April commercial trailer net orders moderated from relatively stronger levels in the past few months, dropping 13 percent from March, according to ACT Research Co. (ACT), the premier source of analysis in the market for commercial trucks and trailers. The April net orders were 3 percent above the prior year level and year-to-date growth in net orders through April is 72 percent.

In the latest release of State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers, ACT noted that overall net orders continue to supersede build rates, which have boosted the order backlog to the highest level in 20 months. Net orders of dry vans and reefer vans, the largest volume categories, each softened slightly in April compared to March, while flatbeds and other specialty segments continued to gain strength.

"While April was a little weaker than February and March, the trailer industry is in the early stages of a rebound from a very weak 2009," said Kenny Vieth, senior analyst and partner, ACT Research. "A potential indicator of continued improvement is the very low level of order cancellations over the past three months," added Vieth.

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