Trailer net orders in June, at nearly 27,900 units, jumped more than 73% compared to May, according to the most recent State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers published by ACT Research Co.
“Although not the strongest June on record (that was the 32K volume of June 1994), the June 2015 order surge is exceptionally early, with strength coming from dry vans and reefers,” said Frank Maly, Director of CV transportation analysis and research at ACT. “The lack of cancellations, along with early 2016 commitments, indicates strong fleet confidence in the short to medium term outlook.”
Maly noted that ACT Research’s outlook continues to be positive, although vocational trailers continue to endure energy sector headwinds. He added, “While there has been some softening in freight rates, lower fuel costs have helped offset those shifts and fleets’ bottom lines continue to be firm.” Maly summarized, “Our view that 2015 will be the best trailer market since the late 1990s remains unchanged.”
ACT is a publisher of new and used commercial vehicle (CV) industry data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American market, as well as the U.S. tractor-trailer market and the China CV market.
