Market Optimism Amid Uncertainty: A Conversation with Paul Rosa

At the FTR Transportation Conference, we sat down for a 10-Minute Take with Paul Rosa, Senior Vice President of Procurement and Fleet Strategy at Penske Truck Leasing. Known for his sharp insights and big-picture perspective, Paul joined Eric Starks to share his outlook on the state of the freight market and what might lie ahead.

Right now, the industry continues to grapple with a freight recession. Many are wondering: When will things turn? While external indicators have shown mixed signals, Paul remains optimistic. He sees pent-up demand building across the market, ready to move the moment conditions shift.

Drawing on Penske’s 360-degree perspective—spanning consumer mobility, commercial rental, full-service leasing, and logistics—Paul explained how their internal data tells a story of businesses eager to act but waiting for the right moment.

Here are a few key takeaways from our conversation:

• Pent-up demand is real: Businesses want to expand fleets but are waiting for the right tipping point.
• Data-driven early signals: Rental utilization, telematics, and miles traveled provide leading indicators of recovery.
• A race at the starting gate: The market may shift quickly, leaving unprepared fleets scrambling.
• Regulation adds urgency: 2027 emissions rules could pull even more demand forward into 2026.

Paul closed with a simple but powerful message: be ready. Have a fleet strategy in place so you can act decisively when the shift comes.

👉 This was just a snapshot of a fast-moving and insightful conversation. Watch the full 10-Minute Take video to hear Paul’s complete perspective—and catch the other episodes from the FTR Conference for more industry intelligence you won’t want to miss.

Thanks for watching! We’ve really enjoyed these conversations with industry leaders and attendees throughout the conference. To catch all of the 10 Minute Takes podcasts from the event, visit www.ftrintel.com/connection.