A new report from CK Commercial Vehicle Research (CKCVR) indicates that fleets might be feeling good about their prospects for 2011. More than half the fleets surveyed are planning to order equipment in the next three months.
The Q1 2011 Fleet Sentiment Report Buying Index (FSR) rose to a new high of 102.3. The index (Q1 2008 = 100) measures the planned buying behavior of for-hire, private and government fleets responding to CKCVR’s Fleet Sentiment quarterly questionnaire.
The FSR shows that 58% of fleets plan on placing orders for power equipment in the next three months and 42% plan to place trailer orders. Additionally, those fleets plan to place orders equivalent to 11.6% of their power units and 10.4% of their trailers.
Engine technology is also playing a factor in buying decisions, the report indicates.
“The responses we have been receiving from our fleet advisors indicates that as they are making the decision, all but a small percentage of the group that regularly reports to us have determined that SCR offers them more benefits than the Advanced EGR technology,” said Chris Kemmer, CKCVR’s founder. “There does still remain a significant percentage that have yet to make up their mind, but the trend is definitely towards the SCR brands.”
The quarterly report also includes questions about short and longer-term equipment buying plans, preferred OEM, new specs, current fleet capacity vs. freight demand, equipment utilization rates, 2010 emissions engine choices and best-in-class product ratings.
For more information about the Fleet Sentiment Report, go to www.ckcvr.com/fleetsentiment or send an e-mail to [email protected].
