FTR reports October U.S. Trailer net orders at 46,267, an all-time record high, shattering the old mark by 9%. Trailer orders have now totaled 327,000 the past 12 months. Orders were much higher than expectations as more large fleets, including lease fleets, placed sizable requirement orders for 2015. Expected tight production capacity at trailer OEM’s in 2015 encouraged this early order activity.
Don Ake, FTR Vice President of Commercial Vehicles, comments, “While OEMs did go out and solicit orders for delivery through the middle of 2015, impacting October activity, it is still very encouraging to see these large numbers, because it indicates fleets are positive about business conditions next year. Dry Van, Refrigerated Van, and Flatbed orders were tremendously high. Much of the October order total is pull-forward activity, to get orders into the backlog for delivery in 2015. OEMs can now better plan production, and fleets have their build slots reserved well in advance.”