Fleets in shopping mood

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Fleets in are becoming increasingly optimistic about buying new iron in the next few months, according to the Third Quarter 2010 Fleet Sentiment Report Equipment Buying Index by CK Commercial Vehicle Research.

The survey, which measures planned buying behavior of for-hire, private and government fleets, indicated that 45 percent of carriers plan to place orders for medium and heavy power units in the next three months. Just over 43 percent said they will buy trailers.

The report found that 36 percent plan to add dry vans, while 32 percent plan to order reefers.

Fleets responding to the Q3 questionnaire operate in excess of 40,000 medium and heavy-duty power units and 110,000 trailers.

"In Q3 we again saw reduction in the number of parked vehicles reported, improved stated utilization rates and a closer alignment of available freight to haul and fleet capacity," said Chris Kemmer of CKCVR.

The size of the planned orders are down, however.

"The one measure which moderates our enthusiasm now is the average size of the planned orders, which fell below the 4-quarter moving average for both power units and trailers in Q3."

A complete analysis of the Fleet Sentiment Report is available to subscribers here.