US trailer orders finally are showing signs of life.
ACT Research says in its latest US Trailer Report that the industry booked 13,900 trailer orders in July, which is a 22% increase month-over-month. After accounting for cancellations, net orders still totaled 10,300 units, marking the first sequential increase in nine months, up 64% from June.
However, year-to-date net orders still are 46% below 2018 totals, ACT maintained.
“July’s robust month-over-month comparison is the result of June’s volume being the weakest net order posting since September of 2009,” said Frank Maly, ACT’s director of commercial vehicle transportation analysis and research. “In a surprising dichotomy, July’s net was 64% below the same month last year, and while the sequential gain was a welcome reversal of recent trend, the volume was still disappointing.
“Reports (also) indicate that additional OEMs opened their 2020 orderboards, but the response of fleets to the opportunity for production slots this year was distressing, given that only a few months ago, fleets were clamoring for additional equipment.
“They now appear to be very reticent to commit the investment, which isn’t unexpected given economic uncertainties, tariff concerns, lackluster freight volumes and the resulting rate pressures.”
