Trailer net orders rose 52% month over month in August, but contracted a disappointing 37% year over year, according to the most recent State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers published by ACT Research Co. (ACT).

“Much of August’s improvement came from large fleet volume, and the gains were not evenly spread across the competitive landscape,” said Frank Maly, Director–CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT. Maly explained, “While negotiations continue regarding fleets’ 2017 equipment needs, there appears to be less enthusiasm in the discussions than reported earlier this summer. Overcapacity, lackluster y/y fleet financials for Q2, and minimal expectations for improvement in freight rates are generating investment plan headwinds. After several years of solid and ever-earlier order placement, expect this order cycle to be less robust and straggling.”

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.