ACT Research’s preliminary estimate for February 2018 net trailer orders is 33,000 units. Final February volume will be available later this month. Its methodology allows ACT to generate a preliminary estimate of the market that should be within +/- 3 percent of the final order tally.

“Fleets continue to place orders at a record pace, as last month was the strongest February order volume in industry history,” said Frank Maly, ACT’s Director of CV Transportation Analysis and Research. “That follows a record-setting string of months that started last fall. February’s all-time high also follows the strongest January in industry history. The supporting story continues to be tight trucking capacity and the resulting strong freight rates, driving fleet equipment needs and purchase ability. Industry backlogs now stretch through September on average, with dry van and reefers averaging lead times that stretch into the fourth quarter. That lengthy timeline also helps encourage fleets to join the order queue,” he added.

While February net orders were off 17 percent from January, sequential softening in orders is expected as we approach the end of the industry’s traditional order season.

“Through the first two months of the year, net orders are 24 percent above last year, with the industry’s orderboard more than 20 percent above this point last year,” Maly noted.