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Which fleets are continuing to operate older trucks?

April 7, 2014
Government fleets top the list

One of the topics covered by NTEA's newly released 2014 Fleet Purchasing Outlook is average fleet age and truck buying activity.

For those of who may not be familiar with NTEA, it is the Association for the Work Truck Industry.

According to the survey data, the average age of trucks in fleets increased between end-of-year 2012 and 2013, with government fleets continuing to operate with relatively more old trucks in 2013 than other fleet types.

Meanwhile, construction and delivery/cartage fleets “engaged in relatively more buying activity” than government and utility/telecom fleets last year.

NTEA says the fact that government fleets are older than other fleet types is not surprising as budgets remained tight in 2013.

“However, it is also true that tax revenues were up in 2013 and are expected to be up again in 2014,” the report said. “While there is more pent-up demand in government fleets than in other fleet types, this may not lead to more purchases in 2014.

“Survey results indicate that 25 percent of government fleets plan to buy more trucks in 2014 than in 2013; 25 percent plan to buy less; 40 percent plan to buy the same number; and 10 percent are planning no new purchases.”

These fleets are buying

While government fleets will not be a great market for truck sales in 2014, construction and utility/telecom may be. With more than 10 percent of the equipment in these fleets in the 10 to 15 years of age range, construction and utility/telecom fleets “indicate they do intend to buy more trucks in 2014 than they did in 2013, at rates of 54 percent and 37 percent, respectively,” stated the survey report..

NTEA notes that this is in line with current forecasts which indicate that sales of commercial vehicles are expected to increase in 2014 at a faster pace than in 2013, and will continue growing in 2015.

About the Author

David A. Kolman | Contributor - Fleet Maintenance

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