The trucking industry enters 2025 with both opportunity and challenge. While demand for heavy-duty and vocational trucks remains strong, several factors are shaping the market, including economic headwinds, regulatory changes, and shifting freight volumes. Let’s break down the outlook for trucks and trailers as we look ahead to the coming year.
Compliance
Compliance with U.S. import and export regulations has never been more critical—or more costly. Over the past six months, the number of penalties issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce for trade violations has surged, with fines set to increase further.
Among the penalties being raised are those related to the import and export of seafood and wildlife, foreign trade zones, and violations of the 2018 Export Controls Act. While individual fine increases may seem minor—rising by a few hundred dollars per violation—the overall trend signals stricter enforcement and a growing financial risk for businesses engaged in international trade.