Preliminary reports from trailer OEMs indicate 29,500 new trailer orders were booked in March, ACT Research reported. That was 12 percent better than February and more than triple the volume seen last year, when COVID-driven pressures began to meaningfully impact the market. Final March volume will be available later this month.

“Normal seasonal order patterns predict a month-over-month decline in net orders in March, so the rebound from February shows that fleets continue their positive expectations for the remainder of this year and into next. Initial results point to dry van orders being the major source of strength; after a normal seasonal easing in February, they bounced back to a level similar to January volume,” said Frank Maly, Director CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT Research.

He added, “This solid order volume will result in further industry backlog growth. In response to those ever-growing commitments, OEMs have been struggling to increase their production levels. It appears those efforts are beginning to have an impact. This preliminary report shows them achieving a higher daily production rate in March. It also appears that March will post a positive year-over-year comparison for total production, the first positive comparison since July 2019. That being said, staffing challenges and component and material supplies remain a concern as production ramps.”

ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report provides a monthly review of the current U.S. trailer market statistics, as well as trailer OEM build plans and market indicators divided by all major trailer types, including backlogs, build, inventory, new orders, cancellations, net orders and factory shipments.