FTR, provider of transportation forecasting in North America, has released the preliminary data on truck orders in June 2015. Overall, FTR found that truck orders fell for the fourth straight month to 19,624 units, 25% below a year ago. Class 8 orders, while fairly predictable for the period, were somewhat above the current seasonal trend showing just a 2% month over-month-decline from May—which is a strong showing in what is typically a weak month for orders.
Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles, commented, “The Class 8 market is heading into the summer order ‘bottom’ at a very normal, predictable pace. The drop in orders is not cause for concern at all. Orders should continue to trend down in July and possibly even August. Fleets right now are evaluating their 2016 requirements, and quoting activity by the OEMs has just started. Class 8 orders will remain rather subdued until the fall order season kicks in this October.”
Later this month, the full sales numbers for June will be available. The company’s forecasters collect and analyze all data likely to impact freight movement, issuing consistently reliable reports for trucking, rail, and intermodal transportation, as well as providing demand analysis for commercial vehicle and railcar.
