Commercial trailer orders were up 16 percent in July from the same month of 2008, the first recorded year-over-year gain in 2009
, according to the latest State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report issued by ACT Research. Net orders for trailers were also up month-over-month, gaining 4 percent in July.

The research company attributes the year-over-year increase to the very weak comparisons from the second half of 2008. Year to date through July, trailer orders are still 39 percent below 2008 levels.

"Demand for commercial trailers continues to be soft, as there remains excess capacity and weak profits in the freight transportation industry," said Kenny Vieth, partner and senior analyst with ACT Research. "The current order levels are less than half of the normalized industry replacement rate, but with seven of nine trailer types tracked posting increases in new orders from June to July, it appears demand is beginning to move in the right direction, if incrementally."

ACT publishes commercial vehicle industry data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American market.

More info: www.actresearch.net