Trailer orders returned to normal levels in January

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Trailer orders returned to normal volumes in January, with 27,300 units ordered – on pace with January 2014.

FTR reports business for trailer manufacturers remains strong with orders exceeding 360,000 units for the past 12 months. However, cancellations increased as fleets re-evaluated their requirements at the beginning of the year.

Dry vans, reefers and flatbeds all saw decreased demand in January, compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. Build rates remained steady for dry vans in January, FTR reports. Tanker orders fell off markedly with high cancellation rates as well.

“The trailer market remains very vibrant,” said Don Ake, FTR vice-president of commercial vehicles. “The van OEMs are finishing up filling Q3 production. Many Q3 orders remain speculative, but fleets are optimistic about 2015. Cancellations were up, but that often happens at the beginning of the year when fleets take a closer look at their requirements. With backlogs very high, order patterns should start to follow a more traditional pattern.”

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