Core Insights - The trucking industry is facing a challenging market environment, with expectations of a "bumpy" 12 to 18 months ahead as indicated by industry leaders [1][3] - Operating costs have increased by more than 5% annually for the past three years, necessitating fleet owners to adjust their internal cost-per-mile projections by at least 15% since 2022 [4][9] Industry Challenges - Freight volumes are expected to fluctuate unpredictably, with potential spikes and drops in rates and volumes [5] - Excess capacity remains in the market, while shippers are tightening their budgets, leading to a challenging pricing environment [7] - High interest rates and financing costs continue to burden the industry, alongside declining values for used equipment [7] Future Outlook - There is cautious optimism for the 2025 holiday shipping season, but reliance on seasonal peaks for cash flow indicates underlying financial vulnerabilities for many businesses [6]