INDUSTRY BUZZ

Annual Trailer Production Up While Tractor Production Falls

Commercial heavy duty trailer production continued to rise in 2015 for the sixth straight year, according to data from Trailer Body Builders magazine. According to its annual production report of North America’s Top 25 trailer manufacturers, total unit production increased by 16.1% to 339,948 last year.

Meanwhile annual Class 8 tractor production for 2015 dipped for the first time in six years falling from 339,948 units in 2014 to 284,321 in 2015.Experts believe the softening in the tractor market is the culmination of a softening economy and excessive production in 2014 that could be attributed to pent up demand.

Iron Ore Spot Prices Rise May Affect Rotors, Drums

After a long sluggish decline in the price of iron, the spot price per ton seems to be rebounding, according to recent data, and that rebound could affect the price of rotors and drums to the end user.

Iron had slipped from $179.33 USD per ton in April 2011, to $41 per ton in December 2015. Since the end of 2015 it has climbed 26.8% to $56.00 USD.

Industry experts are mixed on their predictions for the impact of the price increase. Some claim end users may see a price increase in commodity goods (rotors, drums and hubs) within the next 120 to 180 days. Others believe the price increase is cyclical and such an increase occurs each spring followed by a downturn.

Experts Predict Three of Four New Builds To Use Air Disc Brakes

Installation of air disc brakes on new production of North American commercial trailers and Class 8 tractors is exceeding predictions of industry experts.

The technology had a low of 2% market penetration for trailers and 5% for tractors in 2009. Since then it has grown to more than 15% and 20% respectively in 2016, and is expected to surge to 78% for trailers in 2024 (74% for tractors).

Air disc was slow to catch on in North America and its installation has lagged Europe’s adoption of the standard, which started in the early 1990s. It gained impetus in 2012 when North American stop distances were reduced by 30%, and subsequent fuel economy legislation forced manufacturers to seek new technologies that reduce weight.

A-Line® has developed a full line of air disc pads, rotors, chambers and calipers to support transit and transport vehicles originally equipped with Bendix, Meritor, WABCO, or Haldex platforms.