Volume 27 • Issue 06 • 6/17/2025

IN THIS ISSUE

• Scholarship Applications are Online
• Advertise in the UTA Industry Watch Newsletter!
• BOARD NEWS & VIEWS: The 3-Pillars of an Online Listing by Michelle Ober
• Introducing the Used Truck Association's New Podcast: UTA TRUCK TALK; Insights, News, and Trends from the Used Truck World
• MARKETING COMMITTEE: How to Write a Commercial Truck Driver Job Description (With Samples) by Ian Sifuentes
• UTA In-Person Training is Next Week in KC
• Register for the UTA KC Golf Scramble & Reception!
• MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Mike Gardecki
• UTA Topgolf Registration is now open!
  
• OPINION: The True Cost of Good Intentions: California’s EV Truck Mandate and the Law of Diminishing Returns by Ricardo Rodriguez-Long
• 2nd Annual UTA TWOK Event:Lake Tawakoni Fishing Registration is now open!
• Convention Registration Opens July 1
• Women In Trucking Blog
• Used Truck Market Review & Forecast
• Awards & Accolades
• Industry News Briefs
• Electric & Alternative Fuel News

When you're looking to buy a truck or trailer, what do you consider first? Location? Price? Mileage? Automatic or manual transmission? Do you want to see plenty of photos or even a video before making a call?

Keep these questions in mind when creating your own online listings. Doing so will save you time answering repetitive questions from potential buyers—and attract serious buyers who are ready to make a deal.

SPECIFICATIONS

Carroll Shelby once said, “Horsepower sells cars”—and he wasn’t wrong. I’d take it a step further and say that advertising key details like horsepower, engine, transmission, and mileage is what really sells a truck.

Buyers have grown accustomed to faceted searches that have taken over e-commerce, using filters that allow them to find a unit that meets their specific needs. That’s why it’s crucial your online listings are complete and include the full range of details a buyer might filter for. Doing so ensures your unit gets in front of the right buyer.

The Used Truck Association (UTA) is thrilled to announce the launch of its new monthly podcast, created especially for members who may not always have time to read the UTA’s monthly newsletter but can tune in during their commute, at the gym, while running or walking, or whenever they find a few free minutes. As our audience continues to grow and engage with the evolving landscape of used trucks, we recognized the need for a fresh, innovative platform to share insights, expertise, and the passion so many have for our industry.

Are you looking for truck drivers to transport your goods regionally or interstate? To ensure that your job posting attracts the best applicants, you will need a good job description.  

If you’ve never written one before, don’t worry. In this short guide, we will explain how to write a commercial truck driver job description that works.

JUNE 24 & 25 in Kansas City

Our in-person training is next week — right before the KC Golf Scramble & Reception.

It's not too late to sign up! Get the details and register today!

The UTA Annual

Kansas City Golf Scramble

and Reception

is NEXT WEEK! 

• June 25 & 26 •

Golf has a waitlist, but there's plenty of room at the Wednesday Reception at the Argosy Hotel!

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Mike Gardecki

Mike Gardecki joined the UTA at its inception, missing only a few years. 

Over the decades, he’s built a career that reflects the very best of what the association stands for: integrity, relationships, and industry excellence.

Mike’s journey into the truck industry began long before his first professional job. A self-described motorhead, he started buying and fixing cars at just 14 years old, with titles in his father’s name and a wrench in his hand. 

“All of the cars needed some type of work to pass Pennsylvania inspection,” he said. “My dad helped me make the repairs and taught me a lot along the way.”

Walking through ACT EXPO 2025, I couldn’t help but notice a troubling pattern. The largest clean commercial vehicle exposition in the U.S. was buzzing with companies eagerly promoting their solutions. Yet nearly every conversation seemed to circle back to the same themes: incentives, subsidies, and compliance with California’s regulations. What stood out wasn’t the innovation on display, but rather how fundamentally distorted the market has become by policies that—while well-intentioned—may be missing the forest for the trees.

How Owner/Operators Can Navigate a Tough Economy

Women in Trucking staff (May 19, 2025) 

Spot market rates in trucking are lower and there’s excess truck capacity in the current economy. Load-to-truck ratios are lower, meaning there are too many truckers chasing too few loads which makes it bad for carrier profits. And just a quick peak at recent months of reduced truck tonnage reports tells the story of how manufacturers, retailers and distributors are shipping less freight.

These are just a few indicators that the current truck economy remains flat.

USED TRUCK MARKET REVIEW & FORECAST

VOLUME TRENDS: Same dealer used Class 8 retail truck sales decreased in April. The 3.3% m/m slide was directionally consistent with, but not as large as, the expected nearly 11% seasonal pullback indicated by history. April is typically the seventh strongest sales month of the year, running about 2% below average. The auction segment drove the m/m slowing, dropping 56% from March, owing to the planned lack of elevated quarter-end events. The wholesale channel was the sole gainer, adding 21% sequentially. Collectively, total market same dealer sales volumes were 22% lower m/m in April. 

