Volume 28 • Issue 4 • 04/23/2026

IN THIS ISSUE

• BOARD NEWS & VIEWS – Behind the Scenes: What Your UTA Board Has Been Working On by Nick Lombardo

• DEALER GROUP – April Update by Rocky Carden

• UTA Truck Talk Podcast – Episodes 9 and 10!

• UTA Kansas City Golf Scramble & Reception – Register and Sponsor Today!

• MARKETING COMMITTEE – The Buying Process Begins Long Before the First Call by Charles Bowles
• OPINION – Selling to the C-Credit Customer: How to Turn a Tough Deal into a Lasting Relationship by Ricardo Rodriguez-Long
• Seven Types of Commercial Truck Driving Jobs by Ian Sifuentes

• Women In Trucking Blog

• Used Truck Market Review & Forecast

• Awards & Accolades

• Industry News Briefs

• Electric & Alternative Fuel News

June 3 & 4, 2026

Argosy Casino & Hotel

Staley Farms Golf Club

Wednesday Reception

NEW TIME: 4:00 -7:00 PM

Nick Lombardo is a member of the UTA Board of Directors and works for Kingdom Truck Sales.

He can be reached at: nlombardo@kingdomtruckskc.com

One question I hear from members from time to time is, “What exactly has the Board been working on?” The short answer is—quite a bit. As we move through 2026, several committees have been hard at work focusing on ways to strengthen the association, support our members, and continue growing the programs that make the Used Truck Association such a valuable organization.

A new initiative we’re excited about this year is the Independent Dealer Council. The goal of this group is simple: help independent dealers collaborate and support one another in areas that go beyond buying and selling trucks. Many independent dealers operate small businesses and often face similar challenges. Through regular discussions and shared best practices, this Council will give members the opportunity to exchange ideas and solutions that can help everyone run stronger businesses.

Rocky Carden is a UTA Board Member and an employee of Wilson Logistics. He can be reached at: rcarden@wilsonlogistics.com. 

Conditions Change. The Standard Stays High.

They don’t shut down when the plan falls apart. They reroute. 

They keep their head right and figure it out one mile at a time. I’ve realized—that’s not just snowmobiling. That’s culture.

On the drive back from the Upper Peninsula after a snowmobiling trip with my wife, I got thinking about the way things change.

If you’ve ever ridden up there, you know one thing for sure—whatever you planned… it’s not how the day will go. We had mornings that started out perfect. Fresh snow. Smooth trails. Everything clicks into place, and then, just like that—it changes.

Two New TRUCK TALK Podcasts Now Available!

Charles Bowles is a UTA board member and director of OEM relationships for Commercial Truck Trader. He can be 
reached at charles.bowles@traderinteractive.com

In today’s market, the used heavy-duty truck buying process begins months before a buyer ever contacts a dealership. By the time your phone rings or an email lands in your inbox, the customer is typically already deep into a disciplined evaluation process.

That process generally falls into one of tho categories: replacement or expansion, and both are driven by financial analysis, not impulse.

Scholarship Applications

Are Now Online

Send the deserving students in your life to the website for details!

Previous applicants who didn't receive a scholarship may reapply as long as they're still enrolled in their college or vo-tech school. 

Ricardo Rodriguez-Long works in Asset Management. He can be found on LinkedIn and reached at his email: ricardoCA1999@gmail.com

Let’s be direct about something: the C-credit customer sitting across from you at the dealership is not a problem to manage. They are an opportunity — if you know how to speak their language.

These are owner-operators, small fleet builders, and independent haulers who have had a rough patch — a divorce, a slow season, a health crisis, a bad business cycle. They are not deadbeats. Most of them are some of the hardest-working people in this industry. 

What they need from you is not a lecture about their credit score. What they need is a clear, honest roadmap that shows them why buying this truck today, even at a higher interest rate, is still the smartest business decision they can make.

Your job as a dealer or finance professional is to build that roadmap with them — and walk them through it step by step.

