US Trailer Industry Sets Net Order Records in Q3’18, Backlogs Stretch into Q2’19

The quarter closed with the industry posting the strongest monthly net order volume in history, with more than 58,000 net orders posted in September. That was more than 11,000 stronger than the previous record set in October of 2014. The robust OEM orderboard, and the resulting trailer production rates, will continue to challenge industry component and material suppliers during the upcoming months.

“Strong freight demand and tight capacity have combined to support both contract and spot rates. Extremely positive fleet financial performance is the result, providing both the need and ability to continue strong levels of equipment investment,” said Frank Maly, Director–CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT Research. He continued, “Solid orders are not just a short-term phenomenon, as five of the top ten order volume months in industry history have occurred in the last four quarters.”

Additionally, Maly said, “Cancellations continue to be minimal. Industry backlogs now stretch well into Q2’19, so fleets realize that backing away from any trailers currently on the orderboard might result in equipment delivery sometime next summer, or later.”