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Commercial Fleet Vehicle Financing

Will I Be Approved For Commercial Fleet Vehicle Financing?

Commercial Fleet Vehicle Financing

If you’re considering vehicle financing for a commercial fleet but aren’t sure whether you’ll get approved, this article will guide you

First, note that you will get approved for commercial fleet vehicle financing only if you have the required licenses and documentation. Some lenders also set specific criteria you must meet to qualify for different commercial fleet financing options.

Others, like Mission Financial Services, aim to accommodate lenders regardless of their background.

We’ll discuss a few essential commercial fleet financing options and show you how to apply and get approved step-by-step below.

Commercial Fleet Vehicle Financing

What is commercial fleet vehicle financing?

In simple terms, commercial fleet financing is a type of loan that allows a fleet company to acquire commercial vehicles for commercial purposes.

The funding helps fleet owners to add more vehicles to their existing fleet and grow their business on credit. Some lenders also provide commercial truck fleet loans to relatively new drivers looking to finance a new fleet and start their fleet management business.

An example of such a lender is Mission Financial Services. You can qualify for a semi-truck fleet loan if you’re a new driver with at least three years of driving experience.

Generally, commercial fleet financing offers flexible terms to help you start or grow your business without overstretching your cash flow. You may get funding for different types of commercial vehicles, including commercial trucks, vans, and other specialty vehicles.

roads and truck

The interest rate for a commercial vehicle fleet loan varies based on the lender, financing option, and overall credit. It often ranges from 18 to 30%, paid in small monthly payments.

Commercial Fleet Financing Options

There are two main ways for small businesses to acquire a commercial fleet and expand: buying or leasing. Each is slightly different, and will require different financing options.

Purchasing Commercial Fleet Funding Options

You have two main financing options for buying a fleet.

1. A Finance Company or Bank Commercial Fleet Financing

You can get an equipment loan from a finance company or bank. This is one of the quickest and most popular ways to finance a commercial fleet.

We recommend making use of finance companies, such as Mission Financials Services, instead of a traditional bank for five main reasons

  • Loan terms are more flexible: You’ll benefit from quick credit approval processes and longer monthly payment terms. You’ll also require less documentation and can get customized equipment financing: a feature a traditional bank may lack.
  • Unique loan products: Some lenders also offer unmatched loan products like auction credit lines. These work best for business owners who prefer purchasing through auctions. You may not get similar loans from a bank. Also, a line of credit financing gives you more control over the loan usage and payment.
  • Most banks have high down payment requirements and may not consider a small business owner with poor credit.

White and red bus on road during night time

  • Often, finance companies use the vehicles under purchase as collateral for the loan, whereas banks may ask for additional security.
  • Higher loan amounts: Finance companies offer more money than banks. They can cover the total cost of the commercial asset. It’s unlikely to get the same from a bank.

2. Car Dealership Financing

Car dealership financing allows customers to purchase commercial equipment from a car dealer through higher purchase agreements.

In this case, you make an initial down payment for the commercial vehicles, then pay the remaining balance plus interest in small monthly payments. You’ll only take ownership of the fleet after repaying the loan.

Leasing Commercial Vehicles for Your Business

Leasing is the other popular commercial fleet vehicle financing method. Many fleet business owners find vehicle leasing more cost-effective than purchasing.

This is because equipment leasing spreads the cost of vehicle acquisition for the period they’re in use instead of funding the total cost.

You can choose between two vehicle leasing options:

Operating Lease

An operating lease works like rental houses. You pay a fixed amount every month for the lease period. You can return the vehicles when you no longer need them without incurring additional costs.

Finance Lease

A commercial fleet finance lease works like an operating lease but offers multiple options when your lease period ends.

You make regular monthly lease payments, but instead of simply returning the vehicle at the end, you could:

  • Renew your lease agreement
  • Return the vehicle and lease another
  • Purchase the vehicle and take full ownership of the asset following the terms of the terminal rental adjustment clause in the leasing contract

How can you be approved for commercial fleet vehicle financing?

Here is a step-by-step process to get financing for equipment purchases or leases:

Small Business Commercial Vehicle Insurance

Assess Your Business Needs And Find A Fleet

Always determine your business needs first, then find a fleet to match.

