According to US research company FTR, December was the trailer industry’s second best month ever recorded, with net orders of 45,500.
The company said December net order were just 1.5 per cent below the record month of October, 2014.
Overall trailer orders for 2014 totalled over 360,000, by far the best order year ever, FTR added.
“Dry Van orders set an all-time record, as OEMs aggressively sought orders to book into the third and fourth quarters,” the company said.
“Refrigerated van orders were also at an impressive pace.”
Don Ake, FTR Vice President of Commercial Vehicles, commented, “The trailer market is blazing hot as fleets continue to lock-up future build slots in anticipation of a strong freight environment this year.
“Fleets are placing orders for vans and flatbeds out through the end of the year. Manufacturing capacity is still tight, however several OEMs have plans to increase build rates during the year.”