations, a news release stated. On highways, the solution is operated based on a hub-to-hub model where autonomous trucks take on the highway portion of the driving, operating all hours of the day and night between transfer hubs while human drivers complete local operations. To accelerate the development and adoption of autonomous transport solutions, V.A.S. is partnering with others in the industry including DHL and Uber Freight who are part of the V.A.S. key customer program. The program is aimed at shippers, carriers, logistics service providers and freight brokers whom V.A.S. will work with to pilot and commercialize autonomous transport solutions. V.A.S. has also formed a partnership with autonomous trucking company Aurora with the Aurora Driver installed on Volvo’s on-highway truck offerings.

Nebraska governor signs bill promoting use of biodiesel

The Trucker News Staff - June 8, 2023

JEFFERSON CITY, Neb. — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has signed into law legislation promoting the sale and use of biodiesel. The bill, LB 727, provides retail tax incentives for the sale of biodiesel at fuel retailer locations throughout the state adding value to Nebraska soybean farmers while promoting continued growth of the burgeoning renewable fuel industry, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Part of an omnibus revenue bill, the Nebraska Biodiesel Tax Credit Act, provides a 14-cent per gallon credit for the sale of biodiesel. The credit is applied to a Nebraska fuel retailer’s income tax liability. Total funding for the program is $5 million. “We applaud Gov. Pillen for signing legislation that will continue to strengthen the momentum of a growing biodiesel market,” said Donnell Rehagen, CEO for Clean Fuels Alliance America. “Nebraska has responded to the call to decarbonize through this forward-thinking legislation that promotes the production and use of biodiesel, a homegrown fuel from homegrown feedstocks.” The proposal was introduced by Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth and amended to LB 727, which was shepherded through Nebraska’s unicameral legislature by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn. The biodiesel proposal received overwhelming support from Nebraska’s agriculture industry, biodiesel producers and fuel marketers. The legislation ultimately passed unanimously by the Nebraska Senate. “This legislation recognizes the impact biodiesel has on the demand for soybean oil,” said Courtney Lawrenson, Clean Fuels Alliance America Governing Board member and AGP vice president of oils and energy. “AGP has long recognized the steady growth of the soybean processing industry with plans to expand feedstock production capacity in David City and applauds lawmakers for solidifying Nebraska’s leadership role in the industry.” Nebraska is a leader in soybean production, among the top six soybean producing states. In 2022, the biodiesel industry in Nebraska supported an estimated $322 million worth of overall value to Nebraska soybeans. For a Nebraska farmer with 500 acres, the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry supports about $28,400 to their bottom line. “Passing the Biodiesel Tax Credit Act is a win for Nebraska producers and consumers,” said Lori Luebbe, executive director for the Nebraska Soybean Association. “It reinforces the commitment to making renewable fuels an integral part of our state’s energy portfolio. We appreciate the support of Gov. Jim Pillen, Sen. Tom Brandt, and members of the legislature for ensuring biodiesel is a part of Nebraska’s clean energy solution.” Overall, the Nebraska biodiesel industry supports $833 million in economic activity and close to 5,900 jobs, many of which are in rural parts of the state, according to the governor’s office. “We were thrilled to work with our member associations including the Nebraska Soybean Association, AGP and the other organizations who helped build a strong coalition advocating for this legislation while making biodiesel a priority in Nebraska,” said Jeff Earl, director of state regulatory affairs for clean fuels. Nebraska joins the ranks of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri as states that have recently passed legislation supporting the sale and production of biodiesel. These efforts will help grow the biodiesel market in the Midwest by over 300 million gallons, the Nebraska governor’s office noted.

