According to data from ACT Research Co., Class 8 net orders jumped to a thirteen-month high in January at 22,188 units. Vocational equipment orders also rose, to 8,500 units, a two-year high for the segment. Backlogs also rose to 99,600 units, up from 92,000 in December.

Medium-duty orders also had a strong month, hitting a six-month high at 22,744 units. That volume was up 3% month-over-month, and 31% year-over-year. “The improvement was broad-based, with truck, bus and RV orders all posting year-over-year and month-over-month gains. Seasonal adjustment lifts medium-duty orders in January, boosting the total to 24,100 units,” elaborated Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “On that basis, January was the best month for medium-duty orders since February 2008.”