Nov 12, 2009 2:40 PM

The Q4 2009 FSR Equipment Buying Index as reported by CK Commercial Vehicle Research fell 23% from the previous quarter to a reading of 68.7. The Q4 2009 index was severely impacted by the small percentage of fleets planning trailer purchases.

Only 21% of respondents to the Q4 Fleet Sentiment questionnaire indicated they planned to place orders for trailers in the next three months, while 46% planned to place power unit orders in the same period. Details of planned orders are reported in the Fleet Sentiment Report available to subscribers.

The FSR Buying Index is a measure of planned buying behavior of for-hire, private, and government fleets responding to CKCVR’s Fleet Sentiment quarterly questionnaire. A lower reading indicates fewer fleets are planning to purchase equipment, while a higher reading indicates more are planning to purchase equipment.

CKCVR regularly polls a group of fleet operators about their 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.

In October 2009, 61 fleets operating more than 53,000 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles responded to the quarterly Fleet Sentiment questionnaire. Complete survey results are reported in the Fleet Sentiment Report, a quarterly report of CK Commercial Vehicle Research. For more information, visit www.ckcvr.com/fleetsentiment or e-mail chris@ckcvr.com