The Official Blog for Penske Truck Leasing, Truck Rental and Logistics

Motor carriers, private fleets and shippers are navigating an increasingly complex operating landscape. Economic pressures, shifting demand patterns and evolving trade policies are shaping the need for transportation and warehouse capacity, and the ability to adapt to capacity fluctuations is crucial to maintaining operations.

Factors Influencing Capacity Fluctuations

Several interconnected factors influence the supply and demand for freight as well as capacity.

The Economy: Economic growth typically leads to increased demand for goods, driving up the need for transportation services and warehousing space. However, economic slowdowns or inflationary pressures can reduce consumer spending and business expansion, cooling demand for goods and slowing business growth.

Consumer Confidence: Economic optimism directly impacts consumer spending, and confident consumers are more likely to spend money on everything from clothing to cars. Consumer confidence also affects spending on services, travel and entertainment. A shift in consumer sentiment, whether positive or negative, can lead to fluctuations in freight demand.
Housing and Construction: Housing starts, existing home sales and construction are significant drivers of freight demand. On the housing side, there is an ongoing need for raw materials for new construction, as well as products for home renovations, upgrades and moving. Infrastructure improvements, such as highway and bridge construction, also fuel demand for freight.

Manufacturing: Manufacturing levels and factory output influence the amount of inbound and outbound freight at production facilities. Manufacturing can also impact the overall economy, with the National Association of Manufacturers estimating that for every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, there is a total impact of $2.64 to the overall economy.

Seasonal Surges: Trucking has a variety of peak seasons. Historically, the most notable peak typically occurs in the fall as retailers stock up for the holiday shopping season. Even though seasonal surges may be brief, they can strain capacity.

Weather Events: Severe weather events, such as hurricanes or snowstorms, can disrupt expected freight flows and create sudden spikes in demand. Consumers may rush to stock up on groceries or other essentials ahead of an event, and emergency supplies or reconstruction materials can also increase the need for trucking services.

Global Trade: Geopolitical disruptions, trade agreements, tariffs and customs regulations can impact the flow of goods, which directly influences the demand for trucking and warehousing.

Trucking Trends: Freight rates play a crucial role in influencing trucking capacity. When rates are high, new carriers may enter the market, adding capacity. As rates fall, financial pressures may increase, causing some carriers to leave the market, reducing capacity.

Solutions To Address Capacity Fluctuations

Given the significant number of variables that influence both the supply of and demand for capacity, fleets need to remain agile, especially in an uncertain operating environment.

There are several tools and strategies to help businesses prepare for capacity fluctuations:

Flexible Leases: Full-service leases provide a flexible way for fleets to replace equipment and adjust capacity without committing to long-term investments in purchased vehicles. This enables businesses to scale their operations up or down in response to demand fluctuations without the capital expenses associated with purchasing new assets.

Short-Term Access: Rental agreements can provide even more flexibility, allowing fleets to increase capacity for days, weeks or months. If longer-term needs arise, the switch to leasing becomes a welcome option.

Owned Capacity: The used truck market can offer a cost-effective alternative to new equipment for fleets that prefer to own their assets. Adding used trucks allows fleet operators to meet increased demand quickly. New equipment can come with extensive lead times, but used trucks are often readily available.

Logistics Solutions: Third-party logistics providers help businesses optimize their supply chain and ensure that they have access to the right amount of transportation and warehousing capacity when they need it. Some, like Penske, also have tools to improve efficiency, increase visibility and enable data-driven decision-making.

Brokerage Services: Freight brokers offer flexible solutions to manage capacity in real time. For shippers, brokers provide immediate access to an extensive network of vetted carriers to fill short-term or unexpected gaps in a shipper’s capacity. Brokerage can also be a valuable tool for fleets that need to access freight.




The trucking and freight transportation industries have experienced several years of low rates, excess capacity and challenging headwinds. While the freight market is beginning to stabilize, uncertainty remains. Throughout 2026, shippers and carriers will need to rely on strategic planning, disciplined asset management and flexible operations to succeed in this evolving landscape.

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Reading, Pa., August 19, 2024 – Penske Used Trucks is pleased to announce the launch of its online auction platform for used vehicles. This new auction site is designed to streamline the commercial equipment-buying process, providing a seamless and intuitive interface that allows buyers to easily find and bid on a wide selection of quality equipment from Penske.

Key Features:

  • Exclusive Access: Bidding available only to registered users.
  • Transparent Pricing: No hidden premiums, ensuring buyers know exactly what they are paying.
  • Free Third-Party Condition Reports: Each vehicle comes with an independent assessment, offering valuable information about each truck’s condition.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Designed for ease of use, offering a straightforward and efficient bidding process.
  • Variety of Bidding Tools: Features such as auto bid, instant bid and advanced bidding allow for flexible and convenient participation.

Auctions are held weekly, starting every Tuesday at 8 a.m. EST and ending on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. EST. The platform will feature a range of vehicles, including light and medium duty trucks, heavy duty tractors, semi-trailers, and specialized equipment.

