COLUMBUS, OH - The Q3 2010 Fleet Sentiment Report (FSR) Equipment Buying Index, as reported by CK Commercial Vehicle Research (CKCVR), jumped from the previous quarter to 90.2, the highest in two years. The FSR Buying Index is a simple measure of planned buying behavior of for-hire, private and government fleets responding to CKCVR's Fleet Sentiment quarterly questionnaire. 

According to the company, 45.1 percent of Q3 study participants plan to place orders for medium and heavy power units in the next (3) months with 43.1 percent planning trailer orders in the same time frame. Fleets responding to the Q3 questionnaire operate in excess of 40,000 medium- and heavy-duty power units and 110,000 trailers. 

"The number of fleets planning equipment purchases continues to improve quarter to quarter in 2010," said Chris Kemmer of CKCVR. "In Q3, we again saw reduction in the number of parked vehicles reported, improved stated utilization rates and a closer alignment of available freight to haul and fleet capacity. The one measure which moderates our enthusiasm now is the average size of the planned orders, which fell below the 4-quarter moving average for both power units and trailers in Q3. 

CKCVR regularly polls their group of fleet advisors about equipment purchasing, operating, and maintenance practices. The quarterly Fleet Sentiment survey includes questions about short and longer term equipment buying plans, preferred OEM, new specs, current fleet capacity vs. freight demand, equipment utilization rates including the percent of parked vehicles, and current industry issues. Beginning in Q1 2010, engine technology choices are reported as well. 

A complete analysis of responses to the Q3 2010 Fleet Sentiment Report is available to subscribers at www.ckcvr.com/fleetsentiment.