ACT’s preliminary estimate for May net trailer orders is 17,850 units, down somewhat but well above historical trends for the month. The estimate of the market should be within 3% of the final order tally, according to the firm, a specialist in commercial vehicle data and analysis. Final May volume will be available later this month.
“Net orders were off approximately 14% month-to-month, but that was actually better than expected since historic order patterns call for decline in excess of 20% in May,” said Frank Maly, ACT’s director of CV transportation analysis and research. “The major May story is the continuation of the 2016/17 order season momentum. After a very slow start last fall, orders have been up year-over-year (y/y) every month since December, with both April and May posting y/y gains of 25% or better.”
Preliminary information shows that dry vans were the major contributor to the solid May performance.
“Dry vans, while off month-over-month as history projects, were up almost 50% versus last year,” Maly said. “Flatbeds, dumps, and tanks also posted solid y/y results last month.”