COLUMBUS, Ind. — Continuing strong demand for trailers, with June net orders coming in at nearly 27,900 units, defies normal expectations, according to ACT Research.

June’s order intake was up 73% compared to May.

“Although not the strongest June on record (that was the 32,000 volume of June 1994), the June 2015 order surge is exceptionally early, with strength coming from dry vans and reefers,” said Frank Maly, director, CV transportation analysis and research at ACT.

“The lack of cancellations, along with early 2016 commitments, indicates strong fleet confidence in the short to medium term outlook.”

Maly noted that ACT Research’s outlook continues to be positive, although vocational trailers continue to endure energy sector headwinds.

“While there has been some softening in freight rates, lower fuel costs have helped offset those shifts and fleets’ bottom lines continue to be firm,” Maly said. “Our view that 2015 will be the best trailer market since the late 1990s remains unchanged.”