Musket opens diesel exhaust fluid terminal near Boston

The Trucker News Staff - June 8, 2023

HOUSTON — Musket Corp., the trading and logistics arm of the Love’s Family of Companies, recently opened a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) terminal in Taunton, Massachusetts. This is the company’s 23rd facility in the United States and the first of several new DEF terminals slated to open this year, according to a company statement. The terminal has a dedicated rail spur and 525,000 gallons of storage capacity that will provide year-round access to DEF for all customers in the northeast region, including Love’s Travel Stops. “We’re thrilled to open our first DEF terminal in the New England market,” said Brian Hoover, director of DEF for Musket. “Taunton expands Musket’s DEF footprint providing necessary supply redundancy to support wholesale distributors, retail outlets and commercial truck drivers throughout the region. Musket DEF terminals not only provide reliable supply, but also reduce empty miles in a challenging transportation market.” Musket currently has 23 terminals in 16 states and will open terminals in Theodore, Alabama, and Plymouth, Minnesota, this summer, with plans for additional locations by the end of 2023.

Peterbilt Technician Institute recognizes 1,000th graduate

The Trucker News Staff - June 7, 2023

DENTON, Texas — The Peterbilt Technician Institute (PTI) recently recognized its 1,000th graduate during a graduation ceremony at its Lisle, Illinois, campus. The PTI program, established in 2013, runs for 12 weeks. Students earn Peterbilt-specific certifications to maintain, diagnose and repair Peterbilt vehicles and PACCAR engines. Jason Neumann, the 1,000th graduate, came to the program following his completion of the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) diesel technician training program at UTI-Lisle, according to a news release. Neumann is a U.S. Army veteran who worked on diesel vehicles during his service and has already received an employment offer from Peterbilt dealer JX Enterprises, at its Green Bay, Wisconsin, location. “Peterbilt has always been my favorite truck brand. Having the opportunity to receive Peterbilt-specific training and earn valuable certifications to start my career was exciting,” Neumann said. “I’m looking forward to learning and growing as a tech with my new employer, JX Enterprises, and someday managing a dealership.” PTI has campus locations in Lisle, Illinois, Irving, Texas, and Nashville. “We’re proud to recognize our 1,000th graduate. The PTI program continues to create successful career paths and facilitate employment for hundreds of students every year across our three locations,” said Casey Spadafina, Peterbilt’s Technician Program manager. “Our dealerships are incredibly motivated to support the program to recruit high-quality technicians for their operations.” Hannah Freeman, director of continuous improvement at JX Enterprises, said her company has had “outstanding success with many recruits from the PTI program. Qualified techs directly contribute to our growth by delivering quality work that increases customer satisfaction. We plan to continue hiring PTI graduates for all our locations.”

