The American Trucking Association (ATA) has released its Truck Tonnage Index for December 2011, and the results indicate that last year was characterized by positive growth for the industry. The ATA’s seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index jumped an astounding 6.8% in December over November 2011.
With this latest gain at the end of the year, the Truck Tonnage Index grew 5.9% over 2010, which is the largest increase in the index since 1998.
In an ATA press release, the organization’s chief economist, Bob Costello, commented: “While I’m not surprised that tonnage increased in December, I am surprised at the magnitude of the gain.” Indeed, this unprecedented growth, the largest month to month gain since January 2005, seems to signal that the manufacturing and retail sectors are recovering more quickly than expected.
To read more on the ATA’s 2011 Truck Tonnage Index, visit:
