Demand for commercial vehicles remained healthy in September as 43,300 total NA Classes 5-8 orders were booked, up 21 percent from a year ago and basically unchanged since August. Over the past 12 months, NA Classes 5-8 net orders have totaled 540,000 units. That cumulative order volume represents the strongest 12-month period of NA Classes 5-8 order placement since the twelve months ending Nov. 2005.
“Class 8 orders continued to be booked ahead of seasonal expectations,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “Historically, September is the second weakest month of the year for Class 8 orders, so some moderation was expected. During the month, 29,400 Class 8 orders were placed, down 500 units from August, but up 32 percent compared to last September,” he added.
September’s preliminary 18,500 NA Classes 5-7 net orders were up 3 percent from August and 9 percent from a year ago, representing the best MD vehicle order volume since April. “September is historically a strong month for school bus chassis orders, which remained elevated, so there is an expectation for stronger overall medium–duty orders during the month,” said Vieth.
ACT is the recognized leading publisher of new and used commercial vehicle (CV) industry data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American market, as well as the China CV market. ACT’s CV services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as the banking and investment community.
