Trailer Sales on Downward Track With Shrinking Economy

Shipments of truck trailers in November continued to follow heavy truck sales on a downward spiral, with vans — the most popular kind of trailer — still leading the descent.

Total trailer shipments in November 2000 totaled 15,416, down more than 36% from November 1999. For the first 11 months of the year, trailer shipments were down 10.5% , with shipments of 226,219 vs. 252,809 in 1999.

Van trailer shipments in November 2000 totaled 11,893 compared to 17,696 in November 1999, nearly a 33% drop.

The Bureau of Census reports trailer shipments as a surrogate for sales figures, which are not available.

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