According to ACT Research, October net U.S. trailer orders of 54,691 units posted another sequential improvement, rising nearly 7% from September’s rise and 80% compared with October 2019’s level. Before accounting for cancellations, new orders of 57,000 units were up 9% versus September and 52% better on a year-over-year basis.

“September net orders were the third best in industry history, a short-term rank quickly displaced by October’s volume of almost 54,700 net orders,” Frank Maly, director of CV transportation analysis and research at ACT Research, said. “The majority of the total uptick was driven by the highest dry van net order month in industry history, and the majority of the surge in dry van orders was driven by large fleets.

“Demand appears to cross a wide spectrum of customers, including for-hire and private fleets, likely buttressed by the growth in e-commerce and some dealer stocking commitments for next year. This is leading to timely production slots rapidly being filled, which generates a demand ‘feedback’ loop, as other fleets, seeing availability lengthen, are also jumping into the market.”