The industry closed the first month of the year with orders up 92% year-over-year, however volume was still off 6% sequentially, as total net orders approached 33,000 units. Seasonal adjustment made January the best order month in the past fixteen.  “While 2017 order season timing has lagged, recent order activity indicates a substantive, positive change in fleet confidence,” said Frank Maly, Director–CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT. He continued, “Later trailer order commitments may portend somewhat later delivery dates, more in line with reports of a “back loading” of available 2017 C8 build slots.”

Dry van net orders were reported at 25,500 units, with seasonal adjustment making January the best month since September 2015. “Using seasonal adjustment, dry van orders the past three months have been booked at a 237,000-unit annualized rate, more than double the 114,000-unit rate experienced the preceding three months,” said Maly. “Moving in the opposite direction, reefer van orders moderated following robust order activity through Q4,” he concluded.