New trailer orders rose by nearly a third from September to 24,707 units in October. This update on industry performance was reported in the latest State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers published by ACT Research Co. (ACT).

“Dry vans were responsible for much of the month-over-month industry gain, said Frank Maly, Director-CV Transportation with ACT Research. “Another welcome move for the industry was the gain in backlogs, the first backlog increase since April. Quotation activity is reportedly strong, suggesting that peak order season should unfold as expected over the coming months. Rising orders and subsequent backlog gains through Q1 will sustain the industry though the period of soft orders that should begin in late Q2,” he added.

ACT also reported both medium duty and heavy duty truck orders rebounded in October.

“With housing related activity surprising on the high-side the past several months, Medium Duty truck orders rose to their highest level since the start of the cycle. Net orders rose to 19,285 units, up 35% m/m and y/y,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president & senior analyst. October also saw Class 8 orders rise meaningfully above trend. Net orders rose to 23,431 units. “Underscoring the increase in activity was the fact that the improvement occurred in the face of electoral and fiscal uncertainty and despite Hurricane Sandy disrupting business up and down the East Coast at month’s end, said Vieth.

ACT Research is the leading publisher of new and used commercial vehicle (CV) industry data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American market, as well as the U.S. tractor-trailer market and the China CV market. ACT’s CV services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, and  worldwide banking and investment companies.