Why use Class 8 Data?

Class 8 tractors are the literal movers of American freight. On-highway transportation is executed mainly by Class 8 tractors across the country. But, for those shipping or hauling freight, there has always been a gap in the information used to view and plan for business.

Most use the same demand metrics:

• Cass Freight Index® - Shipments
• DAT
• Truckstop
• FreightWaves
• Ports activity
• Rail activity
• Intermodal activity

All of these data sets, however, are lagging demand indicators. So, what's the missing piece of the equation? The supply side of the market, or the total number of Class 8 tractors available, and the forecast of these vehicles to understand supply in the future. If you want to understand where freight rates are headed, you need to understand the impact of equipment supply on the market.

The Power of Actionable Intelligence

1. Data

Since 1986, ACT Research has collected monthly production data directly from North American truck manufacturers for Classes 5-8 trucks.

So, what does that mean for you?

An accurate view of the U.S. fleet size and market capacity through our Class 8 tractor build and sales data. With our knowledge of the historical Class 8 tractor population, we’re able to size the capacity of the on-highway trucking market.

• Are there too many trucks given the current demand?
• Are there too few?
• What will capacity look like in 12 months?

These are the questions shippers, carriers, and brokers are asking. Coupling our Class 8 tractor population with industry data, like Cass and DAT, you’ll gain a more accurate view of the capacity of the freight market.

2. Analysis

In addition to recording the historical Class 8 production and sales data, we also forecast vehicle demand over a 1-5 year horizon.

How does this help my business?

Whether preparing for the next 2 quarters or 2 years, businesses can utilize our Class 8 sales forecast to "peek around the corner" at future capacity, giving you time and intelligence to plan and prepare for what's next.

ACT Research is the industry leader and forecaster of record for several Fortune 500 commercial vehicle OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers and recognized for excellence in our work through several awards including the 2019 Lawrence R. Klein Blue Chip Award for Forecast Accuracy 2015-2018, The Wall Street Journal Top Economic Outlook, and USA Today Top 10 Economic Forecasters'.

We provide a quarter-by-quarter outlook of Class 8 tractor sales, giving your business the ability to plan and prepare for spot and contract rate negotiations, capital budgeting, risk management, transportation budgeting, capacity planning, and more.

3. Insights

But here's the thing: ACT doesn't just forecast Class 8 tractor sales and production that supports carriers, shipped, and brokers.

What else does ACT forecast?

For example, in 2021, we partnered with Cass Information Systems and together have developed and forecast the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index®, which measures the change in linehaul rates. Along with the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index®, ACT forecasts:

• Cass Shipments Index Forecasts
• Cass Truckload Linehaul Index® Forecasts
• DAT Dry Van Spot Rate Forecasts
• DAT Refrigerated Spot Rate Forecasts
• DAT Flatbed Spot Rate Forecasts
• LTL Tonnage and Yield Forecasts
• Intermodal Load and Rate Forecasts
• US Economic Forecasts