Remember, you’re solely responsible for finding the fleet you need. Most lenders don’t sell vehicles unless you choose the car dealership option. If this is the case, ensure your vehicle selection process is thorough.

Also, ensure you get a detailed invoice for the costs. You’ll need it for the application process.

Pick a Lender

Once you’ve found your fleet, select an equipment financing lender that aligns with your business goals.

The company can work with you to tailor the best commercial vehicle financing strategy for your specific truck business and current situation. This way, a bad credit score can’t prevent you from accessing commercial vehicle loans.

Gather documentation

Lenders may request various documents, such as:

  • Personal identification documents: These include your I.D, driver’s license, and social security number
  • Proof of residence documents: For example, a recent utility bill
  • Proof of income documents: These may be your latest bank statements
  • Information about the vehicles: Their make, model, mileage, and engine or transmission details
  • Fleet invoice or purchase order: This includes the sales price plus all taxes and fees

Apply

After gathering all the documents your preferred lender requires, follow their application process and await loan approval.

contracts

Assuming you choose Mission Financials, visit the credit application page, and follow the step-by-step instructions to apply.

Final Thoughts

Commercial fleet financing is a game-changer for small businesses. Other than maintaining cash flow by offsetting vehicle acquisition costs, these loans help fleet businesses with vehicle maintenance.

We hope this article helps you see that you will be approved for commercial fleet vehicle financing when you take the required steps.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding vehicle financing, contact us. We’ve been helping truck businesses get vehicle loans since 2000 and are always ready to help.

 

semi truck repair loans

All About Semi Truck Repair Loans

semi truck repair loans

Truck repairs are a necessary business expense if you’re a truck driver or owner-operator.

When your vehicle needs some TLC, semi-truck repair loans can make a big difference. Repairs can be expensive, and sometimes you won’t have the budget for fast maintenance!

Let’s talk about what semi-truck repair loans are below. We’ll also discuss your options and show you how to apply for these loans, even with bad credit.

Semi Truck Repair Loans: What Are They?

Semi-truck repair loans are a type of commercial vehicle financing solution that helps cover the increasing costs of truck repairs.

Most lenders will use your commercial truck as collateral to give you the money you need to pay for truck repair jobs upfront. You then repay the loan amount plus interest over some time. This way, you can keep your truck’s downtime to a minimum and get back on the road fast.

The interest rates and terms of semi-truck repair financing vary from lender to lender. But you’ll always have to make regular payments to repay your loan, based on a daily or monthly payment model.

Owner-operators and fleet owners use truck repair financing when they need major repairs for their commercial trucks. But there are truck repair loan options for small repairs, including common truck problems like wheel bearings issues.

Understanding how various types of semi-truck repair financing options work will help you choose the right one for your needs.

Types of Truck Repair Financing

Here are a few common types of truck repair loans:

1. Title Loans for Commercial Truck Repair

You can use commercial vehicle title loans to fund semi-truck repairs. They are one of the best truck repair financing options for those who own their semi-truck and have less-than-perfect credit.

The lender uses your commercial truck’s realistic market value to give you the money you can use for repairs and other business expenses. Generally, commercial vehicle title loans have higher interest rates than other loans.

2. Personal Loans for Semi-truck Repair

If you’re a professional truck driver, you can get a personal loan to pay for your truck repair needs.

These loans come with an attractive interest rate and flexible repayment terms, especially if you have good credit. But, the money you get from personal truck repair loans can be less than what you get with title loans.

3. Small Business Loans

Small business loans are great for financing semi-truck repairs. But, you require an established business plus a good minimum credit score to qualify. You’ll get the funds you need fast, usually within the same day of application, and you can repay these over several years.

4. Equipment Financing

Many trucking business owners use equipment financing to cover repair costs for their commercial trucks. It is a short-term loan readily available from online lenders and equipment leasing companies.

5. Business Line of Credit Financing

If you’re a fleet owner who deals with expensive repairs often, consider this type of truck repair financing. It lets you borrow exactly the amount you need and pay interest on it. You can also use the credit again whenever you pay back your loan, so you’ll always have money for repairs ready.

6. Business Credit Cards

Business credit cards are among the best semi-truck repair financing options for owner-operators who want to earn rewards while covering truck repair costs. The approval process for these cards is also the least strict of all truck repair funding options.

