FTR reports that U.S. trailer net orders surged in October to 44,000, rising 91% from the previous month. Orders were 161% higher than in October 2021. Backlog levels jumped 13% on the increased orders after a downward trend for most of the year. October build rates were down 9% from September but were up 3% from October 2021.

Build is generally stable and in a narrow range – running from 23,000 to 27,000 for eight of the last nine months. Upward momentum for production output remains elusive.

Jonathan Starks, FTR’s chief executive officer and chief intelligence officer, commented, “Trailer manufacturers seem to have found themselves in a goldilocks environment for the moment. Demand for new equipment remains robust despite the worries of a weak economy, and suppliers and labor have been able to maintain a solid level of output since early this year. We expect these conditions to remain in place through mid-2023 before economic uncertainties force weaker freight levels and demand for new equipment eases.”