Second quarter trailer demand shows slight improvement

Aug 7, 2002 12:00 PM

Overall, the trailer manufacturing industry posted gains in shipments of new units in the 2002 second quarter, according to Economic Planning Associates Inc. However, total trailer production for second quarter 2002 was off 17.9 percent from the same period in 2001.

Despite the continued softness in demand for new trailers, Peter Toja of Economic Planning Associates sounded an optimistic note. “We see indications that we are approaching the end of the downward phase in the current trailer cycle,” he said. “With consumer spending advancing, housing starts at high levels, construction activities moving up, manufacturing advancing, production of capital equipment reviving, imports on the rise, and exports poised to rebound, both trailer loadings and intermodal traffic will move into higher territories during the remainder of this year and throughout 2003.”

Tank trailer production showed no change from the 2002 first quarter, and dry bulker production fell by 6.3 percent in the second quarter. Tank production was down 13 percent from the 2001 second quarter.