Bloomington, IN - FTR reports preliminary trailer orders for May at 11,700 units, the lowest total since July 2016. Orders for 2019 production have basically come to a halt, as most build slots for the year are already filled. Trailer builds were hefty for the third straight month and should remain elevated in the short-term; however, production numbers in the second half will likely moderate due to expected slower economic and freight growth. The flatbed segment is already showing signs of weakening due to easing in manufacturing and industrial activity. Trailers orders for the past 12 months now total 356,000 units.
Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles, commented, “Orders ought to rise in June as OEMs begin taking orders for 2020. June orders will be a good indication of how the larger fleets view the freight market for next year. Carriers may be cautious as long as the tariff situation is disrupting freight flows and creating significant business uncertainty.”
For more than two decades, FTR has been the thought leader in freight transportation forecasting in North America. The company’s national award-winning forecasters collect and analyze all data likely to impact freight movement, issuing consistently reliable reports for trucking, rail, and intermodal transportation, as well as providing demand analysis for commercial vehicle and railcar. FTR’s forecasting and specially designed reports have resulted in advanced planning and cost-savings for companies throughout the transportation sector.
