Preliminary reports show that net trailer orders in August were 17,700 units, up about 6 percent from July, but a significant 39 percent higher than the same month last year, according to ACT Research. Final August results will be available later this month.

“With 2023 orderboards slowly opening, it is no surprise that net orders in August were on the rise,” said Jennifer McNealy, Director CV Market Research & Publications at ACT Research. “It is equally no surprise that net orders continue to best 2021, given the continued supply-chain constraints, both in materials and labor, that trailer manufacturers are facing. With long backlogs, fleets still want to make sure their orders are in queue, regardless of when they will be filled.” McNealy concluded, “That said, OEMs are reporting improvements in supply-chain throughput, albeit a gradual advancement. Improved build rates are illustrated in the decline of the backlog-to-build ratio, which has been in the neighborhood of eight months, but is expected to descend toward the seven-month mark when final data is released later this month.”