US research company FTR has released a 2014 forecast for the US trailer market, indicating the industry will see a light upwsing in the year to come.
The company's total market forecast for 2014 is 240,000 units, a 2.2 per cent increase over 2013. However, FTR expects dry vans to show a 2 per cent year-over-year increase, while reefer vans will remain flat. “Flatbeds, dumps and low beds are all expected to show greater increases as construction and manufacturing improve,” the report said.
The 2014 forecast is first-ever FTR trailer study segmented by trailer type – including a dedicated dry van, reefer van, flatbed, liquid tank, dry tank, dump and low bed section.
“We are applying the same level of analysis, the same skill and the same processes to the trailer market that FTR applies to the truck market. Our truck equipment forecast is the best in the industry. We are off to a great start with our initial segmented trailer forecast and our goal is to continue to refine our models and processes going forward to deliver the most accurate forecasts possible”, said Don Ake, FTR Vice President of Commercial Vehicles.