Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

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.

by Staff
September 13, 2016
Trailer Orders Are Up but Still Below Last Year’s Levels

 

1 min to read


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.

Ad Loading...

“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.”

Ad Loading...

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

Illustration showing Paccar MX engine with sketch illustration of DEF fill tank in background
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJuly 7, 2026

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 →
250 years of American transportation illustration with the Founding Fathers, steamships, and trucks through the years.
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJuly 2, 2026

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 America 250 Pioneer.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJuly 2, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
thermo king heavy duty trucking
SponsoredJuly 1, 2026

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 →
Photo of truck dealership with pond in foreground
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 30, 2026

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 →
Shell Rotella SuperRigs 2026
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 29, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
Waabi-Volvo autonomous VNL truck.
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 26, 2026

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 →
2026 Mack Pioneer
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 25, 2026

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 →
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie on Mack Defense order.
EquipmentJune 23, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
Mack Truck Museum, Allentown, PA.
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 23, 2026

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 →