The preliminary estimate for net trailers orders for January 2018 is 39,100 units, according to US market research group, ACT Research.
“January net orders came in 22 per cent better year-over-year,” said ACT Research Director – CV Transportation Analysis and Research, Frank Maly.
“While down 15 per cent from December, that’s a comparison to the second-best month in industry history and was the best January on record.
“This continues a string of extremely solid order placement. November and December of last year, along with January of this year, rank as the third, second, and fifth highest order months in industry history. Tight trucking capacity and solid freight rates are supporting both fleet needs and investment ability. Lengthening industry backlogs also encourage fleets to join industry orderboards,” he said.
Maly noted that while the majority of trailer categories posted positive year-over-year performance, reefers led the way last month. “Reefer net orders set an all-time monthly record, coming in 250 per cent better than last January.”