Customers ordered just over 16,000 units in May, down 10% versus April, according to the most recent State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers published by ACT Research Company. But don’t be fooled by the recent decline in net orders for truck trailers. The trailer market is stronger than the order numbers tend to indicate, according to ACT Research Company.
“While recent order volumes have been low and year-over-year comparisons appear weak, this is not indicative of current customer demand,” said Frank Maly, director of commercial vehicle transportation analysis and research at ACT. “Instead, the combination of the huge surge of orders late last year and a shortage of available build slots this year continues to dampen additional fleet order placement.”
Maly noted that ACT Research’s comments remain consistent for the third successive month.
“Freight volumes at advantageous rates will support fleets, and their investment plans will remain robust.” Maly said. “Our view that 2015 will be the best trailer market since the late 1990s remains unchanged.”