7. Working Capital Loans

These truck repair loans operate almost the same way as small business term loans. You get the money you require on the same day. The main difference comes from the payment model.

With working capital loans, the lender deducts money from your account daily, for example from Monday through Friday. But, for small business loans, you can make small monthly payments over a period to pay the loan.

How To Apply For A Semi Truck Repair Loan

The application process for semi-truck repair loans is simple. You can do it online with just a few clicks!

Different lending institutions will request various details and certified copies of documents.

With Mission Financial Services, you’ll need to provide the following information:

  • Contact details: These may include your name, phone number, email, residential address, driver’s license or commercial driver’s license (CDL), and social security number.

  • Financial details: These include information about, for example, your credit history.
  • Commercial truck details: Provide the vehicle identification number, make, model, engine transmission type, actual mileage, and accessories.
  • Sales price details: These include all applicable fees and taxes.

Once you’ve gathered the necessary information, the rest of the application process should take a few minutes:

  • Go to the credit application page.
  • Click the ‘get preapproved; button.
  • Fill in the information as required and click next to proceed until you reach the last page.
  • Confirm that you’ve provided all the necessary details, then click submit.

We’ll reach out after reviewing your application.

Repair Loans and Bad Credit

You might be wondering whether you can get truck repair financing if you have less-than-perfect credit. The answer is yes. But, it largely depends on the lender.

Most lenders require a minimum credit score to offer truck repair financing. Mission Financial Services doesn’t consider your credit score.

Other factors also contribute to the truck repair loan you qualify for and the loan terms you can get. Some can include your records of on-time payments toward other loans and clean accounts of repossession or bankruptcy.

semi truck repair loans

Do You Need A Truck Repair Loan To Grow Your Trucking Business?

In short – no. You don’t need a truck repair loan to grow your business. However, truck repair loans have several benefits, especially for professional truck drivers, owner-operators, and fleet managers.

Apart from being able to pay for your repairs fast, you can keep enough cash flow for other business operations. Also, paying off your repair loan helps you build credit for your commercial truck business. It may come in handy whenever you need more financing to expand your venture.

Final Thoughts

Overall, truck repair financing is a good idea for all stakeholders in the trucking industry. You’ll keep your truck moving and have the cash flow to expand your business when you’re ready.

If you have poor credit, choose financing companies with specific programs for individuals with bad credit scores. Contact Mission Financial Services today to find out how we can help!

first time buyer semi truck loans

Your Guide To First Time Buyer Semi Truck Loans

first time buyer semi truck loans

Buying your first semi-truck is an exciting step in your career as a commercial truck driver or owner-operator.

However, securing financing for your first truck can be challenging, especially if you’re new to the industry or have limited credit history.

First-time buyer semi-truck loans can help you finance your first semi-truck purchase. It’s important to understand what this process entails, and how to navigate it.

Let’s discuss the different loan options out there, and how to apply for one as a first-time buyer!

Different Types Of Semi-Truck Loans

Semi-truck financing can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.

There are different commercial vehicle loans available to entrepreneurs and fleet managers. Here are some popular commercial truck financing options for owner-operators and experienced drivers.

Commercial Vehicle and Semi-Truck Loans

These loans are best for individuals or companies looking to finance the purchase of a semi-truck. Banks, credit unions, and specialized commercial vehicle financing companies typically offer them. They usually require a downpayment and have fixed interest rates.

Semi-Truck Loans With Bad Credit

These loans are best for individuals with bad credit who need financing for a semi-truck. They may have higher interest rates or require a larger down payment to mitigate the loan risk.

Commercial Vehicle Title Loans

These loans are best for individuals or companies needing fast approval. In this case, owners are willing to use their commercial vehicles as collateral. These loans can be easier to obtain than traditional loans. Still, they often have higher interest rates and may put your vehicle at risk if you cannot make your payments.

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Semi-Truck Repair Loans

These loans are best for small business owners who need financing to cover the cost of unexpected repairs for their semi-truck.

Used Semi-Truck Loans

These loans are best for individuals or companies looking to finance the purchase of a used semi-truck. They are similar to standard commercial vehicle loans but may have different requirements or interest rates.

