According to preliminary data from ACT Research, there were 15,300 U.S. net trailer orders in August.

Franky Maly, ACT’s director of CV transportation analysis and research, said that the estimate marks a 50% month-over-month gain, but a 38% decline from the pace set in the same month a year ago.

“Volume rebounded in August after a dramatically weak July. While the 50% [month-over-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,” Maly said. “While normal seasonal patterns indicate August as a fairly modest order month, that [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. Initial reports also indicated higher cancellation activity in August, a further indication of shifting fleet intentions.”

ACT will report the final August volumes later this month.