ACT Research reported this week in its most recent Trailer Components & Raw Materials Forecast that it anticipates demand will continue to exceed production capacity for most of 2023.
Citing supply chain concerns that continue to hamper trailer manufacturers, ACT Research says some OEMs believe there is no "short-term improvement in sight."
“January OEM business conditions, including 2023 demand expectations and labor, were on-par with December, overall, with a bias toward the ‘better’ side of the pendulum for labor but concerns about demand and the material supply chain on the minds of respondents,” says Jennifer McNealy, director, commercial vehicle, Market Research & Publications at ACT Research.
ACT does note some fleets are taking a wait-and-see attitude and splitting orders to hedge their bets for later in the year.
“Demand overall remains robust, and cancellations are low, but we are hearing that some orders are being made to replenish dealer stock, rather than going directly to fleet customers,” McNealy says.
