Weekly News Roundup – Lucas
Hi, everyone. Lucas here, back in the office after Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW). I’m excited to share today’s news roundup.
Highlights from HDAW
Let’s kick things off with HDAW, which has been the focal point for those in the aftermarket industry this past week. Many of you might just be returning home or still traveling. There were many exciting developments in Dallas. Notably, the Distributor of the Year Award was presented on Tuesday, and the honor went to Truck Equipment Inc. from Green Bay, Wisconsin. Congratulations to the team at Truck Equipment, and thanks to our sponsors: the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network, Cummins, High Bar Brands, Interstate Billing Service, and Procede Software. Hats off to all our other finalists as well!
Awards and Keynote Speeches
Other significant news from HDAW includes Bill Nolan from PBS Truck Parts being inducted into the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Hall of Fame—congratulations, Bill! Shelly Sheagley of Aurora Parts & Accessories received the second annual Women in Leadership Award. We also had an insightful keynote by Noelle Russell about the role of AI in business, which we’ll delve into more on TPS in the coming days. Be sure to check it out!
Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue
On the Monday preceding HDAW, the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue organized by MEMA and MacKay & Company featured excellent insights. The MacKay team shared their 2026 aftermarket forecast, predicting a 3.9% growth for the U.S. aftermarket and 3.5% for Canada. While this offers some optimism for a better year ahead, it’s expected that price increases will account for a significant portion of growth. Other discussions centered on how to surpass the performance of 2025 and achieve a market turnaround.
Sales Performance Update
We also received Q4 sales figures from Trayton Group, the parent company of International and Daimler Truck, revealing disappointing numbers. Daimler’s North American sales dropped by 27% in Q4, while International saw a 34% decline. Though we await news from Paccar and Volvo Group, similar trends are anticipated. This stark data underscores the struggles faced by truck dealers and OEMs.
Freight Rates and Market Trends
This week also brought some positive news regarding freight rates. Recent improvements in spot rates and a slight uptick in freight volume in December could indicate a turnaround after a challenging Q3 and Q4. Let’s remain hopeful for better market conditions moving forward.
Stay Connected
There was a wealth of information shared during HDAW. Make sure to visit our website for the latest updates, and expect a detailed email summarizing all our stories in the coming week. Meanwhile, connect with us on social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn, and please like and subscribe to our videos for more content. We’ve uploaded clips featuring Shelly, Bill, and the Distributor of the Year Award announcement on our YouTube channel—don’t miss them! Have a great weekend, everyone. Stay safe with the cold weather, and we’ll catch up next week. Thanks!
