Trailer Orders Fall 12% in May
U.S. net trailer orders in May reached 14,250 units, the lowest total this year, ACT Research Co. reported, calling it an expected seasonal slowdown.
Last month’s total was down about 12% year-over-year compared with 16,092 trailer orders a year earlier. Also, orders were down almost 16% from April’s 16,911, according to ACT.
“Although commercial trailer orders have been progressing at a better pace than Class 8 volumes, the expected seasonal slowdown in order placement has begun,” Frank Maly, ACT’s director of commercial vehicle transportation analysis and research, said in a statement.
Past data show a slower May is a combination of softer gross orders along with some midyear adjustments to orders already booked with trailer manufacturers, he said.
Maly added, “A slower overall economy has resulted in lower freight demand. That, along with a continual reassessment of equipment needs by fleets, also impacts market condition.”
He said the May figure was preliminary and a final number will be published later in the month.
