ACT Research
Act Total Trailer Orders August 2023 6527eb9cf373d

Fleet commitments 'mixed' as trailer orders hit seasonal lull

Oct. 12, 2023
'With orders still in seasonal retreat, coupled with the recent near-record order backlogs, this month’s intake met expectations on a consolidated level,' ACT's McNealy says.

Seasonally adjusted heavy-duty trailer orders contracted about 6% sequentially, to 14,700 units, according to this month’s issue of ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report.

Production outpaced orders again in August, dropping trailer backlogs 14% compared to July and 23% versus August 2022, to nearly 136,000 units (156k seasonally adjusted), leaving them at “diminished but still strong levels,” Jennifer McNealy, director–CV market research and publications at ACT Research, stated.

See also: Moderate expectations for Class 8 trucks and trailers

While “clouds on the trailer-market horizon” still bear watching, the market researcher noted that this is the “weakest time of the year” for forward-looking metrics.

“With orders still in seasonal retreat, coupled with the recent near-record order backlogs, this month’s intake met expectations on a consolidated level,” McNealy said.

Total cancels increased to 3.2% of the backlog, from July’s 1.7% level, returning to the May and June levels, ACT Research reported.

“Fleet commitments were somewhat mixed but overall weaker in August than in the previous month,” McNealy said. “OEMs are still reporting that most cancellations are coming from dealers; although, we have been told about model-year cancellation-rebooks as 2024 order boards begin to open and slots get pushed from the old to the new model year.”

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. 

About the Author

FleetOwner Staff

Our Editorial Team

Kevin Jones, Editorial Director, Commercial Vehicle Group

Josh Fisher, Editor-in-Chief

Jade Brasher, Senior Editor

Jeremy Wolfe, Editor

Jenna Hume, Digital Editor

Eric Van Egeren, Art Director

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Boost truck leasing profits with telematics insights! Reduce maintenance costs, improve uptime, and strengthen customer relationships. Learn how data drives success.
This free guide outlines simple steps for hiring and onboarding commercial drivers while ensuring that you meet Regulation Part 391 and maintain fully compliant driver qualification...
Ready to boost fleet efficiency by up to 50%? Learn how AI-powered dispatch and next-gen tech are transforming TMS workflows, improving driver planning, and streamlining operations...
Gain a strategic edge in today’s evolving fleet landscape. Join us to explore how fuel cards are helping fleet managers cut costs, enhance control, and prepare for an electrified...