Prelim heavy- and medium-duty net orders up

February NA Classes 5-7 net orders are expected at 19,600 units (±5%) and Class 8 net orders are expected at 29,200 units (±5%), when actual data are released mid-month.

“February’s Class 8 orders were the fifth best since Q2 2006,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “Despite falling 16% from January, February’s net orders were up 30% compared to a year ago. Since October, Class 8 orders have been booked at a 320k SAAR. Going even further afield, since the beginning of Q3’13, Class 8 net orders have been booked at a 299k SAAR,” Vieth added.

“Following two months of below trend order placements, Classes 5-7 net orders rose to their highest level cycle-to-date at 19,600 units. That volume represents an improvement of 14% from January and 22% compared to last February. MD orders over the past year can be characterized as ‘slow and steady wins the race.’ Since October, orders have been booked at a 211k SAAR, while going back to the beginning of Q3’13 produces a net order SAAR of 210k units. Over the 12 months ending February, 206k net orders were booked,” said Vieth.

Scania is adding more solutions to its battery-electric vehicle (BEV) truck range by introducing more electric vehicles, axle configurations and cab alternatives, plus a number of power take-off solutions.

“We are steadily adding more and more customer value and specification choices with our continuous introductions,” says Fredrik Allard, senior vice president and head of e-mobility at Scania. “And the customers reward us with increased interest since it is now obvious how well these trucks serve and behave in actual operations and how truly appreciated they are among drivers. We constantly hear stories about drivers that were skeptical at first, but then fell in love with their electric trucks.”