Waiting on New Trucks thread.

It’s usually a family thing, ain’t it?

 

Here's this week's update.

August 5, 2023
389 Peterbilt - 166.........12 389X's
579 Peterbilt - 287
T680 KW - 488
W9 KW - 97
Cascadia - 50
Volvo Family - 108
Mack - 59
International - 102

An increase of 49 units from last week. I did see MHC cut some of their T680 prices by as much as $15K on some. They had to do something if they plan on selling any units.

My tangent of the week are salesmen. I was talking to one and he asked what I needed for my truck and I said I don't care what you give for my truck as I just care about the difference (because Lord knows their new truck is overpriced). I told him and he said we are just too far off so I countered again (significantly higher) and crickets. Like I'm sorry I'm inconveniencing you in trying to give you my business but just tell me the freaking number you guys are at. It's obvious since I already adjusted my number I have some wiggle room. It baffles me that if you make your living off sales you don't follow-up.

 

Sales people today aren’t anything like the sales people of the past. It’s just like with every profession of the past, people don’t want to earn it, anymore. If it were me, I’d be in the GM’s office saying “I got this O/O…..”. It truly isn’t difficult to sell stuff, if you’re knowledgeable, honest, and put forth some effort.

 

My kw salesperson told me this week that kw didn’t have any build slots open for the rest of the year. And they haven’t opened up next years build schedule ……..?

 

Same thing with Peterbilt. I'm still trying to figure it out but assume it's the larger fleets? Or maybe they are capping production to maintain pricing power? I've heard to that Cummins engines are in short supply so either you're going to have to wait or take a PACCAR engine.

 

Just google “Class 8 truck sales”

Seems like sales are booming and the sky really isn’t falling.

 

I think they want to make whatever is easier for them.. they are sick of small fleets or single truck purchasers slowing down production with custom truck orders……

 

I agree. Rush reported earnings this week and said....

New U.S. Class 8 retail truck sales totaled 72,462 units in the second quarter of 2023, up 13.2% over the second quarter of last year, according to ACT Research. The Company sold 4,300 new Class 8 trucks in the second quarter, an increase of 3.2% compared to the second quarter of 2022, which accounted for 5.7% of the new U.S. Class 8 truck market and 1.8% of the Canada new Class 8 truck market.

“Freight rates remained low in the second quarter, which particularly impacted smaller operators, but due to limited truck production over the past few years, we continued to experience strong widespread demand for new commercial vehicles. While we are still operating within the confines of truck allocation, due to our strategic decision several years ago to diversify our customer base, we are confident we are using our allocations in a way that provides the most long-term benefits for our business and enables us to effectively navigate the current freight recession. In addition, we are seeing demand from customers seeking new commercial vehicles ahead of emissions regulations and associated price increases beginning in 2024,” said Rush.

“Moving forward, new truck production continues to improve, and while supply constraints may impact new truck production and retail sales, we still expect that our third quarter new Class 8 truck sales will be consistent with our second quarter results,” he said.

 

I took it as wanting to purchase trucks in 24 through 26 prior to 27 changes.