Preliminary reports show that net trailer orders in August were 17,700 units, up about 6% from July, but a significant 39% higher than the same month last year, according to ACT Research's State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers. Final August results will be available later this month. This preliminary market estimate should be within +/-3% of the final order tally, according to the industry analyst.
“With 2023 orderboards slowly opening, it is no surprise that net orders in August were on the rise,” said Jennifer McNealy, director CV market research and publications at ACT Research. She added, “It is equally no surprise that net orders continue to best 2021, given the continued supply-chain constraints, both in materials and labor, that trailer manufacturers are facing.
Even with long backlogs, fleets still “want to make sure” their orders are in booked, regardless of when they will be filled, McNealy added.
“That said, OEMs are reporting improvements in supply-chain throughput, albeit a gradual advancement,” she concluded. “Improved build rates are illustrated in the decline of the backlog-to-build ratio, which has been in the neighborhood of eight months, but is expected to descend toward the seven-month mark when final data is released later this month.”
The State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report provides a monthly review of the current US trailer market statistics, as well as trailer OEM build plans and market indicators divided by all major trailer types, including backlogs, build, inventory, new orders, cancellations, net orders, and factory shipments.