FTR Reports Preliminary Trailer Orders Healthy Again in December at 43,700 Units

Orders have boosted the backlogs after hitting a low point in July during the throes of the pandemic

FTR reports that preliminary U.S. net trailer orders remained vibrant for the fourth consecutive month, totaling 41,700 units in December.  December order activity was up 6% m/m and 155% y/y. Total trailer orders for 2020 totaled 297,000.

The order volume for Oct-Dec was the highest ever for a fourth quarter. Fleets continue to order dry and refrigerated vans in hefty quantities for delivery throughout 2021. Consumer-oriented freight growth continues to rise and should continue, pushed by the second government stimulus. Vocational trailer orders are still recovering but should improve as manufacturing grows. 

Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles, commented, “This is another great month for trailer orders. The last four months are very similar to the order surge in August-November 2018. These orders have boosted the backlogs after hitting a low point in July during the throes of the pandemic. Orders should begin falling in January if the 2019 trend repeats. However, there are enough orders in the backlog for a healthy production year.

“Fleet optimism continues to gain momentum. Freight volumes are healthy and growing while the industry is still scrambling to handle the economic restart. The growth should continue as people get vaccinated and employment rises. I also expect manufacturing activity to intensify soon. This will lift industrial-oriented freight.”

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