ACT Research has released June’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailer report, with results demonstrating that trailer orders are continuing to peak.
Net US trailer orders last month saw a recording of 25,444 units, which was 31 per cent higher compared to last month and nearly 122 per cent above the year prior.
ACT Research Director-CV Market Research & Publications, Jennifer McNealy, said trailer orders remained high following May’s positive results.
“Order placement remained choppy in June, with dry van and bulk tank net orders sequentially increasing by double digits and responsible for the total industry uptick,” she said.
“On the other hand, reefers and flats saw double-digit drops compared to May’s net order levels.
“OEMs continue to negotiate with fleets, and as some 2023 orderboards have opened, those efforts are quickly moving from staged/planned orders to booked business.”
McNealy explained that while some OEMs have opened part of their 2023 build slots, discussions indicate that others are holding to their plans to wait a bit longer.
“Trailer manufacturers continue to face supply-side challenges, material availability and labor, but are now reporting improvements in both,” she said.
“Demand remains strong, despite increased pricing, and cancelations, although ticking upward, are insignificant, as fleets in queue need the equipment and plan to stay in queue until orders are converted to deliveries.
“The industry closed June with a 7.6-month backlog-to-build ratio, which commits the industry, on average, into early 2023.”