According to the data from ACT Research Co., 2017 closed on a high note in terms of trailer orders, with 45,700 orders posted. That was the second highest net order month in the industry’s history, trailing only October of 2014, according to ACT.

“Major support came from dry vans, which posted their highest net order monthly volume in history. Eight of ten trailer categories were up month-over-month, while a similar count was up year-over-year,” noted Frank Maly, director of CV transportation analysis and research at ACT Research. “For the full year, industry net orders were up 38%, and robust orderboards are encouraging fleets to submit orders to obtain preferred/acceptable delivery timing for 2018.”

Total production was 19,400 trailers, the lowest monthly production since February 2014. “The majority of the decline came from dry vans, where some holiday-related scheduling occurred for the second straight year, holding down volume,” said Maly. “Inventory drawdown helped offset lower production last month. Added production capacity, helping to generate that higher inventory as the year progressed, also provided support. Total build for the month was equivalent to last year, which also saw holiday-scheduling impact.”