Waiting on New Trucks thread.

How long ago was that?

 

I have heard stories like 133k, when a company buys 200 trucks. But that's before covid. 200 trucks is 26 million dollars. So your guarantee production from the factory for a couple of days, a week? Idk.

 

They’re stripped. The seats they order feel like sitting on cardboard. I took one out to Idaho, brought it back, and told them the seat is the worst new seat I’ve driven. My buddy got them to swap in a Bostrom he bought, because he was having so much discomfort. However, they do spec the AG380 rear suspension, which is the best rear suspension I’ve driven. The truck was really quiet and drove nicer than anything else I’ve driven.

 

Well, that was a ‘22 invoice.

Yep. When a customer can guarantee to keep a supplier in “X” amount of business, over “X” amount of time, concessions get made.

 

I ordered the ‘22 I have in March of ‘21. I got locked in before all the increases. When I got my truck at the end of ‘21 it was about $190k for the same truck if you could get a spot.

 

That begs another question: Do these fleets order years in advance, to lock in pricing, and help a manufacturer forecast? If they put in an advanced, multi-year order, say 200 each year, the next 5yrs, that’d ensure even better pricing.

 

Here's this week's update.

July 29, 2023
389 Peterbilt - 163.........11 389X's
579 Peterbilt - 233
T680 KW - 505
W9 KW - 97
Cascadia - 52
Volvo Family - 101
Mack - 58
International - 99

An increase of 46 units or 4% from last week. New units keep increasing even though the dealers say they are sold out for the rest of the year. I'm like a broken record but orders do not mean sales.

July is pretty much in the books for us. We've had a better month than June but that's solely because the last day of the month falls on a Monday so I assume we will be showing a little light in August since we are pulling a bit of revenue forward. It's still tough out there but still hoping by November/December we will see a bounce. These higher fuel prices are not a friend to those hanging on by a thread.

I have noticed some reputible medium size reefer carriers post newer equipment for sale. I'm curious if they are downsizing or selling equipment on their own because of lowball trade-in prices. I know in one instance the carrier has 2023 reefer trailers posted so they have to be downsizing or at least attempting too as their asking is higher than what one can get brand new for.

 

So do you work for a truck dealer?

 

Na, I run a few trucks. I’ve just been in the market for a new truck the past few months. I’m just amazed that new truck prices have barely budged and act like it’s 2021.

 

Give it time. I believe those who financed new, over-priced trucks will begin to feel pain, if they aren't already. They might look to dump.