Equipment orders are rising, and used truck and trailer inventories are near pandemic-era lows. So why aren’t a lot of small motor carriers thinking about new trucks?

Plus, the spot market is no longer the go-to spot for cheap freight.

Before we get going, check out this story of a 94-year-old trucker living in a different era. No GPS, no computer, no smartphone—and he’s eyeing the Guinness World Records title for oldest truck driver.

AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 8/31, DOWN -0.053¢

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

State of the industry. OOIDA’s latest monthly report digs into five key signals shaping the trucking market.

Order up. While some carriers are buying trucks and trailers, many smaller fleets are just trying to make payroll, says a Peterbilt dealership manager. This audio report looks at what’s happening.

TCA’s viewpoint. A wide-ranging interview with Truckload Carriers Association Chairman Mark Seymour, and why he has a renewed sense of optimism about where the trucking industry is headed.

Trucking love story. How a classic love story turned into a trucking team. Meet Dee and Bev Zeeman, the duo who run White Pine Transport. Dee has logged 6 million miles over the course of a 45-year career—and counting.

That’s according to Avery Vise, VP of trucking at FTR. Carriers are rejecting loads that don’t meet their monetary needs, which means shippers can’t just go to the spot market for cheap freight transport.

Vise said the spot market “has likely fully reset,” with rates up 35% this year. Contract rates are bound to follow about six to eight months later.

Why this matters: The market is turning in a way that gives carriers the upper hand over shippers. Shippers may look to lock in contracts now ahead of higher rates in the near future. But remember, in this market, you have leverage at the negotiating table. (DC Velocity)

ROADCHECK RESULTS: 94% of drivers inspected had no OOS violations, CVSA found

DÉJÀ VU: Inventories of heavy-duty trucks, trailers reach pandemic-era lows

TRUCK TARIFFS? U.S., Canada spar over inclusion of heavy-duty trucks in latest tariff batch

BQE REPAIR: NYC plans to repair Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in $4B, 10-year project

SLASHING CARRIERS: Advance Auto Parts rebids contracts, expects to work with 70% fewer carriers

FUNDING ROUND: Autonomous truck company Gatik raises $200M

Mecca, whose software company serves drayage carriers, discusses the state of this niche carrier market serving ports and rail yards. Like the rest of the trucking market, it’s been a tough few years with weak profits. But drayage capacity is finally beginning to tighten. (Talking Transports)

A newly created holding company, RTB Holdings, is hunting for additional carrier and fleet targets. The company has already acquired Alabama Motor Express and JIT-Ex. With additional funding lined up, RTB is preparing to acquire more companies in truckload, dedicated, brokerage and even warehousing.

Why this matters: If RTB continues to scoop up carriers, it could start to reshape capacity and competition: fewer individual trucking companies, more conglomerates with larger fleets. On the other hand, for any carriers seeking an exit, RTB could be an option. (Fleet Owner)

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The Inside Lane is curated and written by Shefali Kapadia, and edited by Bianca Prieto.