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With a potential 25% tariff on imported trucks and truck parts looming in 2025, shippers across the U.S. are facing rising equipment costs and a tightening used truck market. The ripple effects of these tariffs on trucks extend far beyond procurement. They're shaping fleet strategies, cost structures, and operational flexibility.
As these changes accelerate, midsize shippers, especially in industries like food and beverage, packaging, manufacturing, and construction, need to understand how to remain agile – and to adopt smarter strategies to adapt effectively.
According to an industry study, about 75% of U.S. shippers operate private fleets, meaning they own and manage at least some of their trucks. However, 82% of these same shippers also rely on external logistics providers, reflecting a hybrid model that blends private fleet ownership with third-party carrier support.
This hybrid strategy helps shippers balance control, cost efficiency, and scalability, a formula that becomes even more vital in light of impending tariffs on trucks. While private fleets provide a sense of control, external carriers offer flexibility and access to scalable capacity during market disruptions or seasonal peaks.
A 25% tariff on imported trucks and parts significantly increases the price of new vehicles. For private fleet operators, this means tighter capital budgets and difficult decisions around truck replacement cycles. The cost of modernizing or expanding a fleet is expected to rise sharply.
As new truck prices climb, more fleets are going to be turning to used trucks. The likely result? A surge in demand that tightens supply, increases resale prices, and reduces availability. This can especially hurt midsize shippers who may lack the purchasing power of larger competitors.
Aging fleets mean more time in the shop and less time on the road. With delayed purchases, older trucks remain in service longer, driving up maintenance expenses and increasing the risk of service disruptions. This can damage on-time performance and customer satisfaction.
To adapt, shippers must begin exploring longer-term truck procurement planning. This includes evaluating multi-year purchasing strategies (planning and committing to truck acquisitions over several years to lock in pricing, ensuring vehicle availability, and stabilizing budgeting amid market fluctuations) and exploring alternative ways to help absorb cost volatility and manage capacity shortages.
In light of these challenges, many midsize shippers are asking an important question: Is owning our own fleet still worth it?
For some, the answer is increasingly leaning toward rebalancing toward third-party carriers. Outsourcing freight transportation can:
This shift doesn’t mean giving up control. Rather, it can enable shippers to focus on their core business while staying nimble in a market affected by policy shifts and economic uncertainty.
As the freight market evolves, Portex is uniquely positioned to help shippers offset rising equipment expenses and reduce dependence on private fleets. The Portex platform connects shippers with vetted carriers, providing a tech-enabled approach to smarter freight operations.
Whether you're supplementing an aging fleet or exploring a phased shift to outsourced freight, Portex helps you stay agile, efficient, and resilient.
As tariffs on trucks reshape the freight landscape in 2025, adaptability becomes your most powerful tool. Shippers that act now, by reassessing fleet ownership, strengthening partnerships, and embracing smart logistics platforms like Portex, will be best positioned to navigate the uncertainty ahead.
Talk to Portex today to discover how our tech-driven platform helps you shift loads – and strategies – smarter.
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