According to a survey by CK Commercial Vehicle Research (CKCVR), US fleets are pulling back on new transport equipment purchases.
The Q3 2014 Fleet Sentiment Report survey conducted in July by CKCVR confirms the tightening shipping capacity at truck fleets. “Reported vehicle utilisation rates along with responses to questions regarding a fleet’s capacity versus demand ratio, indicate that there is little available capacity for new freight among the survey participants,” CKCVR said.
“Capacity is primarily constrained by the inability of fleets to grow their driver pool and many reported they would add equipment if they could hire qualified drivers.”
CKCVR’s Q3 2014 FSR Buying Index, which measures the number of fleets planning to buy trucks and trailers as well as the expected volume of those orders, fell to a reading of 83.3, primarily impacted by a smaller percentage of fleets planning to purchase equipment in the next three months. However, the unit volume measure of the planned orders was positive in quarter over quarter and year over year comparisons.
However, survey respondents did report good business conditions overall. The Q3 Fleet Sentiment Report includes additional feedback from fleets on how they are improving productivity in the current tight environment.