Inventory increases recorded across heavy duty equipment marketplaces

The Trucker News Staff - June 6, 2023

LINCOLN, Neb. — A new report from Sandhills Global shows that the April uptick across their heavy-duty truck, semitrailer, agricultural equipment and heavy construction machinery marketplaces increased in May. According to a news release, truck and trailer inventory levels, for example, increased by double digits in May while inventory levels in several construction and farm equipment categories increased between 4% and 9%. When rising inventory level trends occur, auction value decreases usually follow, Sandhills official noted. Sandhills has observed auction value decreases in several categories ranging from 2% to 9% month over month from April to May. “Sandhills’ market reports are showing clear trends that sellers would be wise to track,” said Sales Manager Mitch Helman. “Truck, trailer, and construction equipment sellers, in particular, should pay close attention to the market as inventory levels are up and values are heading lower.” The key metric used in all of Sandhills’ market reports is the Sandhills Equipment Value Index (EVI). Buyers and sellers can use the information in the Sandhills EVI to monitor equipment markets and maximize returns on acquisition, liquidation, and related business decisions. The Sandhills EVI data include equipment available in auction and retail markets as well as model year equipment actively in use. Additional market report takeaways Sandhills market reports highlight the most significant changes in Sandhills’ used heavy-duty truck, semitrailer, farm machinery and construction equipment markets. Key points from the current reports are listed below. U.S. used heavy-duty trucks Inventory levels increased by double digits in May while values continue to fall. The day cab category led the way with the steepest value declines and the highest inventory level increase. Inventories rose 11.48% month-over-month following consecutive months of increases and were 33.24% higher year over year. Asking and auction values have decreased for a few months in a row. Asking values were down 2.69% month-over-month and 22.54% year-over-year in May, while auction values decreased 4.62% month-over-month and 27.67% year-over-year. Sandhills expects value trends will continue moving lower. U.S. used semi-trailers Inventory levels have increased for several consecutive months and were up 14.63% month-over-month and 41.49% year-over-year in May. The dry van trailer category showed the largest increases. Both the dry van and reefer semitrailer categories are following the inventory trends seen in used heavy-duty trucks. Sandhills expects inventory trends to continue rising. Like heavy-duty trucks, values for used semitrailers have experienced months of decreases. Asking values declined 4.58% month-over-month and 25.59% year-over-year in May, while auction values fell 6.09% month-over-month and 30.12% year-over-year. A continued softening in values is expected. U.S. used medium-duty trucks Inventory levels have been increasing since the start of 2023. Inventories increased 9.39% month-over-month and 20.25% year-over-year in May. Auction and asking values decreased by 2% to 3% each month since January. In May, asking values increased 0.61% month-over-month, decreased 9.89% year-over-year and are currently trending down. Following consecutive months of decreases, auction values were down 1.99% month-over-month and 15.46% year-over-year. Sandhills expects medium-duty truck values to remain lower than they were in 2022. U.S. used heavy-duty construction equipment Inventory levels have been holding steady since last year but recently started to increase. Dozers, excavators, and wheel loaders all posted their largest inventory levels of 2023 in May. Inventories increased 2.87% month-over-month, rose 2.83% year-over-year and are currently trending up. Asking and auction values continue to ease as all heavy-duty construction equipment values are lower than last year. Asking values increased 0.5% month-over-month, decreased 4.04% year-over-year and are currently trending down. Auction values decreased slightly month-over-month at 0.23% and dropped 5.88% year-over-year following consecutive months of decreases. U.S. used farm equipment Inventory levels continue to climb and trend upward following several months of increases and double-digit year-over-year growth. Inventories increased 3.58% month-over-month and 29.81% year-over-year in May. Tractors over 300 HP showed a nearly 10% month-over-month increase. Asking values have held steady for a few months while auction values have decreased. Asking values remained nearly flat month-over-month in May, decreasing 0.04% and are currently trending sideways, but they were up 9.03% year-over-year. Auction values decreased 3.78% month-over-month and are currently trending sideways but they were 2.59% higher year-over-year. The largest month-over-month auction value decreases were seen in the higher-class combine category.

Recall issued for certain Navistar models due to faulty ABS light

The Trucker News Staff - June 5, 2023

WASHINGTON — Navistar is recalling certain 2021-24 International HV, HX, LoneStar, LT, MV, eMV and RH trucks due to a problem with the anti-lock braking (ABS) system warning light. According to a recall notice from the National Highway Safety Administration, the ABS indicator light does not remain illuminated when a malfunction exists, when the vehicle’s ignition switch is on or when the vehicle is in motion. Because of this issue, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, “Air Brake Systems.” “An ABS indicator light that fails to remain illuminated will not alert the driver of an ABS malfunction, which could increase the risk of a crash,” the notice states. “Dealers will update the software, free of charge.” Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 24. Owners may contact Navistar’s customer service at (800) 448-7825. Navistar’s number for this recall is 23515.

ACT Research: Class 8 truck orders at 15,500 units in May

The Trucker News Staff - June 5, 2023

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Preliminary North American Class 8 net orders bounced back in May with 15,500 units, up 10% year-over-year (+29% month-over-month), while preliminary Classes 5-7 surged 27% year-over-year with 19,000 units (+3% month-over-month), according to ACT Research. Complete industry data for May, including final order numbers, will be published in mid-June. “Given robust Class 8 orders into year end and the ensuing backlog support, coupled with normal seasonal order patterns, orders were expected to moderate into Q2 and remain at relatively soft levels into mid-Q3’23. May orders were in line with this view,” said Eric Crawford, ACT’s vice president and senior analyst. “The relatively few build slots still free in 2H’23 suggest order intake is unlikely to find meaningful traction in the coming months.” He added, “Medium-duty demand surged 27% higher year-over-year to 19,000 units (+3% month-over-month, reversing course after three straight months of year-over-year declines. The seasonally adjusted May intake, at 20,600 units, increased 28% year-over-year (+11% month-over-month).”

