Production of trailers in the United States is set to decline for five consecutive quarters before increasing in the final three months of 2024, according to one expert.

Sentiment is growing that U.S. demand for Class 8 trucks in 2024 is likely to be better than expected, according to an analyst at the FTR Transportation Intelligence Transportation Conference.

North American Class 8 orders in March ended a short-lived recovery by dropping to 19,200 units, ACT Research reported.

FTR, an economic and freight forecasting firm, announced it appointed Jonathan Starks CEO of the company, replacing Eric Starks, who will be transitioning to chairman of the board.

North American Class 8 orders in March were just over 21,000 and kept pace with the levels over the past few months, ACT Research reported, citing truck makers’ preliminary data.

U.S. trailer net orders in August reached 12,366, ACT Research reported as the persistent story of pent-up customer demand, various supply chains faltering and order boards opening partially, if at all, continued.

U.S. trailer orders in August topped 27,000 as they rose 150% year-over-year, ACT Research reported.

U.S. trailer orders climbed again in July, reaching 19,300, the most this year, FTR reported.

U.S. trailer orders in February hit 33,000 units, setting a record for the month provided the preliminary figures hold, but concerns are mounting that tariffs on foreign aluminum and steel are pushing up trailer prices.