ACT Research reported preliminary net trailer orders slid again in November, dropping 4,100 units or 24% below October's level.
"Sequentially, a slight dip in net orders is expected, as October is usually the strongest order intake month of the annual cycle, with orderboards for the next year beginning to open," says Jennifer McNealy, director of commercial vehicle market research and publications. "November's tally brings the year-to-date net order total to 151,300 units or 9% more net orders than were accepted through year-to-date November 2024."
[RELATED: Domestic trailer OEMs file antidumping, countervailing petition against importers]
Year-over-year, November was off 37%. Seasonally adjusted, November 2025's tally is 10,500 units.
"Not only do net orders continue to underwhelm, cancellations remain elevated," McNealy says. "Looking forward, concerns about moderating economic activity, ongoing weak for-hire carrier profitability, and ambiguous government policies remain as challenges to stronger trailer demand. While pent-up demand is building and fleets will eventually need to divert capex to trailing equipment purchases deferred over the past few years, stronger revenues will be needed before the purchase spigot is opened wider."
