February commercial trailer net orders increased 168% vs. February 2009 levels, according to ACT Research, which tracks trucking industry trends.
"Dry van orders were very strong, posting triple digit increases on both a month-over-month and year-over-year basis," say ACT officials.
"Over the past several weeks, numberous indicators and comments from trucking companies have pointed to a rapid tightening of truck capacity," says Kenny Veith, partner and analyst at ACT.
"With tighter capacity comes increasing freight rates and profitability for fleets, which is a precursor for both new tractor and trailer demand. The strong dry van orders -- especially one large order from a major private carrier -- indicate increasing optimism within the truckload industry."
