This year will end with "modest freight growth," according to FTR Associates, a group that tracks trucking industry trends. "We expect 2010 to be in the 2.8% range."
"Given the huge decline in freight over the last few years, the (2.8%) increase will not be enough to entice fleets in large numbers to buy new, more expensive technology when such equipment is made available," say FTR officials.
This will contribute to a decline in new heavy truck sales.
"Many (fleets and drivers) have usable miles on older equipment to get them through the initial uptick in freight demand without taking the risk of adding unfamiliar engine technology to their fleet."