First-Time Buyer Semi-Truck Loans

First-time buyer semi-truck loans are designed specifically for individuals buying new and used trucks for the first time. Specialized commercial vehicle financing companies typically offer these loans. They may have different requirements and interest rates in comparison to standard commercial vehicle loans.

These loans are best if you’re new to the commercial trucking industry, or don’t have an established credit history or a large down payment.

These can help first-time buyers get started in the industry by providing the financing needed to purchase their first semi-truck.

The application process for a first-time buyer semi truck loan is similar to that of other commercial vehicle loans. If applicable, you must provide documentation of your income, employment, and credit history. You may also need to provide a down payment, although the amount required may be lower than that of a traditional loan.

Once approved for the loan, you can use the funds to purchase the semi-truck. You must then make regular payments on the loan until it is fully paid off.

How To Secure A First-Time Buyer Semi Truck Loan: 7 Easy Steps!

Applying for first-time buyer semi-truck loans is relatively straightforward. Here’s how you do it:

Step 1: Determine Your Budget

Determining the budget is the first step in securing first-time buyer semi-truck loans. You’ll need to consider the cost of the semi-truck and any associated expenses, such as insurance and maintenance costs. It’s essential to clearly understand your budget before applying for a loan.

Step 2: Research Lenders

The next step is to research lenders who offer first-time buyer semi-truck loans. You’ll want to look for lenders specializing in commercial vehicle financing and who have experience working with first-time buyers.

Mission Financial Services is one such lender that can help!

Step 3: Gather Documentation

Once you’ve found a lender, you must gather the documentation required for a commercial vehicle loan. This documentation will support your loan application. It may include proof of income, bank statements, employment history, and credit reports.

Suppose you don’t have an established credit history. Some semi-truck finance programs may consider alternative factors like your rental or utility payment history.

Step 4: Apply For The Loan

With your documentation in hand, you can apply for a first-time buyer semi truck loan. You can typically apply online or in person, depending on the lender. You’ll need to provide all necessary documentation and answer any questions the lender may have.

Step 5: Review The Loan Terms

If you are approved for the loan, the lender will provide you with the loan terms, including the interest rate, repayment period, and any associated fees.

It’s important to review these terms carefully and ask any questions you may have before accepting the loan.

Step 6: Purchase The Semi-Truck

With the loan secured, you can use the funds to purchase a semi-truck. Work with a reputable dealer and thoroughly inspect the vehicle before making the purchase!

Step 7: Make Payments

Once you have purchased your semi-truck, you’ll need to begin making monthly payments on the commercial vehicle loan. It’s essential to make your payments on time and in full to avoid any penalties or late fees.

Final Thoughts

We hope you found this guide helpful in understanding the loan application process and finding the financing you need for your first semi-truck.

Mission Financial Services specializes in providing commercial vehicle loans and financing. We help new owner-operators start the semi-truck business of their dreams.

Our team of experienced advisors can help you navigate the loan application process and find the right financing solution.

If you’re ready to take the next step and secure a first-time buyer semi truck loan, or if you have any questions about our services, we invite you to contact us today. Why not start the credit application process?

commercial vehicle loan rate of interest

Everything To Know About Commercial Vehicle Loan Rate Of Interest

commercial vehicle loan rate of interest

When it comes to financing a commercial vehicle, the rate of interest on your loan plays a major role. The rate of interest can vastly inflate the purchase price of the vehicle, so it’s important to understand how you can get the best possible deal.

Interest rates are determined by a few different factors. These rates also differ based on the lender, the truck you want to finance, and your profile.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the rate of interest in a business auto loan. We’ll also discuss how you can apply for commercial vehicle financing.

How To Get A Commercial Vehicle Loan

Acquiring a commercial vehicle loan is a slightly different process than taking out a personal loan or accessing other types of vehicle financing.

Here are the general steps involved in gaining a loan for commercial trucks.

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

The first step to commercial vehicle financing is determining what kind of vehicle loans you are eligible for. This could include buying a new business vehicle or leasing a truck.