Ian Sifuentes is the Chief Financial Officer at Mission Financial Services. He can be reached at www.MissionFinancialServices.net 
or ian@mfstruck.com

A commercial truck driving job typically involves operating large vehicles to transport goods, materials, or freight as part of a business operation. If you’re thinking about starting a career in the trucking industry, this guide will help you pick a path that fits your life. 

We break down seven types of commercial truck driving jobs, including freight-based roles like dry van, reefer, flatbed, and tanker, plus route-based options like local, regional, and over-the-road (OTR). 

You’ll get a clearer view of what the work looks like day to day, what schedule to expect, and what training or endorsements may matter before you apply.

This annual event is sure to be another hole-in-one, bringing together industry partners for an evening of networking and connection. With more than 250 attendees expected at the reception, it’s one of UTA’s largest events of the year—and a great opportunity to support the scholarship foundation.

Salute To Women Behind the Wheel: Celebrating Drivers Who Keep America Moving

Women In Trucking Staff (March 31, 2026)

The ballroom buzzed with energy last Friday afternoon as nearly 120 female professional truck drivers and more than 200 allies came together — joined by industry leaders like FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs — to celebrate female professional truck drivers at the 15th annual “Salute to Women Behind the Wheel.” The event was held at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, KY.

USED TRUCK MARKET REVIEW & FORECAST

VOLUME TRENDS: Same dealer used Class 8 retail truck sales had a breakout month in February. The 23% m/m increase was directionally consistent with, but much greater than, the expected 4% seasonal gain. February is usually the sixth weakest sales month of the year, running about 2% below average. The auction and wholesale markets also both improved in February. Auction volumes ballooned 127% m/m as they recovered from their typical first month of the quarter blues. Wholesale dealer activity increased 22% m/m. Combined, February total market same dealer sales volumes surpassed January by 51%. Compared to February 2025, the retail market was 4.6% lower. The wholesale segment also contracted (-8.1%). 

SELLING PRICES 

Market conditions were mixed in March, with Retail flat, Wholesale up mildly, and Auction down substantially month-over-month.

SALES VOLUME 

Retail sales volume roared back in March to the highest level in almost five years. Auction volume moved in the opposite direction, with an unusually low result for the month.

RETAIL METRICS 

The average age of trucks retailed remains below historical norms, at 58 months in March, a full year newer than the long-term average.

Used Semi-Trailer Market Improves Despite Downward Truck Market Trends

According to recent Sandhills Global market reports, used semi-trailer asking prices and auction values ticked up in March and are trending upward. Heavy-duty truck auction values also increased slightly, another positive sign amidst continued inventory and value decreases across the heavy- and medium-duty truck markets.

Sandhills Global market reports cover used trucks, trailers, farm machinery, and construction equipment on Sandhills’ U.S. platforms. The key metric in all of Sandhills’ market reports is the Sandhills Equipment Value Index (EVI). 

The UTA wants to recognize the wins of the people and companies in our industry! If you want to share news about an award or accolade, please send the details and article link to our newsletter editor at utaeditor@uta.org.

Meet the 2026 Women In Trucking Top Women to Watch in Trucking

Women In Trucking (April 9, 2026) — 

75 impressive individuals have been recognized as 2026 Top Women to Watch in Trucking who have successfully accomplished amazing things in their careers and exemplify WIT’s mission.

Lisa Cook: Driving Alignment and Inspiring Progress

Women In Trucking (April 1, 2026)

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Lisa Cook as its April 2026 Member of the Month. Cook is district sales manager for Thermo King. 

Throughout her career, Cook has built a reputation as a leader who drives alignment, challenges thinking, and delivers results by bringing people and ideas together around a shared vision. 

Introducing Kingdom Truck Sales

We are excited to introduce Kingdom Truck Sales, a new partnership between Jason and Keri Kemner and myself. We’re proud to have their son, Tyler Kemner, working alongside us, focusing on buying and wholesaling trucks and trailers. Kingdom is based in the Kansas City area in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Starting a small truck dealership is no small task. From securing dealer and business licenses to setting up insurance, floor planning, and office space, there are countless moving parts behind the scenes. It’s been a challenging, exciting, and at times nerve-racking journey—but one we’ve embraced with full commitment.