“We are committed to continuously improving the purchasing experience for our customers, said Jack Mitchell, senior vice president of vehicle remarketing for Penske Used Trucks. “The new auction site will provide an efficient, transparent and user-friendly way to acquire quality used trucks.”

To participate in the auctions, buyers must create an account on the Penske Used Trucks Auction site. Registration provides access to the platform and its benefits. For more information and to create a registered auction site account, visit www.penskeusedtrucks.com/auction.

About Penske Used Trucks

Penske Used Trucks, a business unit of Penske Truck Leasing, is a leading seller of high-quality, late-model used commercial trucks to retail, wholesale, used truck dealers, corporate truck fleet buyers, and it also provides online auctions. Penske sells used sleeper and day cab semi-tractors, straight trucks, flatbeds, refrigerated vans, trailers and more. Penske sells top brands of light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty commercial vehicles including Ford, GMC, Hino, Isuzu, Freightliner, International, Volvo, and many others. To shop online and view our used vehicle inventory visit www.PenskeUsedTrucks.com or call 866-309-1962 to speak with a sales representative.

About Penske Truck Leasing

Penske Truck Leasing is a Penske Transportation Solutions company headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. A leading provider of innovative transportation solutions, Penske operates and maintains more than 447,000 vehicles and serves its customers from more than 990 maintenance facilities and more than 2,500 truck rental locations across North America. Solutions from Penske include full-service truck leasing, fleet maintenance, truck rentals, used trucks, and a comprehensive array of technologies to keep the world moving forward. Visit pensketruckleasing.com for more information.

Penske Used Trucks has announced the launch of a new online auction platform designed to simplify the process of purchasing used commercial vehicles.

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Penske Used Trucks is pleased to announce the launch of its online auction platform for used vehicles. This new auction site is designed to streamline the commercial equipment-buying process, providing a seamless and intuitive interface that allows buyers to easily find and bid on a wide selection of quality equipment from Penske.

[Read more...]Show less

With its blush pink exterior, the Blush Spray Tan Studio casts a signature silhouette as it travels across West Virginia, providing more than just spray tan services to customers.

The repurposed high-roof cargo van, purchased from Penske Used Trucks in 2021, fulfilled the entrepreneurial dreams of Amber Steele, the van’s new owner, who was motivated in part by the pandemic.

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In response to continued industry demand for used vehicles, Penske has increased the footprint of its network of used truck centers with four recently opened locations in Kansas City, Missouri, Chicago, Miami, and Tampa, Florida.

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Less traffic on roadways due to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders has led to some drivers being less vigilant about observing traffic safety laws, including speed limits, according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).
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As one of North America's largest commercial vehicle resellers, Penske sells more than 30,000 used trucks each year. The company's reputation for quality equipment and detailed fleet maintenance helps drive online sales with many buyers purchasing equipment sight unseen.

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Penske has rolled out a new and improved version of PenskeUsedTrucks.com. The upgraded website includes an enhanced online experience featuring responsive, adaptive design using a state-of-the-art digital platform that makes shopping, buying and financing a used truck online easy.

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Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

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Growing up, Dawn Stern would dream of the day that she could slip into the driver’s seat – much like her father, a professional truck driver – and feel the sense of freedom that comes from driving on the open road.

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The aroma of freshly painted walls – a symbol of rebirth and renewal – waded through a once-blighted Reading, Pennsylvania, row home, the site of a joint revitalization project between Penske and Habitat for Humanity of Berks County.

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Penske is having a sale on used heavy-duty day cab and sleeper semi-trucks. These reliable, well-maintained heavy-duty trucks are ideal for your freight hauling and logistics needs. Used day cab semi-trucks and sleeper semi-trucks from Penske each come with a full maintenance history. Financing and warranty programs are available to help protect your used truck investment. If you are looking for heavy-duty tractor-trailers for sale Penske Used Trucks offers a wide selection.

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Penske Used Trucks has opened a commercial truck dealership in Phoenix. Used light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, trailers and related equipment will be sold from this 2.3 acre facility, at 2219 South 2nd Place. The center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For local sales inquiries call 1-855-527-2320.

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Penske will take part in an upcoming hiring and recruiting event exclusively for veterans seeking employment. The event is hosted byVeteran Recruiting. The career fair will take place entirely online June 4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern. Veterans will have the opportunity to interact online with recruiters from Penske and other participating companies. Interested veterans should enroll at www.veteranrecruiting.com ahead of the event.

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Penske Used Trucks is running a special on its high-quality, well-maintained used, single-axle day cab semi-tractors. Right now, when you purchase a used, single-axle day cab semi-tractor from Penske Used Trucks you’ll enjoy $3,000 off of its advertised price and get a free warranty.

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Penske is participating in a Veteran Recruiting Virtual Career Fair for the transportation and logistics industries from 1 to 4 p.m. ET on National Hire a Veteran Day March 20.

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