Digital Evolution of VMRS Coding Adapts to Modern Technologies
The trucking industry is gearing up for an exciting future as it navigates the challenges and opportunities presented by the trends of 2025-2026.
One of the key developments is the global growth of the local general freight trucking market, projected to reach $146 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 2.2%. This growth is accompanied by a significant shift towards automation, digitization, and AI tools that streamline fleet management, enable dynamic rerouting, predictive maintenance, and real-time load matching. These advancements, particularly beneficial for smaller carriers through digital freight platforms, are set to redefine the industry landscape.
In the United States, the trucking sector is experiencing a positive turnaround. After several challenging years, freight rates are on the rise, with both spot and contract rates increasing, especially in segments like flatbed freight due to growth in construction and manufacturing. This trend is expected to continue throughout 2025, leading to a rebound in trucking employment, with over 9,000 new jobs recently added.
As we enter 2026, fleet and equipment strategies are evolving. Fleets are dealing with deferred replacement needs and aging equipment, leading to a focus on lifecycle cost management and emissions compliance rather than expansion. Tariff-driven inflation has increased truck acquisition costs by 2-3%, slowing investment. However, fleets are cautiously moving towards electrification, focusing on pilot programs and infrastructure preparation rather than broad adoption, due to regulatory uncertainty around EPA 2027 and greenhouse gas standards.
The industry is also embracing data-driven decision-making and digital tools to remain competitive amid economic shifts, rising fuel costs, and regulatory updates. Enhanced telematics and customer-tracking systems are becoming standard, improving fuel efficiency, safety, and service reliability.
Events driving e-commerce, such as Amazon Prime Day, are contributing to growing demand for reliable, rapid short-haul services in urban areas. This is pushing fleets to optimize last-mile delivery and urban freight logistics.
In the realm of fleet renewal, Daimler Truck, a major player in the industry, is strategically positioning itself for these trends, focusing on fleet modernization, emissions compliance, and electrification readiness. The company is also looking to double its defense business and cut 5,000 jobs.
Despite these positive developments, the industry faces challenges. Some sellers are not participating in Amazon Prime Day due to tariffs, and crude oil remains a hot topic. Vehicle maintenance is another area of focus, with the need for efficient, cost-effective solutions becoming increasingly important.
In conclusion, the trucking industry in 2025-2026 is marked by growth in freight volumes and employment, investment in digital and AI technologies, cautious but ongoing fleet electrification efforts, and a strategic focus on operational efficiency amid regulatory uncertainties and inflationary cost pressures. Events driving e-commerce and fleet renewal are adapting to market realities, shaping the future of this vital sector.
Technology and data-and-cloud-computing are playing significant roles in the transformation of the trucking industry. For instance, the industry is embracing AI tools for fleet management, real-time load matching, predictive maintenance, and dynamic rerouting. Additionally, the use of digital freight platforms is helping smaller carriers streamline their operations and remain competitive.
