Trailer orders remained in a low holding pattern in August, hitting 10,400 units according to FTR – up 1% month-over-month but down 71% year-over year.
Cancellations were up for the third consecutive month as fleets evaluate requirements for the rest of the year. Backlogs fell for the eighth straight month and are now at their lowest level since late 2017.
Trailer production remained strong, reaching near-record levels in August.
FTR Vice President of Commercial Vehicles Don Ake said he expects trailer orders to climb this month as a few fleets place orders for next year.
“It is anticipated that order activity will significantly improve in October and subsequent months as the market begins to return to traditional ordering patterns.” he said. Trailer orders for the past 12 months now total 300,200 units.
“Trailer demand is expected to ease back in 2020 after setting a new production record this year,” Ake said. “Dry van and refrigerated van activity should remain decent; however, flatbed and dump trailer sales will suffer from a weaker industrial economy.”
