Shipments of Trailers Fall Further Off Pace

Shipments of trailers and chassis in the first three months of 1999 fell short of the mark set in 1998 by nearly 14%, continuing a trend seen since the beginning of the year.

The figures from the U.S. Bureau of Census show a continued erosion. From January through February, shipments were down 10% from the previous year’s numbers.

Containers and container chassis shipment totals ran counter to the trend, finishing the first three months almost 11% ahead of the corresponding period in 1998.

Richard P. Bowling, president of the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association, said the increases in container shipments might reflect expectations of greater intermodal activity involving railroads.

Trailer and chassis shipments in 1998 were reported at a record 344,007 by the Census Bureau.

March shipments of complete trailers and chassis totaled 22,774, down 2% from February. The three-month sum for 1999 was 68,897 vs. 80,050 for 1998.

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