December net U.S. trailer orders of 57,300 units were nearly 46 percent higher compared to November and 115 percent above December 2021, according to this month’s issue of ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report.

“Discussions in the last 30 days continue to indicate 2023 is not yet fully open, despite OEMs expanding availability. Supply-chain concerns still linger, with some manufacturers sharing that the situation for some parts has actually deteriorated and they see no short-term improvement in sight,” said Jennifer McNealy, Director–CV Market Research & Publications at ACT Research. “Regarding demand, most trailer makers continue to see demand exceeding capacity through the end of 2023; although, some have mentioned an erosion in confidence, but are also quick to note that this hasn’t appeared in the form of cancellations.”

She added, “At 57,300 net orders, December 2022 was the second-highest month since we started keeping track in 1996. From this standpoint, 2022 went out like a lion.”

McNealy concluded, “The year closed with 361,500 net orders placed, exceeding the previous year’s 249,400 level. Approximately 306,000 trailers were built in 2022, and our projections point to a continuation of that upward trend into 2023.”