Here are the most important factors to consider when determining what kind of commercial truck loans you qualify for:

  • Your credit score: The stronger your credit profile, the more commercial vehicle financing opportunities you will have available. This can also affect your interest rates, payment terms, and down payment options. Note that this depends on the lender you use, as some don’t consider credit history.
  • Down payment: First-time truck buyers generally make down payments of around 20% to 30%. The larger your down payment amount is, the easier it will be to secure a commercial truck loan.

  • Age of the vehicle: A commercial vehicle loan is usually only available to newer vehicles. However, older commercial vehicles can be financed through some providers. While older vehicles may be more affordable, the probable cost of repairs and maintenance will be higher.
  • Commercial Drivers License (CDL): While this is determined on a case-by-case basis, the longer you’ve held your CDL, the easier it will be to access a commercial truck loan.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

Next, you’ll want to get all of your relevant documentation ready before you start looking for a truck. This will make your commercial vehicle loan application a lot easier when you find the right vehicle.

Some important documents include your tax returns, bank statements, proof of insurance, references, your CDL, and possibly your company articles of incorporation and operating agreements.

Step 3: Find the Right Vehicle

Now you can search for your ideal commercial vehicle. Make sure you have a list of requirements for the vehicle and look for a vehicle that best matches all of your specific requirements.

Once you have found the vehicle you want, you’ll need to get a written quote on it.

Step 4: Get Insurance

It’s possible to get pre-approved vehicle financing without insurance, but providing proof of insurance will make the process a lot easier. Ensure you get the right type of insurance for your truck and business.

Step 5: Apply for Financing

Now you can submit all of your documents to a commercial vehicle loans provider. Many different providers exist, offering different types of commercial auto loans.

When applying for a business auto loan, always try to have every document and bit of information you need ready from the start. This will make your application process much easier.

Commercial Vehicle Loan Rate Of Interest: What Can You Expect?

The interest rate is one of the most important elements of your commercial vehicle loan. This is what ultimately determines how expensive your loan will be, and how easily you will be able to pay off the business vehicle.

You can get flexible or set interest rates. Understanding how this interest rate works in your commercial auto loan is essential for determining how viable the loan is.

Interest rates are determined based on a number of factors. These include:

  • Credit score
  • Driving experience
  • Down payment
  • Loan term
  • Type of vehicle

Basically, when you apply for loans for commercial vehicles, the lender will want to know that you can reliably pay off the loan.

The better you prove that you are a low-risk borrower, the better the potential interest rates you can access.

Interest rates for vehicle and equipment financing are determined on a case-by-case basis. This is why it’s important to compare alternative lenders and different vehicle purchase options to see where you can get the best interest rates.

Many operators will get a standard 10% interest rate in their loan terms, for loans of 3 – 4 years. However, interest rates for loans of longer periods, or borrowers with weaker credit scores, could be around 15% or 20%.

Mission Financial offers some of the most competitive interest rates, as well as access to easy loan pre-approval.

Credit Score Needed To Buy A Semi-Truck

Your personal credit score can play a major role in accessing financing and determining your approved loan amount. All lenders will perform a credit approval process before offering a commercial auto loan.

Lenders typically look for a credit score of around 600 for anyone looking to purchase a semi-truck. This could be higher or lower based on the specific lender.

However, having bad credit won’t necessarily prevent you from accessing a commercial auto loan.

Credit history is just one factor that lenders and leasing companies take into consideration. In fact, many alternative lenders offer financing options for people with bad credit, such as Mission Financial Services. If you can offer the right personal guarantees and pay a solid down payment, your financing options may improve, even if your credit history is poor.

Final Thoughts

When you apply for a business auto loan, it’s essential that you understand your interest rates and how these affect your monthly payments. Getting a good interest rate on your loan can make a big difference in how affordable your vehicle actually is.

Understand what factors affect your interest rate, and make sure that you have all relevant documents to support your financing application.

If you’re looking for the best commercial vehicle loan rate of interest, consider Mission Financial Services. Contact us today for more information!

Commerical Vehicle Title Loans: Top Guide

Did you know that you can get a quick cash loan using your commercial vehicle title? That’s right!

You can access commercial vehicle title loans easily whether you have a good or bad credit rating.

In this article, we’ll talk about commercial vehicle title loans. What are they? How do they work? Are there any drawbacks to getting these loans?

