North American fleets ordered 4,000 of the Class 8 trucks used in highway transport last month, down 73% from April 2019 and 44% from March, according to preliminary estimates from FTR. The transportation research group said it was the lowest reading it has recorded since it began tracking orders in 1996. Trucking companies canceled or delayed new equipment orders as much of the economy shut down, tanking demand from many industrial and retail customers. Demand measured by the ratio of loads to trucks fell 66% in April on trucking’s spot market, where shippers book last-minute transportation, according to online freight marketplace DAT Solutions LLC. Newsletter Sign-up The Logistics Report Top news and in-depth analysis on the world of logistics, from supply chain to transport and technology. SUBSCRIBE The weak market and uncertain outlook have made many trucking companies rein in spending. Last month, Canadian transportation and logistics company TFI […]