---
title: FTR | Ask the Experts | economic
description: economic | FTR's experts in freight transportation answer questions asked by industry professionals. Real questions that your peers and colleagues are asking that reflect the current state of the industry.
---

[![FTR_Logo_Primary_DarkBackground-4](https://ask.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FTR_Logo_Primary_DarkBackground-4.png?width=400&height=111&name=FTR_Logo_Primary_DarkBackground-4.png "FTR_Logo_Primary_DarkBackground-4")](https://www.ftrintel.com)

[![AskTheExperts_LPheader](https://ask.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AskTheExperts_LPheader.jpg?width=1991&name=AskTheExperts_LPheader.jpg "AskTheExperts_LPheader")](https://ask.ftrintel.com)

 

 

## [What is the state of Class 8 build levels?](https://ask.ftrintel.com/class8-build-dec-21)

 Posted by [The FTR Experts](https://ask.ftrintel.com/author/experts) on Dec 22, 2021 9:56:52 AM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[![](https://ask.ftrintel.com/hubfs/Ask%20the%20Experts/AskTheExperts_truckequipment.png) ](https://ask.ftrintel.com/class8-build-dec-21)

Don Ake discusses heavy truck build levels and retail sales.

[Read More](https://ask.ftrintel.com/class8-build-dec-21)

 Tags: [Economy](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economy), [trucking](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/trucking), [Class 8](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/class-8), [outlook](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/outlook), [transportation](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/transportation), [build levels](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/build-levels), [economic](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economic)

## [What is the state of Class 8 orders?](https://ask.ftrintel.com/class8-orders-dec-21)

 Posted by [The FTR Experts](https://ask.ftrintel.com/author/experts) on Dec 21, 2021 12:51:18 PM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[![](https://ask.ftrintel.com/hubfs/Ask%20the%20Experts/AskTheExperts_truckequipment.png) ](https://ask.ftrintel.com/class8-orders-dec-21)

Don Ake discusses the backlog and outlook for Class 8.

[Read More](https://ask.ftrintel.com/class8-orders-dec-21)

 Tags: [Economy](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economy), [trucking](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/trucking), [Class 8](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/class-8), [orders](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/orders), [outlook](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/outlook), [transportation](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/transportation), [economic](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economic)

## [What is the state of for-hire trucking jobs?](https://ask.ftrintel.com/jobs-dec-21)

 Posted by [Avery Vise, VP of Trucking](https://ask.ftrintel.com/author/avery-vise) on Dec 17, 2021 11:44:11 AM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[![](https://ask.ftrintel.com/hubfs/Ask%20the%20Experts/AskTheExperts_economy.png) ](https://ask.ftrintel.com/jobs-dec-21)

Avery Vise shares an update on for-hire trucking jobs.

[Read More](https://ask.ftrintel.com/jobs-dec-21)

 Tags: [Economy](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economy), [trucking](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/trucking), [jobs](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/jobs), [outlook](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/outlook), [transportation](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/transportation), [economic](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economic), [consumer](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/consumer)

## [What is the outlook for the GDP and GDP Goods Transport?](https://ask.ftrintel.com/gdp-dec-21)

 Posted by [Avery Vise, VP of Trucking](https://ask.ftrintel.com/author/avery-vise) on Dec 15, 2021 3:15:39 PM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[![](https://ask.ftrintel.com/hubfs/Ask%20the%20Experts/AskTheExperts_economy.png) ](https://ask.ftrintel.com/gdp-dec-21)

Avery Vise discusses the outlook for GDP and Goods Transport.

[Read More](https://ask.ftrintel.com/gdp-dec-21)

 Tags: [Economy](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economy), [trucking](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/trucking), [GDP](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/gdp), [outlook](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/outlook), [transportation](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/transportation), [GDP Goods Transport](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/gdp-goods-transport), [economic](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economic), [consumer](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/consumer)

## [What is the state of the consumer and industrial sectors?](https://ask.ftrintel.com/sectors-dec-21)

 Posted by [Avery Vise, VP of Trucking](https://ask.ftrintel.com/author/avery-vise) on Dec 14, 2021 1:13:27 PM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[![](https://ask.ftrintel.com/hubfs/Ask%20the%20Experts/AskTheExperts_economy.png) ](https://ask.ftrintel.com/sectors-dec-21)

Avery Vise gives an economic update on the consumer and industrial sectors.

[Read More](https://ask.ftrintel.com/sectors-dec-21)

 Tags: [Economy](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economy), [trucking](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/trucking), [outlook](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/outlook), [transportation](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/transportation), [economic](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economic), [consumer](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/consumer)

## [What is the state of labor?](https://ask.ftrintel.com/labor-dec-21)

 Posted by [Avery Vise, VP of Trucking](https://ask.ftrintel.com/author/avery-vise) on Dec 2, 2021 10:58:07 AM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[![](https://ask.ftrintel.com/hubfs/Ask%20the%20Experts/AskTheExperts_economy.png) ](https://ask.ftrintel.com/labor-dec-21)

Avery Vise discusses labor and the effects of the "Great Resignation."