By the end of this guide, you’ll understand whether a commercial vehicle loan is a good option when you’re short on cash. You’ll also understand how and where to get truck title loans fast.

Commercial Vehicle Title Loans Explained

Commercial vehicle title loans are a type of loan where you offer your commercial vehicle title as collateral to a lending company. This way, you can meet your immediate financial obligations.

Most lenders accept various types of commercial vehicles as collateral when issuing auto title loans. Some vehicles include commercial trucks, like semi-trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and cement trucks.

The loan amount can you qualify for depends on the truck’s value, age, and overall condition. It also depends on your ability to repay the loan, Some lenders may use your credit rating to gauge this. Others won’t check your credit at all.

How Commercial Vehicle Title Loans Work

The process of getting commercial truck title loans is straightforward once you have all the documents. Lenders will create the financing terms of your loan based on your vehicle’s fair market value.

You can borrow up to 50% of your car’s current market value, although the minimum loan amount is often $100.

To illustrate how commercial truck title loans work, let’s assume you own a semi-truck worth about $20 000 on the market today. In this case, you need approximately $7 000 as a loan.

If your semi-truck vehicle title is free and clear, meaning you don’t have any loan on your big rig, its equity remains $20 000. So, you can qualify for a semi-truck title loan of up to $10 000.

You could get the $7 000 cash quickly, provided your truck is in good condition. Your source of income should also be steady. The lender will determine the exact amount of your loan based on these two factors.

On the other hand, let’s assume you’re financing a loan and still owe a lender $2 000 on your truck. To a lender, your vehicle will be ‘worth’ less than its current value on the market. This also reduces the amount of money you can get as a loan.

In this case, your car’s equity will be $18 000. That is, the fair market worth of $20 000 minus the loan amount you owe of $2 000. With this, you can qualify for a semi-truck title loan of about $9 000.

It is worth noting that the interest rates and payment terms for semi-truck title loans vary from lender to lender across states.

Customers can access a commercial truck title loan as a single payment or an installment loan.

Single-payment loans require you to pay the entire loan amount plus interest as a one-off payment on an agreed time.

Installment loans let you pay back money in small, regular monthly payments over a specific period of time. This can last several months. It can extend up to 48 months if you meet specific income criteria and take out large loans.

You can repay the loan fully, anytime, without penalties. You might also choose to refinance the loan. Remember that refinancing allows lenders to revisit the loan terms, and they could charge higher interest rates.

On the whole, accessing a commercial truck title loan is easy. You can apply online and get the process started. Visit the lender to complete the paperwork, get a vehicle inspection, and receive your funds.

A lender like Mission Financial Services prioritizes efficiency and speed when it comes to loans. Read this article on semi-truck and commercial vehicle title loans to understand the application process.

Why Should You Get A Commercial Vehicle Title Loan?

Semi-truck title loans are popular within the trucking business. Most owner-operators use their big rigs to get truck title loans for expanding their business operations.

Truck title loans can also work well if you’re a new owner-operator. You’ll get enough money to handle any additional expenses you might require to get your new business off the ground.

However, these loans are not limited to business use only. You can get a truck title loan to cover other unexpected financial obligations like medical bills.

Overall, owner-operators and stakeholders in the trucking business prefer truck title loans to other ways of raising money fast, like peer-to-peer loans. This is because there are several advantages of vehicle title loans.

Some of these advantages include the below.

  • Remaining in business as you finance the loan: You can give the lender your vehicle’s title to secure the loan, get financing, and keep your truck to continue running your business as usual.
  • Personalizing loan terms: A truck title loan is a secured loan. Most loan services customize their loan terms depending on the value of the vehicle used to secure the loan. This way, customers with bad credit have an equal chance to get adequate financing as those with good credit. Mission Financial Services specializes in creating commercial vehicle loans for bad credit scores.
  • Fast funding: You can get the money you need fast, sometimes on the same day, because the whole loan process can take a few hours.

Final Thoughts

Like most loans, truck title loans have their drawbacks. You can lose ownership of your truck if you default on the payment!

Some lending companies may also charge high interest rates. But, you can avoid these shortcomings by getting a loan with the lowest interest rates and making your regular monthly payment on time.

At Mission Financial Services, we offer competitive rates with flexible payment terms. You can apply online or contact us for help today.

