Freight volumes are likely to hit additional trade-related air pockets in the coming quarters, after a reprieve in Q3/25, according to ACT Research’s latest release of the Freight Forecast: Rate and Volume OUTLOOK report. Tariffs are also raising equipment prices, and heavy truck makers are reducing production. In H2/25, NA Class 8 production is set to fall more than 25% from H1/25.
“As the economy is likely to absorb the effects of tariffs over the next several months, our freight demand outlook remains cautious. But the silver lining of lower vehicle production and lost manufacturing jobs is that tighter capacity will likely drive freight back to the for-hire market in the future,” Tim Denoyer, vice president and senior analyst of ACT Research, said. “As goods prices rise, lower unit demand may loosen market equilibrium for some time before the effects start to support freight rates, and we see a soft holiday shipping season.”
