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NA Class 8 Truck Orders Outpacing Industry’s Ability To Produce

Posted 12/24/2018

At the top line, NA Class 8 truck net orders totaled 28,082 units in November, compared to build at 27,973 units, according to ACT Research (ACT).

“As we move into the year’s home stretch, freight-related data points continue to shift from strong growth to more moderate levels of activity,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT Research’s President and Senior Analyst. “November marked the first negative year-over-year order comparison in two years, falling 17 percent compared to last November. Over the past 12 months, Class 8 net orders totaled 506,300 units, the second strongest 12-month order period in history, trailing only the 12-month period ending October.”

Regarding the medium duty markets, Vieth commented, “November’s orders hewed to the warm side of 2018’s activity, with medium duty orders rising 23 percent year over year. Through year-to-date, 2018’s 280,800 orders are up an identical 23 percent year over year. Medium-duty trucks have been the primary driver of stronger activity in 2018, followed respectively by bus and RV orders.”