Trucking Aftermarket Poised for Growth Through 2022

MacKay & Co. is seeing growth for the U.S. aftermarket out to 2022. Photo: Creative Commons

In total the U.S. aftermarket for Class 6 to 8 trucks and trailers is up 3.1% to $30.4 billion driven by increases in population and utilization, said John Blodgett, vice president of sales and marketing for MacKay & Company, speaking during Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue in Las Vegas. The Canadian aftermarket is up 9.2% to $4.2 billion driven by increases in pricing, average annual miles driven and utilization.

Aftermarket demand depends in part on new vehicle sales. U.S. Class 6-7 retail sales were up 10% in 2017 and trailer sales were up 2%, but Class 8 sales were down slightly (-0.5%)

For 2018, Ken Griswold, director of market strategy and sales at MacKay, said the company expects U.S. retail sales of Class 6 and 7 trucks to be up 2% to 135,000, Class 8 sales to be up 0.4% to 237,000 and trailer sales to be 280,000, down 1%.

For Canada, retail sales in Class 6 and 7 were up 16%, Class 8 sales up 11% and trailer sales up 10%. MacKay's forecast for 2018 is for Class 6 and 7 retail sales to be down 2%, Class 8 and trailer sales to each be down 6%.

Looking further out, MacKay & Co. expects the total U.S. operating population to increase in most categories. In 2022, the company forecasts a 16% increase for Class 6, an 8.1% for Class 8, and an 8% increase for trailers. They expect Class 7 sales to be down 7%.

For Canada, the outlook is not as rosy. MacKay forecasts a 10% decrease for the Class 6 operating universe, 3% decrease for Class 7, 0.6% decrease for Class 8 and 1.8% decrease for trailers.

MacKay & Co. is seeing growth for the U.S. aftermarket out to ...Read the rest of this story

How Fleets Are Looking to Outsource Maintenance and Repairs

Gerry Mead, center, former Senior VP of Maintenance for U.S. Xpress and now with Phillips Industries, was on a panel on Meeting the Parts and Service Needs of Today's Fleet. Photo courtesy Today's Trucking

Data from MacKay & Company consistently shows that fleets say they want to outsource more of their maintenance and repair, but continue to do much of it in-house as they try to find service providers that can meet their needs.

Outsourcing was the first issue discussed by a panel of fleet executives at the recent Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue in Las Vegas. Gerry Mead, former senior vice president of maintenance at U.S. Xpress and current executive director of innovation at Phillips Industries, said when he was with U.S. Xpress his philosophy was “no on loves your fleet like you do.” When the fleet went outside for maintenance it used dedicated shops that had to meet certain qualifications. To help with utilization, U.S. Xpress, scheduled all needed PM services at the same time and tried to schedule PM service on drivers' home time.

To help manage the technician shortage the fleet works with schools and the armed forces and has also developed mentorship and in-house certification programs. It also invested in training for management. “Most people quit because of bad management,” Mead said, “so we focused on management so they know how to lead.”

Advanced Disposal does all the maintenance and repair on its fleets in-house except for major overhauls at its 90 shops in 16 states. Brian Beaudrie, vice president of corporate maintenance, acknowledges that retaining and training technicians is an issue. Advanced Disposal solution is to create a team environment in its operation based on the philosophy that “it's easy to quit a job but hard to quit a team.” Part of the effort of creating a team ...Read the rest of this story

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International’s Uptime Warranty Packages for Vocational Trucks

Image of HX Series construction truck courtesy of International trucks. 

International Truck announced three compelling plans to deliver on its Uptime pledge to vocational truck customers: the extension of the International A26 Customer Uptime Assurance Program for vocational models, a new, Vocational Confidence Warranty Package, and the International A26 Barrel Protection Plan for the International HX Series and International HV Series trucks powered by the International A26 12.4L big bore engine.

The International A26 Customer Uptime Assurance Program for Vocational Models is straightforward, according to the manufacturer. If a customer experiences a warrantable failure on an International A26 engine within its two-year standard warranty period, and experiences downtime greater than 48 hours from the time of diagnosis, International Truck will provide the customer with a $250 International Advantage Card, good for future parts and service purchases at an International dealership, subject to standard conditions. Customers may be eligible for a maximum of 8 cards per vehicle over the two-year period, a value of as much as $2,000 per vehicle.

The Vocational Confidence Warranty Package offers comprehensive powertrain coverage for HX Series and International HV Series trucks with an International A26 engine. The four-year, 100,000 miles warranty offers complete powertrain and drivetrain coverage, including engine, transmission and axle coverage for vocational applications. Coverage includes select components from suppliers including Dana, Eaton, and Meritor to provide customers with even more peace of mind. The program is available now and applies to new customer orders for International HX Series and HV Series trucks equipped with the International A26 engine placed before June 30, 2018.

The International four-year Barrel Protection Plan is also simple, according to the manufacturer. If a customer experiences an International A26 warrantable failure resulting in barrel damage, International will cover the barrel damage for the truck's first four years in service. This coverage is ...Read the rest of this story

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An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander said on Monday that U.S. vessels patrolling the Gulf had changed behaviour and now abided by international regulations. Rear Admiral Ali Ozmaei's remarks cited by Tasnim news agency followed last week's comments by U.S. military officials that the Iranian military had halted routine "harassment" of U.S. naval vessels in the Gulf.