ACT Reaserch’s preliminary estimate for August 2018 net trailer orders is 38,200 units. Final August volume will be available later this month.

“Fleets continued to invest at a torrid pace in August, following a robust July. Industry net orders of 38,200 trailers were up more than 30% from July and over 140% better than this time last year. The summer has shown amazing strength, reflecting commercial fleets’ positive outlook in response to solid freight rates, volumes, and capacity challenges. After seeing the strongest July volume in industry history, August followed suit, surpassing the previous record of August 1994 by more than 11,000 orders,” said Frank Maly, ACT’s director of CV Transportation Analysis and Research.

Seasonally adjusted, August’s net orders were nearly 50,000, which converts to a 595k SAAR. Continuing the recent pattern, dry vans and reefers provided the majority of support for the total industry results; both categories were up more than 40% versus July. Dry vans were up almost 90% versus last August, while reefers were up over 240% versus last year.

Maly added, “Year-to-date net orders of more than 238,000 trailers are greater than 40% versus last year. Eight of the ten trailer categories are in the black year-over-year, with seven of those posting double-digit or better gains. Year-to-date performance is led by reefers, with net orders up 110% versus last year.”

ACT is the recognized leading publisher of new and used commercial vehicle industry data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American market. Its methodology generates a preliminary monthly estimate of the market that should be within +/- 3% of the final order tally.