According to ACT Research, net U.S. trailer orders reached 26,414 units in February, marking a 16% decrease from January but an almost 88% increase compared with February 2020. Before accounting for cancellations, new orders of 28,300 units were down 14% vs. January but 74% better than the previous February.

“Although it seems many OEMs are fully committed for dry vans and reefers this year, negotiations with fleets continue,” Frank Maly, director of CV transportation analysis and research at ACT Research, said. “While orders will continue to be booked, without meaningful increases in production rates, backlogs will remain extended. Although not official, the backlog-to-build ratio points to a de facto opening of 2022 orderboards by several OEMs, although one has publicly indicated that they are pausing further order acceptance in the short-term.”