ACT’s preliminary estimate for January 2018 net trailer orders is 39,100 units. Final January volume will be available later this month. ACT's methodology allows the company to generate a preliminary estimate of the market that should be within +/- 3% of the final order tally.

“January net orders came in 22% better year-over-year. While down 15% from December, that’s a comparison to the second-best month in industry history and was the best January on record,” said Frank Maly, ACT’s Director of CV Transportation Analysis and Research. “This continues a string of extremely solid order placement. November and December of last year, along with January of this year, rank as the third, second, and fifth highest order months in industry history. Tight trucking capacity and solid freight rates are supporting both fleet needs and investment ability. Lengthening industry backlogs also encourage fleets to join industry orderboards,” he added.

While the majority of trailer categories posted positive year-over-year performance, reefers led the way last month. Maly noted, “Reefer net orders set an all-time monthly record, coming in 250% better than last January.”