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Fleet sentiment survey: Expect more of same for 2016 in equipment orders
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The quarterly Fleet Sentiment survey conducted in early October by CK Commercial Vehicle Research (CKCVR) indicates that fleet equipment ordering activity could be similar in 2016 to what it has been for 2015.
A majority (76 percent) expect their heavy-duty truck orders to match what was purchased in 2015, with a few more even planning an increase.
A smaller percent (63 percent) said the same about their trailer orders.
The survey showed that planned ordering activity during the fourth quarter of 2015 will start the ball rolling for 2016, especially from the larger fleets reporting.
Weighted volume average for expected truck orders from this group in the October-December time frame is improved both quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year.
Expected trailer orders during the period were improved quarter-over-quarter but fell short of the difficult comparison to last year.
The driver shortage issues continue to plague most fleets reporting to the CKCVR survey, especially with their ability to grow to take advantage of good freight demand. Many are simply not adding to their fleets because they don't have enough drivers to fill current seats, let alone additional seats.
Equipment demand for 2016 for this group can change if the economy falters, said Chris Kemmer of CK Commercial Vehicle Research.
"While a majority of the fleets reporting to us saw their business as good or even excellent, any fall-off in freight or work demand will certainly cause them to re-think their 2016 plans," Kemmer said. "They have been upgrading their equipment at a pretty high level over the last two to three years so I expect they could take a pause in new equipment purchases without taking a significant hit to maintenance costs associated with older vehicles. But if the economy stays fairly strong, they will likely continue to purchase new trucks and trailers at a similar level as we've seen this year."
CK Commercial Vehicle Research has been surveying fleets for more than a decade and data reported in the Fleet Sentiment Report tracks activity from 2006. For more information about the Fleet Sentiment Report and other CK Commercial Vehicle reporting visit www.ckcvr.com or call Chris Kemmer at (614) 459-9369
CK Commercial Vehicle Research (CKCVR) is a business of CK Marketing & Communications located in Columbus, Ohio. CKCVR surveys fleet advisors representing a mix of large, medium and small for-hire, private and government fleet operations.
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