ACT Research: Trailer orders drop double-digits year over year

Act Research trailer order ratio

June net U.S. trailer orders of 10,952 units grew nearly 18 percent from the previous month, but were almost 20 percent lower compared with June of 2020, according to ACT’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailer Report.

Before accounting for cancellations, new orders of 13,100 units were up more than 7 percent versus May, but down 19 percent from the previous June.

“Despite sequential improvement, net orders continue to be diminished by a ‘pause’ in order acceptance at several OEMs. However, that pause was not universal, as reefers surged 90 percent from a very lackluster May,” says Frank Maly, ACT director–CV transportation analysis and research. “Without that support, total industry volume could easily have posted a net order decline to close the quarter. The industry also posted the first year-over-year decline in net orders since May of 2020, the end of the COVID-induced order retrenchment last year.”

Maly adds, “The ratio of trailer orders to truck orders, shown in the graph, is an indicator of the degree of impact the order pause is generating. Normally ranging around 1.5, the trailer/tractor net order ratio started Q2 just below 1.0 and plummeted to approximately 0.65 at quarter’s end. This is an indication of pent-up demand that likely will be quickly addressed when orderboards officially open for 2022.”        

Learn how to move your used trucks faster
With unsold used inventory depreciating at a rate of more than 2% monthly, efficient inventory turnover is a must for dealers. Download this eBook to access proven strategies for selling used trucks faster.
Download
Used Truck Guide Cover