Trailer net orders in the US came in “significantly above expectations” in September, research company FTR found.
With 34,700 units orders, the total for the month was 48 per cent above August and improved eight per cent from a year ago, according to FTR. Trailer orders have now totaled 338,000 for the past 12 months.
Dry Van orders were especially healthy, coming in 11 per cent higher year-over-year; while refrigerated van orders exceeded 5,000 units for the first time since September.
Liquid tank orders were named “solid” too, but other trailer segments are still showing some weakness, according to FTR: “Flatbed orders stopped their recent fall but were still down 39 per cent year-on-year. ry tank and dump trailer orders were weaker than expected. Overall trailer build for the month was flat versus August,” said Don Ake, FTR Vice President of Commercial Vehicle.
He added, “The fall order season starts off with a bang. The dry van and refrigerated van segments are running at record levels and show no signs of slowing down at this point.
“However, based on what is happening on the truck side, the trailer market must ease up at some point. It is significant that orders are up in September over last year.
“While we don’t expect to come close to matching the record order amounts of 2014Q4, the trailer market is in great shape heading into 2016. This is a fantastic start to the traditional order cycle, and it is consistent with our forecast for a ‘soft landing’ next year.”