Related: Trailer Aerodynamics Not Overly Popular, Study Shows
Trailer Orders Are Up but Still Below Last Year’s Levels
Preliminary numbers for U.S. net trailer orders are projected to be up in August after weak order numbers in July, according to ACT Research.

Preliminary numbers for U.S. net trailer orders are projected to be up in August after weak order numbers in July, according to ACT Research.
ACT is projecting trailer orders of 15,300 units, up from a dismal 10,147 orders in July. July was the weakest order month since January 2010 and was down nearly 25% from June.
“Volume rebounded in August after a dramatically weak July,” said Frank Maly, ACT’s director of commercial vehicle transportation analysis and research. “While the 50% month-to-month gain for the industry was certainly welcome news, that progress is somewhat tempered by the year-over-year performance; net orders are down almost 38% versus August 2015.”
While August is typically a modest month for orders, the weak numbers so far compared with last year could indicate that fleets are cautious about committing to new trailer orders into next year.
“Year-over-year performance implies caution by fleets regarding their investment commitments, and likely sets the industry up for a restrained 2016/17 order season,” said Maly. “Initial reports also indicated higher cancellation activity in August, a further indication of shifting fleet intentions.”
Analysts at Stifel Transportation and Logistics expect September orders to increase over August but said they will still fall short of last year’s numbers. Manufacturers will more fully open their order books for 2017 in September to fleets.
More Equipment

Cummins, Paccar Ease DEF Derates After EPA Guidance
Updated diesel engine software gives truck operators more time to address emissions-system issues while staying compliant with EPA emissions standards.
Read More →
America at 250: How the Truck Helped Connect a Continent
America was founded on revolutionary ideas, but it was built by movement. For 250 years, the nation has depended on ever-better ways to move people, products, and prosperity across a vast continent. No machine has carried that mission further — or more faithfully — than the truck.
Read More →
Mack Unveils America 250 Tribute Truck to Celebrate Nation's Semiquincentennial
Just in time for the Fourth of July! Mack unveils a brand-new patriotic, limited-edition, red, white, and blue truck wrap.
Read More →
Enhance Fleet Performance with High-Efficiency Auxiliary Power Units
Drive sustainable cost savings while increasing driver comfort during short- and long-haul logistics operations.
Read More →
Rush Expands Gulf Coast Peterbilt Network With Louisiana Acquisition
The expanded Rush network gives fleets additional sales, service, leasing and collision repair support across Louisiana's major trucking markets.
Read More →
Photos: Shell SuperRigs Light Up Bristol Tennessee
Kenny Ziglar II of Rawlins, Wyo., captured Best of Show honors for the second consecutive year with his 2007 Peterbilt 379, nicknamed “Scrapin By,” at the 44th Annual Shell Rotella SuperRigs competition held June 25-27 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn.
Read More →
Waabi, Volvo Claim Breakthrough in Scaling Autonomous Trucking
Waabi says its AI-powered virtual driver successfully transferred to Volvo Autonomous Solutions' Volvo VNL Autonomous platform without retraining or additional data, a milestone the companies say could dramatically accelerate commercialization of autonomous trucks.
Read More →
Why the Mack Pioneer Signals a New Era in Class 8 Truck Design
After a public-road drive through eastern Pennsylvania, one thing became clear: Mack's new Pioneer isn't simply packed with technology -- it's been engineered around the driver in ways that could redefine long-haul trucking.
Read More →
Mack Defense Secures $47 Million to Continue Military Dump Truck Production
President Trump visited Mack Defense’s Macungie, Pennsylvania, facility on June 23 to tout a $47 million Heavy Dump Truck order.
Read More →
New (Antique) Trucks Take the Spotlight at the Mack Trucks Museum
The Mack Trucks Historical Museum has a slate of new historic vehicles on display this year.
Read More →

