More fleets are planning to buy trailers, driving the First Quarter Fleet Sentiment Report Buying Index from CK Commercial Vehicle Research up 4.6 points from the previous quarter to a reading of 93.9.
CKCVR surveys for-hire, private and government fleet representatives quarterly to determine their short range order plans for both power units and trailers. The FSR Index is calculated by combining the estimated size of the planned truck and trailer orders for the group reporting along with the percentage of report participants who indicate they will likely place orders.
The improved Q1 2012 FSR Buying Index is primarily a reflection of increased activity in trailer planned purchases. While the percentage of fleets planning to place orders for power units rose marginally, the actual size of those combined orders fell below Q4 2011. For trailers, an increased percentage, 45% of respondents, planned orders and the volume of those orders more than doubled from Q4 2011 data.
One in four respondents plan capacity increases with power unit orders while 40% planned to use some trailer purchases to add capacity. Those adding capacity are dominated by reefer fleets.
Survey participants continue to be affected negatively by a shortage of drivers, with 38% needing drivers now to fill current seats or to help them add capacity.
Transmission changes seemed to be the most popular spec adjustments being made at this time, with fleets switching to automatic or automated manual transmissions. The addition of disc brakes and many safety options such as collision warning and lane departure warning are a constant on the survey.
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