The Polk Commercial Vehicle Report for 2012 reports a 23 percent increase in the number of new commercial truck registrations for new commerical trucks compared to the previous year. 2011 registrations for Class 3 through Class 8 trucks was 461,000. However, the record for new truck registrations occurred in 2006 when the total hit 800,000.
Between 1985 and 2011 there were 507,000 new truck registrations each year on average.
Class 8 trucks led the new commerical vehicle registrations in 2011 with a 38 percent increase, compared to 2010.
When you combine the new and used registrations, the figure exceeds 1.25 million, which is up 20 percent compared to 2010.
Will this mean fewer truck shortages in 2012 at major U.S. produce shipping areas? This remains to be seen. If trucking companies registering all these trucks have drivers to cover this equipment, sure it’s a no brainer.