According to preliminary data from ACT Research, October U.S. net trailer orders of 16,700 units were down approximately 40% from September and off 70% from last year’s peak order month. Final October volume will be available later this month. This preliminary market estimate should be within 5% of the final order tally.

“It’s obvious that market uncertainties are preventing OEMs from commencing the industry’s normal order season. Challenges of supply chain bottlenecks, labor shortages and material and component prices are forcing OEMs to proceed very cautiously,” Frank Maly, director of commercial vehicle transportation analysis and research at ACT Research, said. “Initial reports indicate that October build rates were similar to September. So, OEMs, while able to maintain production levels and manage backlog horizons, continue to be unable to ramp efforts to meet the extremely strong and growing fleet demand for additional trailers.”