[Read More](https://ask.ftrintel.com/labor-dec-21)

 Tags: [Economy](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economy), [trucking](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/trucking), [outlook](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/outlook), [transportation](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/transportation), [industrial sector](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/industrial-sector), [economic](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economic), [consumer](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/consumer), [labor](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/labor)

## [What is the state of the industrial sector?](https://ask.ftrintel.com/indsec-nov-21)

 Posted by [Avery Vise, VP of Trucking](https://ask.ftrintel.com/author/avery-vise) on Dec 1, 2021 1:14:28 PM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[![](https://ask.ftrintel.com/hubfs/Ask%20the%20Experts/AskTheExperts_economy.png) ](https://ask.ftrintel.com/indsec-nov-21)

Avery Vise switches gears and discusses the industrial sector.

[Read More](https://ask.ftrintel.com/indsec-nov-21)

 Tags: [Economy](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economy), [trucking](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/trucking), [outlook](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/outlook), [transportation](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/transportation), [industrial sector](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/industrial-sector), [economic](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economic), [consumer](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/consumer)

## [What is the state of the consumer sector?](https://ask.ftrintel.com/consumersec-nov-21)

 Posted by [Avery Vise, VP of Trucking](https://ask.ftrintel.com/author/avery-vise) on Nov 29, 2021 4:34:41 PM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[![](https://ask.ftrintel.com/hubfs/Ask%20the%20Experts/AskTheExperts_economy.png) ](https://ask.ftrintel.com/consumersec-nov-21)

Avery Vise discusses the consumer sector and the retail inventories-to-sales ratio.

[Read More](https://ask.ftrintel.com/consumersec-nov-21)

 Tags: [Economy](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economy), [trucking](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/trucking), [outlook](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/outlook), [transportation](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/transportation), [economic](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economic), [consumer](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/consumer)

## [What is the state of inflation?](https://ask.ftrintel.com/inflation-nov-21)

 Posted by [Bill Witte](https://ask.ftrintel.com/author/bill-witte) on Nov 23, 2021 11:15:58 AM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[![](https://ask.ftrintel.com/hubfs/Ask%20the%20Experts/AskTheExperts_economy.png) ](https://ask.ftrintel.com/inflation-nov-21)

Bill Witte fields a question about the state of inflation and shares his outlook going forward.

[Read More](https://ask.ftrintel.com/inflation-nov-21)

 Tags: [Economy](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economy), [inflation](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/inflation), [outlook](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/outlook), [transportation](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/transportation), [economic](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economic)

[All posts](https://ask.ftrintel.com/all)

 

---

 

### Submit a question:

You **ask**. FTR Experts **answer**.

[![SUBMIT A QUESTION](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5867190/00e4679e-3346-4401-9ab7-ad77bee1975b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5867190/00e4679e-3346-4401-9ab7-ad77bee1975b)

 

 

---

 

### Search for answers: 

This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached.