See full report

Auction Update with Commentary

Volume increased moderately in May, in line with expectations. Seling prices relaxed overall, although low-mileage trucks continue to bring strong money.

Looking at late-model sleeper tractors, average pricing for our benchmark truck in May was:

· Model year 2023: $70,792; $25,943 (26.8%) lower than April

· Model year 2022: $59,644; $3,508 (5.6%) lower than April

· Model year 2021: $42,999; $471 (1.1%) lower than April

· Model year 2020: $34,576; $1,341 (3.7%) lower than April

· Model year 2019: $25,400; $3,239 (11.3%) lower than April

See full report

Ongoing Market Uncertainty Fuels Used Truck Market Stagnation

The Sandhills Global market reports with March data for used equipment, trucks, and trailers on Sandhills’ U.S. platforms show inventory and values trending down for used heavy-duty trucks. Used truck inventory was particularly lower compared to year-ago levels. 

The key metric in all of Sandhills’ market reports is the Sandhills Equipment Value Index (EVI). Buyers and sellers can use the information in the Sandhills EVI to monitor equipment, truck, and trailer markets and maximize returns on acquisition, liquidation, and related business decisions.

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.

Food Science and Chemical Engineering Double Major Aidan Gensure Studies the Transformation of Agricultural Waste into Sustainable Oils

UDDAILY, By Nya Wynn, Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson, (February 13, 2025)— University of Delaware senior Aidan Gensure knew he was interested in engineering when he came to UD. But the University helped him discover another passion — food science — during a Fundamentals of Food Science (ANFS305) course his first year. So Gensure doubled up, majoring in both food science and chemical engineering, and now he’s looking to combine his two passions into a career.

Aidan was a UTA scholarship recipient in 2023 (San Antonio convention).

phaisarn2517

Goldman Turns Bullish on Trucking Industry as Market Bottom Nears

Seeking Alpha, Amy Thielen, SA News Editor (June 2nd, 2025) — Ahead of mid-quarter performance metrics, Goldman Sachs is increasing its exposure to the trucking sector, especially those names that are likely to benefit from the next EPS upgrade cycle, and those whose share price offers strong return potential against any outstanding risk.

Used Auction Market Sees Dip in Volume, Rise in Price

Truck, Parts, Service staff (May 22nd, 2025) — The used truck auction market saw a drop in volumes lead to a boost in price in April, J.D. Power reported Thursday in its May Commercial Truck Guidelines report. Following a very strong start to “selling season” in March, J.D. Power states volume decreased more than expected in April.

NTP and TRNSACT Launch Game-Changing Digital Platform for Dealers

National Truck Protection Co. Inc. (NTP), (May 22nd 2025) the leading provider of extended protection plans for commercial vehicles, has partnered with TRNSACT to roll out Warranty Connect, a powerful digital platform that makes it faster and easier for dealers to quote, sell, and manage vehicle protection plans across the U.S. and Canada.

U.S. DOT to Axe More than 50 ‘Burdensome’ Regulations at Agencies Including FMCSA

CDL Life, by Ashley, (May 29 2025) — On May 29, Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy announced that 52 “burdensome” regulations have been targeted for cuts across the FMCSA, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The rule cuts were enacted in response to a push from the Trump Administration for deregulation across the federal government.

Two Colleges Launch CDL Training to Open Trucking Careers

Transport Topics, by Noel Fletcher, (June 3 2025) — A pair of community colleges are offering commercial driver license training in California and Louisiana to introduce students to professional truck driving careers. Situated in California’s Mojave Desert, Barstow Community College recently announced it will offer CDL training thanks to a venture with Chicago-based 160 Driving Academy.

Mack Donates Truck to California College for EV Training

Clean Trucking, Truck, Parts, Service staff (June 3, 2025) — Mack Trucks announced the donation of a 2022 Mack LR Electric refuse truck to Rio Hondo College in Whittier, Calif., on Tuesday. It's the first donation to Rio Hondo. The truck will provide hands-on training for students learning to safely work on heavy-duty battery electric vehicles.

Port of Los Angeles Hammers Down on Zero-emission Drayage Trucks

Clean Trucking, Jay Traugott (June 3rd 2025) — The Port of Los Angeles is going full speed ahead in its pursuit of converting drayage trucks to zero-emission models, along with supporting infrastructure to assist in the transition.

Windrose, Terawatt Complete Advanced Charging Tests, Strengthen Partnership

Clean Trucking, Jay Traugott (June 3rd 2025) — Two of the biggest players in the battery-electric semi truck and charging infrastructure space have not only strengthened their existing partnership but have also achieved an impressive charging time and range test. Windrose Technology and Terawatt Infrastructure have jointly announced a series of advanced interoperability tests at the latter's flagship site in Rancho Dominguez, Calif.

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