Preliminary information for December 2020 indicates that the U.S. trucking industry booked 42,500 trailer orders for the month, an increase of 140% over December 2019 levels, according to ACT Research.
Last month's number also represents a 7% increase from November 2020 order levels.
"For the full year, estimated net order volume of more than 288,000 trailers was 40% better than 2019," say ACT officials.
“December activity closes a tumultuous year on a very solid up note," says Frank Maly, director of CV transportation analysis and research for ACT.
"After rushing to the sidelines in the spring, fleets surged back into the market as the year proceeded, reacting to capacity challenges as well as higher freight rates.
"Those factors drove a dramatic shift in the short-to-medium term outlook for fleets, driving them to make aggressive investment commitments in the latter part of the year.
“Total industry backlog likely ended the year at more than 200,000 trailers, the best order board level since April 2019," he adds. "At current production levels, many OEMs would well be fully-committed for 2021 production slots. However, OEMs will work to increase production levels as we move through the year, pulling that backlog horizon forward.”
