ACT pegs March trailer orders at nearly 30,000 units

ACT Research announced Friday its preliminary estimate for March 2018 net trailer orders at 29,500 units.

“Strong freight demand and tight capacity have encouraged fleets to continue to invest in new equipment. Improving freight rates will positively impact their profitability, and the recent implementation of significant business tax cuts further contributes to their ability to expand and modernize operations,” says Frank Maly, ACT’s director of commercial vehicle transportation analysis and research. “March was the 16th consecutive month with year-over-year order gains for the trailer industry, closing a quarter that was up 28 percent versus last year.

“Examination of these preliminary results indicates widespread strength. While dry and reefer trailers should both post year-over-year net order gains above 40 percent, solid results were evident across the vocational trailer categories as well.”

With springtime barely underway, orders placed in upcoming months, depending on the trailer category, could come with delivery dates deep into the fourth quarter, ACT Research adds.

“The industry’s average backlog pushes into November, although that horizon is strongly influenced by both dry vans and reefers,” says Maly.

ACT adds final March volume will be available later this month. The company says its methodology allows it to generate a preliminary estimate of the market that should be within +/- 3 percent of the final order tally.

Looking for your next job?
Careersingear.com is the go-to platform for the Trucking industry. Don’t just find the job you need; find the job you want with the company that wants you!
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