2026 State of the Heavy Truck Industry: Trends and Outlook

The heavy truck industry is navigating one of its most unpredictable environments in years. From tariffs and inflation to supply chain disruption and global uncertainty, today’s dealership landscape looks dramatically different than it did just a year ago. New findings from CDK’s 2026 State of the Heavy Truck Industry report reveal that nearly half of dealers (44%) say tariffs have already reduced demand, while optimism about the year ahead has dropped significantly.

How Heavy Truck Dealers Are Responding to Industry Disruption

Despite these challenges, truck dealers aren’t standing still. Many are making decisive shifts — cutting costs, rethinking staffing strategies, and prioritizing efficiency — to stay competitive in a more volatile market. At the same time, the data shows a widening gap between high-performing Trendsetters and those taking a more reactive approach, signaling that how dealers respond now will define their performance in the months ahead.

This year’s study offers a comprehensive look at the pressures shaping the industry and the strategies dealers are using to adapt. From operational performance declines to new ways of addressing labor shortages, it provides an in-depth view of what’s working, and what’s not, as dealerships prepare for what comes next.

2026 State of the Heavy Truck Industry Study: Highlights

• Global challenges and tariff impacts driving demand shifts and pricing pressure
• Operational performance trends and why profits and productivity are lagging
• Staffing challenges and solutions, including what’s actually improving retention
• Strategic shifts for 2026, from cost control to efficiency and technology adoption
• Trendsetters versus Status Quo and what separates top performers from the rest

Download the full report to get the data and strategies you need to navigate the year ahead with confidence.