Net order intake in July was 8.8k units, 43% lower than June’s high-side surprise, but more than 19% higher than the subdued level of orders accepted last July, according to this month’s issue of ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report.
“This puts the year-to-date order tally at 100.7k units, 23% higher than the 81.8k bookings for the first seven months of 2024,” said Jennifer McNealy, Director–CV Market Research & Publications at ACT Research. “At this point, weaker intake continues to be expected through at least mid-Q3 when more of the industry's 2026 order books open.”
“As the industry remains in the weaker months of the annual order cycle, build again outpaced orders in July. Trailer production was about double order placements. As a result, backlogs contracted 11% sequentially and remain sharply lower against 2024’s already soft backdrop,” McNealy concluded.
State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers Report Overview
ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report provides a monthly review of the current US trailer market statistics, as well as trailer OEM build plans and market indicators divided by all major trailer types, including backlogs, build, inventory, new orders, cancellations, net orders, and factory shipments. It is accompanied by a database that gives historical information from 1996 to the present, as well as a ready-to-use graph packet, to allow organizations in the trailer production supply chain, and those following the investment value of trailers, trailer OEMs, and suppliers to better understand the market.
ACT Research Overview
ACT Research is recognized as the leading publisher of commercial vehicle truck, trailer, and bus industry data, market analysis, and forecasts for the North America and China markets. ACT’s analytical services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as banking and investment companies. ACT Research is a contributor to the Blue Chip Economic Indicators and a member of the Wall Street Journal Economic Forecast Panel. ACT Research executives have received peer recognition, including election to the Board of Directors of the National Association for Business Economics, appointment as Consulting Economist to the National Private Truck Council, and the Lawrence R. Klein Award for Blue Chip Economic Indicators’ Most Accurate Economic Forecast over a four-year period. ACT Research senior staff members have earned accolades including Chicago Federal Reserve Automotive Outlook Symposium Best Overall Forecast, Wall Street Journal Top Economic Outlook, and USA Today Top 10 Economic Forecasters. More information can be found at www.actresearch.net.
Additional Resources
Preliminary net trailer orders dropped more than 6,600 units from June to July, a 43% month-to-month decrease. At 8,700 units booked in July, order intake was 18% above last July’s level. Seasonal adjustment (SA) at this point in the annual order cycle is favorable, raising July’s tally to 13,200 units. Final July results will be available later this month. This preliminary market estimate is typically within ±5% of the final order tally.
“Sequentially, lower July net order intake was expected, as it is one of the weaker order months of the annual cycle, especially given that June’s data surprised to the upside,” said Jennifer McNealy, Director CV Market Research & Publications at ACT Research. She added, “While orders, regardless of comparisons, support build rates in 2025, concern remains that moderating economic activity, ongoing weak for-hire carrier profitability, and ambiguous policy shifts remain as challenges to stronger demand. ACT’s expectations for subdued build and order intake levels during 2025 remain intact.”
She concluded, “Additionally, preliminary data show cancel rates remain elevated, albeit at a much tamer level in July, at around 1.8% of the backlog, compared to the 4.2% of backlog reported in June.”
- Orders: 8.8k, -43% m/m, +19% y/y
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