New U.S. trailer orders of 21,600 were up 44% month-over-month, and after accounting for cancellations, net orders of 18,600 hit their third sequential increase in ten months, rising 73% from August, but down 68% compared to September of 2018. Year-to-date, however, net trailer orders are 54% below last year, according to this month’s issue of ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailer Report.

“Some order-season driven improvement occurred last month, but the pace was fairly lethargic, particularly if a year-over-year perspective is used,” said Frank Maly, director of CV transportation analysis and research at ACT Research. “Short-term comparisons of new orders up 44% month-over-month and net volume up 73% sequentially are blunted by the new/net year-over-year comparisons of -64% and -68%, respectively.”

“Fleets continue to proceed with extreme caution toward the new year, and there appears to be little on the horizon to shift their psyche,” Maly continued. “The impact of low rates, reduced freight demand, and an uncertain short-to-medium term general economic path combine to create meaningful headwinds to fleet investment. The pendulum, which was strongly on the OEMs’ side at this time last year, has swiftly swung to the fleets’ advantage.”