1433 ET - Net U.S. trailer orders dropped 50% last month from March to 10,669 units as tariff volatility and economic uncertainty weighed on the truck freight market, FTR says. The drop widely surpassed typical seasonal patterns, the research firm says, though year-to-date trailer orders are 27% higher than the same period last year. "OEMs and suppliers can expect higher production costs, reduced margins, and potentially softer demand, prompting some potential shifts toward local sourcing or domestic manufacturing," FTR senior analyst Dan Moyer says in a report. He added that rising costs might encourage some limited industry consolidation. (mark.long@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 19, 2025 14:34 ET (18:34 GMT)

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