According to ACT Research data, net trailer orders in North America were down six per cent month over month in March, and 12 per cent year over year.
“Although orders are down, the orders being placed appear genuine, as cancellation activity has been negligible for most trailer categories,” said Frank Maly, Director-CV Transportation with ACT Research.
“Better economic growth, and the resulting gains in freight, should result in improved order volumes as the year progresses,” he added. “Backlogs decreased four per cent in March, while inventories were up less than two per cent.”
Meanwhile, FTR Associates’ Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for February fell over two points following a similar decline in January. The current reading of -9.5 reflects an expectation for increasingly difficult conditions for shippers as 2013 progresses – the SCI is forecast to be choppy over the next few months with further deterioration occurring in the second half of the year.
The Shippers Conditions Index is a compilation of factors affecting shippers transport environment. Any reading below zero indicates a less-than-ideal environment for shippers. Readings below 10 signal that conditions for shippers are approaching critical levels, based on available capacity and expected rates.