Preliminary North American Classes 5-8 net orders came in at 53,000 units in November, up 44% year-over-year, and slightly down from October’s order surge, according to ACT Research. Seasonally adjusted, orders rose 2.8% from October to 50,300 units, marking November as the best month for NA Classes 5-8 orders since February 2015.
Preliminary N.A. Class 8 net orders remained elevated in November, with 32,900 units added to the books, according to ACT. Despite being the second-best order month since January 2015, November’s orders fell 8.7% from October.
“Historically, November is the third best order month of the year,” noted Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst at ACT Research. “As such, seasonal adjustment lowers the month’s intake to 30,000 units, down 4.7% from October.”
Similarly, FTR reported preliminary North American Class 8 net orders for November at 32,400 units. This is the second consecutive month that Class 8 orders have surpassed 30,000 units. North American Class 8 orders for the past twelve months have now totaled 274,000 units.
“Orders for Class 8 trucks have been sturdy and consistent,” said Don Ake, FTR’s vice president of commercial vehicles. “The orders are right in line with our forecast of stronger production and sales in 2018. The year-over-year comparison is overstated, however, because the election tempered order amounts last November.”
