US trailer orders have decreased significantly since November 2018, with net orders down 37% so far in 2019 compared to the previous year. However, trailer production remains high, as order boards are filled into nearly the end of the year. The lower orders reflect trailer manufacturers being cautious in opening order books for 2020 rather than decreased demand from fleets. Additionally, cancellations have risen recently despite cancellation fees being implemented. ACT Research expects strong trailer production to continue through 2019, but manufacturers may still face issues with components, materials, and staffing.

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May 31, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACT Research: US Trailer Orders Are Easing, While Production Remains Robust
COLUMBUS, IN – According to this quarter’s issue of ACT Research’s Trailer Components Report, trailer
industry net orders have eased meaningfully since November of 2018, as year-over-year-comparisons
have now been in the red for the last five months, but order weakness is not indicative of fleets’
unwillingness to invest.
“Year-to-date net orders through April were just over 80,000 units, down 37% from last year, but despite
this, current orderboards still stretch to nearly year-end for the total industry,” said Frank Maly, Director–
CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT Research. He continued, “Order weakness is more a
symptom of OEM reticence to fully open 2020 orderboards than fleets’ unwillingness to invest, as we’re
hearing of OEMs actively gathering ‘verbal commitments’ for the first half of 2020, with some orders
reportedly being posted as ‘price pending’.”
Additionally, Maly said, “Softer new orders have been joined by higher cancellations in recent months,
despite widespread implementation of cancellation penalties. However, trailer production continues at
robust levels, with March of 2019 as the second highest production month in industry history.” He added,
“ACT anticipates strong production levels through the remainder of this year, but see OEMs continuing to
be challenged by component and material issues, as well as staffing.”
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 Trailer Components 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.
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