Trailer Sales Up in June

Shipments of truck trailers rose slightly in June, totaling 23,708, a 3.1% increase over the 22,985 shipped in May, according to the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association.

However, the total for the first six months of 1999 showed a decline against the record year of 1998.

Shipments through June were 140,144, a drop of 14.3%, vs. the 163,607 shipped in the first six months of 1998.

Shipment figures from U.S. Bureau of Census, rather than sales, are used to gauge trailer manufacturing activity.

Shipments of containers and container chassis — which are reported separately from the trailer totals – totaled 1,901 in June, a 31.8% increase from the May total of 1,442. Shipments for the first six months of 1999 were 10,623, up 6.6% from last year.

Richard Bowling, president of TTMA, said the activity in container shipments is an indicator of the continuing need for equipment in intermodal operations.

Vans were the most common type of trailer shipped, totaling 18,655 in June, a 3.7% increase from the 17,994 shipped during May. The six-month total for vans was 111,091, which was 16.9% above 1998.

For the full story, see the Aug. 30 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.