Reports shows April truck sales up, but deteriorating conditions could signal a ‘rough ride’

Cliff Abbott - June 2, 2023

April 2023 sales of new Class 8 trucks on the U.S. market were the highest since 2006 and represented the second-best April of the century to date, according to data received from Wards Intelligence. Sales for the first four months make 2023 the best first third of the year in the past 17 years. Manufacturers reported sales of 22,741 Class 8 trucks in April — down 8.4% from March’s 24,823 but up a solid 19.4% over April 2022 sales of 19,052. How long the high sales numbers will last is hard to predict, but Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst at ACT Research thinks conditions will deteriorate later this year. “We’ve spent most of the past year warning about a potential recession. Admittedly, the economy has proven more resilient than initially envisioned,” Vieth said in a statement accompanying ACT’s latest North American Commercial Vehicle OUTLOOK. “That said, we think broader economic conditions are softening, and we reiterate our cautious view, including our forecasts for slowing 2H’23 production rates,” he continued. “We continue to expect a shallow recession to materialize, centered on mid-year.” The OUTLOOK report cites lower freight volumes and rates and higher borrowing costs due to increased interest rates as headwinds to profitability. As profits shrink, carriers buy fewer new trucks. This is already happening, based on preliminary Class 8 order numbers released by ACT. In the North American market, orders for new Class 8 equipment fell by 39% from March orders and by 27% from April 2022 order numbers — a clear sign carriers are more skittish about investing in new equipment to grow their fleets. As recently as November 2022, the backlog of ordered trucks was high enough for 11 months of production, but ACT now expects that backlog to be completely gone by the end of 2023 as new orders continue to dwindle and cancellation rates of existing orders increase. Carriers will continue to order trucks to replenish their fleets as older trucks are removed but fleets aren’t likely to be expanding, given current conditions. If there’s good news, it’s in the used truck market, where wholesale used truck deals increased by 130% in a possible sign that dealers are acquiring more inventory. Compared with March, the average price of a Class 8 used truck fell 6% in April to $68,500, according to ACT’s latest State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks report. That price is 32% lower than the industry peak reached in April 2022. Used truck prices should continue falling as inventory grows. Unfortunately, lower prices may be offset by the increased cost of credit as interest rates rise. And, with lower freight rates available, the timing to purchase a truck or upgrade an older one is not good. Moving to individual manufacturers, International posted some interesting sales numbers for April. The manufacturer’s sales of 3,046 were down 26.7% from an outstanding March, the largest percentage drop of any of the OEMs. In fact, the month-over-month decline in sales of 1,108 trucks represented over half (53.2%) of the decline of 2,082 experienced by the entire industry. Those numbers are skewed, however, by the excellent March experienced by International, which reported sales of 4,154. Compared with April of last year, however, International showed the largest increase of all the OEMs at 59.4%. Even more impressive is the increase for the first four months of the year — 61.9%, more than twice the increase of the next-closest competitor. International’s share of the U.S. Class 8 market has grown too, from 11.1% as of March 31, 2022, to 12.5% by the end of 2022 to the current 14.2% of Class 8 sales. In April 2022, the company was the fourth-largest seller by volume; this year, it’s the second largest. New leadership and resources since International’s 2021 acquisition by the Traton Group have rejuvenated the company. Freightliner remains the “big dog” among the manufacturers. April sales of 8,580 were down 6.8% from 9,208 in March, but 25.5% higher than April 2022, when the company sold 6,837 Class 8 trucks. The company still sold 39.4% of the Class 8 trucks sold on the U.S. market for the year to date, up 0.5% from 38.9% as of April 2022. Volvo reported sales of 2,549 in April, up 10.2% from March and 5.1% from April of last year. Year to date, the company is 12.8% ahead of where it was last year, even as its share of the market dropped to 9.8% from 11%. Mack sales of 1,526 in April was an 11.1% decline from March but were 6.1% better than April 2022. For the year to date, however, Mack sales have increased 28.3% from the same point last year, and Mack’s share of the market for 2023 has increased slightly to 6.4%. Kenworth sales of 3,191 in April were down 5% from March sales but up 23.3% from April 2022. For the year to date, Kenworth sales have increased 21.1% as its market share dropped from 14.3% to 13.7%. Sibling Peterbilt saw a sales decline in April to 3,318 trucks, down 3.3% from March sales but up 4.6% from April of 2022. Year-to-date sales are up 16.3% at Peterbilt, while the OEM’s market share has dropped from 15% to 13.8% this year. Western Star reported sales of 491 in April, down 19.5% from March’s 610 and down 26.7% from the 670 sold last April. The company’s market share of 3.4% last April fell to 2.5%. In considering the relationship between sales numbers and market share, it’s important to note that sales for all the OEMs — the entire market — increased by 26.5% from April 2022. An individual manufacturer could increase sales but if that increase is smaller than the 26.5% industry average, market share will decline. Tesla reported sales of another 30 battery-electric trucks in April to bring its 2023 total to 105. If any other electric vehicle manufacturers are selling heavy-duty trucks, the numbers are not reflected in the Wards data. Waiting for the coming recession to hit is something like seeing “Road Construction Ahead” signs and wondering how long it will be before we reach the worst of it. On the bright side, the new road on the other side might make for smooth driving.

