Demand for truck trailers reached was at record levels in October, according to FTR. Customers placed orders for 46,267 trailers, shattering the old mark by 9%. Net orders were much higher than expected, driven largely by major fleets and leasing companies.
Trailer orders have now totaled 327,000 the past 12 months, FTR reports. Expected tight production capacity at trailer OEM’s in 2015 encouraged this early order activity.
“While OEMs did go out and solicit orders for delivery through the middle of 2015, impacting October activity, it is still very encouraging to see these large numbers, because it indicates fleets are positive about business conditions next year,” says Don Ake, FTR vice-president of commercial vehicles. “Dry van, refrigerated van, and flatbed orders were tremendously high. Much of the October order total is pull-forward activity, to get orders into the backlog for delivery in 2015. OEMs can now better plan production, and fleets have their build slots reserved well in advance.”
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