Trailer net orders in April, at 18,000 units, slid 22% versus March, according to the most recent State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers published by ACT Research Co. (ACT).

“The fact that net orders are down y/y for the third consecutive month will likely cause much conversation, and perhaps even concern for some,” said Frank Maly, Director–CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT. “While there is no escaping that fact, one must consider the context of the recent over under-performance.”

Maly noted that the tremendous surge in orders experienced from September to January was front-loaded as large fleets, and their investment commitments pulled the seasonal cycle forward in a race to get orders placed to ensure timely deliveries. “Our view that 2015 will be the best trailer market since the late 1990s remains unchanged,” he added.

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.