US opens probe into Freightliner trucks automatically braking without obstacle in road

The Associated Press - May 30, 2023

DETROIT — The U.S. government’s highway safety agency is investigating complaints that the automatic emergency braking on big Freightliner semis can stop the trucks unexpectedly for no apparent reason. It’s at least the third recent investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into glitches with the technology, which has the potential to save lives because it can make vehicles stop or slow down for stopped or slowed traffic. The probe covers about a quarter-million trucks made by Daimler from the 2017 through 2022 model years. The agency says in documents posted on its website Tuesday that it has 18 complaints from owners alleging that brakes on Freightliner Cascadia trucks can come on without an obstacle in the road. The reports say the trucks can brake without warning or any input from the driver. The braking ranges from partial application with little loss of speed to full application, bringing the trucks to a complete stop on the road. The agency says it tested one of the trucks and it stopped for a steel trench plate on the road. Daimler Trucks said the trench plate does not represent real-world driving. NHTSA says it will determine whether the braking problem is an unreasonable risk to safety. The complaints don’t cite any crashes or injuries due to the problem. In a statement Tuesday, Daimler Trucks said it’s committed to developing life-saving technology such as automatic emergency braking. “The company shares the same mission as NHTSA to reduce fatal crashes and serious injuries, and looks forward to continued collaboration with the agency to review AEB technology and the upcoming regulation and test procedures that are being developed for the industry by NHTSA,” the statement said. In February of 2022, NHTSA began investigating complaints that Teslas operating on the automaker’s partially automated driving systems can suddenly stop on roadways for no apparent reason. NHTSA says more than 750 Tesla owners have complained of false braking. During the same month, the agency opened an investigation of more than 1.7 million Hondas for a similar problem. At the time NHTSA said it had 278 complaints about the problem. The U.S. government is in the process of adopting regulations to require automatic emergency braking on all new passenger vehicles and heavy trucks.

PGT Trucking, Nikola, Nucor celebrate inaugural shipment of steel using electric big rig

