Dan Moyer - Meet the Team

Dan Moyer, senior analyst, commercial vehicles, commented,  "The U.S. trailer market is now under mounting pressure as tariff exposure broadens. Higher tariff rates for most major U.S. trading partners kicked in on August 7. Potentially more directly significant for the trailer sector is an expansion of the 50% steel and aluminum tariffs as of August 18 that apparently affects not only imported key components but also the steel and aluminum content of fully assembled imported trailers.

“The escalating tariff impact could affect the trailer market in both supply and demand. OEMs and suppliers must either absorb margin losses or raise prices, possibly accelerating industry consolidation and favoring larger, vertically integrated players. Meanwhile, many fleets are extending replacement cycles – leaning more heavily on used trailers – and deferring expansion, thus dampening demand for new build.

“The market is shifting toward heightened price sensitivity and cautious capital spending with some supply chains likely considering domestic reorientation – but at structurally higher cost levels. Policy uncertainty is compounding volatility, making long-term planning increasingly difficult.”

Dan Moyer
Senior Analyst, Commercial Vehicles