Preliminary net trailer orders dropped about 3,100 units from December 2024 to January 2025, but at 21,300 units, were higher compared to January 2024, up more than 51% y/y, according to the latest data from ACT Research. Seasonal adjustment (SA) at this point in the annual order cycle lowers January’s tally to 19,300 units, but that’s about 10% above December’s seasonally adjusted intake. Final January results will be available later this month. This preliminary market estimate is typically within ±5% of the final order tally.
US Trailer Net Orders Prelim 2-18-25“Though past the traditional peak, we’re still in a period of ‘strong order’ intake. This month’s pattern of lower than December but still above average demand was expected. It’s also no surprise that the data are higher than the January 2024 intake, given the slowing demand that marked 2023 and led into the subdued market reported throughout most of 2024,” said Jennifer McNealy, Director CV Market Research & Publications at ACT Research.
She cautioned, “Notwithstanding the improvement thus far in the 2025 order cycle, ACT’s expectations for weak trailer demand relative to recent performance remain, as continuing weak for-hire truck market fundamentals, low used equipment valuations, relatively full dealer inventories, and high interest rates impede stronger activity in the near term. An order uptick showcasing demand, or the lack thereof, depends not just on the first few months of the new order cycle, but on order volumes through Q1’25 and beyond.”
ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report provides a monthly review of the current US 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. It is accompanied by a database that gives historical information from 1996 to the present, as well as a ready-to-use graph packet, to allow organizations in the trailer production supply chain, and those following the investment value of trailers, trailer OEMs, and suppliers to better understand the market.