FTR Reports Net Trailer Orders Surged in October to 44,000 Units
Bloomington, IN – (Trailer Technician) – FTR reports that U.S. trailer net orders surged in October to 44,000, rising 91% from the previous month. Orders were 161% higher than in October 2021. Backlog levels jumped 13% on the increased orders after a downward trend for most of the year. October build rates were down 9% from September but were up 3% from October 2021.
Build is generally stable and in a narrow range – running from 23,000 to 27,000 for eight of the last nine months. Upward momentum for production output remains elusive.
Jonathan Starks, FTR’s chief executive officer and chief intelligence officer, commented, “Trailer manufacturers seem to have found themselves in a goldilocks environment for the moment. Demand for new equipment remains robust despite the worries of a weak economy, and suppliers and labor have been able to maintain a solid level of output since early this year. We expect these conditions to remain in place through mid-2023 before economic uncertainties force weaker freight levels and demand for new equipment eases.”
About FTR
For more than 30 years, FTR has served as the industry leader in freight transportation forecasting for the shipping, trucking, rail, intermodal, equipment, and financial communities in North America. FTR’s experts, with over 250 years of combined experience in the transportation industry, provide quantitative analysis with historical and modal-specific insights. FTR’s reports, data, commentary, and insights help clients evaluate market risks, identify new opportunities, and make informed decisions.
FTR is the only company with a complete set of freight data for all modes of transportation with detail at the 3 Digit STCC commodity level. FTR tracks and forecasts 200+ unique commodity groups both quarterly and annually using their proprietary Freight•cast U.S. freight transportation model. FTR’s Transportation Conference held annually in September in Indianapolis is a unique event bringing together every aspect of the freight transportation world in one place. For more information www.FTRconference.com