The preliminary estimate for net trailer orders in May 2018 is 23,300 units, according to US market research company, ACT Research.
“Fleet investment continues at a torrid pace,” said ACT Director CV Transportation Analysis and Research, Frank Maly.
“Net trailer orders were up year-over-year for the 18th straight month in May. While normal seasonal patterns call for a month-over-month decline in the high teens, May net order volume was just two per cent below April.
“The major factors that have been driving the market, solid freight rates and tight capacity, with the added aid of beneficial tax changes, continue to provide the fuel for this ongoing order flow,” he said – adding that year-to-date, more than 151,000 net orders have been booked, up more than 26 per cent versus last year.
Maly also noted: “At current build rates, it appears that dry van and reefer backlogs, on average, have crossed into early 2019. Their influence pushes the industry average backlog-to-build well into December. Most vocational trailer categories appear to have backlogs that stretch into early fall.”
ACT is a publisher of new and used commercial vehicle (CV) industry data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American market, as well as the US tractor-trailer market and the China CV market.
ACT’s CV services are reportedly used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as the banking and investment community in North America, Europe and China.