The Trucker News Staff - May 26, 2023

BRANDENBURG, Ky. — Flatbed transportation company PGT Trucking Inc. has successfully delivered its inaugural shipment of low-greenhouse-gas steel via Nikola’s Class 8 battery-electric tractor from Nucor’s new Brandenburg, Kentucky, plant to a nearby fabricator as part of its sustainable shipping solutions program, a company statement announced. To commemorate this first-ever shipment of low GHG intensity steel by a Class 8 zero-emissions truck, the companies welcomed team members, media and local officials to Nucor Brandenburg for a behind-the-scenes look at the sustainable equipment and commodities that are transforming the steel and transportation industries, a news release noted. “PGT Trucking is proud to partner with companies like Nikola and Nucor who share a common vision and commitment to a greener future,” said Gregg Troian, PGT Trucking president. “We are confident that these relationships will help guide PGT’s Future of Flatbed® initiatives, allowing us to reach our goal of a 35% reduction in emissions of our company-owned equipment by the year 2025.” Participants heard formal presentations from Troian; Nikola Global Head, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market Development Jason Roycht; Nucor Executive Vice President of Plate and Structural Products Al Behr; and Nucor Steel Brandenburg General Manager Johnny Jacobs. Attendees were then taken on a guided and interactive tour of the Nikola Class 8 battery-electric semi-truck and charging station. “For more than five decades, Nucor has been built on the sustainable model of producing steel with a low carbon footprint,” Behr said. “Even though we are one of the cleanest steelmakers in the world, we know we need to continue to lower our greenhouse gas intensity. This partnership with PGT and Nikola is just one example of the innovative ways Nucor is working to reduce its carbon emissions.” Nucor has installed charging stations at multiple mills, including Brandenburg, to enable the use of battery-electric flatbed trucks. According to the news release, it is estimated that a short-haul delivery made using this truck will reduce carbon emissions by 40% and create a 20% savings in energy cost, per trip. According to a study by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency, if 50% of the heavy-duty regional haul tractors were replaced with battery-electric trucks, the industry could save an estimated 29.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually. “Nikola is proud to partner with PGT Trucking to play a role in Nucor’s inaugural shipment of low GHG intensity steel with our Class 8 Tre battery-electric truck,” Roycht said. “This level of teamwork between product manufacturer, transportation provider, and vehicle manufacturer is exactly what it will take to evolve the industry to zero-emission trucking. We look forward to continuing this journey with PGT Trucking and Nucor.” “By aligning our business objectives with those of our customers, PGT is advancing the transportation industry to move more freight in an efficient and environmentally clean manner,” Troian added.

Higher trailer build rate forecasted for 2023, ACT Research says

The Trucker News Staff - May 24, 2023

COLUMBUS, Ind. — According to this quarter’s issue of ACT Research’s Trailer Components & Raw Materials Forecast, OEMs are reporting that their orderboards for 2023 are fully open, with most booked through the end of the year (a few with spots still available in Q4), and some trailer makers are taking orders into 2024. However, several concerns are weighing on their minds, including the tightening labor market, slowing demand into 2024, inflation pressuring consumer spending, business investment providing continued pressure on carrier profitability, recession risk, material supply availability and cost and how all these factors are likely to impact dealer confidence, according to ACT. From February through April, the building of 83,300 units was more than 6% higher than the same three-month period last year, while net orders of 52,600 trailers was about 38% lower for the February to April 2023 period, versus the same three months in 2022, said Jennifer McNealy, director of commercial vehicle Market Research & Publications at ACT Research. “Based on the same three-month comparison, backlog of 212,700 units this year was nearly 7% more than the 199,600 units pending production last year,” she said. “During the past six months, trailer manufacturers and major suppliers have largely indicated stable business conditions as compared to each prior month. Responses for May, relative to April, were in line with this trend.” ACT’s U.S. trailer forecasts, as well as its forecast of the components and raw materials needed to manufacture that equipment, is not only based on build, but on an ongoing secular shift and pent-up demand. According to Eric Crawford, ACT’s vice president and senior analyst, “For dry vans especially, there is a strong case for a secular shift to higher trailer/tractor ratios by big fleets and the creation of trailer pools by mega-brokerages. At its core, this shift stems from a desire to raise productivity and reduce expenses in the brokerage space.” Crawford added that “In 2023, we forecast elevated build rates and relatively muted economic growth will cut into pent-up demand by ~25k units, leaving ~32k units of pent-up demand as we enter 2024. That said, we forecast pent-up demand will be more than satiated by year-end 2024, as our 165k dry van build forecast implies an over-build of ~13k units.”