COLUMBUS, Ind. — Preliminary net trailer orders dropped more than 2,300 units from April to May, a contraction of about 26%.
“Lower May net order intake was expected, as it is one of the weakest order months of the annual cycle,” said Jennifer McNealy, director CV market research and publications at ACT Research. “More concerning, though, is this level of order acceptance does nothing to support backlog growth, particularly with the elevated cancellation rates reported in the past several months.”
Orders Higher Compared to 2024
At 6,600 units, order intake was nearly 12% higher compared to May 2024. Seasonal adjustment (SA) at this point in the annual order cycle raises May’s tally to 9,200 units. Final May results will be available later this month. This preliminary market estimate is typically within ±5% of the final order tally.
“With weak for-hire truck market fundamentals, low used equipment valuations, relatively full inventories, high interest rates, and the ambiguity of policy shifts still in play, ACT’s expectations for subdued build and order intake levels during 2025 remain intact,” McNealy said.
ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report provides a monthly review of the current US trailer market statistics, as well as trailer OEM build plans and market indicators divided by all major trailer types, including backlogs, build, inventory, new orders, cancellations, net orders, and factory shipments. It is accompanied by a database that gives historical information from 1996 to the present, as well as a ready-to-use graph packet, to allow organizations in the trailer production supply chain, and those following the investment value of trailers, trailer OEMs, and suppliers to better understand the market.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
