---
title: "Weekly Transportation Update: Automotive production was quite strong in March"
description: Stay updated on the latest transportation trends with a focus on the manufacturing, truck spot rates and rail/intermodal volumes.
image: https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/Hero%20Images/Shippers%20Hero%20Images/Shippers%20warehouse%202.png
---

![](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hero%20Images/Shippers%20Hero%20Images/Shippers%20warehouse%202.png?width=1600&height=500&name=Shippers%20warehouse%202.png)

Economy WTU

# Weekly Transportation Update: Automotive production was quite strong in March

![The FTR Experts](https://7528315.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528315/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-cms-elevate-theme_hubspot/elevate/images/avatar-placeholder.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=avatar-placeholder.jpg)

 The FTR Experts

April 22, 2024

Weekly Transportation Update: Automotive production was quite strong in March

0:31

In March, there was a notable increase in manufacturing output, with automotive production nearing a record high. Nonstore retail led the growth in retail sales, while there was a significant drop in housing starts during the same period.

- Nonstore retail leads growth in retail sales.
- Housing starts and sales of existing homes fall; mortgage rates top 7% again.
- Truck spot rates recover loss from previous week but essentially no more.
- Rail carload volume remains down y/y while intermodal strength continues.

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## Keep reading

[![](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/Blogs/Blog%20images/2026/July/_Class%208%20July%202026%20blog.png?width=1600&height=500&name=_Class%208%20July%202026%20blog.png)

class 8 trucks forecasting

### Class 8 Orders Surge Again as Industry Nears 2026 Production Capacity

](https://today.ftrintel.com/class-8-july-2026)

[![](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/Blogs/Blog%20images/2026/June/_RMU%20June%2026%202026%20blog.png?width=1600&height=500&name=_RMU%20June%2026%202026%20blog.png)

intermodal carload Rail

### Rail Traffic Holds Steady While Intermodal Extends Its Winning Streak

](https://today.ftrintel.com/rmu-june-26-2026)

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