COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Commercial trailer net orders were up 165% year-over-year in March, with dry van orders up a whopping 233% year-to-date, according to the latest data from ACT Research.
That marks the sixth consecutive month of year-over-year growth for the commercial trailer industry, with four of them in excess of 100%.
In its latest State of the Industry: US Trailers report, ACT revealed that all nine trailer segments experienced year-over-year growth in March. Reefer orders showed year-to-date growth of 63% and total trailer backlogs are now at their highest levels in 18 months, the report says.
"The trailer manufacturing industry seems to be recovering from the deep slump it has been in for the past two years," said Steve Tam, vice-president, commercial vehicle sector with ACT Research. "The stretch of stronger months has come during the normal peak season for trailer orders, so the industry is being cautious about ramping up production too rapidly to ensure growth is sustainable."