According to ACT Research’s latest State of the Industry: NA Classes 5-8 report, December Class 8 net orders were healthy, bringing total year-end ordering activity to a strong 159,000 (Sept.-Dec.). Classes 5-7 orders declined 3% y/y to 17,464 units (-21% m/m), with seasonal adjustment trimming orders to 16,100.
“For now, business activity in the truck industry rolls on, also seemingly unphased by higher interest rates, as pent-up demand remains for now,” said Eric Crawford, vice president and senior analyst, ACT Research. “We expect this dynamic to shift in 2H’23, as the Fed continues its aggressive push to subdue inflation. Although there have been recent signs of inflation slowing, we do not expect the Fed to begin cutting rates in 2023.”
Regarding retail sales, Crawford added, “Class 8 retail sales in December rose 19% y/y to an all-time record 34,415 units. The strong finish to the year led to a total of 309,615 units sold in 2022,” he said. “Classes 5-7 retail sales (SA) rose 3.6% y/y to 19,000 units. Full-year retail sales were 229,821.”
