Flatbed trailer net orders for November set an all-time record, according to FTR Associates.
Overall orders came in at 39,356, the second-highest month ever, following only October’s record-setting mark.
Trailer orders have now totaled 342,000 the past 12 months. Orders were somewhat inflated with fleets placing orders in November for shipment in Q2 and Q3 2015. OEMs continue to solicit long-term orders due to competitive pressures and expected scarce production slots.
Said Don Ake, FTR Vice President of Commercial Vehicles, “The trailer market is showing continued power and this momentum is now expected to flow into the second half of 2015. The environment for fleets is very positive with plenty of freight, tight capacity, dropping diesel prices and increasing profits.
“All trailer segments remain strong and steady, especially flatbed orders, which set an all-time record in November. Backlogs are now tremendously high, so build rates are going to remain robust for several quarters. The strength of order activity certainly bodes well for 2015 production.”
To contact FTR, send an email to [email protected] or call (888) 988-1699 ext. 1.