Class 8 Heavy-Duty Vehicles

FTR reported that preliminary June North American Class 8 orders—at 26,700 units—were up 13% compared to May. And it added that orders increased 71% annually, with total Class 8 orders coming in at 431,000 units for the 12-month period through June. ACT Research reported that June preliminary North American Class 8 net orders came in at 25,700 units, for an 11% increase over May and a 61% annual gain.

FTR reported that preliminary April North American Class 8 orders—at 34,600 units—were down 15% compared to March (snapping a six-month streak of monthly orders topping the 40,000 mark), while remaining above typical seasonal trends. April preliminary North American Class 8 net orders came in at 33,500 units, its lowest level since September 2020, ACT noted.

FTR reported that preliminary March North American Class 8 orders came in at 40,800 units, and ACT Research reported that March orders came in at 40,000 units.

It’s starting to affect the trucking industry’s Class 8 sales, which were off to a torrid start in 2021. Even with the driver shortage affecting overall capacity, trucking companies are seeking to modernize their fleets to take advantage of fuel savings, reduced maintenance and newer amenities.

FTR reported that preliminary February North American Class 8 orders—at 44,000 units—was up 3% compared to January and up 209% annually, and ACT Research reported that February preliminary North American Class 8 net orders came in at 43,800 units, for a 4% increase compared to January’s 42,200 units and a 212% annual gain.

FTR reported that preliminary January North American Class 8 orders—at 42,800 units—was down 18% compared to December’s 52,100 and up 144% annually, and ACT Research reported that January preliminary North American Class 8 net orders came in at 42,200 units, representing a 17% decline compared to December’s 50,900 units and a 146% annual increase.

FTR reported that September preliminary North American Class 8 orders—at 32,000 units— topped August by 66% and rose 160% annually, on the way to the highest monthly tally going back to October 2018. And it also added that Class 8 orders, for the last 12 months, are at 197,000 units. ACT Research reported that preliminary September North American Class 8 net orders—at 31,000 units—rose 60% compared to August and 145% compared to September 2019.

FTR reported that August preliminary North American Class 8 orders—at 20,500 units—came in 3% higher than July and were up 90% annually, with total units, for the last 12 months, at 177,000. ACT Research reported that August preliminary North American Class 8 orders—at 19,500 units—were off 4% compared to July and up 75% annually, in what it called an “easy” comparison.

FTR reported that preliminary North American Class 8 orders—at 20,000 units—was up 28% compared to June’s 14,400, and doubled its output compared to July 2019. And over the last 12 months, FTR said Class 8 orders came in at 168,000 units. And ACT Research reported that preliminary July North American Class 8 net orders—at 20,300 units—were up 27% compared to June and up 98% annually, against what it called “a very easy year-ago comparison.”

Coming off of a month that saw Class 8 truck orders at its lowest level in years, preliminary North American Class 8 truck orders in May saw improvement compared to April but still remain at a low level, according to data issued respectively this week by freight transportation consultancy FTR and ACT Research, a provider of data and analysis for trucks and other commercial vehicles.

Logistics Management Group News Editor Jeff Berman recently spoke with Doug Waggoner, CEO of Chicago-based 3PL Echo Global Logistics, about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the freight transportation and logistics sectors, and other topics, including trucking supply and demand, and Peak Season prospects, among others.

Preliminary North American Class 8 orders saw a slight dip in January, according to recent data issued respectively freight transportation consultancy FTR and ACT Research, a provider of data and analysis for trucks and other commercial vehicles.

Preliminary North American Class 8 orders were stable in December, according to data issued respectively this week by freight transportation consultancy FTR and ACT Research, a provider of data and analysis for trucks and other commercial vehicles.

FTR reported that preliminary North American Class 8 orders, at 17,300 units, was down 21% compared to October, representing the lowest November tally going back to 2015, while marking a 39% annual decline. ACT’s data was in line with FTR’s, with the firm reporting that preliminary Class 8 net orders, for November, at 17,500, were off 20% compared to October.

Freight transportation consultancy FTR reported today that final Class 8 trailer orders for January, at 26,300 units, were down 3% compared to December and down 39% annually. While orders were down, FTR said that this tally was higher than expected, with the order level in line with current trailer production rates and backlogs near record levels.