October saw a record demand for the trailer industry, with 47,810 net orders placed, according to the most recent State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers published by ACT Research Co. (ACT).

“October net orders were up more than 90% year over year,” said Frank Maly, Director – CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT. “While high order volumes normally require large fleet support, October saw significant strength from small and medium fleets as well as the dealer channel,” he added. Maly said that, year-to-date, net orders are up 57%.

“The list of positives for the trailer industry include insignificant cancellations, the longest BL/BU ratio of the recovery, and better margins for both fleets and trailer OEMs,” Maly said. “Conditions for the industry remain a strong and solid ‘green.’”

ACT is the worldwide leading publisher of new and used commercial vehicle (CV) industry data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American market, as well as the U.S. tractor-trailer market and the China CV market. ACT’s CV services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as the banking and investment community in North America, Europe and China.