US fleets ‘cautiously optimistic’ about 2026 but in no rush to order equipment

If the mood among fleets at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue the past two years was “uncertainty,” this year it has shifted to “cautious optimism.”

“Last year, we had one outstanding week in all of 2025,” said James Burg, president and CEO of Michigan-based flatdeck hauler James Burg Trucking. “We have had two of those weeks so far in January, so I think the momentum is there.”

James Burg Trucking still has trucks parked against the fence, and Burg said a 10%-15% revenue increase would be needed before he’s ready to order trucks. But, he added, “That’s just one phone call. If we get a big program, we’re off to the races and I’m looking at orderbooks to see how quickly I can get these [orders] in.”

Nationalease president Dean Vicha shared the sentiment that 2026 should be a better year for fleets than last year. So much so that the company is beginning to order new trucks.

“I’m really cautiously optimistic,” he said during a panel discussion at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue. “Our sales activity in the first couple weeks [of 2026] was really strong. We ordered a lot of trucks, trying to beat EPA27 [price increases].”