Class 8 Orders Climb for Fourth Consecutive Month, Top 22,000
Orders for Class 8 trucks soared over a weak year-ago period to increase 63% and reach more than 22,000 in September, analysts said. Order volumes have increased consecutively in each of the last four months.
Orders hit 22,600, according to ACT Research Co., compared with 13,880 in the 2016 period, citing preliminary data the company would revise when final details are available from truck makers.
ACT characterized the August total as “a meaningful jump” when seasonally adjusted.
“With a generous factor bestowed on what is typically the second weakest order month of the year, seasonal adjustment boosts September’s order performance to its highest level in over two years at 26,200 units,” ACT President Kenny Vieth said in a statement.
The research company FTR pegged preliminary orders at 22,100.
Orders from Canada were particularly robust as fleets are benefiting from a strong economy, according to FTR. North American Class 8 orders for the past 12 months have totaled 239,000 units.
“This is a healthy, growing truck market, which is in excellent position for greater expansion in 2018. Class 8 order rates are expected to jump in Q4,” Don Ake, vice president of commercial vehicles at FTR, said in a statement.
