Columbus, IN--For the month of May, ACT Research reports 39,000 Classes 5-8 vehicle orders were booked, down 8 percent compared to May 2014. (Note: these numbers are preliminary. Actual numbers will be published in mid-May.)

“While the order comparisons are negative, looking only at orders does not provide sufficient context in regard to industry health,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT Research President and Senior Analyst. “Looking back one month to April, Classes 5-8 backlogs were nearly 63,000 units or 37 percent above their year-ago levels. Hence, orders are softer because many of them have already been placed.”

N. A. Class 8 orders posted their lowest monthly net order volume since September 2013 at 20,000 units, a decline of 23 percent from May 2014. “Rather than simply considering orders to be a harbinger of weakness, broader context is required in passing judgement,” said Vieth. “In addition to few build slots remaining open in 2015, this is the time of the year when Class 8 orders typically slow.”

N.A. medium duty orders rebounded to 19,000 units, up 17 percent year-over-year, signaling strong demand. “This was the sixth time in the past nine months that Classes 5-7 orders reached at least 19,000 units,” said Vieth.

To read the full release, go to http://www.actresearch.net/act-research-may-class-8-orders-fall-8-yy-medium-duty-orders-up-17/