ACT’s preliminary estimate for April 2019 net trailer orders is 14,500 units. Final volume will be available later this month. Our methodology allows us to generate a preliminary estimate of the market that should be within +/- 3% of the final order tally.

1. Americas Commercial Transportation Research Co. LLC
4440 Middle Road, Columbus, Indiana 47203
Telephone: (812) 379-2085 Fax: (812) 378-5997
E-Mail: trucks@actresearch.net
_______________________________
May 17, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACT Research: April 2019 Trailer Industry Preliminary Net Orders Down 7% from March
and 38% Below Last Year; Volume of 14,500 Units Lowest Since July 2017
COLUMBUS, IN – ACT’s preliminary estimate
for April 2019 net trailer orders is 14,500 units.
Final volume will be available later this month.
Our methodology allows us to generate a
preliminary estimate of the market that should
be within +/- 3% of the final order tally.
“Order volume was soft in April for the second
straight month. Several factors appear to be in
play. OEMs continue to be reticent to fully open
2020 orderboards. This is evident in our
measurement of the extent of the industry’s
backlog, which has remained in the November
or December timeframe throughout the first four
months of 2019,” said Frank Maly, ACT’s
Director of CV Transportation Analysis and
Research. He added “While we hear comments
of some fleets anxiously awaiting the chance to snap up 2020 build slots, some also appear to be
evaluating their existing commitments. Cancellations in April were the highest since August 2016 on both
a unit and percent of backlog basis, and have remained elevated since December. That resulted in an
interesting dichotomy in April orders; while new orders were actually up versus March, cancellations were
significant enough to pull the net order number into the red month-over-month.”
While down slightly from March, production continues at a brisk pace, although material/component
availability and staffing continue to challenge OEMs. Seasonal patterns actually called for a slight
increase for April production, so that small sequential decline likely confirms the impact of the
aforementioned headwinds. Additionally, our discussions indicate that red-tagged units continue to
challenge OEM production efficiency.
ACT Research is recognized as the leading publisher of commercial vehicle truck, trailer, and bus industry
data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American and China markets. ACT’s
analytical services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their
suppliers, as well as banking and investment companies. More information can be found at
www.actresearch.net.
Click here for more information about ACT’s State of the Industry: US Trailer Report.
ACT’s 61st seminar is scheduled for August 12-14, 2019, and will feature a dealer panel, as well as
discussions on near-term demand of North American commercial vehicle markets and the impacts of
tomorrow’s technical challenges. A global forecasting workshop is also being planned in conjunction with
this semi-annual event. Click here for seminar information.
Media Contact:
Jennifer McNealy
812-379-2085
jsmcnealy@actresearch.net
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