Why Use Class 8 Data?
Class 8 tractors are the backbone of the American freight system. They power the majority of on-highway transportation across the country, making them essential for moving goods from one point to another. However, for shippers, carriers, and brokers, there has always been a gap in the data needed to make informed decisions about capacity, pricing, and planning. Most industry players rely on traditional demand metrics like the Cass Freight Index®, DAT, Truckstop, FreightWaves, port activity, rail movements, and intermodal trends. While these are useful, they’re all lagging indicators—meaning they reflect what has already happened, not what’s coming next. So, where is the missing piece? The answer lies in the supply side of the market: the total number of Class 8 tractors currently in operation and how that number is expected to change over time. Understanding this helps businesses anticipate shifts in freight rates and market dynamics before they happen.The Power of Actionable Intelligence
1. Reliable Data
Since 1986, ACT Research has been collecting monthly production data directly from North American truck manufacturers for Classes 5 through 8. This long-standing commitment to accuracy gives us a unique and comprehensive view of the U.S. trucking market. What does this mean for you? It means access to real-time insights into fleet size, market capacity, and historical trends. With this data, you can ask critical questions: - Are there too many trucks on the road relative to current demand? - Is the market undersupplied? - What will capacity look like in the next 12 months? By combining our Class 8 tractor population data with other industry benchmarks like the Cass Freight Index® or DAT, you gain a more complete picture of the freight market.2. Forward-Looking Analysis
Beyond just tracking past performance, ACT Research also provides forecasts for Class 8 tractor sales and production over the next 1–5 years. This forward-looking approach allows businesses to plan ahead—whether it's for the next quarter or the next two years. This kind of insight gives you a competitive edge. You can prepare for changes in freight rates, manage your capital better, and make smarter decisions about hiring, equipment, and route planning. ACT Research is the trusted forecasting partner for many Fortune 500 commercial vehicle manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers. We’ve earned recognition for our accuracy, including the Lawrence R. Klein Blue Chip Award for Forecast Accuracy (2015–2018), The Wall Street Journal Top Economic Outlook, and USA Today’s Top 10 Economic Forecasters. Our quarterly outlooks on Class 8 sales give you the tools to negotiate better rates, manage risk, and optimize your transportation budgets.3. Broader Market Insights
But ACT doesn’t stop at just forecasting tractor sales. We also provide insights into key freight rate indices and economic trends that impact the entire supply chain. For example, in 2021, we partnered with Cass Information Systems to develop and forecast the **Cass Truckload Linehaul Index**, which tracks changes in linehaul rates. In addition, we forecast: - 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 - U.S. Economic Forecasts These insights help you stay ahead of market shifts and make more informed business decisions. Whether you're a shipper, carrier, or broker, having access to this level of intelligence can be the difference between success and struggle in today’s fast-moving freight environment.Cl- Winding Machine,Wire Winding Machine,Automatic Winding Machine,Automatic Coil Winding Machine
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