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

### Browse posts by topic:

- [outlook (73)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/outlook)
- [transportation (70)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/transportation)
- [trucking (60)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/trucking)
- [Economy (57)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economy)
- [Rail (45)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/rail)
- [intermodal (35)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/intermodal)
- [state of freight (28)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/state-of-freight)
- [Freight (22)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/freight)
- [supply chain (20)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/supply-chain)
- [commercial vehicle (18)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/commercial-vehicle)
- [railcar (17)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/railcar)
- [Class 8 (15)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/class-8)
- [orders (14)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/orders)
- [rail equipment (13)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/rail-equipment)
- [carload (11)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/carload)
- [economic (9)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economic)
- [trailers (9)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/trailers)
- [employment (8)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/employment)
- [production (8)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/production)
- [CV Update (7)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/cv-update)
- [GDP (7)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/gdp)
- [consumer (6)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/consumer)
- [growth (6)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/growth)
- [jobs (6)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/jobs)
- [recovery (6)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/recovery)
- [spot market (6)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/spot-market)
- [Demand (5)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/demand)
- [driver shortage (5)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/driver-shortage)
- [for-hire trucking (5)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/for-hire-trucking)
- [inflation (5)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/inflation)
- [automotive (4)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/automotive)
- [build levels (4)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/build-levels)
- [coal (4)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/coal)
- [inventory (4)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/inventory)
- [levels (4)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/levels)
- [utilization (4)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/utilization)
- [Truck and Trailer (3)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/truck-and-trailer)
- [Truckload Rates (3)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/truckload-rates)
- [active utilization (3)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/active-utilization)
- [congestion (3)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/congestion)
- [deliveries (3)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/deliveries)
- [driver capacity (3)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/driver-capacity)
- [dry van (3)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/dry-van)
- [economically-sensitive freight (3)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economically-sensitive-freight)
- [industrial sector (3)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/industrial-sector)
- [refrigerated (3)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/refrigerated)
- [spot rates (3)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/spot-rates)
- [steel (3)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/steel)
- [unemployment (3)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/unemployment)
- [Capacity Utilization (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/capacity-utilization)
- [Consumer Spending (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/consumer-spending)
- [Drivers (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/drivers)
- [GDP Goods Transport (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/gdp-goods-transport)
- [OEMs (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/oems)
- [Rail Volume (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/rail-volume)
- [box cars (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/box-cars)
- [chemical (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/chemical)
- [driver demand (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/driver-demand)
- [driver supply (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/driver-supply)
- [federal reserve (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/federal-reserve)
- [flatbed (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/flatbed)
- [fuel (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/fuel)
- [heavy (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/heavy)
- [hirings (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/hirings)
- [imports (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/imports)
- [labor (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/labor)
- [metals (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/metals)
- [service (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/service)
- [services (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/services)
- [truck loadings (2)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/truck-loadings)
- [COVID-19 (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/covid-19)
- [Coronavirus (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/coronavirus)
- [Freight Volumes (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/freight-volumes)
- [Goods Transport (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/goods-transport)
- [India (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/india)
- [OTR (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/otr)
- [Parcel (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/parcel)
- [Rate Environment (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/rate-environment)
- [TCI (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/tci)
- [Tariffs (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/tariffs)
- [Truck Freight (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/truck-freight)
- [Trucking Conditions Index (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/trucking-conditions-index)
- [Volumes (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/volumes)
- [air (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/air)
- [amazon (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/amazon)
- [auto production (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/auto-production)
- [beverages (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/beverages)
- [challenges (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/challenges)
- [commodity (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/commodity)
- [competitive index (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/competitive-index)
- [contract rates (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/contract-rates)
- [cube covered hopper (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/cube-covered-hopper)
- [disparity (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/disparity)
- [disruption (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/disruption)
- [double-dip recession (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/double-dip-recession)
- [dwell times (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/dwell-times)
- [equipment costs (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/equipment-costs)
- [esg benefits (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/esg-benefits)
- [executive order (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/executive-order)
- [flatbed market (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/flatbed-market)
- [forest product (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/forest-product)
- [freight truckload (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/freight-truckload)
- [fuel costs (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/fuel-costs)
- [gondola (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/gondola)
- [goods (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/goods)
- [grain (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/grain)
- [heavy-duty (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/heavy-duty)
- [hires (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/hires)
- [idle trucks (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/idle-trucks)
- [labor participation rate (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/labor-participation-rate)
- [lead times (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/lead-times)
- [lumber (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/lumber)
- [market power (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/market-power)
- [medium-duty (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/medium-duty)
- [merger (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/merger)
- [national debt (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/national-debt)
- [open-top hopper (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/open-top-hopper)
- [openings (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/openings)
- [order boards (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/order-boards)
- [output (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/output)
- [pandemic recovery (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/pandemic-recovery)
- [peak year (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/peak-year)
- [ports (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/ports)
- [psr (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/psr)
- [railroad (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/railroad)
- [raw materials (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/raw-materials)
- [red tag (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/red-tag)
- [retailers (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/retailers)
- [rubber (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/rubber)
- [sand (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/sand)
- [savings (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/savings)
- [scrap (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/scrap)
- [scrap metal (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/scrap-metal)
- [semiconductors (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/semiconductors)
- [service disruptions (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/service-disruptions)
- [shipping (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/shipping)
- [shipping delays (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/shipping-delays)
- [shortage (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/shortage)
- [state budgets (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/state-budgets)
- [taxes (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/taxes)
- [trailer industry (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/trailer-industry)
- [trailer market (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/trailer-market)
- [train speeds (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/train-speeds)
- [truck rates (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/truck-rates)
- [trucking companies (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/trucking-companies)
- [turn times (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/turn-times)
- [used trucks (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/used-trucks)
- [vehicle demand (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/vehicle-demand)
- [workforce (1)](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/workforce)

[see all](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economic#)

### View recent posts:

### About FTR

From freight demand to system capacity to equipment production, our clients benefit from the industries most reliable forecasts, quantitative market intelligence, key trends, and comprehensive analysis on North American freight transportation. Transportation professionals apply this information to their internal planning, forecasting, and market analysis.

Our clients come from the shipping, trucking, rail, intermodal, equipment, and financial communities. 

[Learn More](https://www.ftrintel.com)

### Links

### Contact Us

**

 888-988-1699

**

[ftr@ftrintel.com](mailto:ftr@ftrintel.com)

**

 1720 N Kinser Pike,  
Suite 210   
 Bloomington, IN 47404

Copyright 2026 — FTR | Transportation Intelligence

<https://www.linkedin.com/company/587939><https://twitter.com/FTRintel>

[**](https://ask.ftrintel.com/tag/economic#)