Class 8 truck orders in North America have continued at record rates in August, according to FTR and ACT Research.
FTR reports that preliminary North American Class 8 orders for August hit another all-time high of 52,400 units, just surpassing last month’s total by 300 orders. Class 8 orders were again exceptionally strong in the U.S. market, with most OEMs racking up great order months. Orders were even month-over-month and up 153% year-over-year.
Six of the top twelve order months ever have occurred in the first eight months of this year, FTR noted. North American Class 8 orders for the past twelve months have now totaled 477,000 units.
“The good news is, it appears the supplier shortage issues that significantly slowed production earlier this year, have been largely abated for now. However, the supply chain remains tight, and fleets and dealers continue to place large orders to lock down build slots in 2019,” said Don Ake, FTR’s vice president of commercial vehicles.
ACT found preliminary North America Class 8 net order data in August at 53,100 units, breaking the all-time record set last month in another typically weak order intake month of the year.
“Preliminary data indicate that during the month of August, NA Class 8 orders rose 0.9% month-over-month and 150% from August 2017,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “Super-strong orders in June and July are likely pulling large fleet orders ahead in the schedule, as truckers race to reserve build slots in a market where demand is running well above capacity.”
About medium-duty orders, Vieth commented, “Trendy medium-duty order activity continued in August, with orders coming in slightly below the average of the previous four months. August preliminary NA Classes 5-7 net orders rose 26% year-over-year and 18% compared to July, at 23,700 units. Seasonality provides a modest boost to August’s medium-duty orders, bringing the rise to 24,100 units.”
