Robert E. Sanchez
Analyst · KeyBanc Capital Markets
Thanks, Art. Page 15 summarizes key results for our asset management area globally. At the end of the quarter, our global used vehicle inventory for sale was 9,200 vehicles, up from 5,000 units in the second quarter of 2011. On a sequential basis from the first quarter of 2012, ending inventories were only up 500 units. Used vehicle inventories are elevated beyond our typical target range of approximately 6,000 to 8,000 vehicles. This reflects a planned increase in lease replacement activity. It also reflects planned refreshments of the rental fleet as well as out-servicing of rental units related to our recent rental fleet downsizing. Used vehicle inventories are expected to remain in the 9,000 to 10,000 unit range during the balance of the year. We sold 6,200 vehicles during the quarter, up 41% compared to the prior year, reflecting continued strong market demand for used vehicles. Retail pricing for used vehicles increased year-over-year and was somewhat ahead of our expectations. Proceeds per unit comparisons were negatively impacted by a higher proportion of vehicles sold through the wholesale versus retail channel. The increased use of wholesaling, however, was in line with our expectations as outlined in our recent earnings forecast update. Compared to the second quarter of 2011, proceeds from all vehicles sold, including wholesale units, were down 1% for tractors and up 6% for trucks. From a sequential standpoint, tractor pricing was down 12%, and truck pricing was up 5%, again, including the increased wholesale activity. At the end of the quarter, 12,300 vehicles were classified as no longer earning revenue. This is up 5,200 units from the prior year, reflecting a higher used vehicle inventory but was only up 100 units sequentially from the first quarter of 2012. The number of lease contracts that were extended beyond the original lease term increased versus last year by around 200 units. This reflects and is consistent with the higher volume of renewal activity this year due to a heavier lease replacement cycle. Early termination of leased vehicles declined by about 460 units or 28%. Early terminations were about half of what they were 2 years ago and were at the lowest level in the past decade. Our rental fleet was up 17%, including acquisitions or 5% organically in the quarter. With the softer-than-anticipated rental demand conditions we've seen in our recent de-fleeting actions, we're now expecting the full year rental fleet to be down approximately 3% to 5% at year end, below our initial forecast for the year. At this point, I'll hand the call back over to Greg to cover our outlook and forecast.