 

Cass transportation index

Cass Transportation Index | 2022 Key Points

Cass transportation index

If you work in the transportation and freight industry, then the Cass Freight Index is one of the most valuable resources available online.

This resource is used to understand transportation trends, volumes, and expenditures across the U.S. Since its conception, it’s been a valuable source of information in the industry.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Cass Transportation Index and how it works. We’ll focus on some key points from the December 2022 index, mainly looking at the index insights into the trucking industry.

What is the Cass Transportation Index?

The Cass Freight Index measures the overall freight volumes and monthly freight expenditures in North America. The index has been published since 1955.

This index covers all intra-continental foresight shipments, including raw materials and finished goods. The index covers all modes of domestic transport, although truck hauls make up more than 75% of all activity.

The Cass Freight Index data is updated with monthly statistics on shipment volumes and expenditures. This data is important for understanding freight industry trends through an ongoing monthly comparison.

The Cass Freight Index is compiled by Cass Information Systems, an automated payment systems provider. Cass Freight Index shipments cover over 1200 divisions of more than 400 manufacturers and companies.

Other Indexes Related To The Cass Transportation Index

How to start a semi truck business

Cass Information Systems also produces the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index, which measures the fluctuations in U.S. domestic baseline truckload costs. The purpose of this is to separate the linehaul elements of truckload costs from other trucking cost components – such as fuel costs.

There is also the Cass Intermodal Price Index. With intermodal transport, the cargo stays in the same container while being transferred across different modes of transport. This index monitors changes across U.S. intermodal costs. So while the Linehaul Index only covers linehaul rates, this index monitors all costs.

There are also other indexes similar to the Cass Transportation Indexes, such as the Transportation Services Index compiled by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Morgan Stanley Proprietary Truckload Freight Index. These are all useful supply chain indicators and valuable resources for monitoring freight trends.

The Cass Truckload Linehaul Index

As mentioned above, the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index monitors baseline truckload costs in the U.S. This monthly index measures the market fluctuations in truckload linehaul rates per mile. This index provides an accurate indication of market fluctuations in truckload pricing in the U.S.

Because this index only looks at the linehaul component of truckload costs, the freight transportation industry can use it as an accurate reflection of trends in baseline truckload prices. As trucking makes up the vast majority of recorded Cass shipment volumes, this index offers some of the most valuable industry insights.

How is it Measured?

Data from the Truckload Linehaul Index comes from freight invoices paid on behalf of the entire Cass client base, a combination of contract and spot rates.

Highway

As Cass manages $44 billion in freight spending each year, this data provides meaningful insight into transportation industry trends.

To measure freight shipments in this index, the per-mile linehaul rates are monitored, independent of any other cost factors – like accessorials or fuel.

Key Points: Cass Transportation Index December 2022

The Cass Freight Index is a valuable source of information for anyone involved in the transportation industry. Here are some key takeaways from the December 2022 Cass Shipments Index:

  • Cass Freight Index shipments were measured at 1.161, a -3.9% year-over-year change.
  • Cass Freight Index expenditures were measured at 4.231, a -4.3% year-over-year change.
  • Freight rates are on track to fall 5% in 2023, based on the normal seasonal pattern of this index.
  • Cass Inferred Freight Rates were measured at 3.644, a -0.4% year-over-year change.
  • The index saw sharp declines in ocean rates and many commodity prices.
  • Expenditures in the Cass Freight Index rose 23% in 2022 after a record 38% increase in 2021.

Key Points From The Truckload Linehaul Index

  • Truckload Linehaul Index was measured at 150.54, up by 1.7% on a year-over-year basis.
  • Spot rates were down significantly on this index.
  • The larger contract market is adjusting downward more gradually.
  • New truckload contracts are mostly being renewed with notable rate reductions.

documents required for commercial vehicle loan

Final Thoughts

If you’re going to stay on top of monthly trends in the freight and supply chain sector, then the Cass Index is possibly the best place to access this data. Understanding this index and monitoring monthly data changes will help any trucking and freight business make more informed decisions.

Looking at the key trends from the December 2022 report is important, as it helps you better understand the state of the industry going into the new year. This provides valuable insights into trends for the year ahead.

 

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