Along the way, we’ve been fortunate to have the support of so many people who have inspired, encouraged, and guided us. One moment that has always stuck with me was hearing Ken Hoffman share about opening the very first MHC location. He mentioned how Jerry Nerman, one of the founders of Arrow Truck Sales and a driving force behind starting the UTA many years ago, helped shape the early days of the business. Since hearing that story, I’ve often wondered what it would be like to build something of our own. Today, we’re living that experience.

We are especially grateful for the incredible support we’ve received from the members of the Used Truck Association. So many individuals have reached out with encouragement, advice, and opportunities to work together—it has truly been remarkable and speaks volumes about the strength of this organization.

On behalf of all of us at Kingdom, thank you to our families, friends, and fellow UTA members for your support. We look forward to building lasting relationships and doing business with many of you in the years ahead.

Nick Lombardo, Kingdom Truck Sales

nlombardo@kingdomtruckskc.com

Photo: Josh Fisher, Fleet Owner

Diesel Prices Dip Slightly as Regional Fuel Costs Remain Volatile Across the U.S.

Fleet Owner (March 3, 2026) — Diesel prices dip 4 cents nationally as fuel markets show slight relief amid Iran conflict-driven volatility, but regional costs remain uneven across U.S. trucking lanes.

The price of diesel had the biggest short-term impact on spot rates. (vitpho/Getty Images)

DAT Reports Truckload Spot Rates Hit 2-Year Highs

Transport Topics (April 16, 2026) — The spot market is facing significant upward rate pressure as a surge in fuel costs builds off an ongoing supply-side recovery in 2026.

Regulatory, Tariff Certainty 'Opened the Floodgates' for Class 8 Orders

TPS (April 13, 2026) — Class 8 truck orders shot up over the last few months, FTR analysts said Thursday on a State of Freight webinar, as the EPA provided clarification on regulatory matters and tariffs proved to be less impactful than originally feared.

Ford Seeks to Expand Partnerships With Chinese Automakers

Transport Topics (April 16, 2026) — Just days after saying Chinese carmakers should be kept out of America, Ford Motor Co.’s top executive said his company is looking to expand business ties to Chinese automakers.

ACT: Used Truck Sales Grow Stronger, Values Hold the Line

TPS (April 16, 2026) — ACT Research says same dealer used truck retail sales had their second-best month since November 2021 in March. The data is found in the latest State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks.  

Volkswagen's assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. (Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg)

VW Faces $600M Hit for Ending Output of Sole US-Made EV

Transport Topics (April 16, 2026) — Volkswagen AG’s decision to cease production of its sole U.S.-made electric model will cost the carmaker as much as $600 million in writedowns in the first quarter.

Tesla Cybertrucks outside SpaceX facilities in Hawthorne, Calif. (Ethan Swope/Bloomberg)

SpaceX Buying Spree Inflates Tesla Cybertruck Sales

Transport Topics (April 16, 2026) — Sales of Tesla Inc.’s Cybertruck have been propped up in recent months by Elon Musk’s other companies, an unusual arrangement that further indicates the polarizing pickup is failing to appeal to everyday buyers.

A Ford exhibit at an industry show. (Emily Elconin/Bloomberg)

Ford EV Chief Doug Field to Leave Company in Reorganization

Transport Topics (April 15, 2026) — Ford Motor Co.’s top electric vehicle executive — whose arrival at the automaker was heralded as a “watershed moment” — is leaving the company as part of a sweeping reorganization to merge its EV and manufacturing operations.

A CATL EV battery factory in Germany. (Nicolo Lanfranchi/Bloomberg)

CATL Appeals Pentagon Listing as US-China Tensions Persist

Transport Topics (April 15, 2026) — The world’s largest electric vehicle battery maker is pushing for its removal from a Pentagon list of companies tied to China’s military that’s cast a pall over its U.S. prospects, in a campaign led by one of the firm’s co-founders, according to people familiar with the effort.

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