November Trailer Orders Hit Year High

Trailer net orders rebounded in November, as large fleets place orders and original equipment manufacturers began to further solidify their 2022 production plans.

Net orders of 31,000 to 32,000 trailers were posted during November, a 78% to 89% increase from October, ACT Research and FTR reported, respectively.

“More OEMs began to accept orders in November, an indication that they are growing more comfortable with the likely path of market factors such as component availability and pricing, as well as staffing,” said Frank Maly, director of commercial vehicle transportation analysis and research of ACT Research, in a press release. “Their plans for the upcoming year are beginning to firm, and this order volume will push the industry’s order board horizon, on average, solidly into the third quarter of next year.”

Trailer orders for the past twelve months now total 267,000 units.

“There is still much uncertainty as we enter 2022,” Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles, commented. “Some OEMs are still reluctant to enter orders too far in advance under these conditions. Quoting prices for future sales remains a challenge and some OEMs are employing surcharges and other tactics to manage new orders and total backlog. Therefore, the November orders indicate that progress is being made. When there is enough certainty and confidence about 2022, orders should rise accordingly.”