September net U.S. trailer orders of 28,127 units rose nearly 126 percent from the previous month, but were more than 45 percent lower compared to September of 2020. Before accounting for cancellations, new orders of 32,400 units were up almost 140 percent versus August, but 38 percent lower than the previous September, according to this month’s issue of ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailer Report.

 Year to date, net orders for the first nine months of 2021 were up 11 percent, while new orders grew 8 percent compared to the same period in 2020, which included the COVID-stricken spring data.

 “September total net trailer orders grew mainly as the result of a 268 percent month-over-month surge in dry van orders for the month, as some 2022 orderbooks were very cautiously cracked open,” said Frank Maly, Director–CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT Research. “It appears that OEMs are being extremely careful regarding acceptance of additional orders, although the caution is more centered in the higher-volume dry van, reefer and flatbed categories.”

Maly added, “Dry van and reefer OEMs are trying to walk a very delicate line, setting their pricing in a very challenging inflationary environment while also balancing production commitments with component and material availability and staffing concerns.”

He concluded, “Staffing seems to have become a more challenging issue for the industry. Adds to staff are very difficult, while consistent attendance of existing staff is also reported to be problematic.”